Sitting Indian Style

I recently attended a yoga class at the gym on campus with my friend Buffy. I had done yoga in the past and have paid for DVDs that I have yet to crack open, but I had never been to a class in Shanghai. Since I'm not the avid yoga-er, I forgot my non-existent yoga mat at home. Luckily, some mats were provided, though the mats were all connected into one big mat at the back of the dance studio. I was actually quite thankful I was forced to bend and stretch in the back of the room... the Chinese naturally stare at me enough. However, since the wall we were facing happened to be a giant mirror, it was hard to escape their blatant glances. Needless to say, I was trying something new.

Buffy and I were the only two white faces out of 30 that joined the class that afternoon. For the first twenty minutes, as other women were still entering in, we ourselves were entering in to a state of relaxation. The Chinese women see this time as meditation for religious purposes. The first few minutes were pretty neat -- the Chinese instrumental relaxation music, the quiet... but then by the fourth minute, I opened my eyes and looked at Buffy. This is boring, I mouthed. She nodded in agreement. Little did I know it would continue for another 16 minutes. I'm not sure if it was my American way of wanting things to move a little quicker, or if it was just my natural ability to become easily distracted that caused me to realize how much I am in need of a pedicure. My toes are disgusting. I began to find other impurities, moving up to my legs, thinking, I need to shave. I haven't shaved in weeks. Buffy and I began to have an almost silent conversation about how it's been winter and it's too expensive for the good razors, so why waste your money when no one sees your legs anyways?

The next 16 minutes were spent mentally outside of that room for the two of us, our miming ranging from vanity to school assignments. I thought at one point I'd surely fall asleep... why not when my legs had already done so... I enjoyed the rest of the class, laughing at myself, and others to be quite honest, in these ridiculous positions. Since we don't speak Chinese, we had to look to the other women around us to see what to do, some of the time looking at them while our heads were upside down.

Later on that night, I was struck with some thoughts. This yoga class was in no way religious for me whatsoever though it might have appeared that way by my outward posture; I have no desire to follow the teachings of Buddha or Confucius. I began thinking of all the times I've brought a non-Chrstian friend with me to service in the States. I sit beside them, meditating and prying, singing songs that I just know will incline their hearts to grasp on to Life. I am suddenly discouraged when they leave unchanged. I now know that though their head might have been bowed, their heart was not. They looked to the others to see how to respond since they couldn't understand the language that was being spoken. They too might have been thinking of how much they were in need of a pedicure, or how they couldn't believe they walked out the door wearing a skirt and forgot to shave their legs.

Evangelism takes time. It takes patience. I always figured the lost friends who attended with me didn't understand much, but now I have a small picture of how far away their hearts really are. Thankfully, His word does not fall on deaf ears. Thankfully, His Spirit has the power to move and convict the hardened hearts. Buddha doesn't have that power. And neither does Confucius. It is imperative that I not lag in my efforts of reaching people, whether abroad or in the States. Their lives depend on it. They are spiritually contemplating things that have no significance, searching for something to fill their time, sleeping, and laughing at one's who believe, just like Buffy and me in that yoga class.

I love shifts in perspective. My eyes are so dry from all the wool that has been pulled over them, culturally speaking.

p.s. - I shaved my legs today.

This just in... an update to pr-yer requests

Thank you so much for yarping*!

The spiritual oppression and dissension among some of the believers in the fellowship have been lifted! I am so thankful for the restoration and the healing that is taking place. I am really begging that He continue to move in and among us as we grow and work together, not allowing us to fall back on our weaknesses in the hard times, but keeping us focused on the things that are worth it.

The ELP (English Language Proficiency) testing was finished last week, and we survived! I had 14 students pass the test, which means they will be going into the 1st Grade English Track next year. For those students who are not native speakers, this is a great accomplishment! I am very proud of them and their efforts. We sent out the results on Friday, so hopefully my inbox will be void of hate mail, death threats or emails from exasperated parents protesting their child be re-tested Monday morning. Please continue to lift up this situation as our principal has to deal with much of the negative sides of the ELP testing process, to say the least.

Much of my furniture has been sold (though I won't be giving it all up until I absolutely no longer need it, of course). Thankfully, I won't have the trauma of getting rid of my things the week before my time expires here in Shanghai.


I am still wrestling with Him on what to do next year as I make this transition to come back to the States; He has yet to open any doors. I personally have a few doors in mind, doors I keep nervously dancing in front of, like a girl who desperately has to use the bathroom, hoping He'll open them. Perhaps the door He'll open is behind me, or maybe it's down the street and I have to walk a little ways before I get to it. I feel at this point, He is about to hand me a pair of Depends and tell me I'm not ready yet, so I might as well relieve myself. In any case, He'll provide.... eventually.

Some good news: We have May Holiday next week, and I'm venturing off to Beijing!! I leave on Tuesday night with Kendra and Vicki. We're taking a 13-hour overnight train in which we do not have sleepers... you already know I'll have something to report with that. I'll get to see, in no particular order, the Great Wall, Tienamen Square, Chairman Mao's dead body, the Summer Palace, and the Olympic Village. My friend Jennifer lives in Beijing, so she'll be taking us around to all the good shops! It's going to be nice to see a new American face.
We'll be coming back on Saturday. I'm notably happy about this trip, especially since it's our last vacation until school's out...

That's all for now. I'll catch up with you next weekend after I get back from my little excursion.

Liquid Gold

I took a taxi out to the import store today with a few friends of mine. I was on a mission to find something I have been missing for quite some time. After passing through much of the store, I finally reached the drink aisle. My eyes quickly scanned through all the bottles and cans of beverages hoping to find what I had came to buy. There it was; the 12-pack of Dr. Pepper was looming over me on the top shelf (the price was also looming at 102 kuai, equivalent to $13.50). I had to have Kendra help me in retrieving my liquid gold, so I suppose I owe her one can. I am now home, obviously, enjoying one of the twelve. We'll see how long they last in my fridge. I was hoping to come away with a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream as well, and I could have, I suppose... but they only had two flavors, neither of which was my favorite.

Next time you go to the store, pick up a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper just because you don't have to pay $13.50 for it.

For my faithful warriors

I wanted to share some things with you that you can be lifting up to Him in thought*.

China has really been in the news this year, especially now as Beijing will be hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic games in a few months. Because I can't go into great detail about political issues via this entry (besides the fact that most of you might even know more about this than I do), I'd just ask that you yarp* for this country and its people during this spotlight time. I know the media is having a field day with some of the events taking place, no pun intended. I just ask you would yarp* for the officials during this time and for the native Chinese (and foreigners) in their responses and actions. This is a big year for China to show the world what she is capable of, and things are not going as planned.

Yarp* for Tibet.

Yarp* for the Workers* in the parts of China that are not as developed as Shanghai. Ask that He give them peace and continued boldness to share their faith without fear. I ask that He would pierce hearts and reveal Himself in a mighty way. Yarp for those who are being persecuted, for where there is persecution, there is the advancement of the Good News. I yarp that through this, these faithful would remain strong and bold.

A bit closer to home, there has been spiritual oppression and dissension among some believers in our local fellowship. Please lift up the many leaders of the Body that they may have the grace and discernment to handle these matters. I also would ask that you lift up those who are in these situations, that we might be convicted and restored, seeking after the Truth daily so they might overcome in victory.

There is much change going on academically with our school's administration and faculty... The administration hasn't given us any details on this issue, but this is one request we as believers mention daily in our morning faculty meetings at the Kindergarten.

In relation to academics, the Kindergarten children will be taking the English Language Proficiency exam next week. We have set aside Tuesday - Friday to be testing days. This is the test they must pass in order to enter into the 1st Grade English Track at the Elementary school. There is a heavy amount of pressure on the K2 teachers -- I'm one of those teachers -- as we are wrapping up the material. Yarp* that we as teachers would not become discouraged this week. Yarp* for confidence and peace for both the children and teachers, and for the wisdom to know that this is out of our control; we can only do so much, and we must be faithful and diligent with the time we have left this week.

Personally, I have really been focusing on yarping* for peace and contentment in my situations and surroundings. I have been asking Him to surround me with a desire to know Him more and more, and to share that knowledge in love with those around me who need it just as much as I do. I so desperately need the attitude of Him to reflect in my actions.

Only a few more months remain for me in China... I am in the process of selling my furniture and little nick-nacks. Yarp* that that will go smoothly. Plus, I'm also in the middle of a job search in the States. Yarp* that He will give the discernment to know where He is leading me, should there be more than one open door.

Thanks for the sweet fragrant offering of thoughts* you lift to Him for this country and for me.