Merry Christmas!

 It's been a whirlwind weekend here. The group of teachers here got together on Christmas Eve morning for some reading from the Book and singing some truths about it. We joined together and celebrated our friendship and fellowship found in Immanuel. After joining in praising our newborn King, we had a secret santa gift exchange. In order to replenish ourselves, we went to a German-themed restaurant. They had a Chinese food buffet and they had guys coming around with spickets of meat. They just shaved off chunks of meat right in front of you. And, if this wasn't good enough, there was good beer too! In true German fashion we ate meat and drank beer and sang O Tannenbaum. Maybe not the last one, but we could have. Some of the meat selections consisted of pork, lamb, ox tongue, chicken heart, bratwurst, bacon, and shrimp.  My favorites were the bacon and the lamb.

Later in the afternoon, we settled in for some Christmas movies while I put my new Majong skills to the test. (What's Majong? Stay tuned for a later post.)We had some Chinese friends over for supper and enjoyed tacos, ribs, and apple pie. Who doesn't love to eat good food at Christmas time? We went to see the masses of people shopping after supper. Unfortunately, here in China the biggest thing about Christmas is shopping sales. Christmas Eve is the night to get the best deals of the year. I included some of the pictures from the shopping mall area I was at last night.

This morning I was privileged to share the message of our Savior's birth with the rest of the gang. This Christmas has certainly been different in many ways. At least one thing, the most important thing about Christmas has not changed. The wonderful truth about the Son coming to earth in order to save us holds true the world around. What grace and love our Maker possesses and shows to us. We are children of Him through the gift of fa!th by grace. How great is He! May He bless your celebration of the birth of the Son this year wherever you are because He will be there with His Word!

Let's party!

 This past weekend we had many reasons to celebrate. For starters, it was our annual Christmas party. Since our group of teachers is spread out over three different parts of the city, we send the invite to all of our study friends and their friends. We also tell everyone who visits or attends on Sundays to invite their friends and family. We had at least 180 people in attendance, most of whom were there for the first time. This was the biggest number of people we've had here at a Christmas party. He is good!

The program consisted of some Chinese friends singing a rendition of Feliz Navidad. It may have been a few too many language variables for this party, but they sang with the love of their Savior in their hearts. Then one of the kids from kids study played a violin piece. Then there was a skit teaching about forgiveness and the true meaning of Christmas. We heard the Christmas story according to Luke 2. All of the kids study kids sang "Away in a Manger." The combined groups of Chinese and Americans sang 3 Christmas songs and then we invited everyone in attendance to join in singing "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night." All of this was in their native tongue. We are here to help, but definitely want to let them have the reigns.

We had mingling, we had fun, we had food, we had fellowship, and we gave thanks for the many blessings the Father lavishes on his Church throughout the world. As a letter from my sister reminded me today, "No matter where you are, the reason for the season still stays the same." How true it is! We know what the news will be in a few days, proclaimed from the pulpits and sung from the seats. We look forward to it again and again no matter where we are or with whom we celebrate. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He and his Word never changes. His Word stands firm forever! What a joy it was to celebrate and share the news of the Savior born in Bethlehem with souls who desire the Light of the world. Rejoice and praise Him for his gospel. Thank Him for the salvation and hope that we have gift wrapped for us by grace this Christmas season!

No More No Shave November

I am finally cleaned up and presentable again. For the month of November I didn't let any razor touch my face. A few days into December that all changed and I trimmed things up a bit. Then came the goatee. Unfortunately I forgot to take photo evidence of that stage because I was so excited for the 'stache. Now, I would recommend this process to anyone with the ability to grow facial hair. I would also recommend parting with your razors for November if you don't have the ability to put some fuzz on your face. It creates great conversational topics, and if you are striving to keep the ladies at bay, ditch the razor.

The 'stache was by far the most controversial. It was either loved or hated. Like any great team or food, the 'stache has a league of its own. You either love or hate the Packers. You love or hate chocolate. When was the last time you met someone who was lukewarm toward chocolate? I digress. . . Now that the cold is here to stay, some have wondered why the change? I don't mind a frigid face or cherubic cheeks. I do mind the itch and the constant company that my face hair got from the food that didn't quite make it to my mouth. Many napkins and tissues could have been saved if not for my food-filled-face. Next year I seek to  continue this tradition. Perhaps it will come to a city near you. Stay warm my friends! Fear the beard!

A little competition

This past weekend I agreed to put a little extra time in at my school. I woke up early on my Saturday morning, chowed down some noodles from the street vendors to warm me up, and settled in for a day of judging an english competition. The only thing I can compare this to is a forensics meet in the States, but when you get down to it, they are nothing alike. They clear out the regular classrooms, shoving all the desks into the back of the room. They put a line of chairs against the wall on one side of the room for the "performers" to sit on. They set up 5 students' desks in the back of the room for 2 foreign teachers and 3 chinese teachers. They told us to be at school by 8 am, but the competition didn't start until around 9 am. They are not great at specifics in this country and its just part of the culture. Something I may never settle with.

I saw over 100 different students that day. All of them were in grades 1-3. I can't catch a break from the young ones. These kids come into the room in groups of 5-10 and watched the whole group perform. One after another gave a little speech about themselves which lasted about 30 seconds. Then they usually sang a song and added in actions and dancing. Then they looked at a picture and described as much as they could see. All of this was in english of course. Then the foreign teachers asked them a few questions to test their oral skills. No parents in the room. They had to patiently wait outside. The following is just a sampling of the best and funniest things that caught my eye that day.

Many students sang a version of the Hokey Pokey which ended up being the Hokey Dokey, the Hokey Kokey, or the Hokey Hokey depending on their pronunciation skills. I got songs like "My Heart Will Go On" sung by a girl in a dress like a Disney princess would wear. Other songs were "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" and "Amazing Grace" with totally different words. It was good to hear the tune though. I saw these young girls in make-up and perfume. I heard a story about an old man beating his cat. A boy and a girl did "Rock Around the Rosies" instead of the usual "Ring Around the Rosies" with gyrating hips as they rocked around a chair with two roses resting on it. I also heard "Edelweiss" and "What a Wonderful World." I was hoping the 6 year-old girl would break out in her best Louis Armstrong halfway through the song. Kids came in with some crazy uniforms as well. They go all out for this stuff. I had a boy and girl dressed in tuxedo and dress. Another boy dressed as Santa and sang Jingle Bells. I was loving it.

The competition was a little long at times with repeated songs, but the costumes and unexpected personalities of these kids made for a fun cultural experience. Just another day here in China where new and different things are always popping up. Thanks be to Him who never changes. He is our Rock of Refuge in whom we trust. Blessings upon your work and witnessing!

Deck the Halls

Preparation for Christmas is in full force here. Peter and I have purchased and decorated a pint-sized tree, various stores are trying to attract business with pictures of reindeer and Santa, and the most important preparation is going on in the hearts of His servants here as we await the celebration of the birth of Immanuel! This Christmas will be different, but only in its outward appearance. The same Savior of all will be praised. The same Father of all, who is watching over all things since before the existence of this earth, will continue to watch over his saints here. The same Spirit will stengthen his elect and bring more to salvation through this message of grace.

As we strive to make the outward appearance somewhat like home, it's always reassuring to find decorations up and trees adorning storefronts. Peter and I were caught off guard when shopping for our tree to hear seasonal music in the store and even a life-size Santa in the isle. We had to get a photo. Of course, after the foreigners take a picture with Santa, everyone within walking distance had to get a picture too. If this is what the foreigners do, then it must be cool. Check out the massive lamp (below) in front of a shopping mall. Some stores go all out.

As the deadlines diminish and the commercialism comes to an end, the stable lamp is lighted. The angel choir lights up the sky and His saints all over the world celebrate the God-Man born to save us. He comes down from his throne of glory to save lowly sinners like us. What love and grace! He did all of this so that one day we will deck the halls of Zion with praise and shouts of joy unto our coming King! May the Spirit continue to bless your Advent season!

Correcting Conundrum

My students recently took a unit test. That meant time correcting 200 some tests with rapid fire. It also meant correcting their activity books which, for some classes, haven't been handed in for 4 units. I've heard from many-a teacher that the worst part of being a teacher is the correcting. I was there all week. I've still got one last stack of books to plow through. It was a mountain of mistakes, a pile of problems, a collosial correcting conundrum. Here's to all you teachers out there for your many hours of correcting. It isn't pretty, but someone's gotta do it.

Packer Fans

Due to the recent cold weather, I've been parading around in my seasoned Green Bay Packers stocking hat. The green and gold keep my head and ears warm and of course promote the Reigning World Champions halfway across the world. I've heard that Packer fans travel well, but not this well. As I returned from school yesterday I saw up ahead of me a familiar sight for Wisconsin residents, but not a resident of Wuhan: a chinese man donning a Green Bay Packers jacket. As I past him I pointed at my head and his jacket. He gave me the thumbs up and we shared a joyous moment. I snagged this picture as evidence to show the world that the Packers are the best and they are loved by all kinds of countries.

Wuhan Winter

Winter whomped Wuhan Wednesday. We were wet while winds whipped where we were. Wicked and wild weather! Temperatures have continued to drop over the past few weeks but they stayed in the 30s on Wednesday with various periods of rain and high winds. It was one of those brutal tempests that a former athletic director of mine always fears. Brutal just brutal! It was so cold at one point the the rain turned to snow for just a few minutes. They don't get that here often at all, perhaps only twice a year. The kids at school went nuts.

If you are not aware, Wuhan is below a latitude line made up by the government that decides which buildings are built with heat and which ones are not. My city is below the line of heat so we have an in-room unit to help. If we wanted to run that all the time it would be expensive and the apartment doesn't keep heat well at all. We wrap up in extra clothing and brace for the chilly night. I am now constantly wearing a hat and gloves inside because the temperature inside is usually a little more than it is outside. I am curious to get a thermometer for the room and check. Be thankful for your heated homes if you have them. Walkin in a Wuhan Winter Wonderland.