Okay, so its been a little while since I have given a solid update on the happenings in and around me. Things on this side of the world are sunny today surrounded by sounds of children playing and people gather. Saturday afternoons, after students are out of school begins their one and a half day weekend (for most of them anyway). Things have been going well. My weeks are pretty relaxed outside of teaching and tutoring. Honestly, I’m so blessed. Yes, there are the everyday in’s and out’s of being here but I am working a great job financially (on China's standards) and not having to pay for any of my housing. I have a lot of free time to explore, to write, to read, to play and to spend with friends. I am learning so much about who I am and who He is.
I began my Thanksgiving Day lesson for the first half of my second year students (7th grade) this past week and the reality of being “away” for the holidays hit me. A case of homesickness hit pretty quickly. Its hard being away from friends, family and tradition during this time of year. But that’s when Dad brought me to a place of realizing that if I weren’t here, then I would not have a chance to be apart of sharing the truth behind Thanksgiving, Christmas and eventually Easter with almost 1,000 Children. Changing my perspective I realized that I have an opportunity to share the story of the good news with my students and their teachers and that’s what I’m trying to cling to during this time of missing home. Something totally to rejoice in!
Also, this week while I was teaching the Thanksgiving Day story, a teacher who was in the classroom with me started asking me about different American holidays. We talked through thanksgiving, birthdays, Christmas and then she looked at me and point blank asked “I know all the others but why do you celebrate Easter?” I had a chance to share from the Christmas story through Easter, explaining to her who JC was and what it means for us who celebrate today. It really was one of the most incredible moments I’ve had since I’ve been here because it was so unexpected. You spend so much time just being you and kind of trying to dance around things to drop little seeds where you can but having someone just bluntly ask you about it doesn’t typically happen. But when is He typical? Right, I know. I left that class and came home and literally danced around my apartment because I was so excited. It was like finding treasure. Then later this week she was helping in another class and started asking me more questions… this time all about JC and who He really was and why He had to die. I had a chance to share my story with her and how I know He’s real and who He is through what He’s done in my life and for those around me. Then she opened up about her life and questions she was having. She literally told me she was thinking and seeking something greater to hold on to because she feels that it will help her to be strong when she is weak and will give her hope. I told her I was more than willing to answer any questions she had and would love to go to lunch with her sometime next week to talk and to learn from one another. I can only pry that this unexpected gift would continue to develop and grow with time. She is hesitant to move quickly in her decisions for faith but I can tell she is curious. So please, pry with me that Dad would lift the veil and make Himself known to her.
From this I realized just how much of a gift it is to speak His name publicly, to share about Him, to speak truth. I was so overwhelmed by how much you can take even the simple conversations for granted until this experience. Just saying His name filled me with such an unremarkable joy.
Last but not least I wanted to share with all of you what I have to be thankful for in light of the coming holiday.
I love you all so much and you’re continual love and support astound me and make me realize that I am not alone(those of you near and far).
I am thankful for a perpetual love
The hope that’s whispered and always present
The forgiveness found in the sacrifice
I am thankful for the bizarre in life, the unpredictable circumstances
For the guidance of the comforter
The revelation of the cross
For the fact that I am never alone
For a family who has helped make my dreams come true, making the impossible possible. Seeing me through each season of my life and never giving up on me, always believing in me. My family who makes me laugh and makes me mad and everything in between, taking the good with the bad but always hanging on.
For friends who have showed me the truth in this life, who have taught me what it is to love and to be loved. Who have formed deep bonds rooted in joy and hope, always pushing and encouraging me (even from around the world). For Laughing with me and yes, at me, through all of the learning experiences and comforting me in my sorrow and my weakness. Just for being there to talk to and catch up with.
For a body that is strong. A body that perseveres and fights for truth, who prys without ceasing and builds each other up in Him. A body all around the world that is pursuing the kingdom and all that, that looks like.
My team of unique, wonderful people who are here, pushing me, challenging me and pouring into my life. For your realness in who you are and whats going on, for all the we’re in China moments, for your constant love and for your passionate hearts to see His kingdom come.
For my students and my chance to live and dwell with the faces around me that are right now, home. For China and who I see for Him to be in this place. For all their crazy ideas of medicine that just make me laugh and for the friends I have found that take good care of me. For my students who although are unhinged at times, just smile and offer a gift or a conversation that makes it all worth it. For an opportunity to live this season of my life where I have time and space to grow, learn and become more alive in Him.
