Star Power (Hah!)

So a couple of weeks ago, we had an "interesting China experience."  Life here is full of those...

My co-worker Elva (that's her up above) got a phone call a few weeks ago.  It was from a Beijing-area TV producer who was starting a new TV show.  It was going to be a documentary-style program focusing on everyday people who live "differently." 

After a visit to our foster home, she was convinced that those of us who lived in our village and worked for our organization live "differently."  By that, she basically meant that we have goals and priorities other than making a ton of money and buying a ton of fancy things. Oh, and she thinks its weird that we'd live in our dusty little village instead of the beautiful metropolitan city up the road an hour or so.  (Sometimes I think that's weird, too, honestly.)

 

Anyway, she found this to be a fascinating life choice, as it is completely counter-cultural both here in China and in most other places of the world, too.  She wanted to know why we all live the way we do, and at the same time encourage other people to think about making similar lifestyle choices.  You know, things like live more simply, give more, love more, etc.  She wanted to feature Elva and a foreign couple for the first episode of the show.

None of us really wanted to participate.  I mean, we're not actors, and it is awkward to have a camera in your face all day.  But we all quickly recognized something.  What an amazing opportunity to share about how life can be so much richer than a paycheck... so much more beautiful than a fancy car.... worth so much more than all that our cultures tell us is valuable.

So armed with the belief that such a show really could impact the culture... By sharing deeper things over a television in a nation that remains closed.  Sharing that the power of love can make a difference.  Sharing that joy comes from giving not from receiving.  Well, with those thoughts brewing in our mind, how could we say no?  We all agreed to participate.

And it was awkward and uncomfortable at times.  But we really felt like we had an opportunity to share our hearts in an unprecedented way.  We have no idea what the final cut will be like, or when it will air, but we hope that the glory goes Up.  :)