As a world class procrastinator I understand the meaning, or meaningless of "tomorrow." Now I use the term "world class" not because I am such a good procrastinator, but because I have procrastinated in different parts of the world. Anyone who has read this blog knows that my postings come like the holidays. They are few, far between and they try to get in as much as possible in a limited time.
The previous paragraph was two years in the waiting. No, I don't mean making like the new Lord of The Rings movies, or almost any Pixar film. I literally mean waiting. I wrote that blurb two years ago and saved it as a draft expecting to get back to it "tomorrow".
Thinking about that, maybe I am a good procrastinator, if there really is such a thing.
I have come to understand that procrastination does not mean being lazy, although laziness often factors into procrastination. Procrastination as I have seen it in my life mainly deals with importance. What is important "Now."
I once heard that "You can tell what is important to a person by what he or she spends the most time doing." One of my friends enjoys traveling and hiking. He spends "most," of his weekends finding trails to hike or places to visit. I have another friend who reads books like most people eat popcorn chicken. My family, especially those on my dad's side, have a tendency to go fishing, especially when two or more male members are gathered together. I could go on, but I think you get the point. We find the time to do the things that are important to us.
Conversely if it is not important to us then we are less pressed to find time to do those other things. Cleaning the house, doing the dishes, doing homework are examples of things I know need to be done, and I know they are not very important to me. So I tend to put off those things I deem as less important now and plan to do them tomorrow. However what happens when tomorrow doesn't come?
As I sit typing I think about the many people tomorrow didn't come for. The people who lost their lives in the 9/11 attack. The thousands who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami in Thailand. The thousands of people who are no longer on this earth as a result of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. And the list goes on and on. We may know that we are not immortal, but I think that most of us fully expect that there will always be a tomorrow when none us us are guaranteed one.
So knowing that there may be no tomorrow, but hoping there is one let me tell you that I appreciate you and, God loves you. And let us pray a prayer like Moses when he said "12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Proverbs 90:12
Your Beloved Friend
Joshua
Friday, December 2, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A Year in review
I guess my writing is like the elusive ground hog. It only comes out now and then, and when it does it is a big deal. I however make no claim about the weather, but I know him who controls the weather.
Over the last year a lot has happened, as you can imagine. I will try to give bite size portions to what has been going on.
Back in February last year I had a friend who I served with in China visit. We traveled a bit here in Taiwan and it was good to see him and talk about old times, as well as what the Lord was doing in our lives. Also back in February I joined a group of friends and we traveled around Taiwan together during Chinese New Year. We spent the first part of our trip on the east coast viewing some beautiful scenery and enjoying some hot springs. The second half of the trip we stopped in two cities on the West coast, as we made our circle around the island, and did some outreach. We worked with two different churches and went out on the street doing performances and trying to talk to the people and invite them to church. One more thing that happened in February is I stated leading a Bible Study on Saturday nights at the cram school I teach at. Most of the kids are "encouraged" to come so they are really not that interested in studying the Bible, however I am doing my Best to at least plant the seeds and pray that God will bring his fruit in His Time.
In March I started meet with the college students again at lunch, however the attendance went to an average of 20 students per class and I was out at the school 4 times a week. I also started formally taking Chinese class at the same school, but different campus. My Chinese is still not good, but I have a teacher and classmates to push me along.
Also, at the end of March last year my roommate moved out to pursue his MA. He is living in California, working with a church. And last I heard he is going to travel to Mainland China this summer.
In July our team had a small team from the states come and help with a youth outreach. We had about 40 to 50 students show up each day for the two weeks we had the 'camp.' I found out recently that one of the youths wanted to become a Christian, but his parents would let him because they want him to be a Buddhist. Strange though because they have sent him to all the summer programs the church has had over the last 4 years.
In July a I got a Taiwanese roommate for five months. He is a Christian who was going to our church while he was down in Kaohsiung, and he helped out with the youth. Overall I found it a good experience. There were some difficulties, but that is to be expected with any roomate.
August, several partners left Taiwan to return to their respective homes in North America. This was a bit difficult, because I was(am) friends with them, and I lost the company of several friends.
In September the university started up again and once again I was working with the students. However this time I reduced how many times I was going out to the school so I would burn myself out.
November and December went by without any real big change.
I didn't do much for Christmas, but I was able to enjoy a nice Christmas dinner with some friends, so that was nice.
For New Year I just hung out with some friends. And I believe January was a bit uneventful, though I was getting ready for a break, and luckily one was coming up.
The big holiday here in Taiwan is "Chinese New Year." I went with some new friends to some hot springs for a day, then went with them to their family dinner. It wasn't an exciting time, but a restful time and that is what I needed. On a tangent note, I would like to encourage anyone that has an international friend to invite them to your home for a family dinner. They are far away from home without their family, and it is such a blessing to not have to spend those holidays alone.
As far as prayer request; Pray for my motivation. I didn't really have a summer vacation or even a break. I am a bit tired and could use a bit of rest. Pray that I am granted strength and endurance to not only carry on but also still be a light shining for our Lord.
As February ended and March has come upon us, I am getting a chance to come home for a short vacation, and see my dad get married. I look forward to spending time with my family and hopefully some friends.
As far as prayer request:
Pray for spiritual strength. This is a land where people have a plethora of gods, and there are idols and temples all over. And because of that there is a real spiritual battle that is being waged.
Pray for my Chinese. I need to learn more and be a better student.
Pray for Taiwan. According to OMF(Oversees Mission Fellowship) websight http://www.omf.org/taiwan "Taiwan is the only Chinese-majority society where spiritual breakthrough is still awaited"
Thank you for your continued prayers and I hope to be able to more responible in updating you.
Blessing as always in Jesus Wonderful name
Joshua
Over the last year a lot has happened, as you can imagine. I will try to give bite size portions to what has been going on.
Back in February last year I had a friend who I served with in China visit. We traveled a bit here in Taiwan and it was good to see him and talk about old times, as well as what the Lord was doing in our lives. Also back in February I joined a group of friends and we traveled around Taiwan together during Chinese New Year. We spent the first part of our trip on the east coast viewing some beautiful scenery and enjoying some hot springs. The second half of the trip we stopped in two cities on the West coast, as we made our circle around the island, and did some outreach. We worked with two different churches and went out on the street doing performances and trying to talk to the people and invite them to church. One more thing that happened in February is I stated leading a Bible Study on Saturday nights at the cram school I teach at. Most of the kids are "encouraged" to come so they are really not that interested in studying the Bible, however I am doing my Best to at least plant the seeds and pray that God will bring his fruit in His Time.
In March I started meet with the college students again at lunch, however the attendance went to an average of 20 students per class and I was out at the school 4 times a week. I also started formally taking Chinese class at the same school, but different campus. My Chinese is still not good, but I have a teacher and classmates to push me along.
Also, at the end of March last year my roommate moved out to pursue his MA. He is living in California, working with a church. And last I heard he is going to travel to Mainland China this summer.
In July our team had a small team from the states come and help with a youth outreach. We had about 40 to 50 students show up each day for the two weeks we had the 'camp.' I found out recently that one of the youths wanted to become a Christian, but his parents would let him because they want him to be a Buddhist. Strange though because they have sent him to all the summer programs the church has had over the last 4 years.
In July a I got a Taiwanese roommate for five months. He is a Christian who was going to our church while he was down in Kaohsiung, and he helped out with the youth. Overall I found it a good experience. There were some difficulties, but that is to be expected with any roomate.
August, several partners left Taiwan to return to their respective homes in North America. This was a bit difficult, because I was(am) friends with them, and I lost the company of several friends.
In September the university started up again and once again I was working with the students. However this time I reduced how many times I was going out to the school so I would burn myself out.
November and December went by without any real big change.
I didn't do much for Christmas, but I was able to enjoy a nice Christmas dinner with some friends, so that was nice.
For New Year I just hung out with some friends. And I believe January was a bit uneventful, though I was getting ready for a break, and luckily one was coming up.
The big holiday here in Taiwan is "Chinese New Year." I went with some new friends to some hot springs for a day, then went with them to their family dinner. It wasn't an exciting time, but a restful time and that is what I needed. On a tangent note, I would like to encourage anyone that has an international friend to invite them to your home for a family dinner. They are far away from home without their family, and it is such a blessing to not have to spend those holidays alone.
As far as prayer request; Pray for my motivation. I didn't really have a summer vacation or even a break. I am a bit tired and could use a bit of rest. Pray that I am granted strength and endurance to not only carry on but also still be a light shining for our Lord.
As February ended and March has come upon us, I am getting a chance to come home for a short vacation, and see my dad get married. I look forward to spending time with my family and hopefully some friends.
As far as prayer request:
Pray for spiritual strength. This is a land where people have a plethora of gods, and there are idols and temples all over. And because of that there is a real spiritual battle that is being waged.
Pray for my Chinese. I need to learn more and be a better student.
Pray for Taiwan. According to OMF(Oversees Mission Fellowship) websight http://www.omf.org/taiwan "Taiwan is the only Chinese-majority society where spiritual breakthrough is still awaited"
Thank you for your continued prayers and I hope to be able to more responible in updating you.
Blessing as always in Jesus Wonderful name
Joshua
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