Oh right.. I have a blog...

There hasn't been too much going on since the last update...
Every week's about the same... Often going out after church to see where God leads me. Had a few good encounters... and a few blah ones...

The trip itself is starting to wind down... I'm teaching my first devotion in Chinese for the church on Tuesday and Wednesday, so pray that goes well and have people respond to it. Currently, I'm in the process of translating the message from English to Chinese at the moment, but I'm feeling a little bit stressed since I wrote quite a lot down.

Overall, my Chinese have improved on this trip... but not to where I want it to be though. I have started to pick up on a lot of what people say.... especially today's sermon when we had a guest speaker. I noticed he didn't open his Bible along with the rest of congregation and I noticed he talked a lot about himself and a seminary... so basically the lesson today was his testimony.. which I really didn't care about. But he did end with an invitation, so mixed feelings there.... Usually when someone doesn't even quote scripture to support what they're talking about.. I tune them out...

Anyways, that's it for now... I'm a bit too tired to think of anything new right now.... I kept waking up to the bugs biting me again.... stupid mosquitoes >_<

Till Next Time!

And on the 7th day he rested

Yep, noticed that I didn't capitalize "he" otherwise it would imply that I'm God... which I'm certainly not.. (infinitely times not.... maybe even more..)
Anyways, it has felt like a long time since I've last updated... more than a week I think... Last week I was exhausted... mainly because last Sunday I felt that I needed to get out more and decided to hang out with my family on my mom's side... Bad idea... no, not because I don't like them, but I've gotten into a schedule where I rest on Sundays.. basically stay in my room with the lights dimmed, watch tv/get on the computer/anything free... Basically resting up for the next week....

So to sum it all up, last week was a pretty much a bust... A little less patient and a little less willing to be social whenever I went out.... which I tried everyday which also wasn't a good idea since I was ready to collapse on Friday... Although I did interact with a few people in the beginning of the week... the Buddhist didn't count however, since he was doing a ritual which is rude to interrupt...so I gave him a track and money instead...

So currently, I'm resting up for the next week... Watching Toy Story and just taking it easy... Hope the weather's better this week so I can go out and play some hoops with the kids which is where I have the best opportunity to witness..

As for the Japan earthquake, Japan is 1400 miles away from Taiwan... so we were lucky not to get hit with anything. A tsunami alert was in effect on Friday when the earthquake hit, but nothing big fortunately came our way... However, with the nuclear plants in danger of melting down, there is a 10% chance of the radiation reaching us if it does... Small chance, weather is favorable if it does.... but pray that it doesn't... 10% isn't high but it's still a possibility....

Of course, pray for safety for the rest of the trip... anything can happen from here till when I leave... I experienced a small earthquake when I was in Taiwan the last time I came... so again... anything can happen...

Till Next Time!

I feel like I'm thinking like Pastor Brandon...

scary isn't it?
Well, not at his level of thinking currently, more like his first few years at Cross Lanes back in the day... when I was in high school... (has it really been that long?)
Anyways, I remember back in the day... (uh oh.. sign that I'm getting old) when Brandon was trying to use activities to witness and invite youth to church.. such as Halo or basketball or something fun of the sort..

Wednesdays are basketball days, where I take the older kids to the local school and play some hoops with them. I do notice how much more I talk (or shout out) at other kids that don't belong to a church, such as inviting random people to play or just being a lot more open by talking to them... but I do need to be careful since I do represent a church and I don't want to hurt a witness.. But it leaves a lot of opportunities that I've been looking for
There was this huge guy today as well  who was sitting by himself and I was extremely close to talking to him, unfortunately, there were also 10 people telling me to continue playing (which I'm still shooting myself in the foot)

Earlier today I went to get my Visa renewed so I can stay longer... Hard to believe that it's almost been 2 months... definitely over halfway right now... I'm surprised of how fast this trip has gone... Reading back, it seems to drag on and on... probably because I was suffering so much.. But as of now... the weeks are flying by... mostly I enjoy my schedule.. wake up, work out, go to church, go out different subway stops, exploring and having an open heart; go home, sleep... and repeat.. keeps the days busy

I realized recently that my delivery in the Gospel is pretty weak right now, so I bought business sized cards with Bible verses on them so I can use them to help... I can drop them into beggar's hands or just give them out wherever...Even though, I do need to start translating the Romans road as well.

Also been walking around after I get done with my projects at church, if I have the energy to do it... Trying to pace myself and not get burned out too quickly... I keep reading about missionaries being burned out too quickly and have it affect their ministry so I'm currently trying to prevent that.

too many I's, me's, and my's on this one... sorry about it.. I hate talking about myself, but I can't really think around them for this posts... perhaps because I'm exhausted because today was an extremely long day...grammar is also really off as well.. but I blame that on how little English I've been speaking nowadays..

I think that's enough for today...
Till Next Time!