Pig Farm for Ghost Festival

Yesterday was Ghost Festival, a fine time to slaughter pigs and split the fresh meat with all your family and friends. We went with Yang Cong and family to her aunt's home in the country. I've met her aunt many times before, so I was glad to finally visit her house.

Ladies and gentlemen, please brace yourself for the most captivating baby girl in the universe -- the aunt's granddaughter Duo Duo. Let's give her a little extra space because she is darling.

Gasp!  Her eyes, her hair. Don't you just want to kiss her soft little cheeks?

Here is their home, a very typical countryside dwelling.

Rice paddies and gardens: Currently they are harvesting chili peppers, snow peas, green beans, corn, eggplant, winter melon, pumpkin, water spinach (aka "empty-heart vegetable") and numerous other leafy greens that have no precise English translation.

Ever wonder where sesame seeds come from? These tiny pods! Imagine shelling these by hand to fill a small bottle in your spice cabinet. Doesn't that make you appreciate sesame seeds so much more?

Lunch was very country and very good: salted duck eggs, chili peppers fried with pork, dried chili peppers fried with pork, chili peppers fried with pig intestines, chili peppers fried with pig liver, chili peppers fried with diced green beans, sour preserved vegetables, two kinds of fish, chunked whole-chicken and dried red date soup, water spinach leaves with garlic and water spinach stems. 

I don't know why Mike was so grumpy, this was a fantastic meal. (By the way, the other day in a separate instance after being accused of grumpiness Mike did tell Drew, "I'm not grumpy, my body is grumpy. But I'm not grumpy.")

Getting ready to burn paper money and incense for ancestors at GHOSTFEST2015.

We're here for the swine, not the spirits. Oink! Oink!

Chickens and ducks too.

Piglets are so cute. So so cute.

It's kind of sad that their mother had to go away...I try not to think about it.

AREN'T THESE BABY PIGGIES ADORABLE?

One of the many things I appreciate about Chinese folks, both urban and especially rural, is an understanding of wherefrom food originates. Look through the yellow doors there -- the pigpen is joined to the kitchen. Ducks and chickens live in the room on the other side of the kitchen. With the animals and gardens growing so near to the dining table, there is a conscious connectedness to the earth.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

the return of routine -- early rising, morning run, school to attend, noontime naps, playful afternoons and late supper with Dad

Titus rocked the first day of elementary school! You prepared all of us for this

swimming with family friends in light rain and a wide open pool

apologies and forgiveness with Drew

Titus' scheme to make caramel popcorn

Ethan bought his plane ticket, he is coming to see us in October

kids tutoring with beloved Qingzi again after a summer break

fresh vegetables brought home from  the country
that my kids got to interact with swine will inevitably make their Waigong very happy

Anthony Bradley

Far worse than we ever imagined, far more loved than we could ever dream

Ashamedly, I am a prideful, judgmental person. But don't want to be. I don't want to walk around in a thin cloak of self-righteousness, feigning humility, toting a phony reliance on Jesus while secretly hoping I might appear morally superior to her, and him, and you; secretly retaining some fiber of fallacious belief that I've merited anything from God.


Here is a compilation of words -- a few too many maybe! -- that put me in my place, and simultaneously bring forth the wildest freedom, acceptance, security, rest and happiness.

Brother, if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction. If you have your moral portrait painted, and it is ugly, be satisfied; for it only needs a few [unattractive] touches, and it would be still nearer the truth.
- Charles Spurgeon

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
- Jesus

The world does not consist of 100 per cent Christians and 100 per cent non-Christians. There are people (a great many of them) who are slowly ceasing to be Christians but who still call themselves by that name: some of them are clergymen. There are other people who are slowly becoming Christians though they do not yet call themselves so.
- C.S. Lewis

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations.
- C.S. Lewis

People may be pure in their own eyes,
    but the Lord examines their motives.
- Solomon

He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?
- Micah

A clam is glorifying God better than you are because the clam is being the clam God made it to be.
- Elisabeth Elliot

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
- Jesus

A cold, self-righteous prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to Hell than a prostitute.
- C.S. Lewis

The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’ Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either. What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!
- Jesus

I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Jesus

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
- James

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
- Paul

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved! For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
- Paul

We’re far worse than we ever imagined, and far more loved than we could ever dream.
- Timothy Keller

Is that not a great sigh of relief?
Does this Gospel not afford the wildest freedom, acceptance, security, rest and happiness?

If you have any additional words on this matter please feel free to share them in the comments.
Thanks, friends. Peace.

This is all because of what God did through your life.

Fifty years ago Bonnie and Gordon Addington, with other partners, founded Evangel Hospital in Hong Kong. Grandpa Gordy was the first superintendent and surgeon there for ten years. Those of us pictured below --just a minor fraction of their billion descendants-- gathered to attend the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Look at all the faces in this picture, representing four generations. I was heartened by conversation with each person. Family visitors on our continent is a special occassion.

To join the anniversary celebration and spend time with family, we stayed a couple nights in a city-center hostel overlooking Nathan Road in Kowloon.

We would not miss a chance to ride the ferry to Cheung Chau, a small outlying island, what has become our family's regular vacation spot.

We stayed five nights at Bethany, a family-style guesthouse, a place of healing and gentleness. 

Each evening we share a homestyle meal with an international group of guests. Aperture expands as I hear about what God is doing in other lives and other places.

Morning to evening we lived on the quiet beach.

Some of our relatives came out to visit the island for an afternoon. Titus and Michael think John (Drew's first cousin) is the coolest big brother figure in the Addington family. Thank you John for being such a good pal and example for Titus and Mike.

Look who showed up at the last minute! Drew!

At first we didn't think Drew would make it because his visa was being processed -- but on Friday he received his passport back, with a new visa, and came down for the weekend. Needless to say everyone was thrilled.

Drew also helped retrieve a kayak that had been abandoned by a man rescuing his runaway sailboat. 

"Thanks man!"

Evangel Hospital was founded by a couple families, very few resources, faith, and one great God.

The hospital represents Hong Kong communities carrying on the work, an incalculable number of lives engaged and touched over five decades.

The fifteen descendants of Bonnie and Gordy who gathered represent another web of people dispersed into various communities, woven into Jesus and weaving others into Jesus.

And us, a mere four out of a great multitude, doing our part where we are planted.

When saying goodbye to Grandma Bonnie I told her, "This is all because of what God did through your life."

I think this is what she did right: Dreamed big and daily put one foot in front of the other, walking with Jesus. She got caught up in the greatness of God -- the object of her faith, and He shaped both minutiae and the grand narrative of her life story.

Imagine what God may do through your life and mine if we abide in this way.

Not because we are great, but because He most certainly is. 

counting the graces

thank you Father for

my proactive husband who defines wife-empowerment

reading When Helping Hurts with Joy, jiving with the author's ideas

faces of children who need families -- the realization of our adoption dream is nearer

dreaming about Mandie's wedding coming up

being able to share lentils with Roshan, who couldn't find any in stores

inventive rope-climbing with Titus and Mike, in the woods, in a light drizzle

shopping at the old vegetable market on campus, remembering all the years I frequented it and the folks there

these cool days that make the body feel new

astounded by what the boys create with their magnatiles -- mazes, geometric towers 

When he led us down the city streets... this time, in Hong Kong

I heard him call me by my name 

I never knew a safer voice 

When he came back to the 99 

The angels with the flock rejoiced 

I heard the whimper of the wolves 

I never knew a stronger arm 

When he led us down the city streets 

Ne’er was there cause for alarm 

Surely goodness will follow me 

Surely mercy will follow me 

All the days of my life 

As I follow you through the plains 

Up to the plateaus of blue skies 

And echoing refrains 

On down the hills and out of breath 

On through the boneyard at mid day 

Scavengers and death 

But I will fear no evil 

I heard a clear invitation 

I never knew a longer road 

When he welcomes me into his house 

My heart and cup overflow 

Surely goodness will follow me 

Surely mercy will follow me 

All the days of my life 

As I follow you through the plains 

Up to the plateaus of blue skies 

And echoing refrains 

On down the hills and out of breath 

On through the boneyard at mid day 

Scavengers and death 

Through the cold and through the rain 

Through the back roads and swamp bogs 

And treacherous terrain 

And though the wind would hollow me 

Under black clouds and dark howls 

I’m ever safe with thee 

I will fear no evil

___________________________________________________________________________

Tomorrow he is leading us down the BIG city streets, in Hong Kong!

Myself (Rachel), Titus and Michael are joining a dozen other of Drew's extended family members from the US. It's the 50th anniversary celebration of the hospital co-founded by Drew's grandparents in the 1960s. Drew must remain in Changsha for work and visa processing, but he will also benefit from quiet evenings and rare moments of solitude.

Water Enthusiast 1, Water Enthusiast 2 & I are going to spend most of our week on a small island beach. 
I am so ready to get alone with Jesus.   

See you back here after August 11th -- I'm purposely not bringing any devices with internet connectivity.



Oh yes!  
That song up there, it's by Noah, and he let me sing too.  (So lucky!)

I love this song because it has not been so easy to follow Jesus this year. Can you relate? 
His invitation is personal and clear. He has led us here, into all of this. And it's been rough.

But his arms are strong and safe -- therefore I am not afraid. Keep following, one step...

BE SURE to listen to three more rockin tracks on his EP here.  I recommend Undivided Devotion.

counting the graces by Drew

thank you Father for

good family time this weekend at home

coffee

my wife is in a good mood

discovery of Linsey Stirling, violin artist

great brother Ethan, having a birthday

little sons grilling at the Korean BBQ

clean-out house

reading books with the kids

You don't even know...

....how adored and loved you are, Ethan.  You are an outstanding guy, and having YOU as a brother and uncle makes our lives rich.

Last night we were thinking of you, because you probably would have liked the evening: First, we tried donkey meat for supper. It was tender, spicy, and delicious. The setting couldn't have been better -- outdoor countryside-style restaurant on a hot summer night. Afterwards we strolled along the riverfront in the dark. A full moon and colorful city skyscraper lights reflected off the expanse of black water. Comfortable breezes nudged tiny wooden boats on the waves. Titus and Mike darted along the shoreline from one night fisherman to the next investigating their gear. Just a happy and peaceful Friday night in Changsha, on your birthday eve.

Happy Birthday!

from Drewbs, Rach, Titus and Mikey

counting the graces

thank you Father for

all of the above

laughing and joking with best friends on wechat group

seasonal fruit salad of peaches, dragon fruit, plums and sweet melon

hope for the flowers book -- inspired to dream, do justly, reject the mold, live free and bold

wildly liberating value system of Jesus Christ

whole family hug on the bed, restoration after hurt feelings

Titus playing around the house in underwear, snowpants and a spiderman mask 

Drew slept in, it was so good for him

joy of minimizing --  possessions, time commitments