The last time I posted in my blog was Chr*stmas time, and a lot has happened since then. 2013 has rolled in, and we are none the worse for it. Apparently, the Mayans were wrong about the end of the world. This comes as no surprise to us, though. Personally, I think they probably just got bored. They had already calculated a calendar for thousands of years in the future; why keep going? After all, thousands of years later, we are perfectly capable of finishing it for what we need to.
I for my part celebrated the new year on the road. I wasn't even awake when it came. I knew that I had an early morning the following morning, and there really wasn't anything for me to do. I was on vacation. School gave me a week off for the holiday, and I spent it traveling to Sichuan province with my co-teacher Ivy. She took me there because it was her childhood home, and she knew that I like spicy food. They eat very spicy food in Sichuan, so I enjoyed what they gave me. We also went to the more remote parts of the province, where foreigners almost never go. I was something of a spectacle there. I literally heard the Chinese word waiguoren--foreigner--every new place I went. It was something like being a celebrity, not that I particularly care for such things. Nevertheless, as the honored guest of the many people I was privileged to visit with Ivy, they prepared more meat than usual and gave me special treatment. I appreciate all that they did for me. They were certainly very hospitable. I ate my fill and then some. Don't worry, Mom. Even though they live a very modest/meager life, I was well provided for.
I met some of Ivy's relatives, as that was where her family has come from for generations. I met her grandmother (who is 90 years old and still in excellent health!) as well as some of her aunts and uncles. We went there for the wedding of one of her childhood friends, though, and that was at least enjoyable. I met the bride and groom about 2 days before the wedding in the small city of Zigong (with population of only about 1 million or so, making it small in China). I was not the main feature of the wedding, fortunately, but I did make some waves. Specifically, one young man came up to me and asked me if I remembered him. When I responded that I did not, he proceeded to tell me that he was my cab driver from that morning and that he was very happy to know me (a Chinglish way of saying that he was pleased to meet me/make my acquaintance). He continued to speak to me for about the next 5 or 10 minutes, using, I suppose, all of the English that he could muster. Whenever he didn't know what to say next, he came back to his stock phrases: "I am very happy!" "Are you happy?" "I am so happy!" This experience is descriptive of my entire time in China. The people are delighted to meet foreigners, especially Americans.
On our way back, Ivy and I also stopped in Chongqing, one of China's major cities. We stopped there to meet with some important people. The son of her father's master (trust me, I'm trying to put this as succinctly as possible) is now an official of some sort in the government, and relationships are very important in China. Because she is connected to these people, she could in theory find a better job some day. In other words, Ivy has the right connections in China. Anyhow, this young man and his family also welcomed me (because, by being connected to Ivy, in Chinese culture that also means that I am connected to them). They prepared a meal for me and treated me with the greatest hospitality, giving beyond generosity (although they had more than the poor country people to begin with). Still, it was an enjoyable experience and a memorable night for me. Mom and Dad, this man also said that he hopes to come to America to travel in the summer, and he mentioned that he might stop at our house. Be warned! I have no idea whether or not this will actually come to pass, but don't say I didn't tell you.
However, I believe I have even greater news. Two of our friends here in central Wuchang (the part of Wuhan that I live in) joined G0d's family last week through the washing of water with the Word. I was privileged to wash one of my good friends, and my roommate David washed the other. I have chosen to leave their names out of this post to protect them, as it could be dangerous if we were discovered. This is a wonderful experience for me, but more importantly, it shows that the work we are doing here is not without effect. His Word is truly accomplishing the purpose for which He sent it, and I rejoice that we have added a brother and a sister to the family. Please join me in pr@ying for them, that He would give them strength to stand up in times of trouble and remind them daily of this wonderful blessing they have in b@ptism.
School is finished for the semester now, and in two weeks, I will be leaving for a vacation to Thailand and Hong Kong. I look forward to this refreshing time, too, but I suppose I need to prepare for the next semester's classes as well. Additionally, as the only p@st-r candidate in Wuhan besides our actual shepherd, I have been chosen to teach CSI (Chr*st*@n Studies Institute) classes to His people here in Wuhan in the spring semester. This, of course, will be beneficial to me in my m*n*stry some day, and it reminds me that the time is fast approaching when I must decide whether or not I will return to China next year. There are now less than two months to go before I need to make a decision. This choice is all the more difficult for me because I know I am choosing between two good and wonderful things. Please pr@y for me, that He would lead me to the greater decision for building up His Ch-rch.
I would also like to give a shout out here to my brother Ben, who celebrated his 19th birthday between this and my last post. I hope to add one more blog post before I leave for Thailand (as I will not be writing anything after that until I return), but if I don't, I'll also add here that my sister Carrie and my grandma will both be celebrating birthdays later this month. If there's anyone else I should add, I'm sorry, but I either forgot you or don't consider you a part of my immediate family!
The grace of our L0rd J*s-s Chr*s+ be with your sp*rit.
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