ERS

Last Saturday we visited Edith Schaeffer at her apartment, bottom floor of a renovated 17th century chalet - a treasure trove of memories; wedding photo of parents in China (in traditional dress), old Chalet Melezes L'Abri bread board, favorite hymnals like Christian Praise, tea service, original wheelbarrow shipping china to Europe, etc.

Every wedding gift long broken after years of L'Abri ministry, everything seen is everything survived.

Michael and Jack entertained with their music,

while enjoying her BBC reception with wonderful children's programming.

This baby Steinway was the subject of the book Forever Music, reflecting the deep engagement with the arts and culture which was, along with a vital spiritual life, ERS' contribution to the Schaeffer household. Grandfather Seville,a Greek professor who also knew Mandarin, read his Greek NT 'til the day he died at 102.

I'll never forget the meal shared 3 years ago, Michael proclaiming his history, "I was born in China and Jack was born in China," to which Mrs S loudly added with back straightened, "And I was born in China."

Like Ruth Graham & Os Guinness, ERS was a child of the China Inland Mission, writing of her early years in Mei Fuh:
I'm unsure to what degree a less "settled" origin propels one to either accept or foster restlessness, although I see that in myself, certainly. At home everywhere, at home nowhere.

I sometimes wonder if Michael's strong desire to farm & plant gardens expresses an unsentimental longing for place.