Hello, Michael,
I just read your post. It was nice meeting you at Sifu Chang's home a couple of weeks ago. Sifu Chang certainly fits your description of being open and helpful with 8 step as opposed to being self righteous. He only wants to ensure that the true 8 step style, according to what he had learned from Grandmaster Wei, is continued. That being said, I am sure that he would want you to realize that, along with others, is that he is not the only teacher who represents this period of Ba Bu Tanglangquan. There are other amazingly excellent teachers who were also students of Grandmaster Wei living here in the U.S.A. that carry on this tradition such as Mr. Ernie Wu in Texas and then Paul Lin's father down in Los Angeles to name a couple. (Just a side note that Mr. Wu was very helpful, himself, when I had the great opportunity to meet him and do some hands on.) In any case, Sifu John Chang is among a great group of martial artists who have the utmost respect for their former teacher and their style of mantis. I believe that humbleness and love of the system is what is going to help it survive.... there is no room in Eight Step Mantis for self glorification and lofty self acclaim.
I hope we get to see you again sometime soon, Michael and we all send our best regards to you.
bokfu
(Kenny King)
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin