connie's space

It’s two days after Christmas and the remnants of this Christian holiday are still apparent in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.

Despite very few being Christians, the commercialism still lingers onward with Christmas carols being played throughout malls or grocery stores, cutesy Santa and elf apparel lined up in night markets or hanging up along street apparel shops and decorated food gift baskets with “Merry Christmas!” labels being sold here and there. 

I’m not sure when this will disappear from the consumer market but it might be awhile. We shall see!

Let me catch you up on all the activities for my Christmas weekend.

The Center’s Christmas Party for Students and Staff

Last Friday evening, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., had the students of our Vocational and Language Center arrive for a very nicely organized event.  Those attending were:  The “village”, or rather city district,  chief’s English Class (all ladies, learning English to better communicate with foreigners who live in their city areas), the primary school English class kids, the high school and college students taking courses to improve their language skills and a few other guests.  The Center staff were also present:   a mixture of Laos and us foreigners (Modester, Afijul, Angie, myself).

We had our opening warm-up of “We wish you a Merry Christmas” with dance moves, an explanation of the religious significance of the day, party games, a gift exchange (we all brought a wrapped gift and then had a drawing to determine who received which one) and a meal served afterwards.

See below all the photos  of this fun event, which was held in the Center’s larger room with stage and power point ability.

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A Christmas Vientiane Night Market Venture

On Saturday evening, Modester invited me and her Liberian friend, Beatrice, to the Vientiane Night Market, located along the Mekong River, for a shopping spree. This was my first experience in the city’s night market. I’d seen the quiet, abandoned goods and food stalls during the daytime but never experienced it in full swing.

My goodness! Anything and everything could be found here:  watches, hair dryers, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, kitchen supplies, . . . .

I was in need of warmer clothes as these chilly 50-degree evening temperatures really surprised me. I had researched Laos seasons and was told in the north, it could get quite cold (40s-50s) but central and southern Laos had temps running year-round from 70s to 90’s. No mention of drastic dips at night so I bought myself a hoodie sweat jacket and warm slippers. Cost was 90,0000 Kip ($4)

I was a little disappointed that local Laos handicraft items were not that popular. Only 2 stalls among hundreds sold what I was eager to buy. 

Here are my purchases below, and displayed in my home:  310,000 Kip ($14)

Christmas Day: Attending Church

The church I attended was a 30-minute motorcycle ride from Vientiane. As mentioned before, the main mode of transportation is by motorcycle (motor scooter), which most locals throughout Laos have. Larger vehicles, quite nice, are purchased by those who have a bit more money. Public transportation or long-distance bus service (much like in America) is still very sparse thus the need to have your own means of transportation.

I am not yet adept at driving a motorbike, although I am practicing and will be purchasing my own soon, on my dime.  I’ve been debating between a new one or a used one. I think you can guess which I’ll be choosing! (Brand new, with Laos models being untrustworthy so most people buy the imported versions coming from Japan, Vietnam or the US.)

Afijul was gracious enough to take me on his bike. Modester took Beatrice. Angie’s son, Amos, brought her.

A pre-service praise singing time took place from 9:30 to 10. Service began at 10, with opening prayer, introduction of officials present (yes, non-Christian local gov. officials were invited to receive gift baskets and thanks for their continued service to the country), message by the pastor and then performances by children, church leaders and (yes) us few foreigners present. Afijul accompanied us on the keyboard while Modester, Angie and I sang Away in a Manger (with motions and parts) and lastly, Go Tell it On The Mountain with audience participation of clapping. Although no one understood English, the feeling of our shared faith that we exuded was apparent and appreciated. A substantial meal was served afterwards for all present, over 100. 

Christmas Day Evening in My Apartment Complex

Yet another surprise was a gathering arranged by two of our long-term residents in this apartment complex: Paul, from Britain/New Zealand, and his wife June, from Thailand.

Paul has been here a year as a consultant for WHO (World Health Organization) in his field, epidemiology. He’s consulted over 30 countries at different lengths of time with Laos being one of his longer stints. The greatest threat to human life here is Dengue Fever, a mosquito-carrying disease which doesn’t get the needed research or concern that malaria has been given over the years.

There is no vaccine for Dengue Fever. It is the only mosquito-carrying viral infection that targets humans, not animals. In 80% of initial infections, it is not fatal but results in high fever, rash, muscle aches and pains. It can last from 2-7 days. There is no specific treatment. Stay hydrated as the fever can deplete hydration and death can result from that. Do NOT take aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), aspirin-containing drugs, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) because of their anticoagulant properties. 

In other words, you can bleed out.

Instead, take paracetamol, which is a drug easily found in Laos. Below you will find the lovely gift packet of medication for this, as well as a small container of vix-like Monkey balm, to soothe sore muscles.  I did wonder why the church had put together this lovely packet of medication, which the ladies distributed to us as we came to worship. 

After my conversations with Paul, I knew why such a gift had been selected by church organizers: Definitely this was a showering of Christian love and concern for the well-being of all who received it.

Another nastiness of this infection is that if you have had it before, the next time can be even more severe with a greater risk of death. So if all goes well your first infection, it may not go so well the second, third or even fourth time. This is why there is such a high death rate here in Laos due to Dengue Fever: No ability to build up an immune system response, like malaria.

Our potluck gathering outside had not only apartment residents invited but our Laos staff present as well. These are the ones who clean, do laundry, take care of apartment problems, bring us our bottled water and help in any way possible. I learned their pay per month is quite low, only $45 per month. Our rental is $500 – $600 a month. We have quite a few apartments in this complex. The owner, Mee, is doing quite well, obviously, with her various properties about town. It is a shame that their pay is not higher as they work very hard to maintain this place, plus two are present 24-7, living in the tiny office space and taking turns sleeping on a small cot.

Although we spoke different languages, with very limited lingual commonality among ourselves, we managed just fine: Good food, good fellowship, with much appreciation given by those of us who live here to our local Laos caretakers and friends. Now that is the way to end a Christmas weekend!

I’m a bit late with this one but jet lag has really taken a toll on this 59-year-old lady. Today I have been in Laos a full week and am starting to feel back to my normal self

I’ve already had my Center visit, meeting the staff for the first time with a 1-hour Welcome meeting. Angie (from the Philippines), the current director, greeted me at the door and ushered me in. Also present were the 2-year Global Mission Fellows, Modester from Malawi and Afijul from West Africa. The two are finishing up the last of their volunteer service as teachers with the Center. They have 6 months to go.

Here we have my initial entrance. (Thanks to Amos, Angie’s son, for assistance in recording this.)

After this, we had a meal together before everyone bustled off to their offices to get to work.

As a new person to Laos and this job position, I will be taking time to adjust and get needed things done. Duties as the Center’s director will wait for now.

These next few weeks, I have numerous things on my “to-do” list: getting my permanent work visa processed, opening a Laos bank account, tagging along with Modester and Afijul as they teach their classes, learning how to once again drive a motorbike (i.e., scooter) as well as purchasing one since we have no public transportation here, plus just getting my feet on the ground a bit more.

Also included in the above will be enrollment into Laos language classes. Very few people here speak English. This is much like China, when I first arrived in that country 33 years ago. In fact, much of my time so far has been filled with nostalgic trips down my China memory lane. I am having flashbacks of so many of the same experiences I had those many years ago in Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi Province: No English signs in sight, pointing to things I wanted in the market, taking my life into my own hands when crossing the traffic-filled streets, trashy areas where rubbish was thrown about wherever . . . Wow. China is so different now but Laos certainly is not.

I’ll leave you here with these last images, including my gift to the staff: Hershey chocolates. Angie informed me that Laos people adore American chocolate but it’s very expensive here and also hard to find. As a good director passing on the baton to another, wanting to endear the staff to me, she suggested I bring some, which I did. Don’t we all look like we’ll have a great time as a team? I’d say so!

Before I report on my first visit to the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center, let me show you my neighborhood here. 

Before the visuals, let me tell you a bit about Vientiane, the capital city where I am living. (In red below) It is the largest city of Laos, with a population of 840,000. It’s also located along the Mekong River, bordering Thailand.  

It is composed of 11 districts and 486 villages. (A “village” is really a city neighborhood, not a village as we think of it in English.). I live in the Thongkang Village, the Sisattanak District.

My Village and Area

I have already walked my small alleyways to explore. As you see the slideshow below, you’ll notice a beautiful Buddhist temple (that’s to the left exiting my apartment alleyway) and exiting right, narrow roads lead to one main road that is heavily trafficked. All along my village walk, I pass VERY wealthy Laos people in gated, spiffy homes that look like palaces. There are always several expensive cars parked in the inner courtyards. Then we have others who live in rundown concrete buildings, scraping by doing whatever work they can find.

Eventually, after zig-zagging my way about, I can eventually cross the main road to buy few shopping items. There are so many mom-and-pop, family-run convenience stores. They have everything you would need, including Diet Coke. (Surprise!) I just have to be careful when getting there. I keep my eyes on cars and motorbikes whizzing by to slowly make my way across.  I don’t want to get hit, thank you very much.

Another tricky aspect of walking my village streets deals with strays. Homeless dogs roam everywhere. They lounge along roads, pick through tossed garbage, run in packs or stay single and wary of those passing by. Others belong to shops and just wander about in the heat or guard their owner’s areas.  Angie has been bitten several times, she told me. This is why we get our rabies vaccinations before we come here, good for 2 years.

Enjoy the below. I had fun putting it together for you. Welcome to my neighborhood!

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After over 32 hours, from a 4 a.m. flight out of Indianapolis to Atlanta to Incheon, Korea to Vientiane Laos, I am finally here!!

What a relief to have my luggage arrive (100 pounds full of gifts, clothes and personal items), whiz through the visa line, show my work visa document and be given the stamp of approval for entry.

Next, to be greeted at midnight by Angie Broncano (current coordinator of the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center, SVLC), Modester from the country Malawi(a Global Mission Fellow, teaching with the Center as a 2-year young volunteer) and Amos (Angie’s adult son, living with his mom and dad here while he takes online seminary classes.)

The three loaded me into a taxi and off we went for the 30-minute drive from the airport to my temporary apartment, where I’ll be staying for a month while settling in and considering if I want to remain here or rent somewhere else. 

Day 1 had me staying awake most of the rest of the night, not able to sleep. Modester, who lives in the apartment next to me, was my savior in taking me market shopping the next day on the Center’s motorcycle. Here I am, seated behind Modester as she speeds along a traffic-filled Main Street. Notice the shops are carrying Christmas clothing, of all things! Laos is 61 % Buddhist but Christmas commercialism has set in with a vengence.

We went to a supermarket and open air market for all my temporary needs: vegetables, meat, milk, shampoo, soap, hangers, house slippers . . . Everything one would ever need is here in the capital city. And so many clothes, which I already have. I was a bit astounded at the prices, however. It was not as cheap as I had imagined, including USA costs for some items. I went through my $50 dollars of Kip (local currency) in a hurry.

Settled into My Apartment

I have now unpacked, decorated for Christmas with what I brought with me and am trying to get over jet lag.

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Ready to Meet the Staff

I have not had time yet to venture too far out, although I walked the streets a bit with my absolutely zilch Laos language ability.  I can say “Hello” and “Thank you,” which seem to have endeared me to the street sellers.  Today, I will be meeting the staff  at 10 a.m. Angie has arranged a welcome party for me and we will go out to lunch afterwards.   Modester will be motorcycling me off about a 4-minute drive to where the Center is located. I will dress appropriately and bring the following items:  gift of chocolates for the 11 who will be in attendance (Angie told me to bring chocolate as it’s very expensive here),  vitamins for Angie and a MacBook Air connection cord for Afijul’s computer. (Afijul is another Global Mission Fellow who was in dire need of this item yet couldn’t find it in Vientiane, the capital city where we are staying.  I ordered on Amazon Prime, with a 2-day delivery, for a mere $15 and brought it with me.)

I will be sure to post more pictures of Vientiane and the outside world, the one I have not yet been able to fully appreciate. Stay tuned for more news and adventures from here! Know that I am overly happy to finally be in a place I feel called to be.

Peace, until later, from a very blessed and grateful Connie

5) Decorating the House

My mom and I hunkered down to decorate the house for Christmas. We started by digging through the carefully labeled bins in the garage.

6) The Christmas tree hunt at Danke’s, our nearby tree farm.

7) Outside Light Display

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8) Decorating the house Inside Tree

9) Saying Farewell to friends

Aside from finishing up Christmas decorating, I squeezed in a few farewells.

My neighbor’s children, Ariel (8) and Dee-dee (5), and I have a special relationship. My mom mentioned I needed to carve out a playdate with the two of them to have some closure before I depart. Ariel would have been devastated to come over, ding on the doorbell in anticipation of me being there only to find out I’m gone and won’t be back anytime soon. Thanks to the Dollar General, I picked up several ornament craft items for the girls and me to make. I hung out at their home, with their kitties wandering about the table and parents Jessica and Derek preparing dinner, while we colored. I haven’t colored in years! We really had a lot of fun.

Another highlight was dog-sitting for our other neighbors. After losing all 3 of their dogs to various old-age illnesses, Rich and Debbie finally found a rescue which tugged on their heartstrings. Mixed hound Penny was found running around the streets of Paris (that’s Paris, Illinois, 20 miles away) for over a week. She was a friendly little thing, about 6-7 months old, and is now a part of the Bernadoni household. Rich is a University of Illinois (U of I, in Champagne Urbana) graduate and faithfully attends all the home football and basketball games. U of I is 1 1/2 hours from Marshall. For the last home game, an all-day affair, I was enlisted to sit with Penny and keep her company. As a new canine to house living, plus being so recently adopted, Debbie didn’t feel comfortable leaving Penny all on her lonesome for 10 hours so over I came to spend the day with Penny. I had so many sofa cuddles and rub-my-belly sessions. (The latter being for the dog, folks, not for me.) What a sweetheart! I can’t wait to return in a year and see how much she’s grown.

My hometown church gave me a lovely planned send-off on Sunday, with prayers and a cake. The support I’ve been given, including permission to have an office space in the building (I took over the prayer room), has been such a blessing. To show my gratitude, I presented the congregation with the following, a Chinese paper cut made by Chinese Christians. This was my last one. It seemed only fitting that it be hanging somewhere in Marshall 1st as a reminder of my time here and the blessings I received from everyone.

Yet another in-person farewell (unplanned and a great surprise) was from Don Lindsay. Don and his wife, Kate, and I taught in China at the same time many years ago. They are now living in Indiana, not too far away, but we just hadn’t managed to get together. They visited briefly during Covid 2 1/2 years ago but since then, we’ve just stuck to emailing. Don was passing through my area, having attended a classmate’s funeral, and called to say he had pulled into my Marshall exit and was staying in one of the Interstate hotels. You’re kidding!!! We met for coffee at McDonalds the next day. What a wonderful way to spend my morning, reminiscing about China and catching up with all Don’s news of the family, grandkids and his church involvement.

Then we have goodbyes to Lucy and Beanie, my two rescues brought from China who now have a loving home with PJ. We four (the dogs, PJ and I) took a last walk around the Clark County fairgrounds on Wednesday afternoon. My heart misses them immensely but knowing they have the perfect home gives me great relief and great joy.

And my very last farewell I save for last:  The goodbye to my mom.

Who would ever have imagined my many years overseas would come to a sudden halt, stranding me in the States for 4 years?!  This incredible gift of being with my mom for so long has become  a treasured part of my adult life.  It was hard to leave her today, especially with Christmas around the corner, but we both knew it was time.  My 1-month yearly vacation time will definitely be spent with her.  And with this incredible technology we now have (cell phones and computers), connecting with her on a daily basis will be just as if I never left.

Goodbye, Mom and Bridget!  Time goes quickly.  I’ll be seeing you again in person before we know it.

It’s late in my nearby-airport hotel room and I have a 3 a.m. wake-up call.  Suitcases (2 at 50 pounds each) are ready to go and so is my VERY heavy backpack.  My colleagues are waiting for my arrival.  Let’s hope all the flights go well.

Next bit of news will be from Laos, everyone!  Watch this space for all the travel and arrival details.  I’ll have a lot to write about, I’m sure.

The countdown begins: I have less than 24 hours before my new life in Laos begins.

What have I been doing to prepare? Let me give you the updates!

Marking off my “To Do” List

1) The first has been waiting anxiously for my work visa document, which was completed last week, attached to my email and has been printed out to show to the visa agent upon arrival.

2) Researching Vientiane city real estate on Youtube:  Apartment/house rentals and tours

     In China, apartments on campus with other teachers and staff  were provided for me.  I had no choice about accommodations, with the perks being no rent and all my electricity, Internet and water costs were covered.  

      After 30 years of never worrying about where I was staying as it was always assigned to me,  I am now thrust into a situation where I get to house-hunt or apartment hunt on my own.   And what a selection there is in the capfital city, Vientiane, where I’ll be living!  I have already enjoyed Youtube videos of Laos real estate agents (English subtitles), touring clients through  various fully furnished city homes, apartments and housing complexes.  According to my colleagues, my budget can only go as high as  $700 US per month.  After that, I am required to cover the rest of the cost myself.  To me, that sounds like quite a high amount considering China had rents as low as $200. However,  I quickly found out Vientiane is pricey, with the lowest rent being $350 US per month, often a rather dingy place and one without electricity, water or Internet services covered.  That was all extra.

 I’ve also been told that going too cheap will compromise your safety.  Burglaries and break-ins, especially for those of us who are considered the rich foreigners, is a problem.  One Youtube video I saw had the resident setting up trip wires throughout his courtyard and keeping a big, mean-looking, noisy dog as a deterrent for unwanted folk coming onto his property, especially late at night.

With all of this in mind,  I have agreed upon a temporary 1-month, 1-bedroom furnished apartment rental for December at a price of $450 US, Internet provided and laundry service as well as gated security.   I was told the complex is near the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center so I won’t have to go far to get to my new work place.  If I had not chosen a rented apartment, I  would be staying in a hotel ($50 – 75 per night) until I could find a more permanent place to stay.   The immediate apartment rental will  obviously save money and give me time to rest, adjust and search out the perfect place for my next 3 years in Laos.  

Curious as to what that apartment looks like?  Here are the pictures sent by Angie.  Quite a swanky dwelling, wouldn’t you say?

3) Enjoying Smalltown Christmas Festivities with My Mom

Saturday, December 3, had my small town in Marshall, Illinois, celebrating Holly Days. This year featured numerous live nativity scenes around the courthouse lawn. Different churches hosted snapshots of Bethlehem which were displayed in individual booths.

To serenade the spectators, different church choirs were given 30-minute time slots to fill. We dressed as angels. Here is Marshall First.

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4) Holly Day’s Evening Light Parade

As darkness fell, we town folk gathered for a 20-minute light show parade. Bridget, rescue dog from China, came with us as well.

(See Part 2)

To all those who made my mom’s birthday special, thank you so much! She received 41 cards in total. I had hoped for 25 so 41 is a bonus — definitely a well-deserved haul!

We started out taking Bridget for a walk at Lincoln Trail State Park. We were the only ones there!

After our hiking about, we dressed up and had a late afternoon buffet at Richards Farm (a restaurant in Casey , Illinois), which serves a gigantic Thanksgiving Day feast for the masses. We’d never been before and were told, “If you go home hungry, it’s your own fault.” (True, true, true!)

Our neighbor girl came by to give my mom a painting which her grandmother made.

Special cupcakes arrived from my friend, April, who lives in Hawaii. April spent Christmas Day with us in Illinois, her first ever cold December 25th, in 1989. She and I lived in a women’s dormitory house in Washington, DC, at that time. She was working for her Hawaiian senator; I was completing my USA placement as a Mission Intern after spending over a year in Japan. I invited her to come to Illinois for her Christmas Day and she took me up on the offer. We’ve stayed in touch ever since.

My mom’s brother, Rolf, and his wife, Becky, had flowers and a b-day balloon delivered. What an appropriate gift, not to mention the lovely display it presented in the living room.

For myself, I picked up a few fun items. She’s wearing the Christmas T-shirt I gave her in the picture with her flowers. Also included in her gifts was a pottery angel by our local artisan. She had seen it a few weeks ago and thought it was quirky, something right up her alley. Surprise! it’s now on the wall for her to enjoy.

Her lottery ticket numbers, sad to say, didn’t win her the millions she’d hoped for but the well-wishes of so many surely must have made up for it. That old saying, “Money can’t buy you happiness,” I still think holds true. As for my mom, she’d definitely agree.

Enjoy the visuals below. They make for a nice memory for us both.

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(This article has been published in area newspapers. Connie Wieck is a Marshall, Illinois native who will soon be leaving for Vientiane, Laos.   She will be assuming duties as Coordinator of the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center, which serves the needs of local elementary, secondary and tertiary schools, as well as outlying villages, by providing educational workshops, seminars and English language courses. )

“I don’t want a big fuss.”

That was my mom’s recent comment concerning her birthday. 

 But how can I, her daughter, not want a big fuss?  Aside from it being her 90th, her November 23^rd celebrations fall directly on Thanksgiving Day itself. 

       For those who have late November birthdays, you might have similar stories of doubling jubilees.   November 22 – 28 births, on certain years, fall on Turkey Day itself. Anyone reading this know of a friend, a relative or even yourself whose pumpkin pie has become the focal point for candles and the traditional “Happy Birthday” song?  

      If you’re like me, you might have wondered how often such birthdays fall on Thanksgiving Day.  A Google search found me reading an interesting post written by Scott Forbes in 2010.  The patent attorney’s blog, which he wrote out of Seattle, gave his fact-finding research concerning his own Thanksgiving Day birthday.  It’s a mish-mash of calculations, and took me several reads for full clarity, but I include it below as it does make for a fascinating read:  

      ”The simple formula for calculating the date of Thanksgiving is to take last year’s date and subtract a day, and then add seven days if you’ve ended up on the 21st… so if Thanksgiving 2009 was on the 26th (which it was), then Thanksgiving 2010 would be on the 25th, and in 2011 it will be on the 24th.”

“But then things start getting complicated, because 2012 is a leap year. Thanksgiving 2012  is on the 22nd, not the 23rd – that extra day in February pushes us back two days instead of just one. And then, in 2013, we wrap around: One day earlier than the 22nd would be the 21st, but now we’re looking at the third Thursday of the month, so we add seven days to get Thanksgiving on the 28th.”

       “All this adds up to a pattern that takes 2800 years to go through a full cycle, thanks to our calendar’s quirky rules for determining whether it’s a leap year or not. In the short term (that is, from 1901 to 2099) there’s a leap year every four years, and your birthday will be on Thanksgiving four times out of every 28: If your birthday falls on Thanksgiving in a given year, then it falls on Thanksgiving again exactly 28 years later, and three other times in between at intervals of six years, five years, six years, and then eleven years.”

      Scott’s article included a rundown of Thanksgiving Day birthdays from 2017 onward, including my mom’s on November 23rd.  Here’s what he had listed for her special day:  2017, 2023, 2028, 2034, 2045, 2051, 2056, 2062, 2073, 2079, 2084, 2090.(Scott’s full Thanksgiving Day chart for November 22 – 28 birthdays can be found at scottforbes.net, the July 7, 2010 blog entry.)

But what about my mom’s past Thanksgiving Day birthdays?  

Yet another search gave me the ability to count how many birthdays my mom, in her 90 years, had landed a turkey dinner for her birthday festivities.  

For my mom, this has happened 12 times in her lifetime, with this year being her 13th.  If you believe that number is unlucky, read on:  My mom’s 13 actually should be 14.  

 In 1863,  President Abraham Lincoln called for “A Day of Praise and Thanksgiving” to fall on the last Thursday of November as a national holiday.  In 1933, my mom’s birth year, November had 5 Thursdays.  Thus the fifth Thursday, November 30^th , became Thanksgiving Day instead of the fourth Thursday, November 23^rd. (That would have given her 14 Thanksgiving Day birthdays  instead of this year’s 13).  In November 1939, yet another 5^th Thursday calendar year came around.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed Thanksgiving a week earlier to make business leaders happy by adding more days for Christmas shopping.  In rebellion, some state legislatures voted their states celebrate on the 5^th Thursday of November; others sided with the president by celebrating on the 4^th Thursday.   Two years later, the holiday dilemma was settled.   On December 26, 1941, FDR signed Congress’ executive bill making the 4^th Thursday in November the official day of Thanksgiving for the United States.   It has remained so today.

 I know my mom insisted on a no-fuss 90th, but looks to me as if her special day can’t be anything but. Sorry, Mom. You’ll just have to put up with a little bit of birthday hoopla mixed in with a whole lot of love.

(From daughter Connie:  Anyone wishing to add to my mom’s “no-fuss” celebrations can mail cards to:  Priscilla Wieck  710 Mulberry Street  Marshall, IL 62441.  Your birthday wishes will be greatly appreciated.)  

Retracing the footsteps of Charles and Louise Killie brought about my recollection of more China stories from years past.

These happened to be from the Canadian Methodist missionaries who founded the church I attended in Luzhou. Those missionary founders were Rev. Charles Jolliffe and his wife, Gertrude. The two, along with their children, left for China in 1906. Charles went with his tight-knit graduating class whom all became known as the “Victorian Eight” or the “Vic Eight” for short. They attended the Methodist founded Victoria College, in Toronto, thus the name Victorian Eight. (This educational institute is now known as Victoria University, connected with the University of Toronto.)

The “Vic Eight” were given the following assignments:

Chengtu — N.E. Bowles–Church, Junior and Senior Primary and Charity Schools and H.D. Robertson — Theological and Middle Schools
Penghsien –W.E. Sibley – Church and Outstations, including Tsungninghsien Day and Boarding Schools (until Sept. 1st)
Chungking –E. W. Wallace — Schools (On rise of Council).
Luchow (Luzhou) — C.J.P. Jolliffe – Church, School and Outstations
On furlough–E.W. Morgan

Excerpt of Memories by Charles in his “Our Work in China” memoirs

A Reminiscence of the 1906 Voyage on the Empress of China

I must tell you about the other members of our party. There were Rev. R.B. McAmmond and wife, both of whom are now living at Beamsville Ont. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Carson. The latter is Aunt Florence. He died in 1910 of typhus fever, got when itinerating. Typhus is caught from the bite of a body louse, sometimes referred to in China as China’s millions. Rev. W.E. Sibley and wife. The latter was beheaded on a Chengtu street in 1926 by a demented Chinese man. Then there were 3 unmarried men, Bowles, Morgan and Wallace. The last of these was afterwards Chancellor of Victoria University. He and Wes. Morgan are both gone. There was another couple, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Allan. Frank was in charge of the Chungking hospital. He worked himself to death. One day after a hard morning he lay down on a couch and went to sleep, his long last sleep. Besides these men and women there were 3 W.M.S. Ladies, Miss Caroline Wellwood, Hattie Woodsworth, afterwards Mrs. Morgan and Uberta Steele. The latter two still live.
“We Go to China”, Our Work in China, (1) & (2)

(Note: Pictures of those mentioned above can be found here: https://library.vicu.utoronto.ca/exhibitions/vic_in_china/portraits/)

Szechwan Traditions and Expressions

The Confucian classics teach filial piety as you know. But is is sometimes shown in ways strange to us. Hsu Hwan Tin helped me [C.J.P. Jolliffe] with building operations [in Luchow] for several years. When his old mother became sick and they thought she was going to die, Hsu had carpenters bring lumber and make her a coffin in the courtyard just outside her window. The sound of the men working on her coffin was music to her ears. Especially did it please her to know that she had such a filial son.
“Notes and Incidents”, Our Work in China, VII (b).

Missionary Dress Code Prior to the 1911 Revolution

The members of the China Inland Mission, who went to China as missionaries from Great Britain, Canada, Australia, U.S.A. and other countries were compelled to wear Chinese clothes as well as the “pig tail”. 
   Gertrude Jolliffe, “The Queue”, Album, [page 39-40], undated.

Recalling a Gruesome Gertrude Story from “Our Work in China”

Years ago, I met the grandson and great-grandson of the Jolliffe’s who shared with me a copy of Our Work in China, the memoirs of Gertrude and Charles. I remember one story I read that stood out to me so vividly that I have always remembered it. Here is my recollection of the incident:

Dr. Ferguson was among us and helped to establish the Western dispensary, which was greatly used by our small clinic. He told this story concerning a Chinese woman who had gone into labor. He was called to assist, and so was the midwife. She had fashionably long fingernails, which the Chinese women of high status wore. Such nails indicated that one did not have to engage in manual labor. Often times, to protect the nails from breaking, the women wore metal guards. In this instance, the midwife had removed the guards, exposing extremely sharp and deadly nails which, as the child was removed from the womb, accidentally sliced across the tender belly of the newborn child. The intestines were exposed, pouring out in such a manner that I was unable to relieve the child’s distress. Needless to say, the baby did not survive.

To this day, I have always wondered if Dr. Ferguson ever again allowed a Chinese midwife with such knife-like appendages to assist in his deliveries.

The Entire “Our Work in China”

If you are truly interested in reading the Jolliffe’s full account of their time in China, here is the digital copy of all 99 pages.  It is one fascinating read.  I encourage anyone who has a curiosity about life in China over 100 years ago to take a look.  It will NOT disappoint!

https://digitalcollections.vicu.utoronto.ca/RS/pages/view.php?ref=6472&k=