I have informally (ie on a post-it) been keeping a list of things this week that have been either direct answers to prayer or just been things the Father has done for me that have really inspired and impacted me.
First, my laptop has arrived! The same day my laptop, which was ordered through a supplier in Hong Kong (Lenovo), arrived at Crossroads, the check to cover the funds arrived at my church in San Antonio … what perfect timing! As Kate, our Comms Director, commented the other day, it’s something I would not have gotten had I stayed in the States, and the laptop I’m getting here is even better than one I would have picked out for myself. Somehow, making no money, I am getting a much better quality laptop than if I’d bought one at home. TYMD! (as we say at Crossroads – Thank You MD!)
As many of you may recall, I co-lead a Book study with the kids here on Friday afternoons each week. Liz, the other leader, and I have a hard time finding materials here for these studies, and either make it up as we go along, or find something online, or just re-use old studies we’ve already done. We don’t have much in the way of resources, and with the age range of the kids (4 is the youngest, and 13 the oldest of the kids that attend the Study) it can be very challenging to do something that appeals to them all and keeps them occupied. I had asked Cheryl at GPC (church in SA) to see if she could help me, since she does so much in children’s min. She is a star, and a packet of materials – lessons, games, and even The Good Book Cookbook – arrived just as we finished our current lesson. We had about a day of wondering what we would be doing next, and then the books arrived!
Along those lines, I had really been pleading with the Father to help me with the challenge it is for me to work with kids. It’s just not my gift or passion. I love them, and do really well with them one-on-one, but not in a teaching setting. I just feel awkward and uncomfortable. So the weekly Book Studies can sometimes be like a mountain I have to climb each Friday, and I’ll admit there’s a small bit of dread attached. I know I can do it, but I’m just not good with disciplining, etc. And a lot of times, by the time Friday afternoon rolls around, they are rowdy and it’s hard to get them to be quiet and do their activities. It can really frustrate me because they will be activities I know they will enjoy, but I can’t get them to settle down enough to do them. Anyway, this past Friday, I really asked Him to help me. And … it was probably the best Book Study time I’ve had in the almost 6 months I’ve been doing it. The kids were attentive, I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all … I went in with a different mindset, ready to take control … and then I didn’t have to because they actually behaved. We had a great time making a collage of what we’ve learned in 2 Cor, and two of them even closed in pr’yer, and they were really good pr’yers, too! I know that Maz, one of their teachers, had given them a stern talking to ahead of time, so that of course helped a lot, and I know it may not last, but it was still the window of relief I needed to be re-encouraged.
Lastly, the Presence Buffet the other evening really, really impacted me. You can read more about that blog post below for full details (called "Presence Buffet"), but just again I want to say how much I needed that.
Other things have happened as well, on a smaller scale, and have been great little encouragements, confirmations, and just reminders of His Love, patience, and forgiveness.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Presence Buffet
Each Wednesday night, our team gathers for a meal and then an extended time of singing, chatting, and learning the Word together. I have to admit, coming fast on the heels of a full work day, I sometimes find it hard to have the energy to sit for another several hours for these times Wednesday night. Often I am warmed by the things I learn and the fellowship I take part in, but it nevertheless can be an exhausting day and I must admit I sometimes am reticent to give up my personal time for these meetings.
Last night, however, blew me away. The Father showed up in a big way.
Our team will go through what we call “seasons,” ie different themes or patterns to our times of learning together. For example, we may spend several weeks learning about the Fruit of His Spirit, or dig deep into the many names He has, or even go through a more structured Study. The season we began last night is about living in His Presence, and how differently that can be found and what it can look like for each of us.
We had what was termed a Presence Buffet. In the room we meet in, which is a long, rectangular room, there was a table runner running the length of the floor with various place settings, pots, serving platters, and baskets placed about, as well as many small candles lit. On some of the dishes and in baskets were pieces of bread, but most did not hold food but instead held verses, devotional excerpts, paper, pens, and even play do for those who find His Presence through artistic expression.
We were given the opportunity to approach the “buffet” and seek His Presence in our own way. This could be through writing, drawing, composing, devotionals, verses, or even just finding a quiet spot to be still and listen to Him.
I am one who most easily enters His Presence through being quiet and still, so I did just that. I found myself a spot on the floor, and in the quiet let Him come over me. I was praising Him a full thirty minutes before our leader asked us to come back together as a whole to chat together. During my time with Him, thanking Him, I was overcome with gratitude for so many things. Big gestures, small details … just everything. I could feel the tears streaming down my face, and I didn’t care. I was just so peaceful, so happy.
These past few weeks for me have been some of the most challenging, in just about every aspect, but they have also been the most meaningful in that this is the closest I have been in relationship with Him in a long time.
I only hope the closeness will continue, and I look forward to continuing to learn about His Presence, and how much I want to be in it.
Last night, however, blew me away. The Father showed up in a big way.
Our team will go through what we call “seasons,” ie different themes or patterns to our times of learning together. For example, we may spend several weeks learning about the Fruit of His Spirit, or dig deep into the many names He has, or even go through a more structured Study. The season we began last night is about living in His Presence, and how differently that can be found and what it can look like for each of us.
We had what was termed a Presence Buffet. In the room we meet in, which is a long, rectangular room, there was a table runner running the length of the floor with various place settings, pots, serving platters, and baskets placed about, as well as many small candles lit. On some of the dishes and in baskets were pieces of bread, but most did not hold food but instead held verses, devotional excerpts, paper, pens, and even play do for those who find His Presence through artistic expression.
We were given the opportunity to approach the “buffet” and seek His Presence in our own way. This could be through writing, drawing, composing, devotionals, verses, or even just finding a quiet spot to be still and listen to Him.
I am one who most easily enters His Presence through being quiet and still, so I did just that. I found myself a spot on the floor, and in the quiet let Him come over me. I was praising Him a full thirty minutes before our leader asked us to come back together as a whole to chat together. During my time with Him, thanking Him, I was overcome with gratitude for so many things. Big gestures, small details … just everything. I could feel the tears streaming down my face, and I didn’t care. I was just so peaceful, so happy.
These past few weeks for me have been some of the most challenging, in just about every aspect, but they have also been the most meaningful in that this is the closest I have been in relationship with Him in a long time.
I only hope the closeness will continue, and I look forward to continuing to learn about His Presence, and how much I want to be in it.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
I HATE ROACHES
The past week has seen an influx in roach visitors to my apartment. For those who don’t know this about me, I HATE roaches. I don’t even want to kill them (but I do want them dead). I don’t want them anywhere near me. I don’t want to see them dead, I don’t want to even see pictures of them. I just want to pretend they don’t even exist.
Unfortunately, this can’t be done here.
With the heat, they are coming out in droves (in droves, I say!). And they FLY. Talk about a nightmare coming true. Yuck.
Usually we find them in the bathroom or the kitchen, but in recent days they are getting bolder, and one even had the nerve to come in my room and rest on my bedside table (he was dead immediately, thanks to my Crocs). One was in the cushions of our couch the other night. Maz and I tore apart our living room area to find him, and inadvertently crushed him under the leg of the sofa, which was lucky.
They are fast, and huge, and show up unexpectedly when it is 3 am, dark, and you are barefoot going for a late night snack or bathroom visit. I have to do roach spot checks whenever I enter a room, and since they often scatter when the lights come on (and I can’t see them well enough in the dark), I am stuck knowing they are out there but unable to get at them to kill them. I even put a towel along the bottom of my door to keep them out of my room as best as I can, and Maz and I have laid down roach bait to kill them.
They often come in the windows, so I am wary of opening them because of this (we don’t have screens). But the summer is so hot and stuffy, and we don’t have central air, only window units, and those are only in our bedrooms. So, the kitchen, when cooking, becomes a sauna unless you open a window … and then the roaches, and moths by the truckload, come wandering in and swarm our home.
Just a few minutes ago, as I was sitting here typing, a roach jumped onto my desk and started madly crawling all over the place. I leaped up, told my intern to kill it, which she did (not in her job description, but she’s a Hong Konger and more hardy than I am), and saved me from its clutches.
I HATE ROACHES.
Unfortunately, this can’t be done here.
With the heat, they are coming out in droves (in droves, I say!). And they FLY. Talk about a nightmare coming true. Yuck.
Usually we find them in the bathroom or the kitchen, but in recent days they are getting bolder, and one even had the nerve to come in my room and rest on my bedside table (he was dead immediately, thanks to my Crocs). One was in the cushions of our couch the other night. Maz and I tore apart our living room area to find him, and inadvertently crushed him under the leg of the sofa, which was lucky.
They are fast, and huge, and show up unexpectedly when it is 3 am, dark, and you are barefoot going for a late night snack or bathroom visit. I have to do roach spot checks whenever I enter a room, and since they often scatter when the lights come on (and I can’t see them well enough in the dark), I am stuck knowing they are out there but unable to get at them to kill them. I even put a towel along the bottom of my door to keep them out of my room as best as I can, and Maz and I have laid down roach bait to kill them.
They often come in the windows, so I am wary of opening them because of this (we don’t have screens). But the summer is so hot and stuffy, and we don’t have central air, only window units, and those are only in our bedrooms. So, the kitchen, when cooking, becomes a sauna unless you open a window … and then the roaches, and moths by the truckload, come wandering in and swarm our home.
Just a few minutes ago, as I was sitting here typing, a roach jumped onto my desk and started madly crawling all over the place. I leaped up, told my intern to kill it, which she did (not in her job description, but she’s a Hong Konger and more hardy than I am), and saved me from its clutches.
I HATE ROACHES.
Morning Meetings
Each morning, the team here joins together for singing and chatting together in fellowship. I am always so, so blessed by the music, and such heartfelt praise.
It’s usually one person playing piano, or a guitar, and then someone singing. The words are projected on the wall of the small room, and the lights are dimmed. The person leading isn’t standing front and center, or even singing into the microphone the whole time. He or she will stand to the side, the lyrics will be in the center, and they will sing into the microphone just to let the rest of us know when to come in. We are being led, not performed for, and I really enjoy it more than any other time of music in such a setting. I love the music in many places, singing to Him with abandon, but in many places I feel I am watching more than participating. In our morning meetings, the voices of us singing easily drown out the leader, and often the instrument, and all you can hear are people singing as one voice. It’s absolutely amazing, and I love it. It is in those times I feel so connected with the other believers, and feel as if one body and one spirit. We sing hymns, contemporary songs, and songs that others on team have written.
It is simple, and beautiful, and I feel His presence so strongly in those times. They are the best way to start the day, and the time uplifts me as I hum the tunes later in my work day, remembering His presence and how easy it is to rest in it.
It’s usually one person playing piano, or a guitar, and then someone singing. The words are projected on the wall of the small room, and the lights are dimmed. The person leading isn’t standing front and center, or even singing into the microphone the whole time. He or she will stand to the side, the lyrics will be in the center, and they will sing into the microphone just to let the rest of us know when to come in. We are being led, not performed for, and I really enjoy it more than any other time of music in such a setting. I love the music in many places, singing to Him with abandon, but in many places I feel I am watching more than participating. In our morning meetings, the voices of us singing easily drown out the leader, and often the instrument, and all you can hear are people singing as one voice. It’s absolutely amazing, and I love it. It is in those times I feel so connected with the other believers, and feel as if one body and one spirit. We sing hymns, contemporary songs, and songs that others on team have written.
It is simple, and beautiful, and I feel His presence so strongly in those times. They are the best way to start the day, and the time uplifts me as I hum the tunes later in my work day, remembering His presence and how easy it is to rest in it.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Typhoon Nuri
The typhoon signal 9 was raised yesterday afternoon, the first time that high of a signal has gone up in years, and was a result of Typhoon Nuri bearing down on Hong Kong. The winds were so strong, two trees were knocked over in front of my house, and numerous tree branches littered the sidewalks and roads. Items were blown all over the stairwells, and even our big, wooden, 6 person table that sits on the porch was blown over. A glass tabletop from the café was picked up and smashed against the wall. I was sitting in my apartment, listening to the wind, and was honestly scared my windows might shatter. The supermarkets and other businesses closed down and we were sent home and told to stay away from the windows until the typhoon passed.
Usually, when we get typhoon warnings, they are accompanied by heavy rains. The rains yesterday were not very bad, but the wind was incredible. It was all I could do to hold onto my umbrella as I walked home. And even as I descended a small hill to get to my building, a large tree branch was picked up by the wind and I momentarily thought it might hit me. In fact, one of the trees that came down did so across the path I had been walking on not 15 minutes before.
Never a dull moment. :)
Usually, when we get typhoon warnings, they are accompanied by heavy rains. The rains yesterday were not very bad, but the wind was incredible. It was all I could do to hold onto my umbrella as I walked home. And even as I descended a small hill to get to my building, a large tree branch was picked up by the wind and I momentarily thought it might hit me. In fact, one of the trees that came down did so across the path I had been walking on not 15 minutes before.
Never a dull moment. :)
This fallen tree is laying right where I had just been walking.
Another fallen tree
Thursday, August 21, 2008
What I've learned about typhoons
Typhoon Nuri is currently bearing down on us today, and it’s caused me to reflect on my time spent in typhoon season this year.
So what’s it like being hit with typhoons so frequently? Very high winds, heavy rainfall, landslips, upturned trees, and things flying are just the highlights.
The weather service hoists different signals – T1, T3, T8, or T10. We often find ourselves at T3 or T8. One guy on team has lived here for 25 years and has never experienced a T10, so that’s something to be thankful for.
We are warned to shut all windows and doors and to secure anything loosely hanging outside during any of the T signals. With the T8, public transportation shuts down, and warnings go into effect to not go outdoors unless necessary. Winds make it difficult to shut doors (it makes me feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, when she is struggling to shut her door and things are banging around her … unfortunately I have never made the magical trip to Oz).
Often whole tree branches will lie in the roads or on sidewalks, and more than once we have had one of the surrounding trees break windows in the apartments as they crashed in. The supermarkets put big taped X’s on their windows in case they blow in or something breaks them, to contain the damage. All in all, it’s a bit exciting and we just continue to do our work.
I’ve certainly learned a lot from living under typhoon weather for so many months (since about May I think, but maybe April). The dark, menacing skies. The trees being violently tossed around. Rivers of water on the streets and sidewalks, and if I’m really unlucky, in my apartment.
It’s incredible to see such unpredictable, intense forces of nature. Wow, how He amazes me.
So what’s it like being hit with typhoons so frequently? Very high winds, heavy rainfall, landslips, upturned trees, and things flying are just the highlights.
The weather service hoists different signals – T1, T3, T8, or T10. We often find ourselves at T3 or T8. One guy on team has lived here for 25 years and has never experienced a T10, so that’s something to be thankful for.
We are warned to shut all windows and doors and to secure anything loosely hanging outside during any of the T signals. With the T8, public transportation shuts down, and warnings go into effect to not go outdoors unless necessary. Winds make it difficult to shut doors (it makes me feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, when she is struggling to shut her door and things are banging around her … unfortunately I have never made the magical trip to Oz).
Often whole tree branches will lie in the roads or on sidewalks, and more than once we have had one of the surrounding trees break windows in the apartments as they crashed in. The supermarkets put big taped X’s on their windows in case they blow in or something breaks them, to contain the damage. All in all, it’s a bit exciting and we just continue to do our work.
I’ve certainly learned a lot from living under typhoon weather for so many months (since about May I think, but maybe April). The dark, menacing skies. The trees being violently tossed around. Rivers of water on the streets and sidewalks, and if I’m really unlucky, in my apartment.
It’s incredible to see such unpredictable, intense forces of nature. Wow, how He amazes me.
Adventures in Babysitting
My neighbours downstairs have an 11 month old girl named Jeania, who is adorable and usually very quiet and easy to please. She loves clapping and pointing, and generally putting everything in her mouth and holding DVD cases.
Last night, her mom, Sheila, asked me to watch Jeania while she went across the road for dinner with a friend. It was only going to be two hours at
most, and I’ve spent lots of time with Jeania and her parents so she is familiar with me, so I agreed (also no diapers would need changing, so that helped).
Jeania comes over at 6 pm, and she crawls all over, laughs, slobbers, and generally enjoys herself. Every time she stands on her own, she turns to me and claps. When she falls on her bottom seconds later, she claps. As she places the remote in her mouth, she claps. When she manages not to drop the DVD case she is holding, she claps. Then the case falls, she looks at it, then looks at me, and claps. She’s just having a good time.
Then she stumbles, and screams her head off. Fortunately Maz is able to appease her with funny faces and soon all is well again. Then the piece de resistance comes out – the frozen ice pack. She grabs it, and begins sucking on it, and is quite content for a very long time.
Then, as she looks around the apartment, she looks at me, and start
s screaming bloody murder. She has finally realized, an hour and ten minutes later, than mom is not here and she is convinced she has been abandoned and is stuck with me. I tried EVERYTHING to calm her down. We touched things, made faces and noises, went flying, played with the ice pack, tickled, watched TV, had some juice … nothing could calm her down. I even tried just letting her wear herself out with crying (which I’m sure the neighbours loved), but she didn’t let up. She was quickly getting into a frenzy, and I just couldn’t find anything to make her calm down.
Finally, at 7:30, her mom got to the door and came in. She told me she could hear Jeania from downstairs (I live on the third floor), and couldn’t believe what a state Jeania was in. She apologized and then I apologized for traumatizing her child.
I’m not sure I’ll be up for more babysitting any time soon, but I also don’t think I’ll be asked in the near future either. I think it’s best Jeania and I agree to be nothing more than friends for now.
Last night, her mom, Sheila, asked me to watch Jeania while she went across the road for dinner with a friend. It was only going to be two hours at
most, and I’ve spent lots of time with Jeania and her parents so she is familiar with me, so I agreed (also no diapers would need changing, so that helped).Jeania comes over at 6 pm, and she crawls all over, laughs, slobbers, and generally enjoys herself. Every time she stands on her own, she turns to me and claps. When she falls on her bottom seconds later, she claps. As she places the remote in her mouth, she claps. When she manages not to drop the DVD case she is holding, she claps. Then the case falls, she looks at it, then looks at me, and claps. She’s just having a good time.
Then she stumbles, and screams her head off. Fortunately Maz is able to appease her with funny faces and soon all is well again. Then the piece de resistance comes out – the frozen ice pack. She grabs it, and begins sucking on it, and is quite content for a very long time.
Then, as she looks around the apartment, she looks at me, and start
s screaming bloody murder. She has finally realized, an hour and ten minutes later, than mom is not here and she is convinced she has been abandoned and is stuck with me. I tried EVERYTHING to calm her down. We touched things, made faces and noises, went flying, played with the ice pack, tickled, watched TV, had some juice … nothing could calm her down. I even tried just letting her wear herself out with crying (which I’m sure the neighbours loved), but she didn’t let up. She was quickly getting into a frenzy, and I just couldn’t find anything to make her calm down.Finally, at 7:30, her mom got to the door and came in. She told me she could hear Jeania from downstairs (I live on the third floor), and couldn’t believe what a state Jeania was in. She apologized and then I apologized for traumatizing her child.
I’m not sure I’ll be up for more babysitting any time soon, but I also don’t think I’ll be asked in the near future either. I think it’s best Jeania and I agree to be nothing more than friends for now.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
My Week Off
I was fortunate enough to get a week holiday from work last week. I feel like I have just been barrelling forward since Day 1 and I so desperately needed to stop and be still for a bit.
I considered going into mainland China or somewhere else, but my pocketbook wasn't so happy with that idea, so I opted inste
ad to just stay in a hotel in the city and be away from Crossroads for a little bit.
ad to just stay in a hotel in the city and be away from Crossroads for a little bit.Side note: we all live and work together, day in and day out, which is great a lot of the time but when you take a week off, you don't get much of a rest if you are still here. So ... hence my decision for a hotel. I wanted to be able to go out the front door and not run into 15 people I know.
Back to my holiday ... I searched online and found a reasonably priced hotel in the part of Hong Kong called Tsimshatsui (or TST for short). TST is a hub of acitivity, and there are many MTR (subway) stations nearby, unlike where I live where it takes ages to get anywhere. The hotel was similar to a Holiday Inn ... nice and Western style.
I arrived Tuesday and was put on the 20th floor overlooking Kowloon Park and the beautiful harbour. I couldn't believe my luck! I didn't pay extra for such a view, but there I had it. The room had a TV and two small twin beds, a closet, a bathroom, and a fridge. There was even a safe.
I'm a forward thinker so I had shoved a small DVD player into my bag and was able to hook it up and watch movies and TV shows I had borrowed from various people. It was great!
And it was so nice to be somewhere where I knew my way around, rather than going on vacation somewhere and spending time lost. I knew where to go for food, how to get to the MTR, and knew I wouldn't be lost.
I spent my days wandering the city (it was HOT), seeing some movies (ie Batman, Get Smart), and just relaxing. I think what I enjoyed most was not having to be on constant roach patrol or hear mosquitos buzzing aound my head while I tried to sleep. Also, the nice, glistening white of clean bathroom tile was a joy to see after 5 months of dingy, mildewed bathroom walls.
All in all, it was a great three days there where I was able to get my head straight, have a break, and rest and consider what the next few months here will hold. I am so grateful to have had the time off, and am glad to be back in action now.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Interns!
At Crossroads, we have the privilege of having summer interns to volunteer with us. These are typically college kids from around the city, with a free summer, who want to do some meaningful work.Really by default, I ended up with the task of managing our two interns. And it was a huge blessing to me! The two girls, Amy and Puneet, really pitched in and gave their all, and let me tell you, not every task I gave them was very exciting or easy. Internships here are more like glorified volunteers rather than getting real-world job experience as you would (hope to, anyway) in an internship in the States.
The girls came right at crunch time for World Refugee Day, and stayed about two months. They hadn't known each other before, but quickly became friends. They did all kinds of tedious jobs in the sun, not to mention tedious tasks on the computer. But all were things that needed to be done, and helped us out tremendously.
They 'graduated' from their internship last week, and as I watched them receive their certificates, I felt like a mother watching her kids. And afterwards, they sought me out for hugs, and told me, without my prompting, how much they liked their time spent at Crossroads, and with me, and it really warmed my heart to hear such things. I also had to write them each letters of recommendation, and I had to curb my enthusiasm because I just had so many nice things to say about them.
Even though it is an internship program, it is still a ministry and I am very glad to have been able to work so closely with them both.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
My Olympic Debut
Last week, someone donated tickets to us for the equestrian Olympic events, which are being held in Hong Kong. Of course, I jumped at the chance to go!
The event I went to see is called Dressage. According to Wikipedia, "Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet."
Riders are able to tell the horse what to do next (ie trot, walk, gallop, walk sideways, stop) all by different pressures they put on the horse with their legs, and so just by looking, you won't see the rider doing anything but sit there. Apparently, it can take about 8 years to train a horse to do this.
So this morning, my alarm went off at 4:10 am, and a group of us piled into taxis at 4:45 am to head to the University station in Sha Tin, where the events took place.
From University, we met crowds and crowds of people piling onto free shuttle buses to the venue. By now, it was about 5:30 am.
We arrived at the venue soon after, produced our tickets, and went through a security checkpoint much like that at the airport. Once inside, we were greeted by the Olympic mascots walking around and posing for pictures, masses of people milling around, and of course, lots of official Olympics merchandise.
We found our seats, and watched the sun come up over the mountains and buildings surrounding the venue.
The events started at 6:30 am and lasted until almost 10 am. They had 3 sets, and during the 15 minute breaks, they had performances by the mascots and also by people doing martial arts.
It was so fun to be a part of the Olympics and to see all the different nationalities there. I was sitting in a section with Australians, New Zealanders, and Brits, and as Australia took the lead the people got very excited. (USA was third) The group I went with comprised 5 different nationalities alone.
It was quite interesting to see such skilled performances. We were told to remain very quiet during the tests, which were about 7 minutes each, as it is easy to distract the horses since they don't usually perform for such crowds. Apparently they train the horses with music so when they do perform, the horse is used to the music and the music can mask some of the crowd noise. One of the Australians, who was doing really well, had his horse get distracted when the music changed during the performance (all classical or easy listening), which was a bit sad for him. They recovered well, but still, he lost points. And one poor girl from Belarus had her horse lose concentration, and though we were all trying to be quiet, there is no way to mask the collective gasp of thousands of people.
All in all, I loved it. I don't think I can go to another sporting event because I have now been spoiled by the Olympics.
Me and Vanessa with our tickets, circa 6 am
The Mascots
USA! USA! USA!
Martial Arts performance during the break
Our Group
The ScoreboardFriday, August 8, 2008
Olympic Fever!!
I gathered with several others last night to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing. I've never actually watched an opening ceremony, and honestly I don't get that much into the Olympics, but somehow this year was a little different.
If you didn't watch it, you missed some amazing special effects.
My favorite was the 2,008 drummers, in perfect unison. Normally, watching something like that makes me nervous because I am so worried someone will mess up or fall or something like that. But I realized when watching last night that I didn't have that fear. Chinese people set their mind to something, and they do it perfectly, no mistakes. It's amazing to watch.
What really struck me is the fierce pride of the Chinese people. You obviously don't get this nearly as much from the news in the States, but here the Olympics have been looming large on the horizon and last night was the climax. I realized as I watched how proud I was for China. I'm not Chinese, and have only been here a relatively short amount of time, but I was sitting there with my friends, watching all the different performances, each of which drew on the rich and colorful history of China, and I was proud. I was proud to be living among such a vibrant people.
What was even more surprising was when the teams started to enter the stadium, as the athletes from Hong Kong made their way in, their flag flying and people waving, all of us in the room (none from Hong Kong originally) started cheering. We were so proud of 'our' people. Of course, we were also excited when our own native countries entered, but somehow watching Hong Kong make the lap around the stadium was just as exciting. And as the Chinese team entered ... well, they have a lot to be proud of and excited about.
So, if you didn't watch the ceremony, you missed some amazing theatrics and engineering. Whoever had the idea to have all the athletes walk through the paint onto the giant canvas was brilliant. And the people who danced but drew with their bodies at the same time, the 2,008 people doing tai chi in perfect unison, the people who collectively formed a dove and had their clothes changing colors, the massive moveable type machine, the giant globe that people ran around, and of course the incredible lighting of the torch ... it was all incredible.
My favorite was the drummers though.
If you didn't watch it, you missed some amazing special effects.
My favorite was the 2,008 drummers, in perfect unison. Normally, watching something like that makes me nervous because I am so worried someone will mess up or fall or something like that. But I realized when watching last night that I didn't have that fear. Chinese people set their mind to something, and they do it perfectly, no mistakes. It's amazing to watch.
What really struck me is the fierce pride of the Chinese people. You obviously don't get this nearly as much from the news in the States, but here the Olympics have been looming large on the horizon and last night was the climax. I realized as I watched how proud I was for China. I'm not Chinese, and have only been here a relatively short amount of time, but I was sitting there with my friends, watching all the different performances, each of which drew on the rich and colorful history of China, and I was proud. I was proud to be living among such a vibrant people.
What was even more surprising was when the teams started to enter the stadium, as the athletes from Hong Kong made their way in, their flag flying and people waving, all of us in the room (none from Hong Kong originally) started cheering. We were so proud of 'our' people. Of course, we were also excited when our own native countries entered, but somehow watching Hong Kong make the lap around the stadium was just as exciting. And as the Chinese team entered ... well, they have a lot to be proud of and excited about.
So, if you didn't watch the ceremony, you missed some amazing theatrics and engineering. Whoever had the idea to have all the athletes walk through the paint onto the giant canvas was brilliant. And the people who danced but drew with their bodies at the same time, the 2,008 people doing tai chi in perfect unison, the people who collectively formed a dove and had their clothes changing colors, the massive moveable type machine, the giant globe that people ran around, and of course the incredible lighting of the torch ... it was all incredible.
My favorite was the drummers though.
Monday, August 4, 2008
A Horse, Of Course!
The Olympic Games start in just a few days, and things are getting closer to fever pitch every day. The people are fiercely proud and very excited about the upcoming events. The games are being held primarily in Beijing, but are also holding some events in other Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, and others. Hong Kong will host the equestrian games.So this morning, I was driving someone to the airport, and as we were getting on to the bridge to Lantau Island, we were stopped by a very elaborate motorcade. We watched as vehicles and motorcycles bearing flashing lights drove past, and we sat and wondered aloud at what dignitaries this must be for.
And then, masses of horse trailers went by. The motorcade was for the Olympic horses.
So we waited and waited, and eventually it was done, and so we were allowed onto the bridge but had to slowly follow the motorcade toward the airport.
Seeing as how I can’t afford Olympics tickets, and have never been terribly keen on horse events anyway, this was my brush with Olympic fever and Olympic preparations. I can say, as a complete non-expert, that the horses looked good! I look forward to seeing them compete on TV with the rest of the world.
You can also see the mascots for the Olympic Games at several spots around Hong Kong. They are very popular! I already have my keychain with the blue one on it.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Baby!
One of my better friends here, Christy, has been pregnant all year, and I’ve watched her tummy grow, and seen how uncomfortable she has gotten in this heat. And I know she was ready to have this baby.
Late Wednesday night (coincidentally after baking cookies for me!) she went in to labor. The practice here, unfortunately, does not allow her husband to be in the room with her, so Tom, her husband, had to wait for the 20 hours she was in labor without seeing her. And she couldn’t see him or communicate with him.
Talk about a rough night.
I can’t imagine how hard that would be. Here you are, having your first baby, and you are going it alone, surrounded only by foreign doctors and nurses even though your husband is close by.
What’s more, they didn’t tell Tom when she had the baby, but he briefly saw her rolled out of the operating room (she had a Cesarian) and the baby rolled to the ICU. He asked the nurse to at least tell him the gender of the baby, and the nurse told him he would have to ask his wife. At this point, all he knew was the baby was in ICU, but didn’t know why, and his wife was still under anaesthesia, so he couldn’t talk to her. (They also kept telling him “big baby!” even though the baby was only 8 pounds, but that’s big for a baby in Asia.)
Two hours later, she was awake and could tell Tom the baby was a boy. However, despite being the father, Tom is only allowed in for regular visiting hours, which are an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening.
Even worse than that, Christy had yet to even see her baby. It’s been almost two days now, and she has hardly seen the baby, and Tom has only seen him through the glass observation window.
The baby is only in ICU per procedure, so there isn’t actually anything wrong with him. But how frustrating to have your baby taken away from you, and you can’t even have regular visitors!
Another couple here are also expecting in about a month, and after what Tom and Christy went through, they were seriously considering flying to Australia to have the baby.
It’s just so different culturally. Technologically, they are as advanced as any other first world country, but culturally it is very different from the West.
So, needless to say, if and when I some day have children, I will not be having my baby here.
Late Wednesday night (coincidentally after baking cookies for me!) she went in to labor. The practice here, unfortunately, does not allow her husband to be in the room with her, so Tom, her husband, had to wait for the 20 hours she was in labor without seeing her. And she couldn’t see him or communicate with him.
Talk about a rough night.
I can’t imagine how hard that would be. Here you are, having your first baby, and you are going it alone, surrounded only by foreign doctors and nurses even though your husband is close by.
What’s more, they didn’t tell Tom when she had the baby, but he briefly saw her rolled out of the operating room (she had a Cesarian) and the baby rolled to the ICU. He asked the nurse to at least tell him the gender of the baby, and the nurse told him he would have to ask his wife. At this point, all he knew was the baby was in ICU, but didn’t know why, and his wife was still under anaesthesia, so he couldn’t talk to her. (They also kept telling him “big baby!” even though the baby was only 8 pounds, but that’s big for a baby in Asia.)
Two hours later, she was awake and could tell Tom the baby was a boy. However, despite being the father, Tom is only allowed in for regular visiting hours, which are an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening.
Even worse than that, Christy had yet to even see her baby. It’s been almost two days now, and she has hardly seen the baby, and Tom has only seen him through the glass observation window.
The baby is only in ICU per procedure, so there isn’t actually anything wrong with him. But how frustrating to have your baby taken away from you, and you can’t even have regular visitors!
Another couple here are also expecting in about a month, and after what Tom and Christy went through, they were seriously considering flying to Australia to have the baby.
It’s just so different culturally. Technologically, they are as advanced as any other first world country, but culturally it is very different from the West.
So, needless to say, if and when I some day have children, I will not be having my baby here.
Generosity
Wow, so much has been happening lately, and I’m sorry to be so long in reporting in.
I have just been so overwhelmed by the generosity of others. For several months now, I have felt the need for a better laptop. It helps in so many capacities, and is such a useful tool in many, many aspects. But I was hesitant to ask supporters to even lift up this need, let alone contribute financially toward it. I was afraid of sounding materialistic, greedy, or petty when the real heart of why I am here is much bigger than laptops and other things.
Yet I realized two weeks ago that He is so much bigger than that, and why shouldn’t I allow Him to bless me through others? I have learned that it is ok to ask others for help and for assistance, and not to worry about whether or not they will see the need as valid or worthy. All of you who love and support me know me better than that, and know that I am not going to ask for something I don’t think I should be asking for.
After appealing to my supporters, I got several people respond saying they wanted to help. One said, “I didn’t realize until I read your e-mail that I have been waiting for your e-mail!” Another said he would match whatever I didn’t raise to ensure I got the laptop.
And then one supporter, a relative I haven’t even met but is my brother in the Kingdom, e-mailed to say he has a computer guy, and if I tell him exactly what I need and what I want, he will have it custom made for me and ship it, and he will pay the cost.
I just couldn’t believe it. Wow. Sometimes the Father shows Himself in such tangible ways, and it is really overwhelming.
It’s ok to ask for help when you know it is Him leading you to do so. He always delivers.
I have just been so overwhelmed by the generosity of others. For several months now, I have felt the need for a better laptop. It helps in so many capacities, and is such a useful tool in many, many aspects. But I was hesitant to ask supporters to even lift up this need, let alone contribute financially toward it. I was afraid of sounding materialistic, greedy, or petty when the real heart of why I am here is much bigger than laptops and other things.
Yet I realized two weeks ago that He is so much bigger than that, and why shouldn’t I allow Him to bless me through others? I have learned that it is ok to ask others for help and for assistance, and not to worry about whether or not they will see the need as valid or worthy. All of you who love and support me know me better than that, and know that I am not going to ask for something I don’t think I should be asking for.
After appealing to my supporters, I got several people respond saying they wanted to help. One said, “I didn’t realize until I read your e-mail that I have been waiting for your e-mail!” Another said he would match whatever I didn’t raise to ensure I got the laptop.
And then one supporter, a relative I haven’t even met but is my brother in the Kingdom, e-mailed to say he has a computer guy, and if I tell him exactly what I need and what I want, he will have it custom made for me and ship it, and he will pay the cost.
I just couldn’t believe it. Wow. Sometimes the Father shows Himself in such tangible ways, and it is really overwhelming.
It’s ok to ask for help when you know it is Him leading you to do so. He always delivers.
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