SATURDAY
I heard that GF's tour bus was going to Changchun and GF invited me to go with her.

SUNDAY
I took her up on it. We got a couple of meals paid for and went to Jilin province. We saw the last emperor Puyi's pad . . . which is only forbidden if you dont have the big entrance fee . . . at least, less than the non-Japanese one where he was born. Then we went to the Film City . . . which was a little lame . . . but saw some interesting antique film equiptment. I think some of you would really dig the place. Departed from the tour group. Then, we took the overnight train to Yanji.

MONDAY
Get this....  we ACCIDENTALY met up with the tour group and then proceeded to make our way to (and hike our way UP) Changbai Mountain!  Good experience. Saw eggs boiled in the hot springs, saw some tall elegant pines with snow clumped all around their branches, got windburns on my face, peed in Nroth Korea . . . bla bla bla . . . Stayed in some town without a memorable name. (editor's note: I've been corrected. There were a lot of tiny hotels in the MEMORABLE town of Erdaobaihezhen) The region is famous for ginseng.

TUESDAY
Visited a deer farm. Learned a new Chinese curse word (just when i thouht i had learned them all)Went back to Yanji and really got to experience some of the Korean culture... by culture, i obviously mean food, not just snacks! Not too far from the Kims in Hunchun; it's too bad we couldnt go see them. Took the overnight train to Haerbin.

WEDNESDAY
Early morning, arrived in Haerbin . . . and I'm a little sick again . . . praobably because of the adventure . . . this is a little frustrating.

Does anyone remember the name of the Chinese comedy/"thriller" that features Cypress Hill's "Insane in the Membrain"?

On February 14, I went to greet a couple of M-stars from Shanxi province and my girlfriend tour guide showed them around the town. Then, Gao and I went to "Hawaii Pizza" a semblance of pizza buffet at which location I celebrated a year in China and we, together, celebrated Valentines Day and our 1 month (more precisely 1/12) anniversary. It was a good time. Communication is great fun!

Reading "Soul Survivor" by Philip Yancey. I'm really encouraged by the book. Yancey lists some people, sometimes unlikely people, who influenced and helped shape his spiritual life. I want to go on a similar quest and find the people who have changed my life . . . . . . and describe how they have changed me . . . or how God has used them to change me.

I found that I have a lot of friends and I am really blessed threefold by that fact: by the friends, by the fact that I have the friends, and by the fact that I found that I have them.

I want to do important things in my life. I've found that I really strongly condemn people who don't feel the need to do something important in their lives. It's our responsibility do think big thoughts, do big things, and love in big ways.....  but it's not my place to judge anybody. I found a blind and deaf school. I would perhaps like to teach there if I am unable to teach at the poor school for any reason. In any case, it's a lot closer to me. Who are the "least of these"? Let's make it our quest to find them and serve them.

It's Chinese New Year. I've got to spend a ton of time with the family . . . which has been really good, but it's hard for me. I've eaten an insane amount of food . . . especially at Auntie and Uncle's restaurant, "The Goluptious Duck."  You know, American cities like to do a couple of big firework displays and then a lot of tiny ones. Chinese cities, on the other hand, involve really really illegally loud firecrackers in the hands of every citizen. Every block lights off its own high-caliber fireworks. I was right underneath a huge firework display by virtue of being outside during the onset of the lunar new year. I really was under the impression that we were at war . . . but I wasn't certain with whom we we were warring . . . not that it matters. That was one of the craziest experiences of my life.  There was a lot of dumplings, beer, music, and fellowship.

Just took the Myers Briggs again . . .  crazy Jungian . . . anyway, trying to determine things about myself, my relationship(s), etc. etc. I would do psych research here in Harbin with the foreigners who have a special kind of speech community, speaking Chinese, at the international student dormitory. It may not happen, but I think it would be fun.

      h a p p y    n e w    y e a r    e v e r y b o d y !

A lot has happened since I last posted . . . and I won't write very much now, but I have a few things to say.

The New Year celebration at the church . . . with dear friends . . . was fantastic.

This term of Chinese is finished off. I am excited about the next one. I hope that we can all do the work to which we have been called.

I should say that I have a girlfriend. Her name is Daying. Please pray for her when you think of me.

We have been volunteer teaching at a center that provides English education in a rural area. I am really hyped about this, but it's too bad they can't pay us.

I went to a wedding today. It was really cool.

There's probably more stuff too. If I love you, let this be a reminder to you that I love you. Peace and hope.

I am thrilled that I have a regular prayer partner... a dear friend who is teaching me a lot. I am blessed. This is perhaps the most noteworthy news I have.

FRIDAY
Ganmao le! That is to say, I caught a cold that I am now shaking! I am happy it was not worse than it was . . . and I am thankful for the people who helped me shake it . . .  and to God for empowering them and healing me. The group of foreigners I study with . . . met and had a little Christmas party . . . after I went shopping with the Thai girls. I have been studying some Thai words and phrases in my spare time. Now I can say such things as "Hello. Watch out for the car. You're crazy. You're beautiful. I love you. Let's eat!"

SATURDAY
A dear man from the group of foreigners died unexpectedly. This is a reminder of God's love and mercy . . . and of the incredible fragility of life. Fortunately, his son was here visiting from the States, so his wife doesn't have to be alone during this rough time. She continues to quote Isaiah, reminding those around her of the love and mercy that we are offered so freely . . . at such an impossibly high cost.  Also, today I learned the meaning of gratitude. A friend came to my home when I was sick and physically forced me to let her clean my home while I slept. I felt . . . strange . . . but what an honor! I was really blown away by that kind of kindness.  It was hard for me to accept the gift, BUT later, I asked myself . . . if I can't accept a simple gift of loving service like this, how can I accept the much bigger gift that God has offered me?! This set me up perfectly for considering Christmas.

SUNDAY
My two dear friends were performing at the Korean church so I went there to celebrate Christmas Eve with them. Chinese people gives apples on Christmas Eve because pingguo (apple) starts like pingan (Christmas Eve). I received a lot of candy and enjoyed a wonderful presentation . . . and had the opportunity to sing in Korean again; what a blessing! I got to make some new friends too. I stayed for baozi and kimchi and in the afternoon hung with Chinese college group.

MONDAY (Today) (Christmas)
I went to class a little late, but I enjoyed every moment of it. I really appreciate my teachers and my classmates. I am so thankful for their kindness, generosity, flexibility, and interest. For dinner I went to Gao's home. I brought a turnip . . . which we salted . . . like at home.  And it was wonderfully complimented by suancai (Dongbei sauerkraut), duck, fungus, etc. They are so good to me. I really don't know how I could ask the Lord for better than what he has given me here. Whether we have very little or very much . . . we have everything if we have Christ, nothing if we don't.

Christmas is a western holiday that we have exported to much of the world, perhaps inapprpriately. We must export values and the love of the Gospel and the Kingdom . . . more than christmas. However, Christmas is an excellent tool to do the greater work . . . and I have learned just this over the past few days. Great strides are being made toward those ends here in Haerbin.  Amen.