A nice story

I have been reading the Bible with a Chinese PhD student since Fall last year. We have read through John and finished Luke last night. LJ always has very good questions and comments on the story and on what it means for life. She says herself that she believes in God, even though that is not a common thing.
Last night we read the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. "Whoa!" she said when we finished. "That's quite a story. But I see it as a very nice story." Her emphasis was on the 'storyness' of it. She has stated various times how hard it is for her to accept some of the things that we are reading. And from the beginning I have let her know that she is not alone. In this text we even see the disciples who just saw Jesus in Emaaus and then are surprised to see him alive when they return to Jerusalem!
Jesus dying is something that many people may not like (it is gruesome and extremely sad) but are willing to accept. After all, we see examples everyday of man's injustice to man. But a resurrection? I realized last night how difficult that is when I saw it through her eyes. In the West we are used to hearing the story (and perhaps accepting without thought and thereby latently rejecting it). She is coming from a different place in thought.
As we left the library she reminded me that there are things in Asian thinking that are difficult for Westerners to understand as well. "So don't be upset if I cannot accept this right now," she said, with hope in her eyes of being able to understand it at some later date. It has been good for ME to look at this 'nice story' and see what I really accept and believe and what it means to my life.

Stephan free running

Click here to see a video of Stephan free running during our vacation at the bungalow park. This is the one I put together, but Sean put one together as well (and he is really becoming a great movie maker). Go here to see his version.

Let's get started!

Time to rest
Originally uploaded by sraabs.

Just before Christmas we had the chance to take a break at a bungalow park. A good book, good company and some good snacks - what more do you need? Well, a great indoor pool and some things to jump over (see the rest of the pictures under the set 'Vennebos') help things along. We had a very restful and renewing time. Now we are ready to jump in to the new year. What will we discover this year? I don't know, but I know it's going to be great if God is leading!