Market Ladies

So I go to this one market on the way back from work every few days or so. At first the market was really intimidating because everyone was shouting in Chinese. I felt like I had done something wrong for being there.

Soon after I realized that market ladies are just like that. They yell because that's all they know. It's their way of being friendly. Even when I try to tell them the vegetable I want and say it incorrectly, their scolding is actually good natured. This is what I tell myself.

There are two ladies I keep going back to: the egg lady and the vegetable lady. Originally it was out of convenience because I didn't want to be yelled at by more than 2 or 3 people every trip and feel like a loser heading home, but after I realized I wanted to know them a little better. I told Michelle that it would be so cool to talk to them and share Gods love with them.

Over the summer I went home to Vancouver and didn't see the ladies for a month or two. The first trip back to the market, the veggie lady demanded to know why I hadn't come to for our weekly transactions. I retorted that her I had gone to Canada. Feeling vindicated, I told her I taught English here in HK and that my reason for having crappy Chinese was because I grew up overseas. One thing led to another and she told me her daughter was in high school and needed an English tutor. She asked if I was interested.

In the end, I'm not tutoring my vegetable lady's daughter, but I am happy that I've been able to take a step into her life. The other day I passed by with her veggie stand with a giant squash in my hand. She probed and inquired how long I planned to eat that pumpkin for. I looked at her and replied, "a couple months." She turned and gave a little smirk.

I remember the sermon series from my pastor at home during the summer. He had been talking about how we could have an impact in our community and in the lives of those around us. The phrase was to Pray, Position, and Proclaim. I am thankful that God had given me the opportunity to meet these market ladies in an unexpected sort of way here in HK and to be placed in a position where I can share God's love with them. I'm praying more opportunities will come as I keep buying eggs and choi sum.