HE IS RISEN !

Way-out-of-it as we are, even we (not to mention the locals) didn't know it was Fuhou Jie (Resurrection Festival)-- until an e-mail this morning alerted us! That is really what you call "behind the times" ! China has not yet taken up with celebrating Easter ( a pagan word better replaced by the Chinese name, wouldn't you say?). I already had my Sunday School lesson on Joshua planned, but I did add a little on the resurrection, teaching a chorus to go with it, nobly assisted by Annelisa. I think eventually "Easter" will catch on here, but it is likely to be as pagan as Christmas, which is all about the jolly fat red elf. We were at the official church bookstore yesterday, and "Father Christmas" (as they call Santa) was as well represented as Jesus, even there. I've gathered from students in the past that the general vague impression is that the "Christmas Baby's" parents were "Father Christmas" and "Merry Christmas". We are surely better off skipping a pagan Easter! On the other hand, one year we had an international worship service where we greeted each other after the old custom with "He is risen!" answered by "He is risen indeed!" That and singing about the resurrection with people from all over the globe (heavy to Africans, and who can sing like they can!) was thrilling.
Annelisa's cookie baking class did cut out crosses yesterday---they surely enjoyed their first baking lesson, as few Chinese have an oven, or know how to bake. The mothers of the girls joined in as enthusiastically as the girls, practicing English right along with them.
I could mention that we hiked a couple of miles to the service through the
forest...of high-rises. Some new faces were in the service, including the driver from Christian's trip last Monday--he had listened with interest to the Gospel then, and promised to come to church. And he did, entering right in. After the service we enjoyed a meal together, different ones having brought some unique dishes including a kind of root from Yunnan. By the way, to those of you who have read Isobel Kuhn's books, or "MOUNTAIN RAIN" ( a must-read about what God did through J. O. Fraser) will be quite interested to know that our group is planning to hand-carry an offering to the Lisu tribe in Yunnan to help with the printing of their new songbook. (Out of the abundance of their poverty, the Lisu Christians generously contributed to earthquake relief last year.) After the dinner, many of us could be found sitting in the grass fellowshiping ,the sun beating upon us, while trickles of rain doused us from little spouts in the heavens, and myriad clusters of wisteria delighted us with their heady fragrance. The center of God's will is the place to be, even when you're missing out on favorite traditions! REJOICE... HE IS RISEN INDEED!