Good-Byes and Packing Up

It's time to start saying good-byes and packing up. It feels like I just got here and at the same time, I have received a lifetime's worth of experiences. I have already had to say good-bye to some amazing people and to be honest, I'm not a fan of saying it... I'll see ya later works better. Also, as I get a little older, I shed a few more tears now. I'm okay with that, but the good-byes will never be easy.

Looking in my room at all the stuff I'm taking home is a little daunting. I'm like who owns all this stuff! Well it's me... It's mainly things to bring back for people to give them something tangible from here. Being a visual learner and having an object to use while telling a story is good for me. Good for others because they get something small out of it too. Now the job of packing this stuff falls on me today... Got to pack it good because I have no clue why the airlines decide to use my piece of luggage as a shot put or a trampoline. It always happens though!

I will also be taking a lot of South East Asia back in the form of shared experiences with my teammates and friends here. I came here with a short-term team and I have the privilege of leaving with one too. That will be nice! The friendships that I have made here with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ will be with me for a long time. It's deeper than that, it's family. Can't wait to meet up with the people who are already back in the states that I served with here, help equip others to leave and welcome them back when they come home.

Tim Keller does a better job of describing this topic of Christian friendship. He says, "For believers in Christ, despite enormous differences in class, temperament, culture, race, sensibility, and personal history, there is an underlying commonality that is more powerful than them all. This is not so much a 'thread' as an indestructible steel cable. Christians have all experienced the grace of God in the gospel of Jesus."

That is so true here! There are local Chinese, Indian, and other "expats (foreigners)" that I had an immediate bond with them in Christ. Such a blessing to see and experience. The lessons they have taught me about culture and how to better serve the people here is something I will always carry.
 

With a little less than two weeks until I leave, please pray for us as the work continues. Leaving here with a great team in place! It makes going home a good bit easier and I am so very excited to see family and friends back in the states.

Please also pray for additional people to come and serve here. The harvest is ripe!

Chinese Moon Festival

Recently I celebrated the Chinese Moon Festival that happens during mid-autumn. There are many stories and legends behind why it is celebrated. It's almost like asking someone around here when the rainy season is... Depending on the day and who you ask, you will get a different answer.

The moon cake could have been created to pay homage honor the Chinese moon goddess and in another story the moon cakes were created to celebrate a sizable military victory. In all, it gives us a nice time to eat and play with lanterns!

There was a pretty full moon that night and it had a ring around it. Kinda cool to look at as we walked with our lanterns lit.

 My friend Victor displaying the elaborate way the moon cakes come packaged. They have so many different flavors and tastes. All sorts of crazy fruit flavors and even seaweed!

This is a traditional moon cake. I think the filling is lotus seed paste. Outside of that is an egg yolk mixture. Very interesting flavor... 

Me with my lantern. We took the time to pray for our city and it was a great time to reflect on our being light in a dark world.

My cell group! Love these guys and girls. Going to miss spending time with them.

Catching up

Wow it's been a while since my last post. So much has happened in such a little time! A little over a month ago, we took a group trip to an island near where we live called Langkawi. It was a work/play/pray weekend. We squeezed so much into a few days, but it was so much fun! Love spending time meeting new people and hanging out with my guys here. Here are some pictures from that weekend....

 If you're looking for happiness...found the spot for tickets!

 We didn't stay here, but what a name for a hotel. I think our hotel was a near cousin to this one though...

 Soldiers. Love these guys that I get to work/serve/and have fun with!

What a view. God just knows how to show His majesty off.

 Doug and I. Love this brother and his leadership.

 We are a regular motorbike gang rolling through the streets. These are the motorbikes that we rented that weekend.

 Our little bit of work that weekend. Got to play and teach ultimate frisbee to local school kiddos.

Love lighthouses

It's always fun to get away and recharge. It was our first chance to get away with our new teammates that were added at the end of August. Pray for these guys as they continue the work here. Thankful for all of them!