BRS's Year-End Banquet

It hit home tonight that we are in the middle of a remarkable experience here in China. We were invited to join the school staff at the year-end celebration. The banquet was held at a nearby restaurant.   There were several speeches by the head of the school, Mr. Wang. At least 16 different dishes at each table. Soda, tea, Chinese wine, and beer flowed freely. There's a marvelous tradition of each table moving from one table to the next, toasting each other. Then if your table gets toasted, you are sure to return the gesture. The entire table approaches another and toasts them all together and one on one. There is laughter, camaraderie, joking, and sincere appreciation for the work that was done over the course of the year.   We are not tourists on this journey; we don't necessarily "belong" either. But we are guests in the best sense of the word. We are able to participate in aspects of every day Chinese life that we would never experience staying at a 5-star hotel. People we meet are gracious and warm. They are curious and accommodating. They are smart and funny.   We are so incredibly fortunate to be a part of this partnership.