Picture 1: Tons of Love
Picture 2: Surprise
Picture 3: New Challenge
Back from a gracious HK trip. There was huge jet lag and adjustments. Unwillingly to wait till now that I can share His Ocean of grace with you:
"... Ocean of Grace"
Tons of Love:
It's hard to explain why at one time I didn't have $200 but at some other time my whole family could travel to Asia. It's even harder to explain why a family of 5 which can only pay our bills but could travel to Hong Kong 4, 5 times over the last 8 years. I mean 5 tickets.
I gathered the kids for bedtime prayer after we came back. I told them that we had to give thanks to God. I told them how I thank God for our relatives who paid for us all the costs to HK, that I could see my Mom as often as possible. My eyes were red. And they saw it. Then they prayed. Then I prayed & I choked up... as I thought of that private moment between me & my Mom in the seniors home. I thought of that moment when I dried & comb Mom's hair. I thought of that moment which I struggled to hold tears before her. All these sprang out in seconds during prayer. After prayers, my kids knew Dad's crying. They were surprised. I told them I was OK. I just missed my Mom. I just thanked God so much for His grace. It's OK to miss one's Mom. And it's always OK to thank God as well as others.
There is up and down in life, as certain as eternity. At one time we are plentiful. At others we are in need. Like breaking waves, in, out... Very often it seems threatening. But love never fails. Grace abundant. And Jesus will never be absent. That makes the ocean a thrill, an excitement, sometimes a wonderland.
Surprise:
What kind of grace is it? That our relative bought us a 3-days trip to Kenting, Taiwan. That they took care of our 3 kids in HK. It's our honeymoon!
We exchanged CAD$200 to NT$ in Kaohsiung airport. We thought currency exchange in the southern tip of Taiwan will be as easy as in Phuket. We made a huge mistake.
The first day when we arrived Kenting, I noticed there were no currency exchange shops around. By next day, we need to exchange some money. So we asked. People kept telling us there was no exchange in the town. The closest we could do it was in another city, Hengchung, which was about 15-20 minutes by bus. OK la. What else can we do?
We arrived Hengchung by noon time. It is a quiet, artistic, old city of about 200 years. Once we planned going there. We dropped the idea since we had to rent an electric bike or take a bus. But somehow, for the sake of money, we were there in the middle of the town. We rushed to the First National Bank. We were of high hope seeing that high building. But they told me they couldn't exchange Canadian dollars. What? Are we inferior something? But they were kind enough to ask me to try the post office. What? Post office!?
To our amazement, post office does some bank services. So we went across the road & found the post office. They were polite. Polite enough to tell me no exchange for CAD$. They told us to try a bigger post office. So we went into narrow streets, turned around this & that corner. Frustrated. Finally we were in the bigger post office. They told me they exchanged US$, HK$, RMB, sorry no CAD$. If you are CAD$ millionaire, you'll end up a beggar in Kenting & Hengchung. What a spiritual lesson for earthly fortune hunters at the gate of heaven? So I pulled out HK$300, US$22, all I had in wallet. So much upset when getting out.
So much thanks to my wife. She said, "Let's not ruin our holiday by this! Let's rejoice!" I was uplifted & lifted up my head as we walked back the narrow streets. I saw tourists crowded before a white-washed house. There was a big post stood before the house. Surprisingly I found it was the house of the main character 阿嘉 in a very famous Taiwan movie 海角七號。We then did what tourists did, taking pictures and having great joy! And enjoyed a special trip in an old town. Waves break in & if you don't panic... you'll have fun!
"2 Young@hearts Surfed..."
New Challenge:
Jesus never surfed. Jesus WOW!
Marcus never WOW. Marcus surfed on water.
We browsed among the tourist information of Kenting while in HK. I was deeply attracted by a sport. A sport I never played. Never dream about. It is wave surfing.
I don't know where the attraction comes from. Maybe deep down my heart, I am so drawn by Jesus walking on water episode. So want to feel as Peter. Even more to feel as Jesus. I can never walk on water. But I can surf on water and ride on waves, like Jesus. Or maybe because I am going to do something new & challenging, only surfing can simulate that kind of excitement. My mind has been surfing quite a bit ever since this church planting vision. Or maybe I want to stimulate myself with the Caleb's spirit. Who at the age of 85 said, "I am just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then!"
Aden was inspired equally. So we registered for a surfing course and went surfing right after the Hengchung experience. We were with 3 others from HK. Only Aaron, our 14 years old friend, had surfing experience in HK. After the coach taught us some basic skills on the beach, we rushed to the ocean. My first surf, like others, was not successful. My next 3, 4 trials were the same, simply wiped out.
Then came a time as I tried to catch the wave, my coach called out, "Stand." Quickly I did the proper gesture and stood up. And there I was. Surfing, balancing with body & hands. The winds pushed from behind. The waves under my surfboard. Shouts and praises at my back. It was quick. Swift. Refreshing. So incredible: I was surfing. In the following hour, my coach kept teaching me new skills. I chased waves. I rode on it. At times, I would be wiped out. But I made it. I am now a wave-rider. A surfer. I never found same kind of ecstasy in other sports, not tennis, not soccer, not kungfu, not roller coaster... I know I will surf in Tofino. I will surf in HK. I will surf once again in Kenting. Because I am now a wave-rider, an ocean surfer!
Indeed Aden did better than me. Her second trial was already a success. She surfed. But then she was hit by her own surfboard in the ear. She couldn't hear for a while. After that, she just sat on the beach and watched our surfing. But this didn't take away her passion. She wanted to surf again. And we were so happy that 5 of us all could surf at the end.
It doesn't matter if you will surf or not. Still I hope you will. But what important is... Do you still have that fire inside you? Do you challenge yourself now and often enough to keep yourself young? I mean young@hearts mostly. Time can add some wrinkles here & there. But don't let it take away your youthfulness, of hearts esp. Always renew your mind & heart. With this newness and boldness, ready to receive His outpouring of new wine, and ready to let His Kingdom vastness to capture you and challenge you!
Jesus WOW. Marcus Surf.
And when I surf, I can feel Jesus WOW.
Friends, surf then, in his ocean of grace.
You'll exclaim, "WOW"
Maybe you'll see Him as well.
P.S. Tofino Surf School offers a free 3 hrs lesson for those Young@hearts (above 60).
