Sunset

Last weekend, Peter and I went to dinner with two of our friends, John Wayne and Edward. After dinner we stopped down by the Yangtze to watch the sunset and take some pictures. The time with them was very enjoyable and my conversation with Edward that day turned to spiritual things. We've had a lot of long, deep conversations over the past few months. It started the first night I met him. He started asking me about what happens after death. I knew this kind of work here would be great. Edward's endless curiosity and questioning is evidence that the Spirit is working. He is reluctant to "give in" to believing, so he keeps asking questions. I hope he continues to do this. I didn't mind talking with him for more than an hour about the Truth. What a great opportunity! Keep Edward and John Wayne in your conversations with the Father. They both need help because the Deceiver is working very hard to keep them blind. Ask that the Light that breaks the darkness come into their lives. They know there's something about the Truth, but are observers for now. Ask that they be believers! Be bold! Be persistent!

As I sit here on my last full day in China, I am thankful for this opportunity to share in the work here. It has been an incredible journey. All of the glory goes to Him for the things he has given and shown me. His Word is powerful and effective. This wasn't only true for how it worked in the lives of my friends, but also true for me. My friends have grown, learned, and come to believe, but I have needed his guidance and help too. He has been with me through the joys and the defeats. He has been the same, unchanging Alpha and Omega even though my address and culture have changed. He is awesome! He has shown me so much and now I take all of this with me for the rest of my years.

This journey continues as I pitch my tent each night closer to my real home above. Before He brings me there, the work continues. He tells us to work while it is day. So as the sun sets on this chapter of my life, a new chapter begins. Where will it take me? Who will I meet? It is in His hands. I am in His hands. My confidence comes from Him because He can do things that I cannot. He can keep me going when I feel tired and weary. He is my All in All. I will miss the people, but I have the assurance that I will see some again above! And for those who are still searching for the light, I will be on my knees asking that they will become part of the Family also. My eyes are getting a little misty. They are all in His hands and that is a promise I can hold on to by his grace. What a great God we have! He has done amazing things here and He will continue to do so until He returns. Soli Deo Gloria!

Screaming in China

The other day I went into our tiny kitchen. Because Peter and I don't cook a lot of food ourselves, a trip to the kitchen can be far and few between. On this occasion I opened up the door and was startled and scared silly by a giant cockroach that snuck out from behind our garbage can. He was making a bee-line right for my feet. I was screaming like a little girl. I was doing the dance up and down with my feet which usually happens when you see something frightening running across the floor. Thanks to the Chinese design of an elevated living room the roach was trapped in the kitchen and couldn't get lost underneath our furniture or something more tragic. Peter tossed me a sandal and I crunched that bug, taking care of business. Here's the evidence of the aftermath. He was about as big as my thumb. Even up to the end, there are always surprises waiting for me in China!

Go big or go home

The occasion: Tony's birthday. The place: Aloha restaurant. Last week Sunday, I made my final trip to this Western food paradise. Andy, Peter, and I got to the restaurant a little early and started with an appetizer. It was a Cookie Frenzy milkshake. It's a wonderful mix of Oreo cookies, ice cream, and cookie dough. O YEA!! That was just for starters. When everyone else arrived, we all decided to order the biggest burger on the menu: The Big Kahuna. It's a grilled cheese sandwich topped with a half pound of beef, a pickle, caramelized onions, and then another grilled cheese sandwich. I got some added toppings: a fried egg, bacon, and thousand island dressing. It was huge. It was delicious. It was a marathon of eating. I finished it though. I didn't get to the fries and I felt like I do after a big Thanksgiving feast. This is no ordinary burger. It's the Big Kahuna. In this case I went big and now I can go home, satisfied and proud to say that I mastered this monster burger. Aloha Aloha, I will miss your food in America. Please open a restaurant back home. Until next time, stay hungry my friends.

I speak Chinese in my dreams

Sorry for the hiatus. My internet router broke and the process to get a new one took some time. In the meantime, the work has continued and the One above continues to pour out numerous blessings on these people. After spending almost 10 months in this country I've adapted to the culture and have even taken on some of the norms. Here is a list of some of the things I now do or have done that I just wouldn't do in America.

I use chopsticks for every meal.
I spit wherever and whenever convenient.
I wear a mask to cut down on pollution inhalation. (Only a few times recently. Check last week's news.)
I push and shimmy my way through crowds of people.
I use a squatty to answer nature's call.
I wash out my dishes with hot water before eating from them.
I wear a murse.
I speak Chinese in my dreams.
I carry tissues with me just in case I wash my hands or need to answer nature's call.
I never use a drying machine after washing my clothes.
I run or jog or trot after buses.
I say "maybe" a lot.

Maybe there are more, but right now I am bubbling with excitement to come back and share stories and pictures with y'all. I will be back around July 1 and I'll be coming to some cities near you to tell about the great things He is doing in Wuhan!

Golden Hans

Longing for some Western cuisine, we decided to go to the spot where we ate our feast for the Baby's birthday back in December. This time it wasn't our FoC family, but a different group of brothers and sisters. The best part about this restaurant is the meat. They bring around spits of meat fresh from the roasters. Want some pork? Sure. How about some duck? Yea. Cow tongue? Cut some off. Bratwurst? What German restaurant would be complete without brats? Yes, please. Here are some snapshots of the excitement that ensued from our evening of eating. It was a night full of fun, food, and fellowship. Aufwiedersehen!

Land of Luther

"But when the kindness and love of G*d our S@vior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the H*ly Spir!t, whom he poured out on us generously through Jes~s Chr!st our S@vior, so that having been justified by his gr@ce, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." - Titus 3:4-7

It all started in the Germany. He was staying with a family that went to lift up their hands and hearts to Him on Sundays. He had never done anything like that before. He was a Chinese student getting some time to study abroad. The Book that was read every Sunday was different and it contained a message of love and power. When he returned from Germany, he continued his education at his university here. It was all His plan that he would meet one of our study friends, Elsie. She studied the Book frequently. She told him that if he wanted to study more and practice some English, he could come with her to study from the Book. This past fall he showed up and he brought loads of questions. He felt bad for asking so many questions. What a blessing to have the Sp!rit work in this way and lead his curiosity into knowledge and f@ith. He helped me get my phone at the beginning of the year. He showed up to our Thanksgiving feast in November. He had a brief internship in Beijing and we missed his presence at the beginning of this semester. In recent months he has been back and still asking questions. He always wants to know more. Last week I had the privilege of throwing some water on his head and speaking some powerful Words which gave power to such a simple thing like water. Now he is sealed as His child and we are united as brothers under the same Father of all. Join me in giving thanks to Him for this blessing! Ask Him to bless the work here and strengthen the trust that He creates in hearts of His children! His name is Julian. His name is written in the book that sits before the throne above. Julian is in the palm of His hand and no one can snatch him away. 

Poo poo pagoda

While visiting an old temple this weekend I made the climb up a historic pagoda. The stairs are uneven and the space very cramped for a "Western" body. A few people ahead of us were an elderly gentleman and his grandson. They had made it to the top first and began taking in the view. My climbing partners and I waited a few minutes and then took a few steps up toward the top where the old man and his boy pleaded, "Just a minute." (in Chinese of course) There were a few grunts and phrases like, "still more" and "hurry up." Even after a full 9 months here I can still see many things and experience things that I come away saying, "Just when I thought I saw it all, there's that." Soon at the top of this historic and sacred building, a stench filled the small room just down from the stairs that led from the heinous act of violation on top of the pagoda. People don't often search out a bathroom in this country, they go whenever it is most convenient. I guess you can add "at the top of a pagoda" to the list of places they will go. Don't judge them too harshly, they just have different methods of potty-training. I think when I get back, you will just have to believe me when I say, "you can't make this stuff up."

Speechless

After spending all this time in a far-off place, people here have begun to ask me, "When will you be coming back?" Coming back? Hmmmm . . . I will be, um, I don't know. Sitting in a dorm room before the end of junior year at MLC, I talked over this China stuff with a few friends. I thought, well that sounds great, but I just want to keep pushing on to Seminary and finish another 4 years right after this. I threw the idea out to my mother that summer, not really thinking too much about it, since I had one more year of school left. The conversation about it continued into senior year. Most of this was thanks to Andy Buschkopf. His sister had gone over and he had heard a lot about this teaching opportunity.

Over Christmas break, I talked it over with my parents. I'm sure they were speechless. This was all too soon, too much, too fast. Applications and interviews would take place shortly after the second semester started, so it was necessary to get the details out there. I applied. I pondered. I talked with my Father and decided that it was the right time to do something like this.

My posts have allowed you to follow me on this grand adventure halfway across the world. Now that friends have been asking me, "When will you be coming back?" I am speechless. I have learned so much about people, the world, and the power of the Word. Of course I want to stay and continue the work here. Of course there are so many places to see, people to meet, and things to experience that I have not yet. However, I have work to do back home. I have people to see back home. The Good Shepherd is leading me on to good things back home too.

I don't know when I will be coming back or if I will be coming back. Only the One above knows the plans He has for me. He intends to be with me and guide me. He is never speechless. He is always there; ever guiding, always speaking, ever present. This daunting and intimidating journey that seemed too big and overwhelming at times, is now something that I don't want to end. The mighty Hand that showers the earth with endless blessings has preserved and grown His church all over the world. That makes me speechless. I stand in awe at all the He has done, is doing, and will continue to do for His people. Soli Deo Gloria!

This is how Wii party

One of the great things about doing His work is meeting people. As the weeks begin winding down (I have just under 7 weeks left) and the sun begins to set on my time here, I am beginning to sense how difficult it will be to say "goodbye" to some of the new friends I've met this year. Until that time comes though, we will continue to grow in the knowledge of the Good Shepherd, build our friendships, and party. There's nothing like loading up a few pirated games to a Wii  from a hard drive (this is China) and launching into an all out fun fest.

We went from shooting zombies to conquering levels of Mario. My friend Bruce (middle above) smoked the competition in bowling even though it was his first time playing. Then we moved onto a fighting game similar to Mortal Kombat and finally finished with Just Dance! These pictures are taken from some of the fun we had that night. The dancing game got the most laughs of the night. I was caught in some videos myself, I hope they don't resurface.

Some other wonderful things happened this week. One of our students, Vivian (dancing on the left in the top pictures), led part of study this week. She talked about the song Amazing Gr@ce and followed it up with where in the Book the inspiration was found. We let her take on the questions from the others in the group. Some of them were a bit difficult, but she did her homework and did a great job at leading our study. This is such a great thing to see in a new field of work. Those who have received the Good news are now beginning to take a leadership role and slowly moving toward self-sustaining. We (Americans) must become less and they must become more. It is much easier for them to share the Message in their own language. The same message exchanged through different languages and cultures. A blessing to chalk up to the Spirit.

Another girl, Celia, said she felt the love of the Son very strongly the night we had study. This is nothing less than the fire of the Spirit working in her heart. Changing it to knowing and believing the love of Him who died for her. She is going through some of the basic teachings of the Book and she hopes to be washed soon. She asked me when I was going back to America. I told her it was the end of June. She said, "Maybe you could 'wash' me before you go back." I said, "That would be great!" Continue to give thanks for the power of the Good news. It changes hearts here and continues to preserve them in America and places all over the world. He is Awesome and his undeserved love is amazing!

Tent Sleeping Festival

What's a man to do with a few days off and a few hours separating him from loads of encouragement and fun? Go to Shanghai, of course. This was the location of the 2nd annual Tent Sleeping Festival. FOC teachers and friends flock from near and far. This yearly get-together overlaps the Chinese break for observing Labor Day/May Day. Fun fact: May 1 is the day when the 8 hour workday was established. Consider yourself smarter as I continue in this fresh blog post. A fast train landed me in the biggest city in the Mainland. Over 20 million folks call this vast metropolis home. The first night I arrived, it was late, but the party had just begun. A few of us took to the streets to slurp down some cheap Chinese beer and swap stories of recent blessings and burdens. Along with the slurping and swapping came some singing. Joel brought along his guitar and some songbooks and we graced the cool, quiet air with our boisterous tunes. Most of them declaring His praises. I love China! The next morning began with a healthy portion of eggs and toast. One batch of eggs had some chicken in it. It was fresh chicken. By fresh, I mean recently killed. My friend Nate had worked his magic and killed the chicken dubbed "Tony Hawk." We were going to the X games later in the day. He was quite tasty. I have not included the bloody aftermath that followed this photo. 

What do brothers and sisters do best when they get together? Sing and praise Him in worship! After the breakfast, we started things off right with an encouraging hour. Then we took to the streets again. We graced the warmer air with songs. We even sang on the subway. Some gave us smiles and others gave us snarls. The brave ones took videos and pictures. Who knows if someone understood the words we sang. We just let our light shine, no matter where we were. 20 foreigners singing on a subway in Shanghai causes a scene no matter what you're singing. Our destination was the X games. I was a little skeptical because I have never cared too much to watch them. When you see guys doing flips and jumps and all sorts of crazy stuff in the air, it's pretty cool. Later, we found out that a record was set on that very day. The first 1080 spin was landed in competition on skateboard. I saw it happen. Oh, yea, you can be jealous now. We caught site of some motor cross, bikes, and skateboards all flying through the air. 

Back to the apartment for some Italian-style supper. Lasagna and pasta! So good. After supper came the first ever Tenties Awards. These awards are compiled by city reporters and the candidates are thoroughly tested to eventually produce winners. The way you win is to come to the Tent Sleeping Festival. They made up all sorts of things about us and awarded us for it. I won the Most Intense Stare of the Year Award. I tend to have few words at times so my eyes do the talking. It can be very intense. Pictured are our gracious hosts (L to R) Richard, Nate, and Tony. Those golden medallions around their necks are the coveted Tenties. After handing out all the awards and having some shenanigans, I stayed in to enjoy the fellowship. Others left for another night of singing in the streets. I played Bolderdash and enjoyed the warmth of friendships strengthened and found. 

Unfortunately, the next morning our train was leaving for Wuhan. These times spent together with other FOC teachers and friends have been huge highlights from my time here. This Tent Sleeping Festival compares with the big retreat in Hong Kong. They were wonderful times to bask in His grace and give thanks for the gifts and talents working over here. These times of fellowship and worship have been so great, I never wanted them to end. One day, when He returns, the joy will never end. Then, we will all dwell together in perfect happiness and never-ending praise. As we pitch our tents here, we move another day closer to coming home. We are not of this place, we are travelers on our way home. While we are here, we invite as many as we can to our home above, hoping to share the joy we have with them. I can't wait for that day when we will all see Him face to face. What love and grace! Shout to the North and the South! Sing to the East and the West! Jesus is Savior of all! He's Lord of heaven and earth!

Good Disease

At a study this past week, one of our friends gave a different spin on things. We have been working through the book of Mark and talking about various healings and miracles which the Messiah did while he was on earth.  This particular section ended with something like "and word of him spread throughout the whole region." The Son told those He healed not to tell anyone because He didn't want to become famous for healing but rather for His message and the fulfilling of the OT. Maybe with diseases and ailments on his mind, my friend Edward said about the Lamb's popularity, "So, it was like a good disease. It kept spreading more and more." Yeah, I guess it was kind of like that. A good disease. I am trying to infect as many as I can and even though Edward remains skeptical of the truth, I continue to ask the Father for Edward to catch the "bug." - the good disease of the good news that has spread all over the world. Help us out by asking that the Dove would infect many more, including Edward, with this good disease. Soli Deo Gloria!

KTV and Titanic Tears

While I was skyping with my sister and niece this weekend, I told her that I had gone to KTV with a couple friends. KTV, what's that? Gather a couple friends up, go into a comfortable party-ready room, select your favorite songs to sing, and karaoke until your voice gives out. This is not your average karaoke experience. You have plenty of snacks, drinks, and fruit at your disposal (with a higher than normal price of course). We usually bring our own stuff. They have all of the classic hits you wanted to sing usually with non-original, 80's recorded music videos playing on the TV screen. Some of the English words are not right, but you sing, dance, turn on some flashing lights, and have a KTV party! Here are some pics of what the average KTV room looks like. It's a great way to spend time with friends.

I went to see Titanic in 3D yesterday. As Rose held on to Jack in the freezing waters saying, "I'll never let go," the room was filled with sniffles and crying and tears. I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit to myself. I had not seen the movie more than twice and the last time was quite a while ago. It wasn't that moving of a love story, for me at least. After we exited the theater, my two friends, my two male Chinese friends who were along confessed to crying . . . more than once. I was surprised. One cried twice, the other had a steady stream of watery eyes and pitter-patter tears from time to time. Maybe I don't have a heart. These are just some of the things that keep me busy on the weekends here. Not a bad gig. Spending time with friends and building bridges to share some life-saving good news with them. May you continue to finds ways to share the joy you have with others around you.

Panda Lanterns

What is China famous for? Pandas and lanterns. There might be a few more things but . . . Even though pandas are not roaming free everywhere you turn, they are famous in the city of Chengdu. I visited there earlier this year and now Chengdu has come to visit me in Wuhan. But, they didn't bring real pandas. They brought giant lanterns, some in the shape of pandas. Out on the gorgeous East Lake were giant floating spectacles. They came all the way from Chengdu, a traveling show of sorts. Lots of lanterns, a Chinese staple. These red lanterns are everywhere you look. Some are put up for festivals and never come down. The Chinese hope they will bring good luck to the house or place of business. If you were to take a gander around here, you would more than likely find a red lantern dotting the landscape.

This little get-together with friends was another wonderful cultural experience: lots of food options, lots of people, and lots of curious stares directed at the foreigners. The food choices were anything from your typical noodles and rice to some stinky tofu, barbecue (meat on a stick), chicken feet, rabbit head, or fried anything. I didn't go too wild with my food selections but still enjoyed the wide variety of foods. The rest of the time was spent walking around the park and snapping some pics. I've included some of the many different luminous displays from this past weekend. It was a great night to spend with friends and enjoy the nice weather.

Another evening many years ago, some friends were also meeting. They met behind locked doors because they were afraid. Suddenly, He came in and was among them saying, "Peace be with you!" With all of the strange things that had happened very early that morning, their Friend was there again and they were overjoyed. He is risen, just as he said! He is risen indeed! Now we can experience the joy of knowing the Son before our joy is made complete in the presence of the Lamb around his glorious throne. Death has been swallowed up in victory! It holds us no more! Where he has gone we too shall be!

Traffic Cam

I shot this amateur action film from the second level of a double-decker bus on my way home from school one day. Sorry for the poor quality. Take it in and enjoy the mass amount of traffic and people in the bustling metropolis of Wuhan. The flow of traffic is much different from America. When space is free, you take it. You also merge into the correct lane at the last possible moment. These four marked lanes expand into six closer to the intersection, but lines don't matter here. Enjoy! This is China!

Love

As I make it up the stairs on my way to another class I am greeted by two or three excited little voices saying, "Darin, Darin, Darin!" Before I make it to the top one has come to hug me, another is grabbing my arm, and still another is jumping up and trying to touch my face. This is how it goes everyday at school. Once I make it up the stairs, more kids realize who has come and soon they are fighting for position. My students certainly love me and appreciate my lack of proper Chinese discipline. I did not ask for this love and I don't always appreciate the inability to simply walk from one classroom to the next. Yet, as I was surrounded by children screaming my name I thought of someone else.

He came and was loved by many too. He loved them back and had more than just a temporary relationship with them. These were people he walked with, taught, ate with, healed, laughed with, and patiently dealt with their lack of understanding. Yet, a few days after he humbly rode in to the sound of their cheers and shouts, they shouted, "Crucify!" He was surrounded by those he loved, but they were not returning the love, they were deserting, they were hiding, they abandoned him. Then they led him out and the pain pressed into his head, his hands, his feet. The sin of all people of all time was clinging to him, weighing him down, putting him through hell. Then, the Father left him too. All alone with no one to help. It was for you that he did it alone. It was for you that he endured the mocking, rejection, pain, and abandonment. This is the greatest love of all: the Son of God laid down his life for sinners. Christ died for you. He cleansed you in the blood of the Lamb and now you are free from sin, death, and Satan. By his wounds we are healed. It is certainly a Good Friday!

Spring in Wuhan

The lovely weather has finally returned to this part of creation! I've had opportunities to sit outside in a park and bask in the warm sunshine while reading a book and appreciate the beauties of His handiwork. The colors and smells on display this time of year are magnificent. Most recently the Chinese holiday of qingming (ching-ming) was upon us. This meant some time off from teaching those wonderful first-graders! Unfortunately, qingming is a sad holiday here. It translates as tomb-sweeping holiday. Families will go to the tombs of relatives and spruce them up, put flowers out, burn some candles, say some prayers, and burn paper money and other things that their ancestors may need in their afterlife to keep them comfortable. It's another reminder of the constant need for workers in harvest fields all over the world.

I spent the holiday with friends seeing the spring beauty around Wuhan. Trees were blooming and the nice weather gave us an opportunity for a picnic. Some members of the fellowship here invited a bunch of us to a picnic lunch at the Agricultural University. We walked around the very large grounds of the campus taking in some of the pretty trees and flowers. I've included a smorgasbord of them in this post. The next day was rainy, but that didn't stop our group from seeing the world famous cherry blossoms of Wuhan. That's right, Washington D.C. isn't the only place on earth to see these pretty trees. Wuhan of all places has the third largest amount of trees in one place behind D.C. and somewhere in Japan, where the trees originate. The trees were a little past their prime, but a lot of blooming flowers were still struttin' their stuff. I even saw some young ladies posing for pictures in traditional Tang dynasty clothing. As I walked around, it felt like something out of a book or a movie. The misty air and the quiet and calm of this beautiful forest transported me to different times and places. I was surrounded by hundreds of beautiful, white trees. My thoughts jumped also to Genesis and the Garden. How beautiful and marvelous it must have looked. I was staring at one of the finer things in creation and this is still in a sin-stained world. How did this look when it was absolutely perfect? Thanks be to Him for nice weather and all the beautiful things around us that make us stop and kneel before the Creator of all things. He is powerful and marvelous! Stand in awe at all His hand has accomplished!

Laundry Day

This past weekend finally brought me some comfortable weather. The temps were nice and the sun was shining - perfect weather for a laundry day. Why does it matter what the weather is like to do laundry? The lack of a clothes dryer helps me to rejoice at the sign of sunshine and warm temperatures. I did do laundry even in the cold of winter. It just took a couple days for things to dry out that's all. With warm weather, I could do a load in the morning and have it dry by that same evening. I threw in a few photos taken from my drying room (porch/sun room) looking at some other apartments in our complex. I just got done hanging my clothes up and it seemed everyone had the same thing in mind that day.

"These in white robes - who are they, and where did they come from? These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." As we draw nearer to the climax of celebrating the love that His Son showed for us, may you rejoice in the gift of fa!th, forg!veness, and your white robe! We are washed in the blood of the Lamb and that truth makes for a nice day no matter what the weather is like.

Tree Planting Day

Last Friday, one of the Chinese co-teachers, David, asked the foreign teachers if they would like to participate in the Tree Planting Day the following Tuesday. I was a little hesitant because Tuesday afternoon was my off day. I had no classes and a message to prepare for the next Sunday. He assured me that we would be back around 4 or 5 PM. Needing an answer that day, I said I would go and experience this Chinese cultural excursion. Tree Planting Day is the equivalent to our Arbor Day, I think. Maybe the only thing they do here is wrangle up the foreign teachers and ship them out of the big cities on buses to throw some dirt in pre-dug holes (above right) with twig-looking trees (above left) ready for planting. We left our school on Tuesday afternoon by minibus only to go to a university and get on a bigger bus with more foreigners. Things were getting a little sketchy. I found out that we would be back to the university around 7 PM. This wasn't even my apartment or school, but the drop off point after the trip was done. Oye va!

This mysterious spot was a little over an hour outside of the city. We had a police escort and everything. The hillside was filled with pretty flags welcoming us to this special event. The area was nice and we could see some of the work done by planters from previous years too. We had to share tools because there were only so many of them. The five of us from our primary school (above left) planted three different trees. One of the best parts was putting a name tag on these trees (above right). We were all a little skeptical about how long they would stay on the "trees." The weather also helped ease the disappointment of missing a free afternoon. It was the nicest day probably since October. Temperatures were in the high 60s and the sun was shining. Not too far from the hillside was a restaurant where we had a nice buffet supper provided for us. It turned out to be a fabulous day. We got back a little later than expected, but we enjoyed nice weather, good food, and now I can say that I have planted a tree in China. I'm also asking Him to plant the seed in the hearts of many here. He's the one that makes things grow and what a privilege to experience and see some of the growth! May you continue to stay connected to the Vine who gives life-saving nutrients to the branches.