Life on a firm foundation

A highlight of each week is when Jodi and I hold our open houses for students. We invite about 15 or 20 different students to our apartment once a week. They are usually deliriously excited to come. This past weekend we invited Jodi's students over (my old students). It was wonderful getting to hang out with my old baby students and it was great seeing Jodi interact with them. I think they have love in their hearts for both of us. As you can see by the pictures they still seem fond of their former teacher, Miss Laura. They practically suffocated and strangled me from excitement as we took pictures.

And as I learn to love my new students without forgetting my old ones, I've been thinking a lot about boldness. It seems like I suddenly woke up and realized my time is limited here. Yes, I have many more months here at Blue Sky, but then that's it - I'll most likely be going to another part of China next year. Every word and action should be pointing people to Him. Sure, most students seem in love with Miss Laura, but I want them to be in love with the Creator.

People's hearts have been set for eternity, and I don't know if they realize it. Chinese buildings sometime remind me of their mindset. Most buildings are built without enforced building codes. Huge highrises and department stores are hastily constructed from extremely iffy looking, crumbly brick and thin concrete. It is all done by hand.

But then they spend probably twice the amount of time working on the outside of the building, applying glossy paint and fake stone or flashy signs. On the outside it will be gleaming (at least for a few months). But on the inside, it is like a shell that begins to deteriorate almost immediately. Plaster falls down, walls leak, some buildings even collapse. Apparently buildings are built in China with a demolition date already in mind.

And that's somewhat like people. They live only for today, neglecting what's inside of them (their hearts and souls), while taking care of the outside, just trying to keep it all together and running after things that can never truly satisfy. Most of my students seem happy and stylish on the outside, but as I get to know them better, cracks are revealed in their facade. Many of them are discouraged, fearful, anxious, empty, and hopeless. You can't build a house or a life on shifting sand... If only they can know the Father, who is the only sturdy and lasting foundation!

In other news, I'm always fascinated by China's propaganda, which is usually displayed on the streets on red banners. Propaganda doesn't have a bad connotation here. One of the most popular slogans of late has been to build a "harmonious society." I've heard that from my students more times than I can count.

And I was browsing on NPR's website, I found some other slogans that the Communist Party is considering... Which ones do you think are the most catchy?

"Hail the great success of our country's reform and opening-up and socialist modernization!"

"Build a socialist harmonious society and promote social equity and justice!"

"Adhere to the independent foreign policy of peace and unswervingly pursue the road of peaceful development!"

"Adhering to and improving the system of regional autonomy by ethnic minorities, so as to consolidate and develop socialist relations among different ethnic groups based on equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and harmony."