Away

So, I haven’t written on here for a while now. Partly because I haven’t had much time to write and partly because I don’t have much to write about. There are many things I don’t really feel comfortable writing about because I don’t want to spark a debate that could possibly get heated (not that many people read this). Like me, many people feel very strongly about their convictions and would defend them in a second if someone challenges them. But there are some issue that I know I’m fighting a loosing battle because the world has so engrained them into our culture that people cannot accept that they could be wrong. And so much history and research has been tainted that it’s almost impossible for them to believe the truth.

It’s a lonely feeling when nobody shares your opinions.

Passover

Our family celebrated our first Passover tonight with a Seder meal. It was very interesting and very fun. There is a lot of ritual in it, which I’m not used to, but cool to think that I am celebrating a holiday the same way Jesus did. It was also interesting looking at the history of the Passover and the connection between the sacrificed lamb in the OT and Jesus, the Lamb of God.

One thing I really liked is that the whole purpose of the holiday is to teach our children about how God takes care of us. And even though Ari cannot fully understand the symbolism yet she knows that it’s a special day to think about God. Before going to bed she asked me to tell Beamer (our cat) that today was a special day, that today was the Passover day.

Even the preparation was fun. First of all learning about the holiday together with my wife was very special. And also planning the meal and getting everything ready together was nice.

Oh, and now I can sing a song in Hebrew! Awesome!

Communication

Communication is a powerful thing. If done right it can break down barriers, build strong bonds, and solve huge problems. On the other hand, miscommunication can build up walls and turn small problems into catastrophes.

Novruz

This weekend we will have the privilege of attending a Sa lar new years celebration. We went a couple of years ago but this time it will likely be bigger and we’ve also been asked to sing a song in their native language. We can’t speak the language but we’ve been working on a song all week and I think it will go well. I will also be accompanying on guitar which is difficult as well because the rhythm and timing of their music is very different than western music.

Biased

It’s so hard to talk people when you know your views don’t match up with theirs. And when they give you the advice that you knew they would, how do you explain that you don’t agree with them?

Here’s an analogy:

Prayer?

Have you ever had a time in your life where it seemed like God was answering everyone else’s prayers and none of yours?

I consider myself to be someone who has faith and I believe that God still performs miracles today. And I’ve certainly had times in my life when I knew God heard me and I heard Him as well. Even if it wasn’t the answer that I wanted, I still heard him. But it’s been a while since I’ve felt like that. I seem to be in a desert and I don’t know why I can’t hear Him.

Home again and starting a new term

After spending 2 weeks in Guangzhou during our winter holiday we’re back in Xining and about to begin another semester. The winter holiday transforms our campus into a ghost town. All the shops and markets close down and all the students go home. This wouldn’t be so bad except that it’s for 6 weeks! This year we had one store on campus stay open but there’s not much we buy there except TP and batteries. The small village outside our campus has a few fruit, veggie, and meat markets. And it’s not so inconvenient now that I have the motorbike.