Notes for Reading Philippians 2:1-5 in Chinese

Well, Sam keeps putting me on the list to serve in the Chinese service at Highland, so I’m forced to stretch.

I’m pretty excited about this Sunday’s service. I’m supposed to read Philippians 2:1-5 and pray. Though I always feel inadequate for this kind of ministry, I’m thankful for the opportunity.

Often I use a Bible that has English, 汉字，and pīnyīn（transliteration of the sounds of Chinese characters), which Beng Chuan Tan gave to me, but this time, because the Powerpoint has the scripture in a different Chinese translation, the reading comes from notes.

I copy/pasted their preferred Chinese translation into Microsoft Word, and thankfully, I know at least half of the characters, so I’m just adding pīnyīn and definitions to the words I’m still learning.

Mostly because I love this chapter of Philippians and am in sharing kind of mood, I want to share what I’m using to read tomorrow. This aims not to glorify me but rather to encourage others struggling to learn a language, especially missionaries. If these notes reveal anything of myself it is my weakness, not strength. Also, the name of this blog comes from the eighth verse in the same chapter of Philippians.

Winter Break Update, Spring Classes, and the Best News I Can Offer.

The following message is for interested family and friends who might care about what we’re doing in Memphis. This is not written to attain many “likes,” shares, change the world, or make a point. I’m even skipping the pictures of Floridia and my parents-in-law. Call me cold. This is the winter break update.

Classes began this week, and I’m surprisingly more excited than I was last semester (my first one). An entirely different blog entry is needed  to explain why. I haven’t shared much in a while, so let’s start off slow and easy.

(Or not.)

The best part of the winter break, first: We saw three new believers born again in Christ. All non-U.S. citizens (you know where they’re from). I really want to show a ton of photos of the baptisms, dumpling parties, and more, but will refrain for their privacy and safety. (I think I can give some stories without names and places, but it’ll take another entry at another time). Suffice it to say that if you are a follower of Christ, you have three new sisters, and that is the best news I can offer for you. If you’re not a Jesus-follower, the best news I have for you, ever, is that Christ died for you, too. 

Somehow, we now have to move on to academics:

Last semester, the class results included two A’s and one B, in Advanced Theological Research, Greek I, and the Gospel according to John, respectively. I am pretty happy with the results because as much as I strove for perfect marks, having one “B” under the belt takes away some pressure. (I like to remind myself that John Piper made a C in preaching; also, I met him two weeks ago.) Honestly, I only made the A’s that I did by God’s grace and with the help of some gifted, merciful professors with high expectations. Honestly , I did work pretty hard last semester over the books. A joy, definitely, but by no means easy.

This semester, Spring 2014, we’re revving things up a notch or two: I’m adding an extra class and so is Linli–plus she’s working as a graduate assistant at University of Memphis. Thus, we’ll be even busier than last semester. Life-hint: pressure is a good thing and keeps us from procrastinating. Jesus has already been displaying his ability and willingness to sustain us.

To give you an idea of the workload, here is the school’s expectation: for every weekly three-hour class, nine hours of outside study are expected. If a class meets once weekly (the norm) and is three hours long, then that week’s classwork should take a total of 12 hours. 12 hours x 4 classes = 48 hours of studying needed, plus tutoring.

The classes this semester will be Greek II, Counseling Skills, Old Testament Survey (because I wasn’t a Bible major in undergrad), and Minor Prophets. Only Minor Prophets requires a term paper, so that helped me decide to keep the fourth class. Plus, I’ll continue tutoring in the afternoon and working on my Mandarin for Sunday mornings. (For some reason, they not only allow but ask me to read a scripture and/or pray in Mandarin). God is good.

Please pray for us to continue trusting the Lord and centering our lives around his will. We’re not sure where we’re heading (as no one is), but the difference is this: we’re pretty comfy with that. Linli added a CPA-prep course and is trying to become a CPA—think she could apply our tax codes in China? So, we might be in the States awhile, after all. Never say “I’d never . . . “, though.

Singing after Supper (in Chinese)

I’ve uploaded some songs we sang recently. I’m hesitant to give too many details, but I’ll say there were around 20 people gathered together, about 75% being Chinese Christians. We had a feast, and the food was followed by some singing of worship songs. I recorded these two via my phone, so the quality is low–just the way these young folks like it. I hope you enjoy it and praise God.