Chinese

Yesterday we had a group of Chinese exchange students visit our farm. I gave them rides on the combine while we were harvesting soybeans. It was the first time most of them were on an American farm, and the first time any of them saw farm machinery. On the farms where they come from in China, the farmers do not have machinery, everything is done by hand or with animal power, and on a very small scale. Every facet is new to them, and it is fun to watch the expressions of amazement on their faces at the scale and technology of American farms. They were impressed with the size of a combine and the fact that it costs more than an average home. They took lots of pictures and videoed everything. They spoke very good English and I enjoyed our conversations. I explained to them that the growing Chinese economy and the increasing standard of living of the Chinese people is playing a large role in the current profitability of American agriculture.

Over the years, cousin Randy has brought numerous international students to our farm. We've hosted Chinese, Japanese, and African students, as well as visitors from Switzerland, Germany, and Eastern Europe.
This particular group of students were surprised when they got to central Illinois to learn that Caterpillar's world headquarters was in Peoria, and that Caterpillar was actually an industrial company manufacturing construction machinery. They told me that in China it is "cool"/trendy to wear Caterpillar shoes and clothing, and that is what they thought Cat's products were. The irony is that a licensee probably manufactures the branded shoes and clothes in China!

Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
Deuteronomy 33:25