5.18

 Year 5.18 was a satisfying week in other ministries. On Monday I returned to church earlier to do my writing instead of doing nothing at home. The rest of the day was easy going; I even ate at home.

On day two we said farewell to Wilson, Jayson and Boni after last week’s farewell to So. It was lively as it was orchestrated by Jim. 

Wednesday was a bad stomach day for me, rushing to the restroom on  three occasions! Night was leaders night meeting that was livelier than usual. I asked when the job was ending.

Day four was student’s birthday. I wanted to take him out for dinner but he was popular with his friends. I just didn’t want to see a lonely young man.

On Friday P could not wake so we ended up doing coffee after lunch. He’s got online classes at the weird times of the day. Lunch was with buddy and xb at Star. 

Day six was listening to coworkers Saturday messages. In between was birthday lunch was English staff. Noon was two music practices for the next day. We had dinner talk with possible incoming coworker. We started our first housemates prayer meeting with SZ!

Sunday Scool was better than last week. At least I failed minimally with zoom which is a lot to handle by myself. I cooked dinner for student for a change because he was busy with campus programs.

September 22, 2020

5.17

 Year 5.17 was a restless week for me for all the good reasons. Monday was a late lunch and a return trip to the office to do some writing. Later I left before crowd gets off work. Praise God I remembered to use soup coupons before it expires this month.

Day two was a week of transition brought by the handover which will test the old and new leadership. I should be ok because I have started to be more proactive in coworkers sermon feedback, plugging a gap in local ministry I’m excited to export out.

Wednesday morning was leaders meeting with a farewell lunch. I am glad I wrote my coworkers piece for the transition, which I feel is a contemporary classic! But readers will have to find it first.

Day four must be an answer to prayer of some sort. After hearing Swindoll’s chapel online I wrote to DTS if I could put Chinese subtitles or rebroadcast them in Chinese and today they answered YES! It means this could be my final lap in ministry trying to bring the best of evangelical preaching to Chinese coworkers and believers. Lunch was with a departing AV coworker.

Friday breakfast was with a coworker into his 11th year of internship with me. The subject was calling. At night we had a pricey birthday buffet celebration with his wife.

Day six was two online meetings, English followed by pth. I rested before praise team rehearsal but I was still too tired, joining them later for dinner.

Sunday was nervous day because of online Sunday school. I’m glad a student managed to flash my notes on the screen because I was messy all over the place. I heard a few coworkers sermons before I went to wet market for seafood to celebrate student’s birthday with the single guys at my place. We had a blessed night!

September 15, 2020

5.16

 Year 5.15 was a big week at church. On Monday I returned to church and got some writing done. Surprisingly buddy was at church whole day being filmed for Sunday’s big event. Once the gathering limit is listed I don’t even feel the urge to eat out.

Day two was lunch with buddy, followed by coworkers meeting. There’s nothing urgent going on except for the leaders.

Wednesday was leaders prayer meeting. Four of us had lunch over two tables before the head joined. I shared my prayer of Sunday preaching. At night I was touched by the story of singer Jonathan Lee entering the guitar making industry. 

Day four was a slow day but I was almost done with my Sunday sermon.  I do more than others usual preparation because I woul to translate my message to Chinese, not my forte.

Friday as usual was morning breakfast with a coworker for his ongoing class, now down to 12 weeks left. My sermon plus ppt for the church transition week is finally done, praise God.

Day six was a rainy morning. I’m glad I did not catch a cold. Finishing my sermon means my energy slowing down altogether, but at least I finished up my SS ppt. I decided to broadcast my Ecclesiastes series in the new year.

Sunday was a big day for the incoming and outgoing pastors. My sermon was well received. I was shocked the church preacher used my grammar bible method for preaching after lots of resistance. The preacher definitely improved! I downloaded Ruth videos for next week. I went to PE to buy flowers by myself and celebrated the bid sermon orexvhkngvweek for myself. I even had to run up atdown to do English and mandarin Lord’s Supper.

September 8, 2020

Year 5.14

 Year 5.14 was a busy week getting ready for zoom Sunday school. On Monday I thought I was getting sick because my teeth hurt and my head was tense, so I slept earlier to get ready to see a local doctor; hopefully it has nothing to do with the virus, but I was writing a lot for my new book foreword. Two will take an intensive course on church history.

I was thankful in day two I woke up to a normal day. The teeth did not hurt anymore, so I slept more to make sure. I was happy that I finished the preface for my new book on Genesis and have sent it to a translator.

Wednesday was early leaders meeting and we said our piece for the new restructuring. I went to lunch and met J and paid for his lunch. I will miss his fearless input. We are a good left and right wing soccer tandem, attacking from both flanks. I worked on B’s Sunday sermon.

Day four was a surprise big tea party with KJR all returning to work. I was working hard to complete my Ruth SS study because I got to preach the pth handover sermon next week. I only have to work on the translation next week because it’s a eleven year old sermon on Acts 20.

On Friday I had dinner with student not to make him feel unwelcome. On the other hand God has blessed us with a good rapport and relationship.

Day six was a morning language meeting and lunch with E, who’s been a faithful servant to all groups. At late afternoon I joined Youth A for practice.

Sunday was B preaching and I was relieved it went ok for the newbie, who had more than a full plate and a half in life and family. I joined the Immigration talk which the speaker uncharacteristically gave a fair talk. We went for dessert and had home dinner.

September 1, 2020