3,563 Yuan Miracle (Serendipity, Yuanfen 缘分--or Providence?)

Ahoy from Amoy! (historic Xiamen, China).

Over the years we've had so many "coincidences" that some have even been written up in the Chinese media, where they are attributed to Yuanfen (缘分, "fate"). Just now I ran across an email I'd sent our youngest son, Matthew, on Feb. 27, 2011 to share just such a "coincidence" when we were working on paying one of his college bills. In rereading it, I can't help but marvel how the need was met--to the very penny, and on the very day I needed it!

Feb 27, 2011, 7:51 PM,
"Hey Shan and Matt! (and Mom)

"Just a quick note to share a MIRACULOUS story of our Father's provision....

"In December, I sent almost everything we had to the U.S. for Matt's college expenses, and then did not receive some money I'd really counted on.  I didn't worry about it, just tightened the belt in January and waited for February payday.  And then the school did not pay me in February because of Chinese New Year (they said they'd pay me double in March but I'd really needed it then).  Still, if we stuck to a tight budget, I figured we'd just barely make it to payday on March 12th.  So I still didn't worry, though I can't remember when things have been this tight (we did have money in the U.S, but given the high costs of transfer and exchange, it seemed poor stewardship to do that).

"Then I learned I needed 4,023 Yuan cash, that day, for an unplanned 4-day trip to Korea on March 8th to 12th. I'd be refunded, but not until after the trip. There was no way humanly possible so I rationalized borrowing it from Shannon. After all, we often help Shannon, so it was "all in the family" But I felt uneasy about it. As J.H. Taylor said, "His will done in His way will never lack His supply." Borrowing, from a son or anyone else, did not seem to be the epitome of faith!

"As soon as I decided to borrow the money, our XMU travel agent phoned to say he'd gotten my ticket for 600 less than I'd already agreed to pay! So the Korean Ar ticket and taxi cost only 3,563. 

"After he hung up, XMU foreign Affairs phoned to say they had 1,036 Yuan they should have paid me a month earlier but could not because of a paperwork problem. And within half an hour, Sue's brother in North China's Dalian phoned to say he was wiring us 2500 Yuan to settle yet another matter. His and FAO's money added up to 3,536 Yuan--the exact cost of the trip. And so I bought the plane tickets--no need for my son's money because my own Father is better at finances than my two sons' father.

"It was a miraculous reminder that our Father has his hand on every detail, large or small--including a totally unexpected trip to Korea. He has proven faithful countless times during our 29 years in China--and during my 61 years on this little blue ball of a planet that, for now, we call home.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:28, 29 (NIV), "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these!" 
马太福音6：28,29,耶稣说.“何必為衣裳憂慮呢？你想野地裡的百合花怎麼長起來；他也不勞苦，也不紡線。 然而我告訴你們，就是所羅門極榮華的時候，他所穿戴的，還不如這花一朵呢！”

Enjoy Amoy!

Dr. Bill

Academic Director, SMXMU OneMBA Program
School of Management, Xiamen University
Amazon eBook "Discover Xiamen"

www.amoymagic.com

Bill Brown Xiamen University www.amoymagic.com