It was such an exciting and energizing day - elevan hours of sharing, teaching and testimonies by
several ME believers, to hear the great things God has done and is doing in many individual's life and countries. In their cases, being a follower of Jesus means losing their jobs, cut off by their families and countrymen, hunted down and sometimes death by assissins. They really have to count the cost. Nothing like westerners, chasing the material dream, being Sunday believers. I didn't miss a second on their talks. They were so inspiring and refreshing. Their love for God is contagious. My mind was drifting during the paryer time, what a dork I was - at the most important time of the day. Picked up three new books. I started one already tonight. Can't seem to put it down.

Found out tomorrow that the mission committee is going to have their meeting. D said she read the long agenda, there won't be a chance for them to discuss my proposal. Though it sounds disappointing, but I can't accept that is the answer yet. God has the final word!

Two faithful young creatures at the ME Friendship Centre. Both from the States


K is a student in Langley. K comes every Saturday by public transportation. Each trip takes her two hours. She helped out in ESL class in the morning. Hangs out at the Centre for three hours before she get to attend the foreign language class taught by L. By the time she gets back to campus, it is dark. Then she does it all over again on Sunday, except going further west to North Van to help out a small ME congregation of 30 people with their children. I asked her how did she get done her many homework and assignments from school. She said she brings them along and does it whenever possible. She has applied to teach in Japan for a year or two to pay off her school loan. (I am so happy she met E who is from Japan. They can network.) But her real passion is the ME which she would like to go someday.





J is from the southern States. She has graduated from her studies. When I first met her. She answered everyone of my questions with a 'mame' at the end of the sentence. I felt so uncomfortable, like I was being her superior. Fortunately, she is becoming more Canadian recently. The other day, when we finish our gathering at dusk, I drop off the girls at the centre so they can catch the skytrain. I saw J still there. She's been there since the place opened and apparently she does it several days a week happily.





I marvel at these girls, with their good look and out going personality, why are they doing what they are doing with their young lives. They could have gone out with friends, experimenting the cool things that young people are doing and valuing these days. What makes their lives so different? No one are there forcing them to do what they are doing.

So I was troubled when S took off a whole month from the Bible study. I thought she might just be finding excuses not to come because it does not agree with her culture and tradition. Then I
suggest we write her a New Year wish card. The girls wished her everything she wishes to happen. She was very touched and want us to visit her after the Bible study. I turned her down,
because it would be a very long day for the rest of us.

Then more things happened which made the next Bible study impossible. We decided to posponed it. Meanwhile S called and asked if we can further postone it until she finish her new year celebration.. We were more than happy to do that. So the study of the first chapter of John
landed on the Easter weekend. L had to visit family in Kelowna. But C came back from the States and wanted to join us. What a glorious study! We made Easter egg afterward and tried Japanese marbling. We made a mess with the eggs. But all were happy to take home sheets of
paper with the gorgeous colors of marbling........... So too, God does not like to work on straight lines. The marbling effect is much more interesting.