walking with giants

没想到，两周就能建立一段段真挚的友谊。
Playing scrabble with the Chinese students


Vehicles and pedestrians share the road


The bookstore

Singing Amazing Grace

My chauffeur :)

Young adult fellowship


The guy in yellow resembles Wang Lee Hom

We had QT by the river. It was about 25 degrees celsius.






Carrying the computer from bookstore for repair. Heavy and hot...







I'm back! Thank God for the many things I've encountered and learnt in China. So many things that God has opened my eyes to see and reflect on. There were much laughter, some wonderful memories, several good food, many hymns sung, reaching out to non-believers, a bit of sweat, and a group of brothers and sisters who have inspired me to imitate Christ in happiness and in trials. There was also an elder who has shown me the example of being a disciple of Christ, a loving husband, reliable friend, and wise mentor. And through it all, one God, whom we all, coming from various places gather to praise and worship.

During the two weeks, I had the privilege to stay at an elder's house, help out at his bookstore, and tag along when he goes to different churches. He's 64 years old, and lives with his wife (who was away in Singapore then) and two fellow sisters who work at the bookstore. His children and grandchildren are in Singapore. Many years ago, he sold his accounting firm in Singapore in order to devote time to mission work in China. Of course, it was not an easy decision because becoming an overseas missionary was far less attractive than running an accounting practice. It was not until he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and then subsequently cured (miraculously) before he submitted entirely to God's will. Prior to that, he had fought against God's call repeatedly.

Having lived with him for two weeks, it's hard to find him without a smile on his face. His laughter is contagious, yet he becomes stern when dealing with serious matters. His principle of "No Bible, no breakfast" has influenced me to do the same. We spend more than an hour praying, our "coffee talk" were Bible discussions, and sharing God's word becomes very natural. Even though he is not a pastor, he is involved in numerous churches, and visits them from time to time simply to talk or deliver sermons. At home, most of his time is spent preparing sermons, reading the Bible, sorting the bookshop's finances, dealing church matters in Singapore, and joking with us. Listening to the conversations between him and his wife over skype, one might mistake them for teenagers who just fell in love. For someone like him who reads extensively and is familiar with the Bible, I was humbled to see him wake up early every morning to devote much time to God in prayer and reading His word.

I learnt that just by receiving Christ is not enough. There is still much to be done. Even though many in the villages have received Christ, most lack a proper understanding of salvation and are still easily wavered by other religions that may reach them. Meanwhile, the other extreme must be taken into consideration as being overly dogmatic will lead to separation among them.

During a young adult fellowship, as we went around saying our prayer items, it turned out that everyone present asked to pray for their family's salvation. I felt God comforting me through the sharing by these brothers and sisters because prior to going to China, things at home weren't good. It wasn't because the difficulties they're facing are worse than mine, but rather, we knew that through these trials, the name of God may be glorified. With the knowledge that some back in Singapore and fellow Christians in China are keeping me in prayer, I was assured that God is in control. There was a hymn that we sang that day, 炼我愈精, which was like speaking for me to God.

主，我惭愧，因我感觉总是保留自己， 虽我也曾受祢雕削，我却感觉受强逼。
主，祢能不照祢喜乐，没有顾忌去行， 不顾我的感觉如何，只是要求祢欢欣？

我要赞美，再要赞美，赞美何等甘甜； 虽我边赞美边流泪，甘甜比前更加添；
能有什么比祢更好？比祢喜悦可宝？ 主我只有一个祷告：祢能加增我减少。

每次的打击，都是真利益， 如果祢收去的东西，祢以自己来代替。