Where God Has Placed Us

This blog actually comes from my missionary friend Jennifer in China. You can keep up with her via her blog at http://www.xanga.com/jenmusic.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Good news - it's 75 degrees right now!!! I was outside earlier, wearing sunglasses (that gets even more stares, BTW) and enjoying the sunshine. I really wish I could post pictures, you should see this. It's beautiful when spring comes to our little corner of China.

So the other day I was walking to meet some students for lunch, and something happened. It's happened before, but every time it does it's really strange. I was walking along, listening to my iPod and looking around, when all of the sudden I thought, "I live in China! I live in China? No way! That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard!" That's pretty much the internal monologue, verbatim.

Does that ever happen to anyone else, when you're somewhere and doing something and you think, "This is impossible. I can't really be a mother/work in an office/be a clown for Ringling Brothers/insert your choice here"? It's so bizarre when that happens.

But it's not a bad thing, I think. Aside from the momentary disorientation, it was good to be reminded of the privilege and excitement of living and working in China. I remember when I first came and just stared at all the signs in Chinese, and now it's so commonplace I barely look anymore. Well, I'm looking again, and feeling the wonder I felt when I first came. I'm very thankful that Father refreshes us when we need to be refreshed, and sometimes it happens just by remembering where he has put us.

Have a great day - zaijian!

Men's Camp 2007

I had a great time at this past weekend's Men's Camp. There were over 500 men in attendance this year. I haven't been to the camp in over 5 years, so it was good to get back and fellowship with some of the men. I am a little sore today from the sports activities. This picture is of some of the Lakeland gang that went. You can check out a few other photos from the weekend by going to my Flickr account.

Endure Movie Project

My company's feature film project is now into full swing in its development stage. With the script being finalized, we are now beginning to seek funding for the $1.2 million project. We are also beginning to develop the casting and crew list. Fortunately, we already have interest from a couple of distribution companies. Check out the trailer and website at www.enduremovie.com.

New Idea for Bible Study

I got this article from Beliefnet.com. Great idea for a study location. Meet with them where they are.

Enjoy Wings, Bible Study at Hooter's

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

We'll furnish the hot wings. You just show up, says the Rev. Tom Sharron.

Beginning Thursday, Destin United Methodist Church will offer "Hot Wings Bible Study" at the Hooter's Restaurant in Destin, an establishment known across the country for its scantily clad waitresses and hot wings.

"It's a study for people who haven't studied the Bible a whole lot. It will be beginner's style," said Sharron, the assistant pastor at the Methodist church one of bringing the gospel Destin's largest, to the marketplace.

Knowledge of a similar program at a Hooter's franchise in Montgomery inspired Senior Pastor Ken Taylor to offer the service to Destin.

"The idea is to take the gospel to the marketplace, where the people are," Taylor said.

He recently approached Hooter's owner Stewart Houston, a fellow Rotarian and member of Destin United Methodist Church, with the idea. It was pleasantly received.

"We've been a member of the community for about 14 years now," Houston said. "So anytime someone from the community approaches us and asks us to help with something, we're always happy to do what we can."

The Bible studies will begin at 11 a.m. each Thursday on the outdoor deck at Hooters, weather permitting. Everyone is welcome to attend, and wings will be served.

Taylor will lead the first study.

This is just one of the many outreach services Destin United Methodist Church has planned as it "takes the gospel to the marketplace." Taylor plans to expand and soon offer regular Bible studies on a Destin fishing boat.

"It's for the fishermen who work all day and can't come to church on Sundays," he said.

As the program expands, another dream of Taylor's is to one day launch a pontoon barge at Crab Island for conducting Bible services.

Holy Week Open Air Meeting

Here are a couple of images from our recent Open Air meeting in Munn Park during Holy Week. It was great to have a number of elementary school classes in the park having Easter Egg Hunts at the time. They enjoyed the music of the band and we had a wonderful opportunity to present the Gospel to them.

You can check out a few more images from the Open Air meeting at the link to my Flickr account on the right-hand column of this site.