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Friday, 06 August 2010

  • Transition

    Hey everyone: faithful readers and not so much...I have fallen in love with Wordpress as a blog platform, and so am relocating there.  I've had this blog for forever and would love to just take everything with me, but I think I need a face-lift and a chance for my blog to grow up with me.  So, here's the new address:

    http://xapatotheworld.wordpress.com

    And so, there you are!  Hope to see you on the flip-side.  I'm going to keep this one up indefinitely until I feel the transition has completely happened.  Also, there's not much up there just yet, but I will be posting some stuff this afternoon after work. 

    Later and God bless!

    In Him,
    Sarah ><>

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

  • Abraham, Isaac, Jacob...and China?

    I'm currently tutoring two Chinese restaurant waitresses in English.  They are lovely young women, both about 23 years old, and we are having a great time together.  I'm always amazed how friendships can be forged, even through language barriers (the most common means of communication), and God has not failed in growing a strong relationship between me and these women. 

    I meet with each of them tête-à-tête once a week.  Our time together consists of 15 mins (or so) of Bible Time and then 1.25 hrs English study.  This is based on the format we used when I was in Japan, and I found it worked so well there that I brought it over to my classes here.  The Bible Times are in simplified English, so even if they don't like the subject matter, they are still practicing and learning English.  They seldom argue against, but frequently act surprised, or withhold questions just so it will be over with sooner.

    We use a kids Bible, since the vocabulary is simpler and the pictures help explain any confusing points.  Idioms are aplenty, however, so it is helpful for learning new expressions.  I find myself laughing at some of the expressions we use everyday that I had never thought much of before.  It's refreshing to know that many of the idioms we use are duplicated in some manner in other languages.  No matter where you are, or what language you speak, there are certain concepts that are always best explained using an idiom. 

    We have been going in order through the Bible, starting with creation, through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  I am on through to Joseph with one woman, but the other is just now in the middle of Jacob's story.  When I was in Japan, teaching these lessons, it was very easy for my students to pick up how Jacob was a cheat and a liar.  He didn't care who he stepped on, just so long as he got what he wanted.  This made the redemption of God still choosing him and using him all the more grand because they clearly saw what his sinful character was like.

    However, with my Chinese students, I am having a harder time getting this message across.  When I was in China many years ago, I learned an expression, translated into English.  It went something like this:

    Whichever cat catches the mouse
    wins.

    The idea behind it was to say that, no matter what method that cat used to catch the mouse, if he caught it, then he won.  The ends justify the means.  So, a person like Jacob, who spends his life cheating and lying his way into physical prosperity, is seen as a strong person - maybe even someone to be emulated.  As we are nearing the end of Jacob's story in our Bible Time, I can't help but feeling that it's something that will have to sink in for later musing. 

    Despite this sort of negative conclusion, there has been some good stuff happening.  This last week, the women went with me to a youth revival at my church.  I was helping worship, so bringing them was a lot of fun.  They could see me perform, but also, it was prime opportunity for them to read the Bible in their own language.  I had been hesitant to bring my Chinese/English Bible with me to our lessons, because I didn't want them to think that I only care about making them Christians.  I do care a great deal about that, but under the umbrella of that goal is to help them assimilate into our country (as much as possible), learn the language, and develop friendships outside of their workplace. 

    I showed them the Chinese Bible pretty quickly and answered any questions they might have about them.  When I asked one woman what her favorite story was that we've read in Bible Time, she thought a moment and said, "Jacob."  I found it for her and she began reading, not lifting her head either until she was done with most of the story and it was time for the meeting to start.  When I showed her where the message would be given from, she glanced over at it, but then went back to reading, this time about Joseph.  The other woman was a bit different.  I started her on the story of the message, The Samaritan woman at the Well, who had done everything wrong, and continued to do everything wrong, but Jesus choosing her anyway.  She seemed captivated with the story.  She read from the beginning of that chapter through two others.  On our way back to her house, she said that it had been "the best day!" and she was so happy. 

    Please pray for these women.  I don't want to give their names, but you can call them Lee and Sharon.  I appreciate you covering our English lessons (Mondays and Wednesdays) with prayer as well. 

    Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, 23 June 2010

  • Poem: The Scalding

    The Scalding

    June 22nd, 2010

    The drip-drip of water into the pot.
    Setting it on the stove,
    I turn the dial slowly to "Hot" and watch
    And wait.
    The result is already known:
    Heat + water = boiling and steam.
    As the bubbles form at the bottom,
    I stick my hand over the pot to feel
    The heat rising.  And rising.
    And rising.
    Not ready yet though.
    Finally, cascading to the surface - it's time.
    I plunge my hand in,
    Feeling the water scald my skin,
    My muscles and nerves screaming out.
    But I cannot pull back.
    The pot must be emptied.
    Inside, I'm shouting, "No, no, NO!"
    But I raise the pot over my head
    And pour the rest out.
    As the boiling water joins my tears,
    My cheeks red from shame, pain, and fears,
    I set the pot in the sink.
    The drip-drip of water into the pot.
    I'll be healed when it's full, to do it again.

    -------------------------------------------

    Sorry...don't be scared by this.  It was something inside that I had to let out and this was the best way.  Thanks for reading.

Monday, 14 June 2010

  • On My Birthday, 2010

    Here are some things to note about my birthday this year:

    First off, kudos to me for sharing a birthday with Burl Ives and Harriet Beecher Stowe (love Uncle Tom's Cabin, she and I were/are kindred spirits.  I look forward to meeting her one day!)  Ok, I know I didn't have much to do with when I was born, but I'm having a great time today. 
    Others of note:  Donald Trump, Sam Wanamaker, Boy George, John F MacArthur, and Yasmine Bleeth. 
    Oh, also, it's Flag Day!...and Family Day, according to Holidays.net.  Oh, and they're celebrating the Queen's birthday today in Australia, but not in Western Australia...go figure.

    I remembered that I was born on a Thursday and wanted to find that song, you know, "Monday's child is fair of face..."  Well, Thursday's child has far to go (maybe that's why I love to travel so much).  But when I typed in "Thursday's Child" into wikipedia, there came up a song by that title by DAVID BOWIE of all people!  For those who do not know, I have a semi-neurotic obsession with The Bowie.  He's amazing.  I'm sure he was doing something incredible on my birthday.  I would love for him to be saved so that I could be sure to hang out with him in the future.  Alas...and the lyrics are amazing!

     

    Second, I have had: 

    38 comments on my FB (as of 1:30p), make that 39

    1 Birthday package (from Tokyo, no less!)

    5 Birthday phone calls (one from Tennessee and another from Australia and yet another from my Togolese friend)

    one box of assorted doughnuts (from the boss, yeah!)

    Two birthday cards with money (thanks grandparents!)

    Three birthday cards with two gift cards, accompanied by three visitors at my workin place (Thanks Dad, Bronlyn, and Jason!!)

    A few birthday texts, I can't remember all of them, and for some reason, they're harder for me to track.

    Dinner with my momma at Chili's

    And apparently someone sent me flowers, but I have yet to find out :)

    Oh!  And God gave me a rainbow!!!!!! :)

     

    Third, a few things have happened in the world:

    Jimmy Dean died...yum.  (not yum that he died, but yum, sausage) Oh, that was yesterday...alas.

    Wikipedia has just informed me that it was on this day, 3 years ago (has it really been that long), Ruth Graham died.  She was an amazing woman.

    The Gulf of Mexico BP Oil Spill continues to grow and devastate

    Riots and violence flood over Kyrgyzstan

    South Africa hosts the FIFA World Cup (Japan wins over Cameroon!! And Italy at least tied with Paraguay!!)

    Secretary of State Hilary Clinton announces the 2010 10th Annual Trafficking in Persons Report.
    http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/...fitting.

     

    *sings* Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, born I was....

Thursday, 10 June 2010

  • Traveling, Anybody?

    So, I read an article on Crosswalk.com early this morning about traveling by yourself if you're single.  I love to travel, and now that I have a better car, I would love to head out a bit more and explore cities somewhat nearby.  I tend to be pretty bold and daring, so a city with a dangerous reputation doesn't frighten me...I've lived overseas and been in some pretty risky cities: you have to develop some mad skills to get around safely.  Yes, I said mad skills.

    If I'm living near Cincy, OH, right now...what are some places that you would recommend?  Maybe stay at a B&B?  Anything in particular you think I should see in said city?  I'm willing to travel around in a two state radius by myself and by car. (although I dearly love flying).  Oh, and maybe I could come visit some of you! :)

    Thanks for your input!

pkcricket

  • Visit pkcricket's Xanga Site
    • Name: Sarah
    • Location: Kitakyushu, Japan
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 11/11/2005

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About Me

  • I'm a Christian, graduated from college, and currently serving in Japan as a missionary/EFL teacher. That's me!

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