The Teaset

Who doesn't want to own a Ferrari? But think, when someone scratch on her shinny body, how would you feel? Luxury comes with a cost, not only the monetary cost, but emotional cost.

Ownership comes with a burden. One will need to maintain the property, no mater what that is. It could be a car, pets, real estate and even a tea set.

I got this luxurious tea set to prepare for Mother's Day. I wanted to throw a tea party, yet my niece was sick and party was cancelled. The tea set remains in the box, and I loved it. I wanted to keep it.

"What if one saucer got broken by my niece?" The whole set will be doomed! I will scream and certainly scold my niece.

That's pressure!

I decided to dis-own it. Just by thinking about this decision. I feel relieved! Such peace of mind is priceless.

Birddy's Nest

My mom and I cut two trees at my home a few days ago. They were planted by my dad, as gifts to the city, but the city didn't like them, so we had to cut them. They were about 8 feet tall, not so big, but the leaves were dense, and they made good shade and weather protection.

Mom cut the big trunks with her had saw, then I trimmed the branches down with a pair of hedgeshears. While I was cutting branch by branch, I discovered two bird's nests. They were so neatly knitted and constructed, just like the birds' bones, so light but so strong. Both nests were empty. The tenants have probably left for winter.

I was amazed with the bird's life. Looking at the nest, I could only imagine a romantic and hard-working life.

They migrate when the seasons come. Perhaps they won't even know where they will build their new home, yet they always found a place. Who knows how they figure when they ought to move? They just know. They move from places to places, build from trees to trees, and meanwhile, they find the daily supply of worms. They did not go to school, yet they build such delicate homes. When they move, they don't have to worry about school district, moving furniture, storage for their cars, etc. How amazingly wise!

Looking at Jesus Christ, the master. He did not have a nest nor a cave to stay. He did not even have a place to lay his head, yet, when I think about it, this is the best strategic life. How much of our procession is really necessity? When we own less, our life is light, and more ready to migrate and move for the Lord. As Jesus told his disciples, when they travel, do not take much with them, not even extra robes.

God knows what we need, and He prepares when we move for Him. Less can really be More.

Office Move

"You have to move out by tomorrow," said the landlord to me.
I was planning to move out of the office, but the new office was not ready until three weeks later. I begged to stay for another three weeks but in vain. It was 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The first question came to my mind was, "did I sin against the Lord and now I am being disciplined?"
Then, the story about the blind man who was born blind in the Bible surfaced. Jesus told his disciples that his blindness was to let God's work to be displayed. (John 9:3) I prayed to God that his work to be displayed in this office crisis.

Here was my Plan of the Day:

1. find a new place to move to in the next day
2. pack the books, files, drawings, stationaries, tools and equipment in the office
3. throw away the rubbish, I mean tons of it
4. contact movers
5. find temporary storage
6. order moving truck

I contacted the new office landlord, asked if we could move in next day, rather than three weeks later, although we did not even have a signed lease. Fab (my business partner) and I also called our friends and see if we could stay for three weeks, thinking that the new landlord would not let us move in early, as the real estate agent explained to me that it was unusual for any tenant to move in that much earlier with such short notice.

One hour later, 10:30 a.m., my friend Nahn's mother let us move into her studio in Hawaii Kai. I praised God. At least, we have a destination to move to. 12:30 p.m. Fab's friend called and offered a vacant office in downtown where we could temporarily move to. Praise God! We have options! However, the best scenario was of course, we move only once but not twice in a month, but whatever God gave us was very good to me already.

2:00 p.m., I got a call from the office real estate agent, the new landlord agreed to let us move in the next day, as long as we could provide a certificate of insurance. This was another challenge. Our insurance company is usually very busy. I doubt that they could provide the certificate in one day, but I called them anyway, and told them the urgency.

Meanwhile, we were still packing and piling up a mount of trash in the conference room. Daniel (co-worker) called his brother, and he was available to help us move! Fabrizio's nephew John was also available! They are both energetic young men!

Wednesday late afternoon, Daniel asked me where we were moving to. I said I don't know. We kept on packing and trashing. Plan of the Day was sort of finished, and we had to wait for the story to develope.
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Thursday: the moving day

Daniel asked me for the Plan of the Day. I still didn't know where we were moving to, so I told him, "in the morning, flatten the mount of rubbish and throw away the electronic waste, I'll tell you what's next." As an obedient young man, he followed.


10:00 a.m., the insurance agent issued the certificate of insurance, which amazed me with their speed. I contacted the new landlord, and I went to their office to sign the lease. When I was there, the lease was still being assembled. I signed, and got the keys from the property manager. She asked me when I'd want to move in. I said, "2:00 p.m.," as Daniel and John were still dealing with trash.

I entered the new office and praised the Lord. It was small, but it was full of blessings.

I told Daniel the good news, and he ordered a moving truck immediately. 11:00 p.m., we started loading the moving truck, and we were ready to move to the new office! At that time, one more young man, who is a good friend of John, Harry, showed up. They all used their personal vehicles to speed up the move. Meanwhile, the property manager went back and forth to show us the logistics of the building. It was unusual to her that a tenant moved in so quickly.

5:30 p.m. the majority of our stuff was in the new office. Everybody was sweating, and did not want to stop the momentum. 6:30 p.m. we decided to finish up in the next day. The remaining stuff in the old office was less important anyway.
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Fab couldn't believe what really happened. Moving an office in one and a half days? I had an opportunity to witness to him. I told him that it was called "amazing grace". He believes that there is a god, but he does not know which one he is. I pray that he will realize the power and love of our God. I think that God's work was displayed in this "crisis", and I hope that both Fab and Daniel will see His work.

Grace Community Church, Sao Paulo

The day after Renata's wedding, Rafael took us to his church, Grace Community Church, to attend evening worship. It is a mega church, with 3000 worshippers. This is my first time to a church of this size.

Worship started at 7:00 p.m. But we arrived at around 6:10 p.m., and we were not the first ones. Many have already arrived. Rafael said that we had to get there early to secure good seats. Otherwise, we may have to sit outside the worship center, and watch life broadcast. 

At 6:30 p.m., most of the seats, outside and inside, were occupied. Circles of people started to group around. It was the small groups' prayer time. The sound from the prayers filled up the sanctuary. Some arms were raised, and some were laid over peoples' bodies. This is a church of prayers.

Slightly after 7:00 p.m., worship started with songs, and their lyrics were all in Portuguese, but music is a universal language. When the congregation sang praises to the Lord, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I watched the 3000 worshippers raised their hands and moved their bodies along with the music with so much joy. I was in tears. I praised God for this compassionate group that longed for Him. Comparing with the churches that I have been to in various continents, nothing was like this church. The world is not so pessimistic. I prayed that God will bless Sao Paulo because of this congregation.

Another good news is that this church is expanding. Rafael showed us a construction area behind the stage. It will allow more seating areas and more people to worship. Amazing grace! Who are we, that the Lord bless us with that much? Rafael also explained that people there were very simple. They had simple families, jobs and lives. They got together just because they love the Lord and they relied on the Lord.

Does not Jesus treasure worshippers with children's hearts? These people do not see the rainbow everyday, and they do not have the beach surrounding them, they don't always see the sunny sky, yet they love the Lord. (Poor Hawaii....)

A blessed church started with prayerful hearts. A blessed nation relies on trust in God. I prayed that 'in God we trust' is not only marked on our coins, but in our hearts. May God bless Brazil and the U.S.A.

Mute & Deaf

FYI.... Sometimes, I really don't need that much information. When I receive information, it may be interrupted that I need to respond to them. Sometimes, information is not necessarily useful. It can be distraction. Sometimes, information confuses me. 

'Can life be a little simpler?' I asked myself.

When I go to vacation, my attitude is to enjoy every single minute. This vacation in Brazil is unique. I had a new family. When Renata dropped me off to his brothers and cousins, she said, 'treat them as your family!' I was with my new family whom most of them did not speak English. None of them spoke Chinese. Interesting.

In the beginning, my Brazilian/Portuguese (abbreviated as 'B' below) family seemed to have nothing in common with me. They ate mandioca, stregonofe and long grain rice (which were delicious). In meals over one hour long, I kept listening to this beautiful language, occassionally intensive argument, and passionate laughters. I enjoyed it even my only participation is smiling. From breakfast to dinner, B mom and tias (aunties) kept passing me food, until I was so filled up. B grandma liked to talk to me, thinking that I may pick up a few words.

Later, I got to know my B family, and we actually have a lot in common. We are all God's children.

B dad is a talented maker. He made a puzzle cube, and he taught me how to solve the puzzle. He also has a toy airplane that the torpedo can be motorized with rubbing finger nail against the plane body. We both love toys. One day, he took me to his family farm, and showed me the houses that he built. The construction is simple and functional. We both like construction.

B mom is a dedicated Christian. I can tell Renata's sweetness was coming from her. Every morning, she bought fresh pom (bread) and made fresh cafe for everybody. For me, she would even fry eggs. The eggs were very yellow, and Renata told me that they were probably from their farm, which were very nutritious. She has a translation app in her I-phone that she sometimes used it to talk to me. She is so sensitive and detail-orientated. 

When we were outing, B tia Gloria always called me and tagged along with me, making sure that I did not get lost. One day, per my request, Renata let me take the crazy metro back from downtown in rush hour. Metro in Sau Paulo's rush hour is no joke. It was beyond crowded, and comparable to Hong Kong's rush hour. The bad part was that it did not have enough air conditioning. When I got back to the B home alive, the two B tias looked so relieved and B grandma hugged me, and said something in Portuguese. They cared about me as family.

Perhaps language is not that important. It may be better that I don't know so much details or overwhelming amount of information. I know that they love me, and that is the most important thing. Language may be hurting, especially when it is used without care. Also, sometimes people understand but they do not listen. This is more disturbing than not knowing the language. 

I learned to listen and speak with my heart. Things can be simpler when I did not understand words from the mouth that requires interpretation, because they can be misinterpreted, and I may be deceived by myself. Perceiving with the heart is a lesson to learn.

After all, Renata, B brothers Luciano and Rafael, B sister-in-law Flavia and new friend Heidi, who know English, kept me entertained and informed when they were available. I was not totally mute and deaf.

Ubasuba

Hawaii is my home. It is a place to work, to serve and to live. To me, it is not a destination to enjoy and rest. Although the island is surrounded by the fascinating Pacific Ocean, people from around the globe come to visit, I seldom enjoy the ocean that is only ten minute away from my home. 

In May 9th, 2012, God revealed Himself to me through the waves in Ubasuba, Brazil. My new friends Luciano and Rafael, took me from the international airport in Sao Paulo to Ubasuba. We drove down from a very meandering road. Tropical rain forest is on both sides of the road. It was so green, and the tree layers were incredibly thick. After about two hours of traveling, we arrived at sea level. I smelt the familiar salty air, but we were not there yet. Rafael kept on driving, and we started to see speed bumps regularly. My expectation to arrive at Ubasuba increased with the number of the awakening speed bumps. 

Finally, Rafael confirmed with Luciano in Portuguese, and turned into a narrow, rough unpaved road. He made a few more turns, the road changed from unpaved to grassy with tire marks. We arrived at a family friend's house. Renata's mother and family from Portugal were all there. They spoke only Portuguese, and I understood none of that. 

The journey of mute and deaf started.*

After settling down, we headed out to the famous beaches of Ubasuba. There were three beaches in walking distance, and we visited two of them that day. We walked through the grassy road with tire marks, turned left, and the first beach was there. We stepped on the dark gray and dense wet sand, looking out to a very calm sea. The water was also grayish, only a man playing with his dog. Vendors along the beach were closed. One can imagine the sun-tanned crowd and laughters with the number of colorful tables and chairs.

Then, we walked to the second beach to the left, through an unpaved road. At a distance, I heard the roaring waves. Once the beach came into scene, I heard people cheering for a number of young surfers. The waves were incredible. They were not high, but they came from different directions aggressively and unexpectedly. The waves rolled into the shore, hit the cliff and rocks, then break into smaller waves. They cried out the pain during the break, then, they humbled themselves with serenity when approaching to the shore. They even healed the scars marked by our footprints on the sand. 

I sat down on a rock, under the warm sun set, watching the directions of the waves. I felt that God was in the waves, speaking to me. Jesus is almighty and powerful, and equal to God, yet he humbled himself to the point of death on the cross, so that we can be saved. His healing touch is so gentle. He is truly an amazing God. His creation reveals His characters.

*in this 2-day trip, Luciano and Rafael speak English.

It's a Wonderful Life - New Year version

As a 'coincidence', at the new year worship today, the speaker, Clive Cowell, talked about his takes on the movie "It's a Wonderful Life". He had cancer a few times, traveled to many places in the world, including Israel, Turkey, India and Mecedonia. Nothing really excits him anymore but following Jesus Christ.

He and his wife will leave Hawaii for Japan for Christian mission in a few days. His desire is to fulfill discipleship. By doing so, life is wonderful.

In the movie, Zusu, Mr. Bailey's little daughter, had a rose. She loves roses, and it symbolizes friends and family. His father told her to go to bed, so she could dream of a rose garden. However, Zusu wanted his father to repair the withered rose in her hand. To his father, good friends and family only happens in dreams. Those on earth can't be repaired. However, to God, He uses all situations for our good. The angel in the movie showed how things in Bailey's life work together, and the good side of life that Bailey did not see.

Believe in God and follow His way, it's a wonderful life.

It's a wonderful life

My Christmas tradition is to watch the movie called "It's a Wonderful Life". It was inspiring everytime I watched it. Mr. Bailey, the main character, blamed on his birth when he was hit by a very difficult time in his business. An angel showed him how bad the world became if he was not born, and how he had made difference to others lives.

This year, I did not watch the movie. I felt that I was, in a way, Mr. Bailey.

Business is not moving anywhere. I was hoping that my business trip will be fruitful in one way or the other. My eyes were open, yet I did not see anything applicable to my business. I met some architects in foreign land, yet nothing substantial happened. I am back to Hawaii for three weeks, yet I still cannot discern the meaning of the trip. Why did I travel so far away?

Well, other things took place during the trip. I met a handful of old friends. I learned their new lives, and I pray for them regularly. If I did not see them, my prayers for them won't be lifted up. They absolutely worth my trip.

In the end of the movie, Mr. Bailey realized his role as a member of the community, family and friends. He loved his life, and when he returned to reality, his business problem was resolved. His family and friends flooded his house to help him out.

Life is adventurous. I don't know about wonderful, but God is good. I am gracious that life is as short as morning dews.

2011 rushed away quickly. In the beginning of 2011, my resolution was to simplify my life. I found that it is not quite possible. When I tried to simplify, I complicated the situation. For example, when I was in HK, I needed only one pineapple bun and milk tea for breakfast, simple as that. However, the waiter told me that it was more economical to order a meal, that came with two buns and milk tea. I had to do all the math in my head to figure out what I should feed myself. "Is it really more economical? What if I can't finish? What if all the excessive sugar and fat go to my butt?...... all kinds of questions....." Complicated process for the end of simpleness.

In short, I can't really simplify my live. However, when comparing with lives in HK, my live is pretty simple, and I am glad.

Looking back 2011, it was full of grace. Bella Pollard, my little 1 year old friend was cured from a deadly cancer. My church youth pastor's wife gave birth to twin girls, after many years of prayers. My company remains open, and my partner trusts me so much. I fought a war at the courtroom and gave testimonies for the first time. I designed company Christmas card with Bible verse. Hawaii CCM's new staff came in April, and works well with us. We struggle financially, yet our door is still open. Juanna and I re-started weekly prayer meetings at Hawaii CCM. I visited bak-leung and sister dai and 3 at Toronto. I attended Dr. Daniel Wu's anniversary and birthday celebration. Last but not least, I visited HK for the first time since my last departure in year 2000, and dined with friends whom I had not seen for 19 years. It'll go on and on and on.

In short again, no expectation this year. Trust the Lord God with all my heart, and love Him with all my strength, because He first loved us.

Destination

After the trip to Italy a couple years ago, I found that I have already been to all the places that I wanted to go. I do not have as much desire to travel for the sake of seeing places. I am so blessed, am I not? I am blessed because I don't have that many disires, and also because all that I had were already exceedingly fulfilled. Life is good.

People asked, where will be your next destination? My answer is, where my heart is, where my family and friends are. Last month, I went to San Joes for a good friend's birthday and anniversary celebration. I also visited Canada to see my aunt and cousins.

This past summer, while I was cleaning up my photo albums, I saw so many old photos that I took with friends whom I grew up with. I missed them. I prayed to God. Should I go to Hong Kong? What if none of my friends wanted to see me?

A few days ago, my aunt called from Hong Kong. She recently retired. A voice in my heart says, "places are always there but people aren't." I felt strongly that I should pay a visit. I asked for more signs, and in many ways, God answered positively.

I shall visit the place where I grew up next month. My heart is filled with excitment and uncertainty. I feel a little scared. Strange. Low expectation. I look forward to see what God has me to see, just like how the Almighty treated me in Canada! Praise God!

Tina Counting 1 to 20

Choose Your Battle

Jesus was at Capernaum, healed a lot of people, and they urged him to stay, because there was so much work to do. They needed him there. (Luke 5) However, Jesus retreated to the wilderness. Instead of staying at the place that needed him, he left for other cities. Jesus knows in his heart why he was sent to the earth. He followed his Father's direction, rather than the urge of the people.

Does it sound familiar? "This ministry needs people, go help!" I helped in a children tutoring class a number of years ago because it needed teachers. I did not ask God if it was a position for me. I just went in sympathy of the teacher shortage. It turned out that I spent double energy and gained half of the fruit. I was very frustrated in the class, and my spirit was torn. I realized that it was not a ministry for me.

In a recent Bible study, I learned that God does not put all ministries in my heart. He has a plan for me, and I ought to listen to the Lord's direction and guidance, but not the voice of the needies. God will feed the needies in his own perfect ways. I am only a tool to fulfill part of his work.

The key is to trust and obey.

The Light

Wandering in a tunnel, no bread nor wine. Stepping in the dark and dew, light is rare to find.

Towards the ending rugged path, a white spot shines. Brighter when it becomes, an exit is clearly defined.

Aligning with the only Way, dead end breaks through the rocky cave. Marching solely with the Truth, abundance is the promised prize.

Blessings.

Walk to Get a Malasada

Automobile gives us convenience to commute to destinations quickly. When driving in a car, we aim at accomplishing something by arriving at the destination, to get a malasada, to meet our date and client, to work, to pick up a child, to get a burger or a cup of coffee? Our mind is set to the destination and the task, and it is enhanced with our culture of speed. When I spend time to walk to my destination, I find myself tardy and slow, yet it is another world of discovery. I still aim at arriving at a destination, yet there will be much distractions that pull me away from my focus on the destination. I will see more interesting things in the new pace. There is actually more fun, and my body gets the work out as well! At the end, I arrive at my destination, and accomplish what I need to do. The 'loss' in time transforms to another form of enertainment and knowledge, something that I may never relize when I drive.

Grandma recovered!

After a long-term sickness in the holiday season, grandma has recovered, and started to joke again! Thank you all for your prayers!

Memoery

I looked through my photo albums today from 1987 to today. I just found that my memoery is pretty bad.

I looked at many photos, and I really wished someone would tell me who those people were. I know most of the faces, although not all. However, I just cannot remember their names. This not so far back, just....year 1989. How can't I forget? Once upon a time, they were my good friends, and that's why I have their photos, but who are they? I can't even find them on Facebook!

I don't remember anything on Po Lin Temple of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Yet, I found from the photos that I have been there!

I don't have any collection that I have been to Silver Mine Bay in Hong Kong. Yet, I actually biked along the Bay!

Let's talk about fashion. My taste never changed much. I like to wear shirts and pants/jeans at all times. I think I always dressed too old for my age.

Birthday photos are plenty, and I am thankful for my family. Every year, there is a cake, except in recent years, I requested no cakes.

But, again, who were those people? My friends, where are they now, and what are their names? I want to sent them the photos and pick up the funny stories that they happen to remember! That's usually my sisters' function.

Photos without memory is trash.

2010 回顧

2010 has 3 hours left. I am very content this year. I usually look back to my journal written in the first day of the year, then look through my journal, and reflect what the year means to me.

My biggest accomplishment this year was the completion of two seminary courses: the New Testament and the Old Testament. I have been longing to study God's words deeper. These courses pushed me to learn the historical background and environment. I found that the Holy Bible is very interesting and intriguing. However.....I did not learn all what I should, because I did not have enough time and energy. These past six months have been very challenging to my body, mind and soul. I wanted to learn more, read more, yet my body told me to rest more.....
So much for that. Two things (at least) that I learned from these courses:

1. The New Testament: I was amazed by how Jesus Christ, who lived just 33 years on earth, affected His followers. Decades after he died, people were still talking about him, and his words are life-changing. Many even died for him under the pressure of the Roman government. Can you think of anyone who died decades ago, whose words are still affecting your life?
   
2. The Old Testament: I am very much reminded by the life of King Solomon. God bless people with wealth. Yet, as a king, Deuteronomy 17:17 reminded me that he should not possess a lot of silver and gold. Too much possession will lead a king away from God. Think simplicity and minimalism.

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Two earthquakes took place this year. The minor one was at HCCMGC. The only staff left for school. God prepared an excellent temporary director for us. The past four months were reverted from frustrations to blessings.

The major earthquake was at work. My office moved, and only 3 people survived the earthquake. It was pretty miserable. I took much more responsibilities and it took me a while to handle the new tasks along with my normal tasks. God gave me enough to survive each day. Thanks also to the 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day, and 4.5 miles of run per week.

(Sometimes, I don't know why people trust me in handling something. I think this is not a question of trust. It is a question of whether there is a choice. )

Highlight of this year was my trip to DC. I fell in love with those paintings at the National Gallery! Will show later.....just wait. Happy New Year!

Emails

I used to like to check e-mail. In the old days, or when I first started using e-mails. The messages were usually greetings and news from friends.

Today, I receive e-mails and they are mostly about communications for work, including volunteer work and job. A new message means new work or instructions. The lines are full of cold words, but nothing personal and warmth. Those facial expressions in text help, but not much. They are still about work.

It makes me think: do we treat others as tools or persons?

We communicate because we need to get works done. "Others" become our tools.

Or, do we communicate because we care about others and care about others knowing what happens on our side? In this case, "others" has relationship with us.

Personal communications have shifted to Facebook, but it seems to be a platform that is too open to public, even with privacy settings. I like to have my personal zone, with my own friends and family. I received two e-mails recently from "others" who have relationship with me as "friends". I feel that I am special by reading the stories of others.

In my opinion, single line texts and photos in Facebook still cannot replace "letters" in electronic format. E-mails still cannot replace the power of physical letters.

Journal of Cookie Making

I want to make the best cookies, but I did not have all the ingredients that I "needed".

• I needed milk, but I only had sweetened milk and water.
• I needed 3 bars of butter, but I only had 2 bars.
• I needed vanilla extract, but I only had almond.

Does it matter? Who knows? I was willing to take this risk of eating all the unimaginable cookies by myself.

What else do I have? It has to be the best cookie. Mila! Yes, I have to believe that it will be the best cookie.

Surprise! My dream came true, even I did not have everything that I thought I needed. I used what I have, and they were actually what I really needed. The outcome was better than expected!

Circle Prayers

(by Pastor Todd Clark)

1. We speak 2. God listens 3. God speak 4. We listen --> back to 1. We respond

God's answers to prayers:

1. If the request is wrong, God says 'no'.

2. If the timing is wrong, God says 'slow'.

3. If you are wrong, God says 'grow'. (usually my case)

4. If the request is right, timing is right and you are right, God says 'go'.

Isiah 55:3 "Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live."

Motivation

Somebody did a research on a group of monkeys. The researcher found that the two ways to motivate monkeys are reward and punishment. Then, he applies the theories to human beings, and concludes that the two (major) ways to movitivate people are $ and fear.

I thought about it....really?

Apostel Paul forgoes his old way of practice after he met the resurrected Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. The change, as he descirbes it in his letters to churches and individuals, comes from Jesus, who died on the cross and rose for all of us. It is love that changed him, but not money nor fear. As a matter of face, he was sent to prison and suffered much for his mission.

Does Paul do all the work for reward in heaven? Reward is a result, but not a motivation or purpose of work. Many missionaries even today are called to missions because they love God. Such love becomes a motivation. Chang of heart and mind from God is the cause of action, that produce long-lasting and life-changing effects.

Another example, Thomas Edison: he worked very hard in his invention, because he loves his work. He is curiouse to nature, and he dedicates his life in invention. Do you think he was motivated by money or fear? Do you think he was working for a big corporation and he had to meet deadlines in order to get paid for his first light bulb?

The researcher may conclude the reward as spiritual satisfaction, rather than money, as a reward. Then, I would accept it easier. However, it is hard to conclude it this way, because he/she was researching on monkeys, that do not have spirits but somachs.