I know a man who fourteen days ago was caught up to...

Pretty sure it was in the body though.

(If you don't get my cheesy joke...click.)

While zipping by on the bus I caught a sideways glimpse of this chic new storefront a couple miles from our home. Last-last Saturday I told my coffee-loving Drew that I had a surprise destination for our morning. He and I ran there while Titus and Michael biked. 

TA-DA! The Third Heaven is run by Korean workers who have been in China for fifteen years, Changsha for seven years. Coffee and smoothies were good, but even more refreshing was learning about their specific role in Changsha. The message is being shared in numerous spheres in Changsha unknown to us -- a great reminder of Father's work, vast and deep. It's true wherever you are today too, that he is present in more spheres and deeper places than are apparent.

Running and coffee are Drew's delights. In the afternoon it was time for mine: live music! 

Changsha Music Festival!

Our city is divided by a wide river, and in center of that river is a long skinny piece of land called Orange Island. In recent years it's been cultivated into an expansive park, the ideal site for an outdoor music festival. 

Now people, this was no Bonnaroo, but it'll do. 

We saw five bands play, each very different, ranging from 3-pc garage band rock, to acoustic lounge jazz (ba ba baaa... ba ba baaa...), to funk-groove, to death metal. We left when death metal took the stage. I just can't handle the double bass pedal thing. Ow, my head.

The best of the day -- in my opinion, and I think all of Changsha would agree -- was Red Groove Project, a Shanghai-based international funk-groove band. Think Earth, Wind & Fire. They had a full line-up of horns: sax, trombone, two trumpets; plus funky bass, organ a great drummer to hold it all together; and finally slick lead guitar to duel out conversational jams with the sax player.

So the four of us Addingtons are groovin', because how can you not get pulled into to that funky beat? 

A massive crowd and not another soul is dancing, maybe there was some isolated knee-bobbing, I don't know (my beloved Chinese folks...this style of boogie is as foreign as cheese...) Anyway, we've got the kids up on our shoulders, waving arms around, all kinds of moves. The sax player (who took the stage wearing a full-on red plaid leisure suit) observes the only four people dancing, particularly the child we know as Titus, and from the stage begins mimicking whatever Titus does with his arms! Circles, claps, waves, pumps, cowboy lasso. It was the coolest! And yes we did get our sly moves projected onto that big stage screen a couple times.

I went right home and found Red Groove on bandcamp.

Start to finish, it was just such a happy family day.  

Oh! And we patronized Changsha's newish subway for the first time.

Drew, Rachel, Titus and Michael together.

I love that we have each other.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

mountain hike, splashing in gully streams and little waterfalls

fellowship: newcomers, lots of kids running around, soul-sprung music, grounding teaching, wisdom and experience shared, genuine love, laughing with S&S

Titus can be reasoned with

feeling good after running & resistance training

the golden heart of EJS

full day of learning together with children

Auntie Wang sharing her resolve not to let negative people in her life steal her joy

rainstorms that keep the air clean and make everything green

everyday, plenty of water and nutritious food to nurture my family with

Disoriented Crayfish rescued from the dangerous streets of Changsha

UMM HELLO delusional Mister Crayfish what are you doing on a busy city street?

Just trying to cross it, right. Brilliant.

Fearing that he would become a crayfish pancake under the tires of 1,000,000 cars speeding by, we had no choice but to carry out an aggressive relocation plan involving a black bag.

 

See! Water, minnows, grass, mud -- NO SPEEDING CAR TIRES -- you'll be safe here.

But Mister Crayfish was not appreciative. He was ticked.

Like a boxer, a scorpion boxer, he was bouncy on his toes and kept his fists up and ready to strike.

His beady little eyes darted around, sizing up each potential opponent as he slowly backed toward the water. He was ready to fight to the death.

Smooth, real smooth.

You didn't see that three inch cliff behind you and now you've fallen and can't get up.

You thought it was all over, but see, Titus is trying to help you not harm you.

Uprighted but unconvinced, Mister Crayfish recovers his on-guard stance and resumes backing away until his body is half-submerged in the water. Then a moment's pause and suddenly, swiftly, a flash of exoskeleton tail as he spin-dives into the water and out of sight.

Farewell! We saved your life today, but don't mention it.

Wishing you -- you, yes you reading this right now -- a very happy weekend.


counting the graces

thank you Father for

random fun things to do everyday with children, like rescuing a crayfish

looking forward to seeing YeYe and NaiNai on Skype!

I & II Thes, packed with good words

another glimpse of what the future might be

hope for loved ones who are in tough spots, always hope!

apologies and forgiveness

biking home in a pleasant drizzle, and making it inside before the downpour

Drew is good at his job, I appreciate his intelligence, people skills, commitment and hard work 

Yafei's invitation to lunch

Magnolia blooms

Mercy

A teenage girl begging on the street and I had lunch together. She said her name was Yang Yulin, seventeen, from the poor neighboring province Guizhou, left her parents and younger brother and took the train to Changsha to find a job. When I had sat on the street corner beside the girl whose black hair hid her ashamed face, inviting her to lunch, passers-by warned me, "Don't believe her, she's cheating you!" Whether or not she was telling the truth or partial-truth didn't matter to me, I was just interested in demonstrating mercy and listening. She was cautious, polite and warmed up slowly. She must not have been on the streets long, because she retained a healthy child-like brilliance -- no evidence of drugs or dehumanizing abuse. I urged her to allow me to help her in a comprehensive way, to make permanent changes and get her established in safety. She declined. And I couldn't blame her, for all she knew I might have been a sex trafficker. Trust is seldom established over one bowl of noodles.

The unnerving part of that experience was the nice-looking young man who approached us at the bus stop offering his assistance, claiming to be "just a warm, loving person." He warned me to not to let her cheat me, then told Yang Yulin not to bother me because I'm a guest in this country. We walked away, but he surprised me by appearing in our noodle shop 400 meters down the street, ordered a bowl for himself and asked if it wouldn't be a bother if he sat near us. He also asked to see the girl's ID and she refused. We ignored him. Yang Yulin finished her lunch and she and I walked down the street together. I don't think he followed us, but then again, I didn't think he had followed us to the restaurant either.

He was likely a sort of pimp, the guy who was controlling her and had placed her on the street to beg.

I am sad that for all my gentle persuasion, Yang Yulin would not receive the life-altering help I could have given her, and now she remains in serious danger. But I understand.

-----------------------

An old man was shaking violently, lying beside wooden crutches, no shoes and no shirt, begging in the rain. From the adjacent supermarket I bought him two sets of clothing, shoes and a washcloth. By this time he had retreated to a secluded spot, no longer shaking, and counting the money in his tin. He received the clothes, we talked briefly, he said he had a place to stay. I went to join Drew, Titus and Michael who were just finishing lunch in the mall.

Soon after we passed him on the way out, shaking and begging in the rain again, the bag of clothing missing. I asked him why he didn't put the shirt on, and where did the clothes go? He said he had "put it over there," motioning vaguely across the street. I noticed that his jacket was sliced at equal intervals -- not naturally worn out, but perhaps altered to appear ragged. Because the more sick, pathetic and naked beggars appear, the more pity-money they can elicit from those walking by.

We wished him well and parted ways again.

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When I was spiritually destitute -- naked, hungry, alone, sick, manipulated, a cheater and a liar myself -- the Lord loved me and showed me mercy. He radically and comprehensively changed my situation, establishing me in permanent safety.

Listen to the Spirit of God. When prompted, be ready to drop plans and offer the same comprehensive, radical, permanent help.

I cannot meet every physical need that I encounter, nor am I called to. Jesus on earth did not even meet every physical need that he encountered. 

Whether or not the person in need is lying does not matter. Mercy.

Clothe the naked. Feed the hungry. Give water to the thirsty. Whatever act of love is done for the least is an act of love toward Jesus himself.

Prayer is a unique and invaluable help that I can and must give.

Rest in the knowledge that the Father sees and cares for each one.

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counting the graces

thank you Father for

especially fun Mom & kids night with neighbors, sharing the message, Auntie Wang and I working as a team

discovering a new fruit, Boluomi

Drew's successful networking trip to HK

new friends who came to Changsha to adopt their daughter, a lovely girl, their testimony and shared wisdom about China adoption

revisiting the hotel where we met Jonathon and his family for breakfast, the memories of that huge life moment

Mandie's success at her job

birds chirping

re-falling asleep on Drew's chest in the early morning

a place of prayer on the mountainside green

realizing that you had stripped things away so I would learn to fix my happiness only to you

Sharing his inheritance, shall we not share in his sufferings?

Yesterday was Mothers' Day -- a good time to explain the story behind a song inspired by and written to honor my Mom.

In recent years my mom has been a model of integrity and trusting in God to vindicate. She's walked confidently in the light of truth and not been shaken by slander, nor by ridicule for being a Christian. I was in a coffeeshop thinking about her situation, looking over passages about suffering for identifying with Christ. This song was the spontaneous product of that contemplation. I really wanted to celebrate, affirm, and encourage my mom for her outstanding example.

Relevant passages:
1 Peter 4, Romans 5 & 8, 2 Corinthans 4 (my long-time favorite), Matthew 5, James 1

The woman of high honor, at center,

surrounded by a handful of people who owe their very lives and happiness to her.

Brothers, don't be surprised 

Fiery trial burning all around you 

Beat down and vilified for Jesus' name 

You're blessed, glory rests on you 

You shall not be ashamed, glory in Christ's name 

You shall not be ashamed, glory in Christ's name 

I'll rejoice when I share in Your suffering 

I know that one day I'll share glory with You 

I'll rejoice when I share in Your suffering 

I know that one day I'll share glory with You 

Light and momentary 

An honor, this cross to carry 

Tested and refined in the fire 

Entrust your souls to a God who's faithful 

I'll rejoice when I share in Your suffering 

I know that one day I'll share glory with You 

I'll rejoice when I share in Your suffering 

I know that one day I'll share glory with You 

Brothers, count it joy 

Trials lead to perseverance, perseverance to completion 

Sisters, don't be surprised 

Sharing His inheritance, shall we not share in His sufferings?

counting the graces

thank you Father for

Jonathon's birthday with his loving family

restful Monday morning with pouring rain

Titus and Mike initiating, arranging their own snuggle and play time in bed this morning

finding Panda Max and Birdie in my bed

being outside with the little Sunday school kids 

laughing laughing with Leslie and Stacy