Yin-chang

Isobel was finally able to sail for China in October of 1928.  She married John Kuhn on November 14, 1929.  Cultural adjustments confronted Isobel.  She had to adapt to new foods, lack of privacy, and disturbing behavior.  Visitors to her home had no regard for cleanliness and Chinese mothers allowed their toddlers and infants to urinate and defecate on her new rug.  However, she struggled the most with John's cook boy Yin-chang and his wife.  Yin-chang and his wife were lazy and took advantage of John and Isobel.  They would "borrow" things from the Kuhns without asking.  One cold day, Isobel noticed a few feebly burning coals in their tiny charcoal brazier.  She was puzzled, because they had just purchased a new larger brazier.  She soon discovered that Yin-chang and his wife were huddled around the new brazier in their bedroom, where the heat was solely concentrated on them.  Whenever Isobel complained to John, he defended Yin-chang's behavior.  Isobel tried to remedy the problems with them, including instructing the couple how to wisely use the money she gave them for food.  They would only smirk at her and refuse to cooperate.  She eventually realized her own fault in the situation,because she hadn't given her problem to God.  She confessed that her reaction was not a good witness to the Chinese.  Isobel finally took her anger to God and apologized for her behavior.  She asked God what she should do.  Almost immediately after, John gave Isobel permission to dismiss Yin-chang.


 I don't think I would have handled the situation with Yin-chang as well as Isobel did.  I think I would have entirely blamed Yin-chang.  I would tell myself and God that my annoyance and anger were justified, because of the behavior of Yin-chang and his wife.  In situations where I have been challenged to live or encounter someone like Yin-chang, I have not always responded in a way that honors God.  I became bitter and angry.  Blaming everyone but myself, I kept dwelling on everything that person did that was inconsiderate or that made me mad.  My attitude became so bad, that my family suffered from my constant complaining and little cutting remarks. Like Isobel, I had to acknowledge my inappropriate responses to the situation.  I understand that someone else's rude behavior does not justify a bitter response.   

A picture of Isobel and John at their wedding.