2008 ...

Now that the visit to SiChuan earthquake zone is over, it suddenly occurred to me that what a meaningful and amazing thing it is to have this trip to happen at the end of 2008 - a year full of surprises, unknowns, laughter, tears and prayers. Frankly I started to miss the villages, the field workers, the kids, my teammates ... and other brothers and sisters we met in the trip. I will share some of my thoughts and their stories when the many Gs videos and pics are finally compiled.

2008 is a very special year to me. From visiting fellowships in different church, to quitting my last job and finally returned to where I was raised, my emotions and expectations have been on a roller coaster ride. And this mission trip is another life changing experience - not that any 驚天動地 things happened, but after interacting with people living in an entirely different world, and seeing things that were unexpected (though I don't know what to expect at the beginning), I began to question am I doing what is worth 10-12 hours a day when I looked back my life investment couple yrs from now? What is God's plan for Chinese ppl? What invitations does God have for me?

My new year resolution? More sleep, more power! :=)

Wow, it has been a "while" ...

Mist or pollution?

What happened? It is almost 4+ months without writing anything in this super clean and unorganized blog!! For those who have been reading (any?) you probably know I finally stepped out of the big comfort secure safe care-free cash tanker and for a month or two I was in the sea of unemployment and financial turmoil. While trying to keep my head out of the water I finally got to experience what I'd been struggling all these yrs in Seattle and was afraid to experience.

What a journey indeed! It is a bit overwhelming actually. There are many "first in my lifetime" experiences during these couple months:

For the first time I quit from a job without any offers in line ...
For the first time I work in a commercial and financial company in HK!
Go to work at 830 in the morning!
Have to dress up ...
Joined BSF ... in HK!
Halloween party til 4am in the morning ...

God has been very good to me I have to admit. From landing a job in this economic situation to being able to join RM at the year end ... frankly I had doubts about the whole plan - I thought I had committed too much, I had been too idealistic and didn't have a good plan ... it is exactly like watching waves and storms inside a warm and safe house vs struggling to keep our heads above water when we are carrying by the waves. All the plans and ideas change when you jump into the water. And it is scary when there is nothing (by sight) you can hold on to. This experience reminds me of the time when I was in CA when I was out of work. I was in a much more difficult situation. But He pulled me out of the deep water and brought me to Seattle. That changed a whole lot of my life. Now a 2nd turning point happened to me - I went back to the place where I grew up and (to some extend) don't have good impressions of. Frankly I only have very limited visibility to my future. I don't know how long I am going to survive in this tough working environment, I don't know if I will go back to US again, I don't know if I am going to get married here, I don't know if I am going to China for whatever reasons ...The most valuable thing I learn is: God is merciful and worthy of praise in good days and bad days. And one of the purpose of our lives is to know God and enjoy His presence.

By stepping out of the comfort zone in US, I actually learn to treasure lot more about little things in my life - the opportunity to look at a clear sky, to be able to secure a seat in the bus on my way to work, the time with family, the time with friends, the time to sleep (this is so precious)!!!!!!

Living in HK is like opening up a new window to an entirely different world where people live very differently from the rest of the world (or just US?). For example you can still find a lot of people hanging around in Causeway Bay at 2-3 am in the morning, nite time BBQ is not uncommon, eating with strangers in restaurants (but no conversations), lines everywhere ... and unique church phenomenons (too many stories to tell ...). Ah ... I am still on the lookout of a church that I can fit in. Can you imagine this is not a piece of cake - or I am just too idealistic and unrealistic?
Soho area during Halloween

I am going to miss the Christmas excitements in HK this yr. But I will be spending my Christmas in a very remote area where some children and adults don't get a chance to know the true meaning of Christmas and the significance of it. Worst of all they might not care because they are living on the edge - 衣食足然後知榮辱 。I really hope this is not true ... and hope that I won't get sick this time! Please pray for us ...

With 2009 around the corner, this is the best time to take a step back and answer a few questions that really matter (but were unanswered with so many daily "urgent" things get in the way). You know what they are. Oh, this is probably the last posting in 2008 - what a year!!

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S AND A J O Y F U L N E W Y E A R !