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.