MRS. CHIEN usually volunteers to stay behind to clean and straighten up after the weekly senior Bible study group at the Chinese Baptist Congregation of Oakland, but today, someone else will have to take her place.

"What's the occasion?" Mr. Hu, the church gossip, asks.

"My daughter's friend is bringing his father to dinner tonight."

"This must mean we will hear about a wedding soon!" says Mrs. Wong. "We'll pray for you!"