God is Love

_Oriented

2009-11-02T16:01:00.001-08:00

For months we have been blocked by the Chinese government, but now......we are back

Timeless Village

2009-05-14T04:41:00.000-07:00

It was great to be back in the countryside to teach our lively English class. This time we stayed on fifth floor for the best view of the village and surrounding mountains we've had. The class paid remarkably close attention to the story of Joshua with visual aids.
Our family divided to attend two different meetings last night. Annelisa and I found ourselves in a very modest home in the neighboring village. I was struck both while walking there and while in service by the timelessness and simplicity that marks the countryside. Beside the road a white-haired old man in peasant blue, clutches with one hand the kind of plow his ancestors have used from time immemorial as the plodding water buffalo demonstrates his skill at cultivating the field. In the meeting, the ladies in their drab clothing, simple hairstyles, and weather worn faces might be peasants of another age, another land, I thought--- nothing unique to distinguish them. Not that there was nothing special about them: there was the earnestness and the glow of the Divine, enhancing the plain faces. The speaker was announced as the service progressed and one was startled to have no time to prepare... just as well, for short and sweet was the result, as we shared on God's love in suffering: how we are privileged to help bear His Cross.

First Mothers Day

2009-05-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures taken while we were in THP , one today of an embedded taxi, and two (also today) showing our newest mother with Baby Rachel, who has to be the best behaved infant I've met.
It was a first, celebrating Mothers' Day with our church group, and now they are eager for Father's Day! My most wonderful surprise was a hand-made card tastefully displaying the following poem which the parents of the author found deeply moving:

GOD KNEW
God knew that sometimes along life's way
people could get quite trying
'Twould be hard to make it through the day
without breaking down and crying.
AND SO GOD GAVE YOU PATIENCE.

God knew it was hard to understand,
when things weren't done just right;
When people shunned your every command,
then bemoaned their own sad plight.
AND SO GOD GAVE YOU WISDOM.

God knew it'd be all too easy
to walk away in despair,
While others lay sick and needy
demanding your constant care.
AND SO GOD GAVE YOU COMPASSION.

God knew it would often be tempting
to simply just give it up,
When in spite of your faithful teachings,
people remained so corrupt.
AND SO GOD GAVE YOU TENACITY.

God knew how difficult it would be
to stay so cheerful and nice,
When people wronged you so carelessly,
much more than once or twice.
AND SO GOD GAVE YOU FORGIVENESS.

God knew that every single day,
others needed your acceptance,
Though it would be easy to turn away,
Because of their defiance.
AND SO GOD GAVE YOU UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

God knew after these traits He did choose,
that what He had done was good;
And these virtues must be put to use,
like every talent should.
AND SO GOD GAVE YOU ME.
LOVINGLY, YOUR DAUGHTER

That made my day....a day partly spent in talking with some whose homes are falling apart. Recently so many homes are under intense attack, that it underlines the importance of home life according to God's pattern and by His infinite grace.

Bible Lovers' Quiz

2009-05-09T02:37:00.001-07:00

Children, I'm sorry to say this quiz is probably too hard for you, but maybe not too challenging for your parents...and it's SHORT. We have all read the Bible for years and yet some interesting details escape us. But are we all ready to check up on a few of those details? Let's see if anyone can get all the answers by the time I figure out what first prize will be! (Rub hands together) Let's go!

FAMILIES OF THE BIBLE

1. When Obededom allowed the ark to stay in his home, the Lord blessed him; what exactly was included in his blessing?

2. Who named his daughter after Sarah?

3. Who was Rahab's husband? Her son?

4. What seer had seventeen children for song?

5. To which baby did Nathan give a special name "because of the Lord"?

6. Which brother of Caleb was a posthumous baby?

7. Please name five of David's nephews.......and you're finished! PTL!

TIme for (very interesting) Class

2009-05-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

It was wondrously refreshing to be in the splendid bamboo-clad mountains of Anji County again. It was both pleasant and strange staying in the comfortable THP hotel beside Ground Zero....where not long ago stood our home of thirteen years. As I strolled along by the stream, the stream of memories came-- of walks with little children skipping beside me, or a pet at my heels; but more than that, my heart was melted with memories of gracious touches of God's love that repeatedly made a way for me where there was none. My heart was made to sing, indeed.

Our interesting English class consists of twenty-two engineers, nearly all from a company on the border with North Korea. The questionnaire about their interest in learning English yielded replies like: "Of course I am interesting" "I am very interesting." "It takes many amused memory..." "I like learning English but the results have been bad." "I revolt learning to write English." Exams? "No, very not." "Exam is insipid." Why do you want to learn English? "I wonder to be more handsome." One student in his oral introduction wished me a happy Mother's Day, quite to my surprise. The holiday is catching on in China!

Our purchasing of a fifth floor apartment with a fantastic view of Romantic Valley took some dramatic twists as competition moved in, we held back, and then the Lord gave us what had seemed lost. The quiet of the mountains away from the big city should be relaxing, when we finally get the place finished and furnished. So now you know some of what has been occupying our time during this period of silence! And yes, there was another little foundling, a baby sparrow who was very cute, but unwilling to live in our cage till his wing healed. He worried himself to death trying to get out of the cage that was his protection from hungry cats and other menaces. Like "Twete", don't I sometimes chafe at the very cage that is protecting unsuspecting me? I resolve to be more thankful for restrictions God uses!

Delivered from Discontent

2009-04-28T05:29:00.000-07:00

The great privilege of hearing anointed messages From "America's Oswald Chambers" was a gift of my youth. One of his wonderful messages-- on Psalm 23-- waits to speak to your heart, as it has to mine:
DELIVERED FROM DISCONTENT
The "wanting" nature of the carnal heart is never satisfied, for it is the very substance of discontent. Its desires are deceitful. The more it is humored, the more drastic and driving are its demands. Finally the physical body is consumed in the flame of dissatisfaction. The competition which causes one person to exceed another comes from some inner distress.
The contented sheep depends on the shepherd to supply his needs; and whether the sheep knows it or not, he should be worth his care. Does it change the thought to say, "I am the Lord's sheep"? A person might feel as if all the responsibility rested on the Lord when he says, "The Lord is my Shepherd." But if I am the Lord's sheep, I am not my own; therefore it is not for me to plan for my own comforts or to seek to evade hardships.
To lie down in green pastures is the opposite of that nature which feels that it never has enough. It would be strange for a person to say in the midst of great opportunities: "I have enough. I shall let some other person find his share." The still waters reveal the undisturbed peace of the Lord's heart. "If any man thirst let him come unto me, and drink."
Man was led to seek his own glory when he took the path of unrighteousness, and he lost his soul. Now the Lord restores our soul and leads us in the paths of righteousness which reveal the power of His name. All that is worthwhile is what He has done for us. The Apostle Paul said, "By the grace of God I am what I am."
Divine contentment never fears what is included in the path of righteousness. The contented sheep would as quickly die for the Lord as to express abounding life in worship and praise. It may seen as if we had missed the way; but the Shepherd comes in due season, even if, as in Job's case, it appears that He has forgotten us. When He says, "Here I am," the trusting heart relaxes in His care.
To find soul food where the enemy expected that you would perish, proves that you took the right way through the valley when death threatened to lay claim on you. The Shepherd knows that our poor old heads need a fresh anointing from time to time to enable us to think clearly. Those touches of His power cause the heart to run over in gratitude for His care.
I goodness and mercy are following us, we are following the Lord; for we appreciate what He has meant to us only as we learn to depend fully on Him. If all that He has been to us is increasing within us, we are on our way to fine the fullness of Redemption which shall last forever. ---E. A. Gafford

Cat Tales for Children

2009-04-23T01:38:00.000-07:00

Childhood is lacking something without animals. Yesterday's topic brought back memories from the long-ago. A tiny tot with a big imagination, I was playing in the orchard with my brothers when the family cat came toward us, her voice raised emphatically. The boys were all for getting on with the game, but as the cat persisted and insisted, I finally followed her. She would go a few steps, look back and mew at me and then repeat the sequence. Thinking she had something important on her mind, I trotted after her until we came to the cellar. She went inside, climbed the wall, and entered a hole in it. Excitedly I checked the hole....nothing there! Mystified, I went out and climbed into the sandbox where my untamed mind scurried into sand castles-- but not before noting that the cat had followed me out and was resting in the sun nearby. I wondered whether the cat was disappointed or satisfied; I was both. When the sun began to dip behind the mountain, I glanced up and blinked my eyes in disbelief. A damp little creature bobbed its head beside the cat. I jumped up for closer inspection of the youngest creature I had met. As I pranced along, the mother cat took her kitten in her mouth and carried it to the cellar. Eyes round with wonder, I saw her climb the wall and take her kitten inside the hole she had for her nest. To this day I cannot explain why that cat wanted to share such a special time with such a small child; but it made a deep impression. From then on, cats were my friends.

It also set the stage for another occasion, another cat, another year. Up early bouncing along in the dewy grass, I met our yowling cat, who looked like the lease on her ninth life was running out. When I spoke to her, she ran a short way and looked back and called to me. This time, it didn't take long for me to figure out that I should follow. The cat made a beeline for the neighbors' barn, where I hung back, reluctant to trespass. The cat insisted that this was urgent, so I braved up and followed her in amongst the hay bales. She descended into a crevasse and I heard a chorus of newborn voices demanding her attention. I was eager to report my news to the family, and point out the hideout. But as the day advanced, I realized something was very wrong: the mother cat was gone! It took till nightfall to persuade my mother of this, and get permission to bring the kittens home, but at last I succeeded. Much to our delight, there were four kittens, one for each of us children; (mine was Little Boy Blue)....but the care of all them was all mine! A doll bottle was just right to feed them, accompanied by songs for lullabies; but as fun as that was,I felt guilty that my childish forgetfulness, and frequent inability to awake for night feedings made for inadequate mothering. Happily, the kittens didn't seem to mind. Soon they could be seen riding around in toy trucks, or toddling stiff-legged with tails straight up. Best of all was the moment when I went to get the kittens for a feeding and would find the wide baby eyes of Little Boy Blue gazing up with the adoring look reserved only for a mother. Responsibility and all, I loved every minute. After a month away, the thin mother cat amazed us by reappearing, when, with lavish purring, she thanked me for rescuing her babies. I still needed to give bottles after that, and she did the rest. Then, like Little Boy Blue in the poem, "angels came to awaken" the little fellows--actually it was a rude awakening by DOGS,-- and a heartbreaking ending to my baby-fostering adventure.

Animals God Can Use

2009-04-22T02:20:00.000-07:00

Balaam's donkey, Jonah's whale, Peter's rooster, David's sheep,Daniel's lions, Noah's dove....just a few instances of how God wove an animal into the theme of someone's life. I've had on my mind lately the special way God uses animals to accomplish His purposes in a life, and considering that this may not have ceased with Bible times.In fact, I was able to discover an interesting motif in my own case of a tiny kitten! Yes, a helpless baby kitten was used in my saddest of days and my gladdest of days: with a death and with a birth. Want to hear how?

The saddest day began with shocking news of sweet little Susana's death. Years before when she and her older sister were star pupils in the Sunday School we started, she had led in broken-hearted prayer for her family, as her mentally- unstable parents often quarreled. Just entering her teens now, she found no way out but suicide. Stunned by the news, we asked ourselves why we had not reached out to her, and were overwhelmed with the reality that it was too late to do anything. At that moment kitten cries had me rushing outside-- only to find three-week old Mimi had fallen from the fourth floor balcony! You see, Mimi was the offspring of an abandoned cat, who in turn abandoned her soon after birth. Hearing her desperate cries one night I had climbed out of bed trekked out in the dark in search of the little orphan, and tended, fed, bundled, and soothed her extreme distress....and not slept all night. Since we were soon leaving for America, a few days later I taught a friend of Christian's to feed Mimi with a syringe, and he adopted her. Now she was mortally wounded, and being able to minister to this severely hurting creature, so fittingly similar to the painful case we were grappling with, was used to help handle our feelings of helpless grief. After Mimi's life ceased, we went to Susana's funeral, an ordeal for everyone. I helped transfer Susana into the coffin, which was so narrow, her hands shot up, spilling the toys she was holding, reminding that it is not possible to take anything with us out of this world. The parents made frantic dashes toward the coffin periodically, only to be restrained; the sister fainted, and Frank carried her out. In the midst of the wild grief, the dear godly grandmother was upheld. And so was I, scarcely realizing how God had used the sad accident of a dying kitten to prepare for this agonizing hour.

The gladdest day was preceded by an incident four weeks earlier, in which we had gone to pray with a seriously injured man. I was called away from the prayer session to the living room to help with the birth of a kitten. The mother cat was tied in a pan so that her placentas could be harvested for medicine for the injured man; but the second kitten was breech, and all efforts to extract its head had failed. After prolonged effort, I had a dead kitten in my hands. Thinking how valuable would be the experience, I put everything into resuscitation, and was rewarded a few minutes later with a gasp that was followed eventually by normal breathing of a healthy kitten. Fast forward four weeks into May, and I am sitting on a train bunk, with my Bible beside me, dwelling on (and in) Galations 5: "walking in the Spirit". Just then there came over the loudspeaker the first of three calls for a doctor in the next car. On the third call, it was specified that a birth was imminent....and that's all I needed to hear. A minute later I was entering the curtained- off end of the sleeper car where indeed a birth sounded imminent, though I had a hard time believing it could be that quick, with the givens of a Chinese first child ( that it was an "illegal" second I did not learn till later.) The mother said the baby was a few weeks early, but it felt big enough; yet something about the position puzzled me. I put it from my mind as I realized it was time to welcome the baby NOW! I was in for a big surprise, for this little one literally put her best foot forward! A footling breech, and no back up! There was no panic, just Galatians 5 to stand on. Before the second foot was located, in came the dad from a hard seat (cheaper) car. He sighed and silently paced, until I asked him to lift his wife into an upright position. It appeared that the baby girl had her hands up praising the Lord...then, after those were out, came the perilous part: the head! Clear in my memory was the experience with the breech kitten, which I now saw the value of. Calling aloud on the Name of the Lord, I then marveled at how He undertook for us. Joy spread all through the train as the news was relayed that the baby had arrived safely. The parents asked me to name her, and almost at once I chose "Meiyi" for the "Beautiful Will of God". Honoring the event, and connecting it with the most wonderful of all births, the sweet strains of "Silent Night" wafted through the train as I cuddled the freshly- dressed, sweet Meiyi.

Reflect: what animal has God used in your life? Would you share?

Misty Mountain Mystery

2009-04-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

Shall I start with the mystery/detective story, or save that for last? Oh, all right, then.......here goes: Emerging from the mountain area in this morning's light drizzle, I met a young, agitated woman hurrying along with a towel-wrapped bundle cradled against her heart. My attention arrested, I looked after her, and saw her peeking furtively into one end of the treasured bundle, and my curiosity was piqued. Was it alive? I lurked where I could watch her go up the steps, but she didn't. Instead she veered off into the bushes, where she crouched down, but seeming aware that she was being watched, she moved farther away and was next sighted (from my new vantage point on the mountain), under some trees, bent down with her back to me. I watched and prayed, and suddenly, as though she sensed eyes on her, she turned and shot a glare straight up at where I stood. After that, I was more discrete; occasional glimpses showed her bowed as though in despairing grief. Then she simply vanished. Descending rapidly, I located the mystery site, where I was sure the mystery bundle could be found; but a careful search revealed nothing at all. Rudimentary detective skills (no use playing Sherlock Holmes!) turned up no treasure, nothing, not a twig out of place. I hated to leave, in case something had been buried alive.... So I picked up a stick, and looked for a place to excavate. I promptly chose one, and as I dug I imagined the site formed an ever-so- slight mound. Shortly the excavation yielded something brownish, which at first I did not recognize as The Towel. THE TOWEL...this was it!! Then as I shakily unearthed the finding, a horror of discovering something sinister gripped me, only to be superceded by the need to proceed. In an instant the mystery was solved, and there in The Towel lay exposed.....the body..... of a large dark bird of the talking variety, and with it all the feeding and watering equipment for the bird to eat, drink, and be merry in its after-life! Aiya! Only this and nothing more! Abrupt end of story.

An intriguing custom of this culture is for older men to carry around their birds in cages (a strictly masculine pastime.) On a nice morning, the woods near where the beloved bird lies buried are full of the delightful music of birds caroling from a multiplicity of cages hung here and there in the trees.

The last couple of days were full. Annelisa baked banana cut-out cookies with her little boy pupils, (who had a great time judging by the looks of the floor), we went to two mountain areas to look at apartments, Christian and Annelisa took their Chinese exam at the university, and we had a feast with friends. At the exam, Christian was seated between a man from South Korea and one from North Korea, the latter bending a look of disapproval on his American passport. The children reported that they were the only English speakers, and that some marveled that "Americans speak Chinese so well" ;). The feast we were invited to was designed to allow us to see a sister we have been prevented from seeing, (though we know her well), who is leaving after being in the city for months. Mysteriously (and if I get to the bottom of this mystery, don't think I'll be telling you).... she was not at the feast, which featured huge spicy drumsticks (goat...with the flavor of Muslim shish kabobs, mmm!). There was opportunity to counsel the daughter, who has fallen away and now attends the official church (not to mention being mixed up in the mystery.) One brother told her about his grandparents going to prison rather than joining the approved church, the grandfather enduring torture during his 25 years of incarceration. There was a special sense of God giving words.

Among our neighbors, there was a wedding and a funeral over the weekend. The former meant that our eardrums and nerves were nearly shattered by the roar of hundreds of firecrackers right below us, while the latter meant that we were awakened at exactly 2:37 this morning by the cacaphony of gongs, cymbals, and a dirge based seemingly on a three-note scale. Wedding decorations are not about a church, but rather a car (or two) which are beautifully adorned with flowers in patterns like a heart. And what the heathen funeral processions are really about, I have never understood-- and Frank declines to enlarge on anything so "demonic". Oh, the hopeless darkness, without our Light and eternal Hope! We are so little aware of the magnitude of our precious blessings.

Rich Foreigner

2009-04-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

Perched upon the porch of a tomb on the mountain with my Bible this morning, I was surprised by a skinny, golden civet approaching (resembled the smaller unidentified creature I saw here in Asian village). The mountains are dotted with ancient tombs (Christian saw one dated earlier than the American revolution) but soon all are to be removed....and then I wonder where people will take their food offerings for the dead? Right after Resurrection Day I found myself seated on the stone of an empty tomb, recalling the song from the day before: "An empty tomb is there to prove my Saviour lives..."

As I returned home, a man scurried toward me waving a hand to detain me, until he could pronounce me a rich foreigner. "A WHAT?" "You have lots of money," he explained as he sped away. I looked after him with the feeling of a lost opportunity. Gone was my chance to explain that as a child of the resurrection, my riches were not of this world, that the American Dream is self-realization by Mammon inevitably morphing into the American Nightmare. On the other hand, the Heavenly Vision is Christ-realization by the Cross leading, just as surely, to Glory.

HE IS RISEN !

2009-04-12T02:34:00.000-07:00

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!

Saturday Scholars and Sweet Scenes

2009-04-11T05:10:00.000-07:00

Foundlings

2009-04-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

Muslims call them "laqeet" : "a baby picked up from death", and finding and nurturing such is as high as privilege gets (and what could be sweeter, evoking as it does God picking us up from the trash heap!) Our privilege has been high, but not quite that high, for we have welcomed a number of foundlings since coming to this province; alas, all of them were furry or feathered! Our rewarding work with the "orphelins" always inspired hope of greater things, yet our small-creature opportunites have left a parade of memories.
The morning after we arrived in Taizhou to teach kindergarten in each of the tri-cities, I came upon a tiny tri-colored kitten in a trash heap. I picked her up and carried her home, where, hiding her in my cupped hands, I said, "Surprise!" and presented her to the children. "Surprise" became a bottle baby, barely surviving her bad case of fleas, but growing so lively she was mistaken for a monkey. She led a merry life with us, but outside it was different. A man kicked her into the pond, and when I chided him with the words "Don't you know cats can't swim?" he laconically pointed at Surprise who was swimming for shore! Not long after, she came home with a bleeding head and compound fracture that left her somewhat lame in spite of our best care.
Caromel was a desperate abandoned kitten I found by the roadside, and Licorice, Frank rescued near the same spot a week later. Licorice, who was the scrawniest, most pathetic specimin of kitten we ever saw, pulled through to be our longevity pet, escaping for years the clutches of neighbors fond of "Kentucky fried kitty". Then there was the cat I found run over on the street, and brought home thinking she was ours. Our little daughter's tears dried fast, when our cat showed up to sympathize with her mortally-wounded twin. We nursed another mortally-wounded cat that our son went down into a dry pool to rescue after it had been abused. These last two cats finished their ninth life in "hospice" care, with budding doctors in attendance.
An Asian sparrow hit by a bus, and rescued , (remarkably, by the driver!) joined our family for a slow recovery (slowed more by our spiteful parakeet!)and was released to soar again.
A heart-wrenching scene in the middle of the street met my gaze one morning: two
puppies, one inside-out after being run over, and the other standing desperately-determined guard over its sibling, unaware that to stay meant death from the next car. That traumatized puppy came home only needing comfort, as it was healthy. But another pup I found near that same place used her last dregs of energy to lick my foot and wag her tail once as she looked up pleadingly. She was dying of starvation and a loathsome skin disease. For days she lay motionless in a basket on our balcony, while I honed my nursing skills. To our satisfaction, Dogged made a complete recovery and was an attractive, faithful pet.
Another foundling was a discarded dead chick on the sidewalk. I peered at it, and put it inside my clothes, where it began gasping and then cheeping, and slowly revived for a short and sweet life.
Most dramatic was the saga of Serendipity...... We stopped at the animal market, and shortly heard cries coming from a garbage can. Investigation revealed puppy bodies in various stages of death, but the tiniest and filthiest was dancing desperately on top, screaming for help. Our beholding this shameful tableau brought down wrath upon our heads from the sellers, who ordered us off in no uncertain terms. We moved on. But it didn't take long for me to realize I couldn't live with myself if I, too, abandoned that desperate little life. Scooping a piece of plastic from the ground, I marched swiftly to the can, swept off the lid and in one fell swoop, grabbed the little foundling in the plastic and was out the gate climbing into a taxi with my accomplices before the stunned sellers could lift a finger or find their voices to prevent the heist. After a bath, Serendipity (Pity for short) turned out to be snow-white, and the most devoted little darling until death.
What will we find next....? Your guess is better than mine.

Clear Light Festival Outing

2009-04-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

Clear Light Festival is a holiday for ancestor worship, but we had no trouble finding much better things to do. It turned out to be the nicest outing yet for the group that went to Heron Hill and Bamboo Valley. On the mountain hike we harvested wild "vegetables": mainly budding ferns (very nutritious!). I had been wanting to see the wild blossoms, and there they were in reds, and violets, and pinks, decorating the slopes that are home to forty bird species, (though we mainly saw snakes). Earlier we'd toured the Fangs' new home, all gorgeously done in light wood just full of knots---it was really something to see! Bro. Fang is especially talented in interior decoration. Later, our picnic by the water finished, we were rejuvenated enough to perform all kinds of exercises on the wide variety of unusual play equipment, and I have to say, much of that you would have had to have seen to believe, (though some of us would surely have been embarrassed to be seen swinging like monkeys if you had been there.) In the fresh, fragrant mountain air, amid Nature's splendors, we were invigorated and renewed remarkably. I recommend the nature cure.
Christian went with his student HaoHao's family to Thousand Islands and is not yet back, but was boating when last heard from.

WHAT Cookies???

2009-04-05T05:29:00.001-07:00

Be sure your sin will find you out!

Joseph the Genius

2009-04-05T01:36:00.000-07:00

(Guest blogger Annelisa)

Here are some pictures of my little "nephew" ,or well,the closest thing to a nephew that I have at the present. His Mom,Rachel,has lived with us for extended periods of time off and on for as long as I can remember,so I've always thought of her as kind of a "big sister". For that matter,his Dad Jacob,lived with us for several months while he and Rachel were dating,so all and all we know the family quite well. And don't you think their names are cute? Jacob,Rachel,and Joseph:)
Now,on to bragging on Joseph. I must say that what he lacks in size he's made up for in brains...at 20 months old he can count to 30,identify the basic colors,speak fluent toddler Chinese(which includes getting the tones correctly),point to any body part when asked to in either English or Chinese,and the list goes on. It's amazing how he promptly names anything you point at,or at least what he thinks it resembles! He also understands adult conversations with amazing accuracy. Like the other day we were marching up the stairs to our apt. when his mom mentioned something about how treacherous the steep stairs seemed in the dim light. Joseph immediately pointed to the light bulb dangling over our heads and announced,all in Chinese of course," IT'S BROKEN!" Then after a moment of consideration he concluded,"Fix it,Grandpa Wu will fix it!" Imagine that,he'd only been to our place once before,yet he knew that my dad lived there as soon as we entered the building;and obviously he knew that light bulbs generated light,and if light was lacking, a light bulb somewhere needed to be fixed. Maybe his parents gave him the wrong name after all: he should have been called Edison!

Purple Mountain Majesties

2009-04-02T23:31:00.000-07:00

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever. (Psalm 125:2)

nocturne c sharp minor songs
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Joys and the beginning of sorrows

2009-04-01T23:49:00.000-07:00

The blossoms of early spring have taken their loveliness from our view, and though I miss them, the nice thing here in Hangzhou is there is always something in bloom the year around. We lose one set of blossoms, to gain another, and some of the most exquisite like the crepe myrtle are still to be anticipated. On our trip yesterday into the mountains west of the city, I noted that they had managed to hold onto their March blossoms longer in the cooler air. We looked at several apartments in the new housing development called Green Field Spring, but didn't feel clear to order one . The Lord may have something closer in for us. The mountain scenery was striking with the closest mountains ringed with tea bushes, and higher ranges rising behind. We felt sorry for the farmers, though--- having their property taken for all those high rises.

The poet exclaimed, "Oh to be in England

Now that April's there....." but I think every place I have ever been has been charming in April, my favorite month. My heart sings praises with the delightful music of the morning bird choir. Actually it strikes me that "The birds make music all the day." We don't quite...but there is more music since the keyboard got moved over to Light House.

Against the pleasant backdrop of spring's joys, seven different courageous voices have been raised in warning of God's swift-falling judgment on our nation, speaking of "A collapse that will set into motion a series of cataclysmic events that will humble a spiritually impoverished people to the deepest depth of their souls.. ..We are at an alarming point in time, a time when combinations of perverse elements have come together to deliver this nation unto total annihilation. " (Jim Schwiesow) And another: "Our nation has already been seized upon, and it is being pillaged by international elitists who care only about their antichrist agenda. ...Our leaders know full well what would happen if the masses of people would ever come fully awake to the reality of what is going on." (David Meyer) He went on to speak of the Lord being gracious to His own, staying with us to the end. Our only safety is to "be hid with Christ in God"!

Every morning for at least a year I sang from the flyleaf of my Bible in my quiet time:

"Within the veil": be this, Beloved, thy portion,

Within the secret of thy Lord to dwell,

Beholding Him, until thy face His glory

Thy life His love, thy lips His praise shall tell.

"Within the veil", for only as thou gazest

Upon the matchless beauty of His face,

Canst thou become a living revelation

Of His great heart of love, His untold grace.

Within the veil", His fragrance poured upon thee,

Without the veil, that fragrance shed abroad.

"Within the veil" His hand shall tune

That sounds on earth the praises of thy Lord.

Within the veil", thy spirit deeply anchored,

Thou walkest calm above a world of strife.

Within the veil, thy soul with Him united,

Shall live on earth His resurrection life.

Freda Allen

It is written

2009-03-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

Something tells me that you, like me, may have been facing into an "east wind" recently. I did learn something, that when the suggestion comes, "Life is too hard", the response "To live is Christ and to die is gain," clears the field marvelously. "It is written" is still victorious strategy.

We are looking into purchasing an apartment in a beautiful mountain area in the suburbs.... an area we drove through for the first time yesterday. Prayer appreciated!

I hope all of you have read about John and Betty Stam, who were martyred not so far from here on December 8, 1934. The story of how their baby girl miraculously survived has always thrilled me; and I admit I am partial to Betty's poetry. The inspiration of their lives and death was a legacy from my youth, which is worth sharing .... maybe through this song Will Houghton wrote "in loving memory of John and Betty Stam": (Sorry, regardless of how I arrange lines, they are always thrown on the page willy-nilly. I am helpless before machines.... Any ideas?)

BY LIFE OR BY DEATH

So this is life, this world with all its pleasures,

Struggles and tear, a smile, a frown, a sigh,

Friendship so true, and love of kin and neighbor?

Sometimes 'tis hard to live--always to die!

The world moves on, so rapidly the living

The forms of those who disappear replace,

And each one dreams that he will be enduring--

How soon that one becomes the missing face!

In life or death--and life is surely flying,

The crib and coffin carved from the self-same tree.

In life or death--and death so soon is coming--

Escape I cannot, there's no place to flee--

But Thou , O God, hast life that is eternal;

That life is mine, a gift through Thy dear Son.

Help me to feel its flush and pulse supernal,

Assurance of the morn when life is done.

Help me to know the value of these hours,

Help me the folly of all waste to see;

Help me to trust the Christ who bore my sorrows,

And thus to yield for life or death to Thee.

In all my days be glorified, Lord Jesus,

In all my ways guide me with Thine own eye;

Just when and as Thou wilt, use me, Lord Jesus,

And then for me 'tis Christ to live or die. W. H. Houghton

Fresh Inspiration

2009-03-27T03:43:00.000-07:00

This afternoon (don't believe the date/time labels....this is China!) I finished reading Vanya by Myrna Grant. The first (of how many times?) I read it was long ago in a remote mountain village in Mexico, and an indelible mark was made on my life. Today I realized that the summer preceding my mother's death in the fall of 1972, saw the promotion from the cross to the crown of life for China's illustrious Watchman Nee, and 45 days later, Russia's illustrious "Vanya". Watchman Nee was "in chains" the entire life span of young Vanya; but what struck me was the great suffering and great joy these two fifty years apart in age had in common, in their uncommon love of Christ. Both have left us a tremendous impetus to strive for the high calling of God, taking the bitter cup willingly. Vanya wrote :

Fearsome waves over us roll

Joy and courage fills our soul.

Having seen with his eyes the glory of the New Jerusalem, and experienced miracle after miracle, he faced his martyrdom with this verse he put at the end of his last letter: "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life." His goal is expressed in his own words:

Let Christ's love

In our hearts burn

As the lighthouse beacon glows

That friends and foes

May always learn

How great is Christ Jesus' love. I.M.

The last message I heard here was striking in that the theme was the four faces of the living creatures in Ezekiel and the four creatures in Rev. 4:7 (same creatures in both ) and how these illustrated aspects of Christ that applied to our lives as well. The first was a man and that illustrated "The Son of man"; the second a lion which illustrated the King (Matthew's emphasis), the third was an ox showing servanthood, and I was so sorry to leave before I found out what the eagle represents. All this was so aptly illustrated as to be enthralling.

A heart-warming incident for our children as they were walking down the street was hearing strangely familiar music and turning to see a blind man boldly playing the great hymns of our faith on his erhu! Touched, they approached him, enjoying the rare moment of Christian music on the street.

Where oh where have my little dogs gone?

2009-03-27T03:04:00.000-07:00

Defining Moment

2009-03-26T01:28:00.000-07:00

Who am I? That is something hard to define, (as one realizes when trying to do a profile!). Who I am should be defined in the light of the love of God, and in the same light I should see everyone else on earth. Furthermore, it is easy to talk about things like faith, grace, and love, but aren't they hard to define? I have collected what I deem some of the best definitions, gleaned from favorite authors, and will gladly share them with you hoping you will be blessed, but would like to ask that you do me a favor and contribute any excellent definitions you can come up with to add to the list. Will you do that?

DEFINITIONS

LOVE

(1) The passion of self-giving

(2) The overflowing result of one person in fellowship with another.

FAITH

(1) Taking God at His word

(2) The open hand receiving Christ

(3) The faculty of realizing the unseen

(4) Saying "amen" when God says something

GRACE

(1) The other word for love, speaking of the initiative of God

THE GLORY OF GOD

(1) His love; perfected love

FORGIVENESS

(1) The fragrance a flower leaves on the heel that crushes it

PATIENCE

(1) The principle of delayed gratification

(2) Staying in God's crucible until His purification is finished

MEEKNESS

(1) The inwrought nature of Christ which qualifies him that possesses it to share the throne of the Lamb

HUMILITY

(1) The natural response of being in the Presence of God

JOY

(1) Not the absence of trouble, but the Presence of Christ

(2) The sign that we are really living in God's wonderful love, and that love satisfies us

Quotes for Today

2009-03-24T00:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a quote I ran across: "America, you have aborted your children, now your children will abort you." That's clear enough, and I wonder..... what of China with the cry of its abandoned unborn?

On a different note, I've been researching a little on some heroes of the past, and want to ask if any of you have, or have read, a book about Ernest George Fenton Hall, a WW1 fighter pilot turned missionary to the Amazon Indians of Brazil...a "corn of wheat" that early " fell into the ground and died". I would like to read his journals.

All I have been able to find was one quote, which indicates something about his character: I have sometimes a sort of fear,"Well, if I surrender everything I know to him, I won't have anything left to surrender!" (Speaking, of course, about things spiritual, points in which we find ourselves not surrendered.) But somehow there always seems to be something new to give Him, and when you get into the habit of it, there's nothing so joyful as hauling out some skulking Agag and hewing him in pieces before the Lord (it sounds a bit bloodthirsty, but I'm sure Samuel enjoyed it--even if Agag didn't!) Well, anyhow, these " Agags" have nothing to be said for them. They are a bad old crew. Many of them are very moral and respectable Agags. Some of them are very laudable and pious Agags. But all of them are kings of Amalek--Amalek, the flesh, the first enemy that attacks God's people when they escape from Egypt!"

Highly interesting is the account I have just read of William Threfall (Born 6-6-1799), a Methodist missionary martyr. I must give his testimony as a 17 year old: I verily found that I was altogether unlike God; and that it was impossible for me to live or die happy except my sins were pardoned, and my soul converted from a love of sin to a love of God. I thought if any were reprobated to that place "where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched" I was surely one of them. I was often led to wish I had never been born or had died in infancy. I frequently strove to stifle my sensibility of danger by associating with the gay and careless, or by reading plays and novels. This had the effect of hardening my heart and darkening my mind. It was the way to endless ruin; it led me farther and farther away from God and from happiness. But still I knew there was a day fast approaching, a day of trial which I could not escape; and this was a sting to all my sinful pleasures and foolish diversions, even when my companions thought me the most jovial of the party. But the Lord called a relative at a few minutes' notice into the invisible world to give account to his Maker. This awful providence had a powerful effect upon my mind. I thought, "If the Lord were to call me to account suddenly, I am sure to perish for ever and ever. my feelings were aroused and I began to pray..."if I am not indeed out of the reach of Thy mercy, look down upon me and save me, for if you call me hence I shall be lost to all eternity. If Thou canst, soften my heart, break down my pride, subdue my stubborn will, and make me a new creature..." I was much tempted to give up praying, but I thought again "I cannot but hope there may still be mercy; therefore I will never cease praying and if I perish, I perish." My heart still hard, I heard a sermon on the Prodigal Son. I thought his prayer would just suit me. When the preacher came to speak of the compassion of the Father, I could hold out no more for weeping, my hardness gave way, and my soul was dissolved in penitential tenderness. While he spoke of the love of God to poor sinners, my soul was set at liberty. I felt and saw God was reconciled....He was my Friend; neither was I afraid for the Lord was my Refuge and Strength.

The next year he wrote in his journal :"I dedicate myself afresh to the great I Am this solemn moment for Thee to live and for thee to die. William Threfall age 18 years and 18 days." In Africa near the end of his short, adversity-packed life, he wrote: "As I have rejoiced in past perils, I go triumphant to meet my future foes. My way is clear, my victory is sure. Like the Hebrew children, I cannot be burned." With what courage he faced martyrdom! There is much in this account of blessing for youth (and the rest of us). Do you identify with any of this? God has not changed; The God of Elijah (who answers by fire!), of the three Hebrew children and of William Threfall (and countless other victors) still lives!

Wedding Wishes

2009-03-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Lizzie and Justin:

May your wedding day be all roses; (Song of Sol. 2:1-4)

Mem'ry pictures all sweet poses; (Eccl. 11:7)

Your love be all Christ discloses; (1 Cor. 13)

Your blessing be Asher's from Moses. (Deut. 33: 24, 25, 27)

Grace and peace from God the Father,

Grace and peace be thine.

May His image, glorious radiance

Ever in thee shine.

Love and joy of Christ the Saviour,

Love and joy be thine;

Manifesting to a lost world

Love better than wine.

Faith and hope grow through the Spirit,

Faith and hope be thine,

Savoring Christ's invitation,

"Dear ones, come and dine."

In reading this morning in the Bible of a wedding, I sensed that God waits to be gracious and turn our water into wine! We can't hope to "live happily ever after" in this world, "for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth", nor will all our dreams come true---still He gives what is better in fulfilling His will, fulfilling His joy!

On home life, the periodicals that are tops are Above Rubies, Keepers at Home, and An Encouraging Word. Above Rubies Website is great too. Enjoy!

LIGHT HOUSE Pictures at last!

2009-03-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

My verse of late has been "Until the day break and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. " (Song of Songs 4 : 6) Right there is so much to meditate on .....

Finally.... we introduce you to our apartment in Light House. The fifth photo above shows the entrance way, while another shot shows Annelisa holding my prized flowers in front of the two hidden rooms ( they remind me of The Hiding Place and I sometimes wonder if we will have occasion to hide anyone in them). The rest show the exterior of the building and a couple shots of our little park (which, typically, takes the place of a yard for most of us in Asian Village). In the park by the pond where goldfish were busy, I saw an old woman looking frail, painfully thin, and deeply despondent. I smiled and nodded in passing. Twenty minutes later I had forgotten her as I crossed on the stepping stones through the water to where she still sat. She raised a bony finger and described circles with it (not sure what that meant) so I struck up a conversation as she arose eagerly, face lighting as we exchanged pleasantries. I had a curious sense of God laying foundations for a bridge to this pathetic soul.....most rewarding! I reflected on the danger of being so preoccupied with my own issues that I fail to see the pain and need of others. Publish Post

PRAYER

Give me an undivided heart,

An undistracted mind,

To ever choose the better part,

Thy matchless Presence find.

Small Sweet Surprises

2009-03-18T00:47:00.000-07:00

Apparently pictures of "Light House" upload invisibly.....we're back to that. A picture-free pause..... Well,though nothing momentous seems to be occurring, I want to note the tiny blessings of life. (1.) My "blue" (looks more purple to me) hyacinth is in full bloom and smells heavenly. (2.) Out by the exercise equipment I got a little surprise when an unidentified wild creature scampered by, then turned and came toward me before vanishing. Wild-creature sightings are rare enough to be pretty note-worthy here, but this was unique in that it was a little yellow fellow the size of a thin squirrel.... a new species?

(3.) Next some cute little boys caught my eye. "Are they twins?" I asked Annelisa. "Yes- -no! Triplets!" They were identical and dressed identically, and I was impressed that the mother, with whom I spoke, managed the little trio so well. Onlookers coping with their tots were amazed, remarking that one is all they could ever expect to manage, and that was hard enough. "The little Emperor" syndrome caused by the one child policy bears much evil fruit; it is always refreshing to see a "large" family (meaning more than one!)

(4.) This last one is not classed as a small blessing.....it's BIG! I've been reading a couple of marvelous books : Living Water by Heavenly Man (every page seems to flow with grace abundant) and Rowland Bingham : Into Africa's Interior (my special love for missionary biographies aside, this account portrays the absolutely amazing potential in one life lived for God.)

Home Scenes

2009-03-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

Before we go on to pictures of Light House, it is best to show these scenes taken out the window of, or around our Gudang apartment. The white dog is Chicken, who is deeplly devoted to us, though he spent only a few weeks of his babyhood as our puppy.

A country couple who had had nothing to eat for two days met Christian and Annelisa and asked for help. When taken to a restaurant and asked to choose what they wanted, they demured, saying whatever was cheap. It was a blessing to be able to buy their meal!

Xixi Wetlands Park

2009-03-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord we now have pictures uploaded succesfully! Here you see a tower, in front of which anyone who wished could beat rice with a gigantic pestle. Next you see one of our activities: learning to fly (how's your high jump?) A pose on one of the bridges shows the children enjoying the bright sunshine. Last Friday the weatherman said "snow" and God said "sunshine"....and we've had it ever since.

Baby Joseph is in the foreground of the last picture, getting ready to eat. He was delighted with the books about bears that we gave him. He looked at the first and said "Wang wang wang!" (which is what all Chinese-speaking dogs say instead of "bow wow wow!") "No, it's a bear," his mother corrected, "What's this?"and he was shown the next book. "Wang wang, wang!" he guessed again. By the third one his "Wang wang wang" was uncertain, and he quickly changed to "Laosu" (mouse)) while we laughed. "What does the bear like?" Joseph (excitedly): "HONEY!" (in English). What a cute age he is!

Widow Wen

2009-03-12T02:18:00.000-07:00

Nothing has come up in my wee garden yet---but since it's only two days since it was planted, I won't give up hope yet. Well, sometimes we give up on praying about that fast, don't we?

One person who really needs prayer is dear Sister Wen, a Yunnan lady Annelisa and I rescued from drowning when she fell into deep water a few years ago. She and her husband, a meek, talented man, were house church leaders in the little town of Louping, one of our out-stations. They served us a marvelous feast with plenty of wild herbs the last time we were there in Louping (two or three years ago?). Then last year her husband fell off a building he was constructing and she was thus widowed. Life has been very hard for her since then, and a Buddhist man is pursuing her. I think she's is "deep water" again and she says she would like to come east and see us.

I often remind myself of Bro. Lawrence's word " Count as wasted any day you have not spent in loving God." That has helped me as much as anything.

LOVE REVEALED

Night intercepted by startide;

Anguish exchanged for bliss;

Death yeilding life everlasting--

Have you known LOVE like this?

Wounds of His love heal my heart wounds;

Rebel knows pardoning kiss;

Fear turned to glorious praises--

Have you known LOVE like this?

Darkness is turned to bright dawning;

Bitter is changed to sweet;

Weakness is transformed to power--

What can with LOVE compete?

Longings so deep none can utter,

Thirst for Life's water spring,

Hunger for LOVE never-failing--

All met in Christ, LOVE's KING ! 2-8- 2000

Reminiscing

2009-03-10T02:07:00.000-07:00

Requests for pictures of Light House cannot be granted at this time, as we are being blocked somehow here in Hangzhou from getting the pictures to print onto the blog. Hopefully the problem will be resolved, as pictures are worth a thousand words.

My eight-month -old great niece just came through brain stem surgery, and the post-op photo of little Maddy lying there intubated, brought back memories of another very special baby girl looking much the same after open-heart surgery. It looks like Maddy should do fine, unlike our little orphan whose life so impacted mine. In China, nobody is allowed into intensive care, so that when I was given permission to enter to see "my baby", all the parents waiting outside wanted me to check on their little ones they were not allowed to see. Child visitors were not allowed to even enter the hospital, yet miraculously our children were invited into intensive care to see nine-month-old Davonne, who entered the world on my birthday and left on Frank's. For the record, here is my feeble effort at a word-picture: (please omit if not emotionally stable, or if you dislike "pathos".)

BABY DAVONNE'S FAREWELL

I see by your faces that you do not know

That this is the last I shall see you below.

On suffering before me I would not know dwell

But gaze on you deeply in lingering farewell.

Oh, MaMa, Big Brother, and Sister so dear,

You dream of my sharing a happy home here;

But I go to a happier home in the skies,

So please do not grieve as you say your goodbyes.

You'll see me again, when my eyes cannot see;

Life flickering out in such misery:

My arms pinned out-stretched as if nailed to a cross;

You'll suffer my suffering and later my loss.

Mist-clouded these loved eyes so wide and so wise,

As your hands stroke my hands so dainty in size.

My wee hand shall curl so tight round your finger

And squeeze with a love that would evermore linger.

For deep inside I will know you are there,

Will hear your sweet songs and the words of your prayer,

And feel your soft touch on what's left of my hair.

But now is my last time to look in your eyes

Before I'm adopted to a home in the Skies,

Where never are heard an orphaned babe's cries.

So, MaMa, I'm going, but will send back my love

In a beam of pure sweetness from Heaven above.

To that Heaven of Love, I shortly shall fly

To await your arrival---until then, good bye.

On Teaching

2009-03-09T01:21:00.000-07:00

During the service yesterday, Joseph, 20-month-old son of Jacob and Rachel, began chanting,"Yi, er! Yi, er!" (1,2! 1,2!) meaning we had sat long enough and it was time to march out of there. He is at the cutest stage where all he says and does delights everybody. After dinner, as is the custom, quite a few did "march" off on a hike. As they admired the scenery, Bro. Hsi was describing his work to Christian, who was all ears. At Zhejiang University he teaches not just computer, but artificial intelligence.....this means he was involved in implanting microchips in rat brains, so that the rats could be computer-controlled. I wonder if he has ever thought of implanting a chip in his second grade son (just joking, but seriously he was confessing in the service that he had failed to properly train Harley, and was seeing the need.) (Annelisa has a lively English class of two that Harley is in, Saturdays at our house.) Well, looking back over raising my two, I feel every effort should have been toward the goal of raising respectful, responsible, resourceful children... and I wonder what I might do differently now. I mentioned today that one of my favorite things my mother did for us children, was give us each a plot of land, no more than ten feet by ten feet, for us to plan, prepare, plant and raise garden in. I was not able to do that for my children..... how happy I would be to have a little plot myself! (I did go out this afternoon and buy some potted flowers, and some soil and a container for my wee "garden". I love growing things --no green thumb, though-- and have a need to nurture!)

I close my rambling on a note of praise for this beautiful day.

DAYSPRING

Thou Dayspring from on High,

The brightness of Thy rising

We hail with joyous cry,

Thy radiance us baptizing.

Thou Dayspring from on High,

With joy You make to quiver

Outgoings of morn's sky,

Abounding grace deliver.

Thou Dayspring from on High,

Arise! Let shadow's flee Thee!

Thy presence ever nigh

In purest light shall free me.

Thou Dayspring from on High,

Dispell earth's deepening twilight.

Shine forth till bye and bye

Thy coming flames the sky bright.

Thou Dayspring from on High,

Blest Light of Life unfailing!

Rose dawning tints east's sky,

Against dark clouds prevailing. ---3-23-05

Theme Song

2009-03-08T01:13:00.000-08:00

What a blessing to find the long-lost theme song of this blog: God is Love ! Have you heard it? Oh, I had wanted it so badly! In the music you can hear the surging of the ocean waves, while the words are so fitting, I'd like to sing for you:

God is love--and like the tide

Flows his mercy deep and wide;

And His grace tow'rd you and me

Is as boundless as the sea.

On the clouds, so dark above

Shines the rainbow of His love;

Praise His name with heart and voice,

God is love--let earth rejoice.

God is love --I will not fear,

For He says, "Be of good cheer."

He will give me what is best,

So in Him my heart shall rest.

On the clouds so dark above,

Shines the rainbow of His love.

Looking up I see and know

God is love, in weal or woe.

God is love---He giveth peace;

Strife shall end and tumult cease.

God who doeth all things well

Will thy doubts and fears dispel.

On the clouds so dark above,

Shines the rainbow of His love,

He will all His goodness prove,

Hallelujah! God is love.

--Gertrude R. Dugan

Does it speak to you as though written just for you in this tumultous time? Remember to seek for the rainbow of His love in those dark clouds gathering overhead!

LiJin, whose early death capsized the dawning faith of his mother, had an idolatrous funeral. All the family were idol worshipers, and the mother, stunned by the loss of her son a week after he accepted the Lord, refused all calls from believers. The latest news is that when told to consider the hope of her son being in Heaven, Mrs. Wang turned toward the light again, --for neither idol worship nor Buddism hold out such a hope.

We are praying for direction as to where to move next (do we go ahead and buy a larger apartment now, and if so, where?) The nice part of moving so much is it makes it easy to get rid of excess stuff, and who doesn't need to streamline?

Poems from the Past

2009-03-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

"Greeting from the Untied States!" wrote a friend recently, and I marveled that with a creative typo she could express more than I could with a well-thought-out paragraph! In reviewing my history, I have come across some poems that I reluctantly share to try to fill in my lack of pictures and adventures. (Three samples follow.)

NEW MERCIES
New are Thy mercies each morning;
Fresh dew Thy grace falls on me,
Bathing my soul in Thy beauty,
Light, life, love, liberty.
Let the bright dawn of Thy glory
All hosts of darkness o'erthrow.
Let Thy sweet sunrise of favor
Life's clouds set rosy aglow.

Let Thy bright rainbow of promise
Span the dark clouds in my sky.
Let raindrops fallling refresh Thee;
Someday Thou'lt wipe these tears dry.
Ever to live in Thy presence--
Now and when dawns cloudless Day!
East clouds I'm watching while longing.
"Come for me with no delay!"

ELW. 8-13-99
Here's one where a bit of Chinese technique was attempted:

MOON SEA

Moon sea;
Silk mist;
Waves free,
Star-kissed.

Moon hides;
Spray chill;
Wild tides
Bode ill.

Fierce gail
Whips shore.
Winds wail,
Waves roar,

Surge, dash,
Beat , rip,
Crash, smash,
Sink ship.

Lone gull,
Wild cry.
Ship's hull
'Gainst sky.

Night flies,
Storm's gone.
Hopes rise
With Dawn.

Storm -dark
Life's wreck:
Sunk, stark,
Lost speck.

Mad waves,
Hopes gone.
Christ saves!
Hopes dawn:

Grace heals;
Faith springs;
Love seals;
Joy sings!

ELW 6-14-99

Trying to put Oswald Chamber's prose into poetry resulted in this:

SHADOW OF AN AGONY

Through the shadow of an agony,
Redeemed and reconciled;
By the tragedy of Calvary
Transformed to be Thy child.
It's by virtue of Thy death that I
Thy life enter into.
In forgiveness, Thy heredity
Makes me a creature new.

Not God's Fatherhood, but Babyhood
Bought back the human race--
Weakest thing in His creation,
Wee Baby bringing Grace!
Absolutely single-handedly
He levered back creation
To a better place than ever was
It's original station.

In the shadow of His agony
I rest me undismayed;
Face dark Suffering's shadows trusting He
Will keep me unafraid.
Shade of Hand stretched caressingly,
This shadow over life.
Understanding baffled, Faith yet stands
Courageous in the strife.
ELW 8-13-99

Misty Botanical Garden Stroll

2009-03-02T00:14:00.000-08:00

Umbrella days, as March tries to beat February, the rainiest February on record save one! I am looking forward to riding gondolas through the streets, as Hangzhou is transformed into a Venice. :) Yesterday we were grateful for a "cease-fire" allowing a group of us a pleasant stroll among the blossoming trees of the Botanical Gardens, with folded umbrellas. We enjoyed the respite from the rain, as well as a relaxing time of sharing, and watching the enormous fish in the pond nibble on bread bits.

We learned a very appropriate song yesterday, all the words being taken directly from Habakkuk's song of triumph, a favorite of mine. (Look at his song: Flowerless Fig tree, Fruitless Feild, Flockless Fold, Failing Forces......all those frustrating F's like the big ones my classmate used to write on her paper when asked for her quiz score.....Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation! How about " F" for Fountain of Joy!) Then the young brother assigned to bring the message shared from his heart burden on prayer, revealing that we do not know how to pray as we ought and have become Laodicean, neither cold nor hot. He shared his vision of real prayer times when rather than praying for others to hear, we get the ear and the will of God. As is the custom at the end of each message, others shared what they thought, and it was all agreeing. I was struck by Bro. Fang's comment: "Our praying is like a boy phoning his father only when he wants money." I cannot say how melted I was to see God speaking to others the same as to me, and the promise of refreshing showers from Above! If we draw nigh to God we shall know Him and love Him in increasingly marvelous measure.

Last Sunday two brothers fresh back from Yunnan laid a fresh burden on our hearts for that province, as they told about the progress of the Gospel in the southwest (Buddist).

I am liking living in our Light House, and Asian Village. In the morning rain, I walked around it several times praying for the people there, with the thrilling feeling that Christ has come to Asian Village for His Kingdom purposes. What joy when we are privileged to see Him work!

As in the Days of Noe

2009-02-24T22:13:00.000-08:00

One-word-weather: WET. This was emphasized and punctuated during the "unboring" night with thunderclaps, lightning, and the periodic deluge. Behind us lie many days of rain, and many more lie as far ahead as the weather prophets can see (which seems to be quite a ways). As I early this morning splashed along the sidewalk contemplating the water all about me, who should come to mind but Noah....something like "and as in the days of Noe, so shall the coming of the Son of man be". (Matt. 24:37) Signs are pointing to the fact that that day is near---certainly nearer than ever before. "Noah, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house," which example we cannot do better than to emulate. God gave him specific directions for his building, and I thought it wise to ensure that my ark-building instructions are fully received and implemented as well.

I told you last time about our visit to the hospital to visit 19-year-old LiJin and his mother, a brand new believer, still not understanding much. Frank did his best to lead LiJin to the Lord..... just one opportunity, and we little thought as he prayed that he would so soon be in eternity. For the Lord chose not to heal him of the leukemia, and now dear babe-in-Christ- Sis. Wang will be needing much prayer support, as naturally she looked for healing of the body.

We thought pictures would be nice (actual photos of sunshine) but the computer has stubbornly disagreed with this viewpoint. We humbly defer to it, until such time as it deigns to relent. And, no, we're still not finished moving into "Lighthouse". Maybe we need a launch to load our luggage, and float off through the storm toward the "lighthouse" on the other shore?

A burst of excitement disturbed this tranquil evening. Frank had carefully prepared beef jerky and oranges for the men's prayer meeting, and placed them in a bag with one brother's new umbrella, (forgotten at our place). The stage was set for disaster as he placed them on the floor conveniently near the door. Along come two dutiful youth and gather up the trash, waiting by the door. You guessed it..... bye and bye, Frank's bag showed up missing! Aiya! Consternation and rushing of three of us downstairs to check the communal garbage ensued. Nary a trace. We return for equipment, and armed with a small flashlight, umbrella, and my glasses, Annelisa and I set off determinedly to the rescue. I succeed in forcing the lock and opening the doors, so we can get in to peer into and prod the yucky garbage. Just then a horn blares and a fine Audi pulls up beside us and the door is flung open preparatory to giving these lousy garbage-pickers a generous peice of their minds. We are too intent on our prize to heed them, and the yell freezes in their flabbergasted throats as they behold.....foreigners!! Well, of course America's economy is bad, but had it come to this?! They stared in horrified silence as we probed with an umbrella handle, until at last we were forced to concede that one of the garbage-pickers perenially waiting in the wings had beat us to the spoils! I hope someone needy benefitted; I know some Audi owners did.

Light House

2009-02-16T21:27:00.000-08:00

"I am seeing more & more that we begin to learn what it is to walk by faith, when we learn to spread out all that is against us. All our physical weakness--loss of mental power--spiritual inablility--all that is against us inwardly and outwardly, as sails to the wind & expect them to be vehicles for the power of Christ to rest upon us." Whew! Spreading out all the things against me as a sail to the wind! Perfect! Thank you, Lilias Trotter!

The contract for our apartment in "Light House" in Asian City was duly signed at rainy noontide yesterday. May it be, indeed, a light house! Today it is getting a good cleaning.

I was helping going over an English test taken by one of Christian's students (and same-age friend)--and was amazed to find it featured the story of Thomas Barnardo! I had known little of his amazing life before, so I read up on it. Pronounced dead at two, he was saved by an undertaker, who also could be said to have saved the lives of many of the 60,000 children who later were to pass through Barnardo's doors. Inspired by Hudson Taylor, Barnardo planned to join the CIM, but while preparing, the plight of London's children alerted him to a call to meet vulnerable children's needs. Hmmmm... Since the octuplets' birth, I had been thinking along lines of there being a need for some to open ministries to overwhelmed mothers and their children... a ministry in which I seem to see a wide scope of possibilities.

We visited a young fellow with leukemia in a distant hospital and prayed with him. While we ( including three sisters who also came) shared with him and his mom, another patient listened hungrily, but her husband appeared showing fierce resistance to the Gospel. The boy's mother came to church Sunday, and her face looked brighter.

Breaking News

2009-02-12T23:52:00.000-08:00

A week of pounding the pavement, seeking the right housing, and reaching an impasse, has culminated in finding-- as of this Friday the thirteenth-- a place that we trust is in God's will for us, in "Asian City". It is amazingly full of built-ins, which is a big plus in a land where built-in closets of any kind are considered superfluous.

Yesterday was the hottest February twelfth in 45 years, well into the eighties. And firecrackers were still popping, though I expected them to finish after the huge barrage for Lantern Festival, the night when the moon was at its roundest in 60 years. Christian went alone (Annelisa being laid up with fever) to see the Lantern Parade in which nearly all the lanterns were cows. Since this is called the year of the cow, the greeting is written "Happy Niu Year" (Nui = cow)

Have you heard about the brand new two-billion-dollar tower in Beijing that burned? It has been kept quite quiet, at first "firecrackers" being blamed. CCTV's tower was designed by a brother here, and he was telling about it at the men's Bible study Wednesday. We were just now looking at a picture online of it burning.

I am praying for the precious little octuplets, born into such an unbelievable situation, and realizing that God does have a hand in their lives, which emphasize so strongly the fact that His ways are past finding out. With all the worthy women longing for a child and waiting long years, who would have thought that an unprecedented number of babies would be given to a misguided woman who would not appear to need any! No, I am not among the irate majority, but trust that the God who made the "ba bao tai" live, has not ended His miracles there. He who sees the little sparrow fall, surely loves and cares for each of us more than we dream.

Sunshine

2009-02-08T04:56:00.000-08:00

With the dawn's early light I was up and off to early church ( I attend two places) where a brother just back from the northernmost province told of the heart-hunger, and stark living conditions of the people he had gone to (for the sixth time). They will sit and listen endlessly as long as one can preach, never glancing at the clock. It was thirty below zero and there were no bathrooms......... and, well, I can't go into all that. They eat not much besides potatoes. He preached on family relationships and they wept and made things right between family members.

In the gloriously warm sunshine, a large number of us strolled along the canals for a long afternoon walk, sharing what God is doing and counseling on concerns. The preacher at that early service had said that so many Christians, when they get together say things like , "Which college will you send your son to? How big is your apartment?" ---just like unbelievers, instead of asking, "What are you reading in your Bible? What is God doing in your situation?" I thought of that, as we walked...... I was the only one in the group who had heard that message, yet I was glad to hear the appropriate topics of conversation introduced.

The children each quote Scripture they have learned each Sunday after they sing, about midway in the service. Some have been quoting whole chapters, and I have been thinking how good if we adults would do the same. A nine-year- old friend in THP has set herself to learn one verse every day, and during vacation it's three verses a day.

House Hunt Ahead

2009-02-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

I hate to tantalize you fine freezing folk, but spring has sprung, and blossoms brighten our lives, so recently bereaved of our "piggies". We do miss their eager welcoming squeals as we come in!

Plans are afoot for Frank's parents to come to Hangzhou and live in this apartment, while we rent a more commodious one (adequate for meetings ). This should keep us occupied for awhile, as it also involves renovating this place. And with the coming of spring I am longing to have just any wee spot to plant a few of the seeds I've prepared by faith....or presumption? Here there is not a square inch available even on a balcony.

A prayer request came in today from Yunnan, where Bro. Fang (Scarlett's husband) is right now. A family of (former) sorcerers whom they led to the Lord two years ago, are under attack, while all the village looks on to see what happens to followers of Christ. The mother was quite wounded when a cow kicked her....which the enemy would use to discredit the Lord.....but we are praying for the Lord to be greatly glorified in this very thing.

And today as I think of troubles snowballing in about every direction I look (except Up), I am glad to pass on a quote from Parables of the Cross by Lilias Trotter:
TAKE THE VERY HARDEST THING IN YOUR LIFE--THE PLACE OF DIFFICULTY, OUTWARD OR INWARD, AND EXPECT GOD TO TRIUMPH GLORIOUSLY IN THAT VERY SPOT. JUST THERE HE CAN BRING YOUR SOUL INTO BLOSSOM.
I am reading A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter and am struck by the fact that towering accomplishments came in spite of physical frailty. May I share another of her gems?
TRAINED FAITH IS A TRIUMPHANT GLADNESS IN HAVING NOTHING BUT GOD--NO REST, NO FOOTHOLD---NOTHING BUT HIMSELF--A TRIUMPHANT GLADNESS IN SWINGING OUT INTO THAT ABYSS, REJOICING IN A VERY FRESH EMERGENCY THAT IS GOING TO PROVE HIM TRUE---THE LORD ALONE-- THAT IS TRAINED FAITH.
and in conclusion:
When God delays in fulfilling our little thoughts, it is to have Himself room to work out His great ones.

Mountaintop

2009-02-04T03:10:00.000-08:00

An invitation from Sis. Scarlett resulted in three of us accompanying her, her parents, her son Tony and his classmate, Apple, to the ski resort run by our company. When we reached the mountaintop we found it enveloped in fog which persisted all day. Our whole group gathered in our room for worship, a first for two of them, I think. Christian did the story. First Apple was appointed to learn to ski, and after Christian had given her a few pointers, I was left with her while the others took a walk. It was interesting teaching a little girl to ski, and I must say she had no trouble surpassing her teacher! Then it was Tony's turn, and by this time there were so many children tumbling down (adults as well), that I made it my mission to go around lifting up the fallen. The foggy slope was crawling with people!

We were in bamboo country, so lunch was a roadside special of bamboo strips strung on a bamboo twig, and then there was rice cooked and served in a section of bamboo log.

After a night in the company hotel, I looked out to see the fog lifting, and was reminded again of a special moment in my daughter's life when the fog lifted. As the previous morning we had driven by the field where it happened, I recalled walking with my tiny tot there, when suddenly her face lit up and she exulted, "I can just write all the sounds together and make words!" In my skeptical wisdom, I expected she would find roadblocks, but had the sense to keep quiet, while she took this exciting revelation and ran with it. I was wrong: she didn't worry about spelling or the direction the letters headed, but proceeded to become a prolific writer on her own. Within a year or so, she had written scores of letters, authored an autobiography, a dictionary (with German words added by a friend), a devotional for me, several workbooks for her dolls or me, and a songbook full of her lyrics. That moment when the fog lifted and it all came together was a gift from God, full of laughter and joy in retrospect. But back to today.....

We set out from our room, and then went back for camera and phone, only to find that the battery in the door was dead and it could not be opened. So we went without, and hiked up to some wonderful sites for viewing the panorama of bamboo-and- mist clad mountains. We got on bicycles built for two for a spin around the reservoir, and I had Apple riding with me. That was fun and (predictable at my age) brought back favorite memories again---this time of sharing the saddle with a wee blond as I rode a high mountain trail from one Mexican settlement to another. "I hope this horse doesn't stand on his back," she said as she looked straight down the mountain from the narrow trail's edge. Now Apple was more nervous than that intrepid little MK had been, even though this bike ride was not near the edge nor was the drop down to the ski area that far.

Our door was recharged when we got back to the hotel, and gathering up our belongings, we set out on slippery trails down the scenic mountain. An hour later we arrived at the house of a sister ( a place where meetings are held.) Crash! the marble table fell, dismembered, as one of us tried it for a perch, (uh-oh!) when we sat on the veranda for snacks. Sis. Wu served us lunch of nien gao , a new year specialty, and then we sat outside again and sang from some songbooks she produced for the purpose. Sis. Wu had been given up by doctors when the Lord healed her--quite a testimony to the community. We then descended into THP where it seems strange to no longer have a home. The company bus brought us to Hangzhou, and so closed our little outing.

Ｓｔａｒｓ　ｏｆ　Ｈｏｐｅ

2009-02-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

　My harbingers of spring are the bushes that border the canal that runs along a few yards behind this building. The arched green branches are flecked with bright yellow blossoms here and there (the leaves come later). On the bare, bowed branches the blossoms shine like stars of hope.　
Cover your ears! Firecracker days continue and it wouldn't do to let up on the noise polution and air polution until the year is well-launched, would it ? I mean, it's just a week since Chinese New Year's Day, (a day when the smog never lifted). Mornings you can watch fireworks in broad daylight.
Saturday we enjoyed feeding some sort of llama in the zoo. This amiable black fellow liked our apples and bread, but wisely declined the Coke a boy proffered. Up stepped a younger llama and sniffed our food disdainfully; then -----typical teenager!----slurped the Coke eagerly.
I remain in the afterglow from the wonderful big meeting. When our people heard about it yesterday, some couldn't wait to go (next time). It was special that at the big meeting it was noted how Hudson Taylor had got off his boat at that site and prayed for the church there.....a blessing they believe is still in operation. One thing is sure, that miracles still take place!

Feeding Five Thousand

2009-01-29T21:28:00.000-08:00

First I am remembering 33 years ago today, when my first niece arrived, the precious only girl in the family for the next 16 years. Kristy's life was unusually traumatic, and I am sorry that for years I was hindered from visiting her. The last time I arrived in the States, she exulted, "Now nothing can keep us from seeing each other!" A couple of months later I made the trip to Denver to see her.....in her coffin. A four-wheel accident in her driveway had orphaned her little Elly, (who is Kristy all over again.) Right there is a daily prayer burden.

Yesterday we arose early and traveled across the river to a BIG meeting that was just thrilling to see. From eight in the morning till nine at night we were seated in in the Church of God Tubusha meeting house, except for ten minute meals! And how efficiently they worked it out to be able to feed the approximately 5000 saints there!l Small tables bearing a pan of rice and five dishes, eight bowls and eight pairs of chopsticks were placed as close together as possible and still stand eight people around each table. Wall- to -wall people everywhere! Everyone was so friendly and eager to speak to us. But most wonderful of all was the preaching. The first brother near the close of his message showed lots of missionary's pictures along with a quote from each. Some that I recall are David Brainered, W. Carey, Amy Carmichael, Mary Slessor, Malla Moe, Gladys Aylward (he dwelt on her story), John G. Paton, Hudson Taylor, and many more, ending with Borden of Yale (deeply moving!) Here I will insert that in the evening one speaker challenged, with tears : "So many missionaries have spilled their blood in China--- do we need more to come spill theirs, or will we ourselves rise to the call to publish the Gospel?"

The preaching of the cross was with power! Seldom have I heard so clear a call to deny self, take up the cross and follow! Numerous passages about the cross were illuminated and portrayed so plainly. Especially notable was the preaching by Bro. Canaan on Christ's call to lose our soul life that we might find it, and the preaching on taking the ku bei (bitter cup) ("can ye drink the cup.... ?") both of which are themes heard too seldom. What most spoke to me in the message on prayer was : "The more Jesus prayed, the more He understood His Father's will." (I felt my prayer focus changing, even as I realized the need to spend more time therein.) Two aspects of the cross dealing with us were expounded upon (and I'm sorry English can't put it as succinctly): Nailed to the cross, and Bearing the cross. Even as the pain of the way of the cross was manifested, this word was stressed: "The Way of the Cross = The Way of LOVE." The vast crowd sang "The cross is not greater than His grace....." Frank was struck with the quote about the lost axe head :"Alas for it was borrowed!" being applied to "borrowed" messages which when preached, only land one in the water in a fix! As we listened to the truth, I seemed to see Jesus feeding the five thousand......

In the afternoon a group of 55 arrived back from a mission to the Sichuan earthquake area, and benches were somehow squeezed in to accomodate them at the front. In the evening four of them spoke, including a young millionaire who issued the challenge I mentioned above, and who showed many pictures from the trip. After a full day of enrichment, we got home to bed by eleven, very grateful for such a treat, and ready for more tests!

Below Zero

2009-01-24T00:57:00.000-08:00

This morning we rose to the challenge of frozen water pipes. That makes you appreciate running water more....and also spring, which should have a firm foothold in a couple of weeks.

I was reminded that my countrymen are living in an obamanation, when a man approached as I walked, and commented, "Obama has got in." Responding, I was trying to both nod and shake my head. "Obama hao (good)!" he told me. Moments later as his figure retreated I could hear, "Obama, chuckle-chuckle! Obama!"

We are hiding out in the company hotel from the disruptive din of the Lunar New Year Celebration. Yes, they've banned firecrackers in Hangzhou this year..... but enforcing the ban is a whole different story. Last night a deafening round of detonations disturbed our domestic tranquility. The fireworks are fine, of course, -- pretty, and interesting to count how many different spots are setting them off simultaneously......often more than a dozen. But millions of firecrackers turn the city into a horrible battlefield scene. I don't care if I never hear another (and I'm hearing some as I speak.) Well, they 're having a blast.....

We had a sumptious supper with Scarlett's family. Her dad, 66, has recovered nicely from the skiing trip, (which I am sure was his first), and listened more openly to the Gospel than ever before. We just finished looking at the video of Christian's and Annelisa's baptism, and Scarlett told Tony that when he gets baptized, she will film it. Christian is talking to Scarlett's brother, a prodigal who was transformed a few years ago, but has fallen away.

Family news has been scarce for some time, except we heard Annelisa's beloved puppy in Idaho was eaten of coyotes :o and Frank's niece got married minus a wedding (unusual for middle class....we were surprised.) There are a number of family members I'm very concerned about, and praying to hear good reports from. Good news from a far country is always refreshing (well, good news is harder to come by than just news, true; yet faith sees GOOD NEWS opportunities in dark circumstances.)

Two Little Piggies Came Home

2009-01-21T02:14:00.000-08:00

"To market, to market to buy a fat pig, Home again, home again, jig-a-jig- jig, " goes one nursery rhyme, and then we all know about the five little piggies....well, three went to market and brought two home yesterday, and they've been crying "wee wee wee" ever since. Baby talk translated, this means we bargained for and acquired two lovely guinea pigs who are vocal artists, (plus a "pig sty" to keep them in.) Piggin is a beautiful tri-color who enjoys piggin' out on cilantro, also a favorite with Hogla, who looks like a (chocolate) panda.

A mystery that has had us guessing ever since we arrived in the country was solved today. What was that incessant ROLLING sound that resembles a noisy old washing machine in the apartment above us.........turns out my hypothesis was correct : a cradle rocking a baby! Hmmm, should be a lullaby to sleep to, I guess.

Near one "hypermarket", we contributed to a beggar set: a frowsy old lady of 91 who was said to be the sole caretaker of the little sleeping girl just 90 years younger.

In my Bible is a precious card given me by a dear lady at the West Coast Christian Conference last summer, and what is written thereon could be life-changing. Let me share with you as I did with the family this morning:

PRAISE

Aim to praise at all times--over all your mistakes and over all other's mistakes, over all disappointments, and people's blunders. As the feeling of disappointment comes upon you, you should be watchful--at once rise up against it, and keep clear of it, stop it, commit it to the Lord, let it alone, think away from it, speak happily, keep bright in countenace, never mind what happens, rest, and let it be in God's hands. Large trouble, small trouble, keen disappointment, light one, keep in praise and faith, and look away from it and yourself, to Jesus.

You do not know what would happen to you if you would from day to day, hour to hour, moment to moment praise the Lord. It would eclipse all that you have ever seen. You would always see Him. There would really come into your being a marvelous change--delights in His own way, and His desires, instead of the desires of the natural man, reveling in His presence, blessing and praising and magnifying His holy Name.

These are the ones who are overcoming and conquering.

--Martha W. Robinson

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I read this morning, "I, even I will sing unto the Lord.............awake, awake, Deborah, awake, awake, utter a song;" (Judges 5 : 3, 12 ) "I will praise thee, O Lord with my whole heart," Psalm 9:1

Boys will be Boyish

2009-01-18T03:44:00.003-08:00

We had a visitor from THP (who once was our computer thief). He enjoyed eating out with us, and marveling at the scrapbook the Athol church made us (I have a feeling scrapbooking is going to make a big debut in this country judging by this one's reception !) Next day found him at West Lake with another friend from THP, John, plus Andy, Gene, and a couple of others. A "junior moment" is pictured, in case you wonder what went on besides little Gene losing his bus card with a thousand yuan in it.

We've been enjoying a huge box of yacon, given by a brother. This fruit is grown underground, and reminds one a bit of sugarcane!

On my mind has been the great choice of every life: between serving self and serving God, between self-centeredness and God-centeredness. Ostensibly serving God may mean self-deception, but the good news is we can have "Truth in the inward parts". I was reading from an old writer, "Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you." We overcome through the Overcoming Lamb, and dare not give in and give up in these days of intense conflict.

Holiday Ski Trip

2009-01-13T21:16:00.000-08:00

The big holiday time of year has arrived in China (hence those impossible-to-buy tickets), and the day for Frank's company's celebration arrived yesterday. We were transported through THP up the gorgeously bamboo-clad mountains, up, up to the ski resort on top. The first activity of the day was running around the reservoir, which we skipped to procede directly to skiing. Naturally we were bundled up very warmly---as it turned out too warmly ! It wasn't very cold, and there was very little natural snow. The snowmakers had their work cut out, and I especially appreciated the beautiful snowbows their sprying snow made in the sunlight. The cloudless sky was deep blue, as we either skimmed over, or clumsily plodded through the white stuff (as the case might be). Thank God the only casualty of the day was Scarlett's father, who got a little laceration above his eye. My muscles were sufficiently inured to stress that none hurt except those in my chest wall, as I relentlessly plied my poles to propel me over the "not-so -slopes". The afternoon flew on wings, (even if we didn't feel we were flying as the ad suggested) and too soon we were summoned to prepare for the New Year's Banquet in the dining room of Jinjiang Sky Lake Holiday Resort Hotel. As we ate (and yes, the chicken and fish were served complete with head per usual), different company officials came to each table with greetings and new year's wishes. Many of the those at the banquet were former English students of ours, including some of the managers, whom we taught over 13 years ago. I couldn't help reflecting on what abiding fruit there might be from the few hundred taught, only a few of which responded to the Good News at the time (all of which are far away and out of touch with us). Awards were given and a number of people who could not sing, made the attempt anyway. We retired to our lovely room in the hotel for the night, thankful for the restful surroundings. Frank told us he had sighted a wolf a little earlier, and that is extra special in China where wildlife is seldom seen! The morning brought a bracing hike a ways down the mountain through the bamboo growing thick as the hair on a dog's back. I loved the sound of the wind sighing and whistling lightly through the leaves, reminding me of Frank's quote a few minutes earlier: "In the whistling grass, I hear Him pass..."

Great Wall and Bus Station Puppy

2009-01-11T22:30:00.000-08:00

The bus station manager was short and officious, and possessed of an adorable puppy. He charged us an extra 60 yuan for luggage saying it was for "G__A__S, you know, G A S, gus?"

At the Great Wall, we enjoyed looking at souveniers labeled "HANA PAINTED CHINA". The shop keeper tried to sell Rachel a suitcase marked 208 yuan. She showed off her English, saying "Two hunner-eight pennies." "Pennies or dollars?" asked Rachel. "NO DOLLAS ! PENNIES!" was the amusing reply.

Yunnan Pictures

2009-01-11T21:59:00.000-08:00

During our travels in Yunnan we encountered beggars wherever we went, somewhat to our annoyance, but they were always very interesting in appearance. And they often were accompanied by adorable children, which made them very hard to resist...even though we knew the money wasn't going to the children. Our Quartet sang in Chinese, almost everywhere we went, including a hotel lobby. In Xishuangbanna, very close to Thailand, we were intrigued with the amount of elephant sculptures wherever we went, giving the effects of a jungle. (Xishuangbanna has been declared a tropical rainforest.) The bridge at the top is made purely of bamboo,not the most sturdy wood, and look at how it's strung together. (It is considerably higher than appears in the photo!) Believe me, crossing the thing took a little courage!

---posted by Annelisa

Around China in Ten Days

2009-01-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

Where did I leave off....in Guangzhou? Two days in a row I got to experience being lost, due to confused taxi drivers, mostly......and 'found' in answer to prayer. Since it was not possible to buy train tickets, we were full of praise for the air tickets the Lord supplied at a reasonable price for each leg of the journey from there on. On Sunday my brother (dubbed "Super Verne" by one of his students there) preached on weakness, and the quartet he arranged, sang in Chinese and English for the morning service.

Our next city was Kunming, where I started out twenty years ago this fall. Sadly, the cults have made such deep inroads that we had no contacts left there. Looking out the window, we spied a small burro with a monkey on its back accompanied by a dog. We also met a funeral procession in full regalia. Due to time shortage, we cancelled the trip on to Qujing where our apartment is. An all-night ride on a bus winding through the southern mountains made for a cosy sleep experience. It was soothing to me (though by no means to all) to rock in my little crib as we sped around the curves.

Then we arrived at the most exciting place, as it was new to all of us.....none other than Xishuangbanna! Summer was ours there in the banana belt! Since it borders Burma, there were lots of Burmese there, as well as Thai's and their food, and Vietnamese likewise. Everything was written in Dai, as that tribe predominates the region. Our extremely inexpensive hotel was surrounded by coconut palms. In fact one of the boys tried to shoot down coconuts with his slingshot, firing through his bedroom window. The quartet sang in the lobby for a local brother. I located one of those flimsy bamboo bridges of the scary Yunnan style, which just "had" to be crossed. (Pictures later.) Palm fronds bordered our delicious lives, as we feasted on fruits we could not identify, as well as tropical favorites such as mangosteins. I loved every minute!

From Summer we proceded (via Kunming where the plane stopped long enough to let one boy lose his passport for awhile) on to Winter: BEIJING! Brrrrrr! The Great Wall was brutally cold with a furious wind! The children and I needed to get train tickets asap to return to Hangzhou. Christian and I stood in line for an hour at the train station only to be told there were none (travel is very tight near the Spring Festival). I had told him, "Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide". We walked out and saw air tickets advertised for 80% off. There was no one in line, so we stepped right up and learned that the only thing available was for in the morning at 70% off! That was cheaper than train tickets, so we thankfully accepted God's provision. Early next morning we sped to the airport and waited an hour on the plane before take-off. We were informed in English that our pilot has flown planes for 20 years with an excellent record and the copilot for 17 years with a varied record (!) All went well until we were landing, and then it wasn't clear which one of them was piloting...or was it a stewardess trying her hand? It was very amateur, as we came down wildly on one wheel-- full-throttle roared the engines in reverse, and the plane sprang up, leaped and danced, as we braced for dear life! This was the climactic close of our trip around China.

Balmy Guangzhou

2009-01-04T23:26:00.000-08:00

Our group is having many adventures which we will hope to tell about when time permits. The weather here in Guangzhou is marvelous and we have been enjoying kayaking and such, in between meetings of various kinds. We fly to Kunming (where Frank and I met) shortly. We would love to hear from you about your activities, so do e-mail evonnelwu@yahoo.com . Looking forward to hearing from you!

New Year's Greeting

2008-12-29T00:07:00.000-08:00

Since we are preparing to leave on an extended trip with my brother and a group of students, I am going to assume I won't be able to post for the next couple of weeks or so, (but maybe....) and go ahead and send wishes for a special new year. I believe 2009 will be a year of

GREAT TRIAL

GREAT TRIUMPH

GREAT TREASURE

..... a GREAT YEAR because of a GREAT GOD! *** Let it be The Year of PRAISE ***

Our Thanxmas Party

2008-12-28T22:06:00.000-08:00

As is our yearly custom our church congregated Saturday night for what we commonly refer to as a "Thanksgiving Party" for the year's blessings...but considering the date it was more like a Christmas celebration!!!A joyful cluster of children were present,the youngest of which entertained us with some fine songs.Patrick bellowed out "We Wish You a Merry Christmas",while Mia gracefully played "Silent night" on the piano.Each family stood up and "counted their blessings" of this year and as Chinese tend to do made it as long as possible.Four and a half hours of sitting in a rigidly upright position in an unheated room was a nice way to attempt a recovery from my long Christmas illness.But I survived,and we all enjoyed a huge variety of goodies,(fruit,muffins,cakes,candy,cookies,etc.)when the service was finally over. We had taken pains to bring something special--Christmas cut out cookies,and believe me they went like hotcakes!!!Meanwhile presents were distributed by the hostess much to the excitement of the children.Tired and stuffed,everyone finally managed to disengage themselves and head home before midnight.So all and all,it was quite a party!
Oh,and finally the pictures show: Tony's family with mom at the piano.
Everyone excitedly examining their presents.
An elderly sister sharing her amazing testimony.
Mia with her father and grandfather.
Puzzling over a puzzling metal puzzle.
Our family's speech.
And lastly,me right now!!!!!Hahaha!!!

---posted by Annelisa

A MOVING CHRISTMAS

2008-12-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

A more unchristmasy Christmas I never spent, and that wasn't just the weather. Early in the morning Frank departed for THP to oversee the loading of the truck to move the items we had retained from our about- to-be- demolished apartment. He had not been gone long when into my bedroom came a sick girl in plenty of pain. Shortly the door opened again and a half-sick boy entered. It soon appeared that the computer and the screaming washer were also under the weather, as I readied our "doll house" to receive mounds of baggage one wonders where to stuff. We got used to living with C.H.A.O.S. in America (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) and it looks as though we're coming down with the same syndrome over here! Our wee living room became a maze....an interesting form of decoration few have thought of for the holidays.

Christian and I raised our voices in carol after carol, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"...."O Come let us adore Him",.... "Gloria ! In excelsus Deo!" And all three of us prayed for the lonely and the sick and hurting, which seem to be plentiful in the extended family this year. It was a time of sober triumph. The day wore on, but actually ended on a note of merry laughter (in spite of the fact that delirious Annelisa was still immobilized.)

You see, after Frank arrived, we three who were well enough went out for a late bite at a new (to us) place. It was not real fancy, but we enjoyed the menu; (well, you know my weakness for Chinglish.) If I post a few selections, maybe you could sort of choose what you'd order.

MENU SELECTIONS

DRINKS

* Listen to the snow blue

* A wonderful gentlemen's breast

ENTREES

* Steamed doubly smelly

* Husband and wife lung piece

* The shrimp explodes the ricefield eel

* Fish lips

* Sheet iron big foot

* Spoiled skin green vegetable

* Flutters the fighting cock

* The little yellow croaker burns the soup

* Heroic feeling beef

* 52 degree small muddled immortal

One asks whether there were small muddled mortals involved in the translation. If you like these tasty dishes, I'll try to provide more of them, as that's just a sample. Bon appetite!

My Heidi

2008-12-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

It had been maybe five years since I saw "Heidi", as I named my little Bouyei waif from Guizhou Province. I heard that a little tot across the way was being neglected, so I went over and arranged to take her into our family part time. She loved it, I loved it, her parents loved it-- hard to say who was happiest. When teaching English, I just took her along. Then sickness took the family suddenly back to Guizhou, and left a hole in my life and hers. She would often tell her mother that her "other mama" was better to her than she. But never was there a chance to meet again....until our final day in THP, I got off the bus just as her father walked by! Instantly, I seized the opportunity, which I realized was God's split-second timing---and told him to bring his children over as soon as they got out of school. The family all came and we met the little brother for the first time. We let them choose all the toys they wanted, and they stuffed bags full! I knew Heidi still remembered me when she looked at me to say "Thank you, Mama!" (I was always "Mama" to her.) We had shared the Gospel with the mother before, but now Frank was able to share with the whole family, and they seemed responsive, saying that many from their Bouyei tribe have believed. We will plan to visit them again.
We had to get rid of lots of stuff from THP, and some things like the washer were just what Dorcas and Baby Mengyun were needing. We took turns entertaining Mengyun, who is about to cut teeth at two and a half months! Born at 42 weeks, she is unusually big and advanced for her age, and I expect she'll soon be driving the little car we gave her at her father's eager request.

The Lord used some self-examination questions by Fletcher to draw me nearer and bring new victory, which is such rest in the midst of conflict! I am thankful for all our wonderful literature, a great blessing, even if we lack places to put all our books, especially now we have lost one house. That is one matter of prayer, which I am awaiting God's pleasure on.

Do we celebrate Christmas? (Question # 1 to address). In China the general rule is that the "official" government- approved church does (and Santa is big just like in every city) and the house churches don't, due to its pagan roots. We love to sing the carols, and take every wonderful chance the season brings to proclaim the Gospel. Our best Christmases were one where we told the Christmas story to a large group of deaf children at a deaf school, and one spent helping at the orphanage where we were rewarded with first smiles from several deprived babies. We can't help missing treasured traditions, though....and so usually what is substituted is a "Thanksgiving program" each church anticipates.

Feeling concern for our family, especially the frailer, lonelier members we have had to leave, weighs on us ; but we are so thankful for those who have stepped up and helped out in any way. May each be doubly blessed! We are so endebted to the saints.....and miss 'em, too!

World's Worst Blogger

2008-12-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

One who is in the know informed me that this blog is the dullest ever; another person in the know pointed out that what I need is to learn to use a computer. Well, duh; I mean, um, I guess the phrase my faltering fingers fumble for would be ,uh, It's good to have around some people in the know,( aka teenagers).

"You've grown fat!" everyone exclaims on seeing me. When I encountered Donna Duan, she said the same thing, flinging her arms out wide as if to illustrate my tremendous girth as she marveled. While I know that all this greeting really means is "You are looking good", (and to grow thinner means the opposite!), it still takes a little reminding myself that what they are thinking is that I have actually survived to come back, no small miracle.

The last couple of days were spent clearing out the apartment in THP. One day I tended baby Mengyun while her mother worked. She is a fussy baby, and I don't think the formula supplement is helping the situation at all. Dorcas (who is the age I was when Christian was born---and she thought she was old!) told more about her struggle to accept the baby, and said one who really encouraged her is a sister we knew way back. This lady has a 19 year old girl, and had had a hysterectomy when the Lord surprised her with the birth of another daughter! I would love to see that baby, too! I then had my first chance to present my new set of fetal dolls from Heritage House, and I can say the reaction was profound and gratifying! As she felt of the tiniest doll, a light came on visibly as she realized that we were talking a real human being, not a blob, as she had been duped into thinking (the kind of thinking that helps keep this the abortion capitol of the world.) Seeing that light come on was strong incentive for me to seek more chances to show the dolls, who speak for themselves quite eloquently.

We were invited to Lydia's for supper where we were presented with a freshly-bathed, adorable cream puff pup, the son of Eenie and Chicken. If Frank had not seen fit to decline the gift, I would no doubt be nurturing a warm little ball of fluff under my sweater right now.

The compoications of life snow one under, and then you hear Habbakuk singing, "Yet I will rejoice..." ! I found myself playing over and over piano renditions of his theme as my heart began to rejoice....and sprout eagle wings to mount up and over. Then the perspective is wholly changed !

2008-12-16T22:37:00.000-08:00

The rather unrelated baby photos show :

EZEKIEL ABRAM ASBURY a few hours old

EZEKIEL WITH FATHER AND GRANDFATHER

MENGYUN WITH MOTHER IN OUR TORN-UP APT

Welcome Baby / THP Trip

2008-12-16T04:29:00.001-08:00

We were up before the crack of dawn to catch the company bus to THP, where our favorite and larger apartment, the one we have longest known as "home" is. There were new buildings making the landscape unfamiliar, but all inside was the same except for new water pipes and plenty of dust. There was lots to do to prepare to move out of this building condemned because of the earthquake.

It was exciting to meet several believers we hadn't seen for so long. Sister Lydia told us she has a gift for us: a puppy that is the offspring of two of our homeborn pups, Eenie and Chicken!

Most exciting was when Dorcas arrived with her two month old baby, MengYun (Dream Cloud) named by her 16 year old sister BaiYun (White Cloud ...or Bonnie). This precious gift had almost been rejected by her parents, sad to say, but I am sure they will always be glad they kept her! I enjoyed holding her and putting her to sleep, as well as trying for size the new little clothes we brought her from America. She is a treasure!

2008-12-16T04:25:00.000-08:00

Mountain Climb and Garden Meditation

2008-12-14T03:09:00.000-08:00

We are adjusting fast to the change in time and climate.......yes, it is cold here, and you mostly get to grin and bear it! It is nice to see a few blossoms this time of year, though.

I did not mention that in Beijing we were misinformed that we had to pick up our luggage, so that we waited so long that, time we got them straight on that, they were sure we would miss our plane, and frantically dashed about poking our boarding passes out under a closed door and in general making much ado about nothing, as we easily made our bus connection to the plane.

Our lovely room in Shanghai with its glass furnishings was state- of- the- arts in everything except English. On the glass desk was posted : "Friendship Prompt: Utslightly caresully, please not heavy piessure."(sic) Room service allowed ordering "shark wing". Posted on the door was a "SECURITY SCATTERING SKETCH MAP" which urged us not to panic in case of fire: "Our hotel have owned succor scattering facilities to sure you transmitted safely....the profess your excellency seat." I confess a fondness for chinglish, even when it passes understanding. And already we could tell that we were home again, for as we awaited our " 'uggage", one lady seated herself on the carousel, removed her boot, and began sniffing its interior, with a fine disregard for societal mores; while "bar" strips between posts bore the message "Be civilized: don't jump the bar."

It was good to worship with our people here once more, and marvel over how the children have grown. Annelisa and I even climbed the mountain with them, and came down the steep descent into the botanical gardens where I perched on a rock and watched the others play, while asking for a fresh vision of what the Lord has for us all.

Home in Hangzhou, Praise the Lord!

2008-12-13T04:24:00.001-08:00

For far too long life has been far too busy to post, so I have some fast catching up to do. Let's hit the highlights. First a wonderful one.......

December second commenced with an excited group at Brandon and Wendy's house awaiting the advent of the newest member of the family. We didn't have long to wait. At a few minutes after one a.m., I observed that we had reached the exciting part, and within minutes I was cutting the cord and then gathering up Ezekiel Abram Asbury in his blanket. Dad and Mom did great throughout. Even Elisha came in to welcome the adorable newcomer, and bask in the quiet joy of the moment.

Four days later I had a birthday surprise, the worst ever! We were getting set to go out for a celebration supper, when I heard some spine-chilling sounds, seeming far away. I investigated and looking out the back door I saw a horrifying scene: the motionless figure of my father protruding from a fallen trash can. He had gone out to collect trash to burn, and leaned on the empty trashcan, which flipped, encasing his head and shoulders. He thought he could get up by gripping a chair, but couldn't budge. I phoned for help, and Bro Kale and Cameron Neely were there in a couple of minutes, and the ambulance five minutes later. Dad's pain was rated ten on a scale of ten, as they transported him to the hospital where he was found to have badly broken legs. Medicated, he became so confused he could not make sense, but still had some pain. However by the next morning things had improved. The next day he lost the use of his left arm: a cat scan showed that he had likely not had a stroke, but this delayed reaction from his fall.

It could have been unbearable to leave him, but the Lord especially undertook and not only gave peace, but gave definite improvement. Katie, Angie, Annie, and I sang to him, and prayed and shared the verse I had been given for him: "Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice." He quoted "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, for he trusteth in thee."

Annelisa and I set out for Seattle in the Suburban, with the song Bro. Rod sang the night before ringing in our ears, "He Will See You Through". The sun set as we crossed the mighty Columbia, and the last light faded from the sky as we reached Snoqualmie Pass. On top of Old Snoqie, all covered with fog, I lost the surroundings, drove too slow to blog. Mist and fog accompanied us as far as Seattle where rush hour traffic and a mishap slowed us up, and then we finished our day's journey in some confusion, but safe and sound. After prayer meeting, we rested at Aaron's until five a.m. when we arose to start our next lap of the journey. From San Fransisco we flew up over the top of the world on a turbulent trip that took us to Beijing and at long last to our waiting menfolk in Shanghai. How glad we were to see them again and spend the night in the airport hotel, "Ease Hotel", which featured a mirror ceiling and clear glass doors on shower AND bathroom! It was indeed a lovely room, but we were glad to get on the handy Maglev train and zoom almost 300 miles an hour to the subway to connect to another subway to connect to the bullet train which went about 110 miles an hour to Hangzhou. A long wait for a taxi, and then we were in the wild traffic careening toward our humble apartment home.

Sweet Surprise

2008-11-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

Surprise, Surprise.......................
Sunday was an unforgettable occasion when we arrived at the fellowship's potluck dinner to find that it was a surprise farewell party for the unworthy missionaries! A beautiful cake topped with red roses had a story: when the cake was first set on the table, horrified eyes beheld skull and crossbones as the decor! A quick trip to exchange had to be worked in, and from there the program proceeded without a hitch. And after a tasty meal we were given the loveliest possible gift : a beautiful scrapbook with pages from everyone! What memories!

Countdown to our Launch

2008-11-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

November has begun our countdown ---just 26 days till departure for China. Anyone who loves packing is invited to come to our aid! Meanwhile we are enjoying our last weeks with family and friends, who keep reminding us how they are going to miss us. This blogspot is an attempt to make it easier for all of you to keep up with us in our perigrinations. So here goes...........................

God is Love

_Oriented

Timeless Village

First Mothers Day

Bible Lovers' Quiz

TIme for (very interesting) Class

Delivered from Discontent

Cat Tales for Children

Animals God Can Use

Misty Mountain Mystery

Rich Foreigner

HE IS RISEN !

Saturday Scholars and Sweet Scenes

Foundlings

Clear Light Festival Outing

WHAT Cookies???

Joseph the Genius

Purple Mountain Majesties

Joys and the beginning of sorrows

It is written

Fresh Inspiration

Where oh where have my little dogs gone?

Defining Moment

Quotes for Today

Wedding Wishes

LIGHT HOUSE Pictures at last!

Small Sweet Surprises

Home Scenes

Xixi Wetlands Park

Widow Wen

Reminiscing

On Teaching

Theme Song

Poems from the Past

Misty Botanical Garden Stroll

As in the Days of Noe

Light House

Breaking News

Sunshine

House Hunt Ahead

Mountaintop

Ｓｔａｒｓ ｏｆ Ｈｏｐｅ

Feeding Five Thousand

Below Zero

Two Little Piggies Came Home

Boys will be Boyish

Holiday Ski Trip

Great Wall and Bus Station Puppy

Yunnan Pictures

Around China in Ten Days

Balmy Guangzhou

New Year's Greeting

Our Thanxmas Party

A MOVING CHRISTMAS

My Heidi

World's Worst Blogger

Welcome Baby / THP Trip

Mountain Climb and Garden Meditation

Home in Hangzhou, Praise the Lord!

Sweet Surprise

Countdown to our Launch

Ｓｔａｒｓ　ｏｆ　Ｈｏｐｅ