Veteran's Day/Single's Day

Happy Veteran's Day in America! (That's you, Grandpa!!) And Happy Single's Day in China! (That's me!)

Lately the Father has really been pushing me to love people and be more sacrificial with my time, money, and energy, especially with the outcasts of society. This year I have students who are a lot more difficult to love, because they are really aggressive, super awkward, etc. These are the students, of course, that He has been putting on my heart to invest in.

I have also been going downtown once or twice a week for fellowship or other activities. I still can't believe the amount of beggars, especially in a supposedly "socialist" country. Most of these people have severe deformities, and literally sit in dirt and filth. Everywhere you look or turn there is someone begging you for money. He has been teaching me to give to them with more generosity and love. And instead of feeling irritation when they tug on my arm or tap on my leg, He is filling me with compassion.

There is also a student at our university who is a bit mentally and physically disabled. There are a lot of students like this at Blue Sky, but this student has sought the foreign teachers out, although he barely speaks any English. Sometimes he visits our office several times a day, and it's pretty difficult to communicate at all.

Anyways, he came into our office before I was going to eat lunch with my friend Reborn today. It was raining heavily and freezing cold all day. I was hungry and extremely tired when he came in, and I didn't feel like trying to figure out how to communicate with him at the moment. I wasn't rude, but I also wasn't gracious to him. He pointed to my umbrella sitting on my desk and asked if he could have it, because he didn't have one and had to travel somewhere in the city today. I told him, no, I was sorry, but I needed it.

I then watched as he limped out of the room into the cold air with his very thin jacket. My heart was all twisted up inside. I was reminded how the Son cared for the lowest and most downtrodden. And how could I be so selfish with an umbrella, of all things? I pondered all of this as I walked downstairs with Reborn to walk the long way to lunch.

Right then, I spotted the student again near the crowded doorway. I immediately walked up to him and handed him my umbrella. I freely smiled at him, and he also smiled from ear to ear, while clutching my hands in thanks. I wonder how many people ever show him kindness. I am thankful that the Father gives us second chances, especially in loving people more like Him.

Then I happily walked into the wild weather outside, huddled under Reborn's half-broken umbrella. It was a great, blessed day. :)

The pictures I've included are some random ones. One is a picture of Reborn. The others are of slightly creepy posters the students have designed to warn against the spread of swine flu. I don't think anyone actually reads them, but I enjoyed taking pictures of them. What if you saw these posters in your local college classroom?

P.S. Can you think of me and my toe? It has gotten pretty infected since I got an ingrown toenail removed this summer. It has been highly suggested that I travel to Beijing or Shanghai soon to get it checked out...