CAPE GIRARDEAU FAMILY, CHINESE SCHOLAR BUILD `BRIDGE OF FRIENDSHIP'

Although their homelands are separated by thousands of miles and the Pacific Ocean, when the Matthew and Marsha Elfrink family helped Jinma Le get settled in Cape Girardeau, that random act of kindness built a lasting bridge of friendship.

"We met Le in January of 1996," said Marsha Elfrink, a sales representative at Hutson Furniture in downtown Cape Girardeau. "We accompanied some friends to Lambert Airport at St. Louis to pick up Le, a student from Shanghai, China, who was enrolling at Southeast Missouri State University.

Le is no stranger to Missouri or Cape Girardeau. He attended the university here a year during the 1987-88 school year as an exchange student completing work for his Master's Degree.

Le, a professor of English at the International Business College of Shanghai -- chief of the reading section -- taught there until 1996, when he returned here to work on an advanced degree in education administration at Southeast Missouri State.

He is currently a graduate assistant in education administration, working with Dr. Richard F. Farmer and Dr. George E. Counts, who helped him make arrangements to return to the U.S.

Le's wife, Nancy Chen, a doctor in China, and his son, Hongli Chen, 15, remained in China.

"When Le arrived at the airport, he had only his luggage," said Marsha Elfrink.

The Elfrinks helped Le find a place to live, and provided him with some linens, towels and furniture -- a bed, desk, lamp.

The entire Elfrink family -- including sons, Bart, 19, and Alex, 16 -- have developed a friendship with Le, Elfrink said.

"Over the past 15 months we've sort of adopted him," said Marsha Elfrink. "We check on him from time to time to make sure he is okay. And, if he has any problems, he can come to us."

On occasional visits to the Elfrink home, Le, whose hobby is cooking, prepares a meal, featuring Chinese food.

"Once in a while, the Elfrinks barbecue," said Le. "I like the barbecue, but I love Chinese food."

Le is thankful for his friendship with the Elfrinks.

"When I was here in 1987, as an exchange graduate, the university arranged for everything, including housing and food," said Le. "But, this time, I came on my own. Everything was different."

Le said at one point early on, he became so homesick, he almost decided to leave and return home."

"The Elfrinks' actions changed my mind," said Le. "They treat me like one of the family. They call me, they invite me over."

"He is interested in a lot of things we take for granted," said Elfrink. "We explain about the utility and/or water bills, and how to pay them."

"Matthew even took me fishing," said Le. "I love fish, and Mr. Elfrink often catches fresh fish for me."

The friendship with Le has been meaningful for the Elfrinks, said Marsha Elfrink. "We've learned a lot of his customs, and he has learned a lot of ours.

Le, 42, has taught the Elfrinks how to prepare Chinese food, said Marsha Elfrink. He also attends some of Alex's sports events.

During the Christmas holiday, Le attended family gatherings.

The experience has given us an opportunity to learn much about another country.

"It's been great for our family," added Elfrink. "People don't really how much they can learn about other cultures."

And vice-versa, said Le, who expected to be until summer or fall of next year, before returning to the International Business College at Shanghai.

"The Elfrinks and others are nice people, Cape Girardeau is a nice place, and SEMO State University is a nice school."