The journey begins － A Lasallian Brother in China

I first met Brother David when I was about 12 (and that, for the records, was a looooong time ago). Brother D is the younger brother of my ku-cheung, husband of my ku-mah. Ku-mah in turn is my father's elder sister. And Brother D is a Catholic priest of the La Salle order. In other words, I am sort-of like his niece.


Always with a quick smile, a kind word and a hearty laugh, every one warms up to dear Brother D easily. 


What seems like a thousand years have passed since that childhood memory of him, and suddenly, I heard news that he has retired a few years back and now lives in a remote Chinese hamlet in China, teaching English for free. Records of his teaching, his travails and joys of a simple life in the heartland of his ancestors can be found on www.lasallechina.com


His writing style is light and warm (like the real person) and quite often, with a touch of humour. 


A sample of his writing (and also shows his popularity)


"At lunch on Thursday, one of the ladies in Baijiang made the remark that it was hard to invite me over for a meal.  I assured everyone that I always accept the first invitation and will not change, no matter who invites me later on.  It was then someone suggested that in order to avoid the discomfort of “failing to invite laoshi” that I fly a red flag on top of my house so that villagers will know that I already have an invitation for a meal.  One villager even suggested that I fly a green flag when I need a meal! "