Thursday, May 15, 2008

China Childhood Memories #7 - Baby Ruthie


After a difficult pregnancy, my parents took a long trip to Chungking, where there was a doctor. I was born in the early hours of the morning. My Dad found someone with a ham radio, and notified our relatives back in the States and Canada of my birth. Because of the time difference, I was born on the 29th, but they received the news on the 28th!

When they were able to be back at their mission station, Chinese people would come from miles around to see the foreign baby. (Being in the interior of China, many Chinese had never seen any foreigners, let alone a foreign baby.) When I was napping, they would patiently wait for me to awaken, and my Dad would use this time to teach them about God and His love for them.

As I grew a little older, my parents would go for walks in the country, with Dad carrying me over his shoulder. We attracted people where-ever we went, and the old Chinese ladies would follow behind and try to stuff candy into my mouth. They were just delighted to see a little white baby and wanted to please.

I am thankful for the love and care of my parents, raising a small child in the interior of China, back in the days when there was not the modern conveniences of the present day.

17 comments:

Natalie said...

I love how your relatives found out a day before your birth :) Not many people can say that!

SweetAnnee said...

How awesome~~
what wonderful parents
you had sweetie..and to be
so in DEMAND
lol
bet you were a happy baby..
lovingly, Deena

Anonymous said...

Isn't this funny. My little niece is adopted from China. Everywhere my sister's family goes, she gets noticed because she is Chinese. But what is hilarious is...she has a southern accent...it is precious coming from that little oriental mouth...LOL!☺

I loved hearing your birth story!

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Your blog is a wonderful place to visit. I loved imagining a sweet baby girl as a tourist attraction in China. Precious

Mimi said...

I love these continued stories of your young childhood and your parents love story...
how long did you live in China?
Mimi

Julie said...

I remember seeing my first different color person. I can just imagine the people thinking that they wanted a little girl just like that. :) I think it's amazing how the different cultures have same things- laughter, and love of children- among other things too. we all love wonderful babies. What an opportunity for your parents to witness.

Melanie said...

You are so blessed to have such wonderful parents. I want you to know I am really enjoying these stories..thank you for sharing!

Ruthie said...

Mimi, I lived in China until I was 8 years old. Then we had to evacuate because the Japanese were invading China during WW II. That evacuation is quite a story, too - and I'll get to that later. :)

Deena, I was a very happy child. I really felt loved by my parents and we were always very close. I suppose all the experiences we had together helped with that closeness.

Ya-Ya, How neat that you have a niece from China! What fun.

To all of you - thanks for your comments. I'm so glad you enjoy my reminiscing about my days in China. :)

Cottage Contessa said...

Ruthie, sweetie it's so wonderful reading about your childhood. What adventures you must have had at times! Were your parents there as Missionaries for the Inland China Mission by any chance? Hope you're having a terrific week!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Ruthie said...

Amanda,
Yes, my parents were missionaries with the China Inland Mission. Are you familiar with it?
There were lots of missionaries there from Australia and England as well as the US and Canada.
My Dad went out from Canada, and my Mom went out from the USA - they met and got married in China. :)

Deb said...

Hi Ruthie, little baby Ruthie is beautiful. What a great post,you were special then,and you're special now. Have a great weekend. Deb

a portland granny said...

I love, love, love your stories of China, as I read so many biographies of missionaries to China when I was a girl. This has spurred me on to re-read them.

I read a little about John Sung, China's Billy Graham, in Our Daily Bread a few days ago.

I think your travels in your little home on wheels sounds like so much fun--especially being part of a group! I used to travel all over Colorado when I worked at the Children's Home. We placed children in foster care and adoptive homes and I was often out doing home studies. I most like that the sun was evident every day!

You are a blessing with your writing.

Have a great week-end.
Joan

Jan Parrish said...

What a cute family. You probably have someadorable children yourself. LOL.

I didn't even know this story.

Robin said...

Thanks for sharing your birth and life with us! Your family is incredible!

I'm looking forward to reading more of your stories of life in China.

bp said...

That made me smile to read you were born on the 29th and they found out the 28th!

As I was reading I thought how God used your birth to reach those many interested Chinese people.

bj said...

Hi, Ruthie..thanks for coming by today...
I really enjoyed reading your story...
Come back to see me any time...
hugs, bj

Charlotte said...

This is so sweet. Thank you for sharing. I can just imagine you as a baby in that foreign land.