Dec 2009
Beloved Evangel Family,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...
Our family returned on 15 Dec after an 8-day holiday in Yunnan, China. We were looking forward to this family time together.
Our first stop was the city of Kunming. I must admit that it is not as under-developed as I have imagined. In fact, it is very modern with a comfortable pace of life. What impressed me most here was how people would take time to enjoy leisure and to interact socially in the parks, even on a busy weekday.
Our next destination was Dali. This is where the Bai tribe predominates. These people like white colour as reflected in their traditional costumes. They are very skilled and creative in art crafts. Hence, they have great pride in who they are as Bai people. They also have their own religious beliefs and practices. When I told our Bai guide that our family faith is Christianity, she said, “Every religion is basically the same—to call people to do good.”
Lijiang was our third stop and the most scenic in our itinerary. The higher altitude also means that the weather is colder and the air is thinner in this city. The predominant tribe is the Naxi, and they consider black and bulk as beautiful. Hence, dark and fat people are given high “social ranking” in Naxi society. This tribe has their own written language. They are also very good singers and dancers. Hence, they pride themselves as culturally advanced. They worship nature in the form of their Dongba faith. Besides the Naxi tribe, there are also other smaller ethnic minorities in Lijiang. One of these is the Lisu tribe—the only Christianized group in Yunnan and with the Bible translated into their own language. Praise God that gospel harvest is possible even on very hard spiritual ground!
Shangri-La was the fourth city. This is the coldest and highest destination of all the four cities. We scaled the Shika Snow Mountain (not on foot but in cable car) and enjoyed the sight of the Tibetan ranges in the distance when we reached the summit. The people in Shangri-La are of the same stock as the Tibetans and also deeply entrenched in Lama Buddhism. Much of the architectural landscape in the city is similar to that in Tibet.
Surprisingly, even the commercialized Christmas mood was hardly evident in the streets and hotels throughout our tour. However, I do sense there are many opportunities to sow the gospel seed and show the gospel-directed life in spite of the apparent lack of outward Christian impact in Yunnan. May the Lord help His people and servants there to persevere.
We have enjoyed this very educational and refreshing family holiday. My only setback is that I came down with gastric problem midway through the tour. I guess the food was too robust for my stomach though I seldom have problem with food. Perhaps the Lord is teaching me a lesson here—i.e. go slow when into something new no matter how strong you think you are because adjustment and adaptation take time.
I also call on you to praise the Lord with me for a very meaningful Christmas Concert on 19 Dec and Christmas Service on 20 Dec. Thank Him for the opportunities to share the Christmas message and sow the gospel seed at these events.
I trust that you too will have a blessed time of rest and recreation with loved ones as 2009 comes to an end. My family and I would like to wish you all …
A Blessed Christmas & New Year!
Christ the reason for the season,
Pastor John. Iris, Vera & Stacey
Tel: 6749-2990 (O) 9789-2414 (HP) Email: johnyuencw@gmail.com
2009 Archive
- Pastor's Greetings
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