Year 2.27 is spent in Israel. Lunch was with buddies before I board the plane at 430pm. Praise God, my stiff neck did not bother me anymore. I met up with the Taiwan team at the airport.The airlines staff noticed my glasses and a L.A. visitor said, Your glasses is cool! Israel airlines service was terrible. There were few movies on the screen and the movies do not begin from the start. The only two movies I saw were the new spiderman and A family man. The twelve hour flight was murder. We arrived past midnight.
Day 2 was the occasion of Doris' loss for one and a half years. I sent a short quote of hers to friends to remember her. The second day in Israel was in full swing. We were in Caesarea and visited Nazareth. The first impression of this ancient city was very nice. I really liked the hotel that was by the Sea of Galilee. Four of us took a stroll by the neighborhood at night.
By Wednesday I noticed my face was already rounder with all the buffet. Capernaum was a good visit though by now all pictures are the same. Taking a short boat ride in the Sea of Galilee was meaningful. I regret not buying a polo shirt on board.
Day 4 Megiddo was breathtaking. The land was spacious for the final battle on the last day, within reach of Israel's various neighbors. Visiting the ungodly high places of Samaria, especially Dan, was like stepping into history. The idolatry and idols were not limited to the northern kingdom, but also the pagan practices of Israel's enemies.
On Friday as we passed Israel's immigration, a lady inside the office booth said to me, You have cool glasses! We crossed over to Sinai to be greeted by the news of the slaughter of 300 Sufis in their mosque earlier in the day. Our immigration stop in the late afternoon was delayed subsequently by an hour and a half because of the presence of 17 Americans in our team, so we were accompanied by a local police in our bus for our safety.
Day 6 The trip to Mount Sinai was arduous. I rode a camel up at 2am but slipped on my side after I dismounted the mountain halfway to the top. The next half up the steps was hardship but we reached there to watch the beautiful sunrise. The way down the hill bottom was ugly as I stubbed my big left toe endless times in rock, causing it to turn blue. We headed back to Israel after breakfast. The food and economy of Egypt is much inferior to Israel. Night massage helped. A young man Jeff sent me the first version of Grammar Bible app that will debut next year!, I couldn't wait!
On Sunday we had a short worship followed by lunch in a busy downtown hotel and a stroll in the streets of Jerusalem. Later we went to the Dead Sea where I floated in the buoyant waters with Paul and Jon. After that I covered myself in the black mud, the only person in our team to do so. Praise God, the trip so far was most meaningful, memorable and pleasurable.
November 28, 2017
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Year 2.26
I write this post on exactly Week 26 of Year 2, one and a half years without Doris. On Monday morning I was given a good 45 minutes workout by a neighbor friend a the club gym. Later I went with a good buddy for lunch at Prince Edward and got lilies for Doris. Later I had prayer with two friends.
Day 2 was nervous division interview day. I woke up with a headache on the right side for a change, possibly from pressure. I did not have to answer any questions by coworkers and the vote passed. Tea treat was mine. At night we had men's fellowship, attended by nine brothers for the study of Gideon.
On Wednesday the headache was bigger and I soon got a stiff neck. Lunch was with buddy and MOS to know more about the latter's work. The leaders' interview went well with only a friendly question from friend Stephen.
Day 4 I had lunch with a USA friend and his wife who were in town. Evening could not come fast enough for my hand massage that turned out to be head massage. The neck and shoulder were sore too. The treatment ended early as I went with my USA friend and wife to have dinner and send them off. We exchanged 500 USA dollars.
Friday was my last meeting with pth staff as I assume LCD. For lunch we celebrated R birthday. Dinner was with relatives who changed more USA money for me for my Monday Israel trip.
Day 6 was the longest day. 11am LCD was followed by noon lunch, then two hours pre prestudy, and another hour of prestudy. I had a short tea with buddy and wife before an enjoyable study of Psalm 13 at fellowship.
Sunday sermon of Psalm 5 went well. A lady shared with me her husband needs help, so I asked a person to help out. I had lunch with a USA friend and a hk deacon before a bald shave by a good buddy before next day travel. At night village neighbor invited me for dinner but I received a panic call about a USA moody friend. We texted. After dinner and talk we walked a full round of the island.
November 22, 2017
Day 2 was nervous division interview day. I woke up with a headache on the right side for a change, possibly from pressure. I did not have to answer any questions by coworkers and the vote passed. Tea treat was mine. At night we had men's fellowship, attended by nine brothers for the study of Gideon.
On Wednesday the headache was bigger and I soon got a stiff neck. Lunch was with buddy and MOS to know more about the latter's work. The leaders' interview went well with only a friendly question from friend Stephen.
Day 4 I had lunch with a USA friend and his wife who were in town. Evening could not come fast enough for my hand massage that turned out to be head massage. The neck and shoulder were sore too. The treatment ended early as I went with my USA friend and wife to have dinner and send them off. We exchanged 500 USA dollars.
Friday was my last meeting with pth staff as I assume LCD. For lunch we celebrated R birthday. Dinner was with relatives who changed more USA money for me for my Monday Israel trip.
Day 6 was the longest day. 11am LCD was followed by noon lunch, then two hours pre prestudy, and another hour of prestudy. I had a short tea with buddy and wife before an enjoyable study of Psalm 13 at fellowship.
Sunday sermon of Psalm 5 went well. A lady shared with me her husband needs help, so I asked a person to help out. I had lunch with a USA friend and a hk deacon before a bald shave by a good buddy before next day travel. At night village neighbor invited me for dinner but I received a panic call about a USA moody friend. We texted. After dinner and talk we walked a full round of the island.
November 22, 2017
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Year 2.25
Year 2.25 week was a good normal week for me. On Monday I met a neighbor at the gym who offered on the spot to help my body alignment . He was quite effective. Next I had breakfast with my coworker Tom who had moved to the island three days ago. The rest of the day was at wui wo retreat.
Day 2. The retreat went well, ending after lunch. On the bus home I talked to Some about adding a new workers to our department. On the way home we six had coffee at tung chung on the way back. At night I cooked dinner for my neighbor family whose mother is on a mission trip.
On Wednesday my neck suffered a sprain as I swam in the morning. It was a bad one with lumps on my head.my neck suffered a sprain as I swam in the morning. It was a bad one with lumps on my head. For breakfast I met a friend who has been offered to pastor a college town. Good for him but not for church development of her young pastors
Day 4 my physical problems spread to my back when I sneezed in the morning and my back was sprained too, making me very uncomfortable the whole day. At night I had a friend who worked in my head bumps. He gave me a thorough head rubbing and the lumps were less swollen.
On Friday I worked with a buddy on his pth sermon. At first he was reluctant but later he asked for for a double check on his pronunciation. I met my Indonesian counterpart but I told him my position is not fixed yet, so it ended early because he's still got a lot to do. At night a neighbor offered to work on my hand again after a months break. I felt embarrassed but he insisted.
On Saturday I had department meeting, talked with a coworker about an ex schoolmate and then attended 1111. At night I was invited to have dinner with Raymond and Sandra Shen who gave a marvelous music fest at night.
On Sunday buddy delivered a good message. I had to attend two prayer meetings, love HK and church prayer, where I met a young man who graduated from. Indiana at the prayer meeting. After heading home for a rest I went out for dinner with a friend returning to Chicago. At night the locksmith repaired my lock and door frame. Later I took Tylenol for a headache before sleeping.
Nov 14, 2017
Day 2. The retreat went well, ending after lunch. On the bus home I talked to Some about adding a new workers to our department. On the way home we six had coffee at tung chung on the way back. At night I cooked dinner for my neighbor family whose mother is on a mission trip.
On Wednesday my neck suffered a sprain as I swam in the morning. It was a bad one with lumps on my head.my neck suffered a sprain as I swam in the morning. It was a bad one with lumps on my head. For breakfast I met a friend who has been offered to pastor a college town. Good for him but not for church development of her young pastors
Day 4 my physical problems spread to my back when I sneezed in the morning and my back was sprained too, making me very uncomfortable the whole day. At night I had a friend who worked in my head bumps. He gave me a thorough head rubbing and the lumps were less swollen.
On Friday I worked with a buddy on his pth sermon. At first he was reluctant but later he asked for for a double check on his pronunciation. I met my Indonesian counterpart but I told him my position is not fixed yet, so it ended early because he's still got a lot to do. At night a neighbor offered to work on my hand again after a months break. I felt embarrassed but he insisted.
On Saturday I had department meeting, talked with a coworker about an ex schoolmate and then attended 1111. At night I was invited to have dinner with Raymond and Sandra Shen who gave a marvelous music fest at night.
On Sunday buddy delivered a good message. I had to attend two prayer meetings, love HK and church prayer, where I met a young man who graduated from. Indiana at the prayer meeting. After heading home for a rest I went out for dinner with a friend returning to Chicago. At night the locksmith repaired my lock and door frame. Later I took Tylenol for a headache before sleeping.
Nov 14, 2017
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Year 2.24
Year 2.24 was a blessed week. On Monday my new coworker neighbor was at the island for a final cleanup before Friday's moving day, so we lad lunch together with another new friend, then had a leisurely walk through the old dilapidated village before we took a look at his rented two room apartment on the 22nd floor. Today I started writing questions to my Creation series, Gen 1-11. Doris wrote the application questions, so I hope to write the study questions.
Day 2 was the coldest outdoor swimming pool day, 25℃. There were only six swimmers, less than half the usual turned up. I was happy that I completed the first set of Bible study questions from Gen 1:1-2:3. Doris' former questions fitted perfectly.
Wednesday was a sermon day uninterrupted by meetings, so I could further work on Psalm 5, the subject for my next sermon on November 19 before my next day trip to Israel. Summer was not happy for a former coworker who wanted more responsibility at our fellowship but got little.
Day 4 was hand treatment. My right hand is better after many months of treatment for carpal tunnel and tennis elbow and weak knees! I met a neighbor on the bus who complained I did not seek him for help on my hand.
On Friday we had a meeting scheduled on my morning off day. I made up for my reluctance to meet by treating myself to a McDonald's breakfast but the line was super long. Dinner was with my laws before fellowship. As usual Doris' sister cooked me some food.
Day 6 was lunch with Couples core. After lunch I got rested and ready for 3pm prestudy. It went well and I got better at leading them. At night a fellowship member Wallace from buddy's fellowship invited me to dinner as well. In return I gave him Doris' blog book and our latest book.
On Sunday I woke to a dream of an exasperatedly smiling Doris whose cost-conscious sister M refused to go out for buffet with her. I volunteered to pay from my tax and other returns. Church anniversary and the songs we sang were hard on me. The pastor, for the first time, was more compassionate. The young man working on my Grammar Bible had lunch with me as we had a final meeting to tie up lose strings. At night I had dinner with a new friend at kwai fong.
Day 2 was the coldest outdoor swimming pool day, 25℃. There were only six swimmers, less than half the usual turned up. I was happy that I completed the first set of Bible study questions from Gen 1:1-2:3. Doris' former questions fitted perfectly.
Wednesday was a sermon day uninterrupted by meetings, so I could further work on Psalm 5, the subject for my next sermon on November 19 before my next day trip to Israel. Summer was not happy for a former coworker who wanted more responsibility at our fellowship but got little.
Day 4 was hand treatment. My right hand is better after many months of treatment for carpal tunnel and tennis elbow and weak knees! I met a neighbor on the bus who complained I did not seek him for help on my hand.
On Friday we had a meeting scheduled on my morning off day. I made up for my reluctance to meet by treating myself to a McDonald's breakfast but the line was super long. Dinner was with my laws before fellowship. As usual Doris' sister cooked me some food.
Day 6 was lunch with Couples core. After lunch I got rested and ready for 3pm prestudy. It went well and I got better at leading them. At night a fellowship member Wallace from buddy's fellowship invited me to dinner as well. In return I gave him Doris' blog book and our latest book.
On Sunday I woke to a dream of an exasperatedly smiling Doris whose cost-conscious sister M refused to go out for buffet with her. I volunteered to pay from my tax and other returns. Church anniversary and the songs we sang were hard on me. The pastor, for the first time, was more compassionate. The young man working on my Grammar Bible had lunch with me as we had a final meeting to tie up lose strings. At night I had dinner with a new friend at kwai fong.
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