Team Debrief.
Mim performed "Who am I" (Casting Crowns) mime. She was deeply touched to perform it, and, people were touched to receive it. The group shared things for which they were thankful and gave gifts. We each received personalized chopsticks with the inscription (in Chinese) "God Loves You" with our name in English.
I was amazed, again, that the expression of God's love is expressed and received in the details, things like smiles, taking time for conversation, patience, kindness and tenderness in words and deed, that make people feel loved, safe, and secure, that someone is genuinely interested in them and looks out for them. Some of these details take planning, organization, and coordination, most, however, are spontaneous actions that come from the overflow of one's heart.
This reminds me of the movie, "Forest Gump," and the phrase: "stupid is as stupid does." Well, kindness is as kindness does. Jesus said it this way, a good tree bears good fruit.
In the end, it was the consistent expression of the "9 marks of excellence" (Galatians 5). Christ in us expressing himself through his love, joy, peace, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, patience, gentleness, and self-control in small and big ways, without prejudice, to the people he loves and died for. What a joy and privilege to be here and to serve God's people in China.
We leave today by bus for Xinyang. Internet may be spotty for hear on out. Camp is over. We have a few days of travel and sight-seeing.
I've included some musings for further follow-up when I get home. They are random thoughts, not necessarily coherent, but I include them anyway.
We love and miss all of you, and, look forward to seeing you soon. Love,
Jeff & Mim
Addendum:
Musings. What do I know about China? Very little, I think. Aside from demographics (land mass, population, geography, industry) and culture (language, food, customs) and history (emperor dynasties, wars, cultural revolution, communist ideology), I have only scratched the surface.
Mim performed "Who am I" (Casting Crowns) mime. She was deeply touched to perform it, and, people were touched to receive it. The group shared things for which they were thankful and gave gifts. We each received personalized chopsticks with the inscription (in Chinese) "God Loves You" with our name in English.
I was amazed, again, that the expression of God's love is expressed and received in the details, things like smiles, taking time for conversation, patience, kindness and tenderness in words and deed, that make people feel loved, safe, and secure, that someone is genuinely interested in them and looks out for them. Some of these details take planning, organization, and coordination, most, however, are spontaneous actions that come from the overflow of one's heart.
This reminds me of the movie, "Forest Gump," and the phrase: "stupid is as stupid does." Well, kindness is as kindness does. Jesus said it this way, a good tree bears good fruit.
In the end, it was the consistent expression of the "9 marks of excellence" (Galatians 5). Christ in us expressing himself through his love, joy, peace, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, patience, gentleness, and self-control in small and big ways, without prejudice, to the people he loves and died for. What a joy and privilege to be here and to serve God's people in China.
We leave today by bus for Xinyang. Internet may be spotty for hear on out. Camp is over. We have a few days of travel and sight-seeing.
I've included some musings for further follow-up when I get home. They are random thoughts, not necessarily coherent, but I include them anyway.
We love and miss all of you, and, look forward to seeing you soon. Love,
Jeff & Mim
Addendum:
Musings. What do I know about China? Very little, I think. Aside from demographics (land mass, population, geography, industry) and culture (language, food, customs) and history (emperor dynasties, wars, cultural revolution, communist ideology), I have only scratched the surface.
Language. How does language affect thinking? Does language create paradigms and
set limitations upon perception, expression, and conceptualization? Are all cultures
confined by their language in their thinking as to what is true, good, excellent,
praiseworthy, noble, etc.? What is our box? What is their box?
Communism. How is Chinese communism different from Marx's original manifesto? How are they different from Russia or other expressions of communism?` How does the gospel stand in relationship to capitalism or communism? Where are the intersections that hint of fruitful interlocution?
Morals. What is the national morality code? There are only 80 million communists out of 1.4 billion Chinese inhabitants. With the acquisition of technology, developed natural resources, and manpower, what keeps China from imperialistic war efforts? How does their morality, linked to sense of nuclear family, determine social policy regarding poverty, judicial systems, reproduction, human experimentation and medical research, environmental concerns?
One Child Policy. People living in the city are restricted to giving birth to only one child. Those in rural areas are allowed two children -- though this policy may also be changing to only one child. How is this controlled? Birth control? Abortion? Evidently, too, two people, who live in the city, who are the "one child" from their family of origin are allowed to have two children in the city. Is this linked to the child taking care of his parents in their old age? One professor commented that this policy has produced a generation of "little emperors," i.e., the parents cater to every whim of the child, and are fearful of any injury. The child does not learn to push through adversity. The one child policy states that if a couple has a girl, they may receive an exemption to have another child (must be a boy). Again, how is this controlled (abortion). A child from a one-child policy family receives certification and is granted special rights by the government (I don't know all of them -- e.g., subsidies and opportunities).
Nuclear Family. I've been told that there is very strong nuclear family cohesion. Families look out for each other. They live near each other, support each other financially, and protect each other. I think there is very little governmental support or welfare agencies. If you don't have a family, you are truly in a difficult place for lack of support.
Student Loans. The children are pressured to succeed at their exams, which determine the type of profession and university they may attend. Yet, the exam only qualifies the student. He or she still has to provide financial support for tuition. A successful student from a poor family is in a very difficult situation. The only option is student loans, e.g., Kevin. Bright students are accruing huge amounts of student loans to launch careers of great earning potential. What will happen if the Chinese economy fails these students' hopes and dreams? It will awaken smoldering resentment!
Rural Development. Many of the country villages have little infrastructure, like sewer, water, electricity. There is a push to provide such services in rural areas. This reminds me of the U.S. in the 1800's. People dug wells, used candles, burned wood, dug latrines. Yet, even in Roman times there were advances in sanitation and water supply.
Communism. How is Chinese communism different from Marx's original manifesto? How are they different from Russia or other expressions of communism?` How does the gospel stand in relationship to capitalism or communism? Where are the intersections that hint of fruitful interlocution?
Morals. What is the national morality code? There are only 80 million communists out of 1.4 billion Chinese inhabitants. With the acquisition of technology, developed natural resources, and manpower, what keeps China from imperialistic war efforts? How does their morality, linked to sense of nuclear family, determine social policy regarding poverty, judicial systems, reproduction, human experimentation and medical research, environmental concerns?
One Child Policy. People living in the city are restricted to giving birth to only one child. Those in rural areas are allowed two children -- though this policy may also be changing to only one child. How is this controlled? Birth control? Abortion? Evidently, too, two people, who live in the city, who are the "one child" from their family of origin are allowed to have two children in the city. Is this linked to the child taking care of his parents in their old age? One professor commented that this policy has produced a generation of "little emperors," i.e., the parents cater to every whim of the child, and are fearful of any injury. The child does not learn to push through adversity. The one child policy states that if a couple has a girl, they may receive an exemption to have another child (must be a boy). Again, how is this controlled (abortion). A child from a one-child policy family receives certification and is granted special rights by the government (I don't know all of them -- e.g., subsidies and opportunities).
Nuclear Family. I've been told that there is very strong nuclear family cohesion. Families look out for each other. They live near each other, support each other financially, and protect each other. I think there is very little governmental support or welfare agencies. If you don't have a family, you are truly in a difficult place for lack of support.
Student Loans. The children are pressured to succeed at their exams, which determine the type of profession and university they may attend. Yet, the exam only qualifies the student. He or she still has to provide financial support for tuition. A successful student from a poor family is in a very difficult situation. The only option is student loans, e.g., Kevin. Bright students are accruing huge amounts of student loans to launch careers of great earning potential. What will happen if the Chinese economy fails these students' hopes and dreams? It will awaken smoldering resentment!
Rural Development. Many of the country villages have little infrastructure, like sewer, water, electricity. There is a push to provide such services in rural areas. This reminds me of the U.S. in the 1800's. People dug wells, used candles, burned wood, dug latrines. Yet, even in Roman times there were advances in sanitation and water supply.
A sports camp seems like an inconsequential "drop in the ocean" when compared to
these larger issues, yet, kingdom values spread by transforming hearts and minds, one
person at a time. What kind of lives did we just touch? Who are the next high-ranking
government officials, doctors, researchers, heads of state, ambassadors, philosophers,
teachers, athletes, workers, mothers & fathers, that will greatly influence the coming
generations?
No comments:
Post a Comment