get your chopstick fingers warmed up...

Last night my co-leader Mike and I took our outreach team out to eat Chinese fast food at a rather greasy little local haunt. While tame compared to the actual fare sometimes encountered in the alleyways of Canton, it deviated from the standard american Chinese food and was challenging enough for the girls: Kelsey had to give up the fork she was harboring "just in case", and the salt stewed duck egg and crispy pork fat were flushed down with lots of coca cola. It was a good time together and served to get our chopstick fingers warmed up... and our "just embrace it" attitudes on:)

Wow- I am going on outreach with these people in a couple weeks!

I think its the MSG.

Yep. Definitely MSG ;)

this week in SBFM

This week in the SBFM course which is currently underway here in Maui, we are watching a video series by the late Francis Schaeffer. Titled How Should We Then Live?, this series examines the rise and decline of Western thought and culture. Dr. Schaeffer uses the exploration of art, music and literature to follow the shaping of Western thought since the first century. In just ten videos, each a half hour long, Francis Schaeffer offers a coherent overview of how our culture and world got to where it is now, how this deviates from a Biblical Christian Worldview, and how we should then live. I truly appreciate the work of Francis Schaeffer, one of the most outstanding Christian thinkers of our time; his writings have been a valued influence in my life over recent years.

To interested readers, I highly recommend the book (by the same title) on which the video series is based, however, to those less inclined toward heavier reading, I recommend the videos. The video series unpacks the same material simply but without sacrificing depth. Although dated and low budget, i think of it as a vintage gem, loaded with truth and insights.

less than one month until departure!

Its under one month till my team departs for China- and we are continuing to build our team dynamic and see our students equipped with skills to teach Scripture and share the gospel. Its an exciting time- even though I am busier than i like. But thats kind of been my whole year. God's grace is sufficient though and I continue to rejoice in the privilege of sharing in what God is doing everywhere He opens the doors for me to serve.

me and my outreach student Noelle:)

Romans 12:19

Non vosmetipsos vindicantes, carissimi, sed date locum irae, scriptum est enim: “ Mihi vindicta, ego retribuam ”, dicit Dominus.

Today i was reading this verse in a parallel Bible and the Latin (I confess, i love dead languages) really struck me- even though my knowledge of Latin is limited at best. I am reminded again and again to trust the Lord, Who with everlasting Faithfulness stands in perfect Justice and unutterable Mercy. Truly, we can entrust ourselves in Him, as 1 Peter 2:23 explains that Christ Himself did.

fun in the forrest

This Saturday, i went hiking Upcountry with a group of friends. We had a great time, and took some fun photos. My favorite is this one of my outreach team co-leader Mike and me- having a ninja battle in the woods:)

Its a good thing we can set aside our work, rest, and get out and enjoy the fresh air a little. The current school is in still in full swing while we have been growing busier and busier with outreach now just a month away! Thank the Lord for rest from our work, friends that encourage us, and the a day in the forrest to enjoy both!

rainy day and high hopes

Today is the rainiest and coolest day in months. Waking to this cloudy and brooding day delighted me. The rain and cool is a welcome change of pace...and it is the perfect setting for a cozy start to the weekend. Starbucks peppermint mocha season has just begun- and a particular sort of weather is necessary to embrace such beverages in Maui. Today's weather is perfect, and after work, i have high hopes of going in to nearby Kahului to cozy up with a seasonal beverage. A rainy day has produced high peppermint mocha hopes within me:)