James Xie

            When I look back and remember this study abroad, more important than the places I visited, are the people I’ve met. One such individual is James Xie. He is twelve years old and such a good boy, always being a big help for his mother. He runs errands for her when she needs it, and he loves to cook. He has already begun to take on responsibilities that other children his age don’t need to worry about. I wish you could see his smile, because it could melt any girls heart. (Have you ever seen the movie Up? I think he looks just like that kid; he just needs a boy scout uniform.)

I don’t know all the details, but James and his mother were baptized earlier this year. Though both of them are Chinese, they have been allowed to attend church in our branch because his father is a foreign passport holder. (Taiwanese) This is where I come in: Two months after his baptism, James’s father passed away unexpectedly. The ward has done a lot to help where they can, but there wasn’t anyone that James could really connect with. As a ward missionary, I was asked to be a role model for him, and help strengthen his testimony so he would be prepared to stay active when his church records were transferred over to the nationals ward. (Without their fathers foreign passport, the Chinese government will require them to attend church with the Chinese nationals soon)

            James is a little shy when you first meet him. We had talked a couple of times at church, but he took a little while to warm up. The first time he really opened up to me was shooting hoops together in a parking lot near his house. We could only take side shots, as the hoop was pushed up against a wall, but it didn’t matter. We have met several times since then. As we shot hoops, we talked. I swear we’ve discussed everything; the mission he will serve one day, the importance of talking to God in prayer, school and future career plans, etc. (He wants to be a professional chef one day. Can’t you see it?) Being around this cheerful little boy always makes me happy. As I said good-bye to him tonight, I couldn’t help but think: I don’t know if I’ve made much of a difference in his life, but he’s made a difference in mine.