I always try to share a little bit of western culture with my classes, which includes talking about holidays. So, since Easter is not celebrated here in China, I was able to share what it's about, Who it's about, and why His victory is important. Of course i talked about bunnies and eggs, but it didn't really bring the same satisfaction as talking about our Hero. I really tried to take advantage of the non-commercialized version of this sacred day and focus on the true meaning. I can't say it was revelatory, but it was special nonetheless. On Good Friday, i had students paint Easter eggs for me and give them to me in class. It was very special and meant a lot to me. On Easter morning I brought one of my buddies (who i will talk about later) to fellowship with me. It was his first time going and we had a pretty good time. Later that day, i went to meet some of my students in their classroom to pick up some Easter eggs they had made for me, or so i thought. I walked into the classroom and was stunned. The entire class had decorated their room, brought a huge cake, tons of snacks, and some good ol' Chinese food. They had me sit down at the table and kept putting food in front of me. Then some other students walked in with more food, which ended up being some of my favorite dishes. We had a great time and it was a huge blessing. I'll try to put up pictures later. Later that night our team had a good home cooked feast full of delicious delicacies that this belly had long missed.
The last 4 months, i have been able to work out with my buddy who accompanied me to fellowship. This is the same one that helped me out when i was injured and took really good care of me. He was gone for a few months at his new job in southern China. All seniors have to spend a couple months of their last semester interning and getting work experience. Since he's been back we've been hitting the gym up and trying to lose some of the fat that this deliciously oily food has insulated us with. He actually bought me a 2 month membership to a nearby gym saying that "he didn't want to send me back to my family fat." That's a true friend. We've had some great conversations and it's obvious He is working on His heart. This is the same one who said that money was his god. Now he says money doesn't matter to him. In fact, he spent some time reading the Book while he was away, however he has strong distaste for some of it. "I hate james king. I can't understand him." I figure that's an easy problem to solve, so we're looking to get a more relevant version for him. I also was able to hook him up with a lot of the "encouraging" music i've been listening to. He says that he loves 99% of it, which is awesome because about 90% of it is 'praise' music. Please keep lifting my buddy up. He's got a good heart and i'm excited to see what He's got planned for him.
Lately, things have been kind of tough, spiritually speaking. I haven't felt that same burning passion that i had before or that feeling where i had to share the Good News or else i would pop. It's been kind of difficult to get used to. I began seeing myself desire the junk that i used to before i realized that true pleasure is found in my Provider. All that worldly stuff began to appeal to me again and though i sought Him, i've really had a hard time connecting with Him. I've come to learn that the way i feel is important to me, and it can affect the way i serve Him. This is something i'm asking Him to give me grace in and to love, praise, and seek Him even when i don't 'feel' like it. What's cool is that He has brought me into His presence long enough to show me that where i am should not be my normal. My new paradigm is being infatuated with Him. I want to seek Him at all costs and sacrifice everything for Him Who is much greater than i could ever imagine. And though i want this, i've been finding a lot of trouble getting out of bed early to have my quiet times, or the focus to persevere in pryr, or the lack of drive to just sit and wait in His presence. I'm not sure what it is, but i think He is answering my request to test my heart. As tough as it is, i want to be refined and made useful for His purposes so i can bring as much glory as i can to Him Who deserves it all. I'm just not a big fan of this part. I want to be transparent with you, not so i can spill out my emotions to get attention, but so you can see me as i am, raw. God is doing awesome stuff in my life and it includes the times where it's euphoric and the times when it hurts. I don't have all the answers, but i serve the One who does and i choose to put my faith, trust, and hope in Him and His unfailing faithfulness. If you can remember, please lift this up for me as i really miss the intimacy i had with Him.
As the year is coming to a close i'm trying to remain focused and set on finishing well. I want to excel in the classroom as a teacher as well as seek opportunities to love and encourage my students. I've told all my classes that i'm not coming back next semester and it's been kind of hard. I'm gonna miss my kids and the relationships that He has blessed me with. I'm also lifting up my plans for next year. I don't know what He's got planned, but i'm hoping and contending that He will lead me to a school of ministry in the fall. I want to know more of this King i serve and the glorious inheritance He has given us as saints. I ask that you lift this up as well, specifically direction and finances.
Finally, i feel it's important to include this update. Our team has experienced A LOT this past school year with injuries and people leaving. It's been a tough road and should be as we are in the midst of a battle. I share this with you not for gossip's sake, but so that you can lift our brother up and that He would be glorified in this situation. Our team leader, Dave, has been sick for the past 3 weeks and hasn't been able to teach, eat much, or do much of anything. After several trips to the doctor and talking to insurance, it was decided upon that he fly down to Bangkok to see a doctor there and run more tests. Just yesterday the tests came back positive showing that he has T-cell lymphoma. He is only 3 years older than me, but has devoted the past 4 years of his life to this country and the students here on this campus. Please please please lift up Dave and contend that God would heal him of this cancer and that He would receive all the glory. That students, teachers, and everyone else on this campus and around this nation would hear of the mighty works of our Healer. Please also lift up his family as well as the other team leader here, as they just began dating in early February.
I love you guys and appreciate your pryrs and support. I only have a few more weeks here, and though i am looking forward to coming home, my departure from here will definitely be bittersweet. I'll try and write another post sometime in the next couple weeks. Be blessed :)
in His service,
jo
