I (Cheryl) happened to look at an old blog post entitled Feelings
from 2016. I notice that often when we write newsletters or posts, we don’t
mention feelings. We are just not feeling type of people, operating instead in the realm
of action and thoughts. Mark and I often discuss this, especially when friends
ask “How do you feel about …?” Is it a generational thing? Is it a personality
thing? Are we just feeling-less? So here are some feeling words we’ve
identified recently.
Blessed – We feel
God has blessed us with the privilege of knowing people from around the world
who love Jesus. Over the years in Beijing, we have been intricately involved in
people’s lives who have grown in their faith in Christ. Watching young or new
believers express a new-found peace and joy warms our souls. Based on what we
have experienced, we can only imagine the joy in heaven when people from all nations
worship the Lord together. 9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every
nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and
before the Lamb (Rev. 7:5 NLT).
Not only that, Mark and I have recently had some really
relaxing yet productive conversations during our evenings. Many people leave
Beijing for their long winter break around Chinese New Year so we have taken
advantage of some quiet evenings together. In a world where the work never
ends, we need some quiet space and time just to ourselves. It’s really nice.
Healthier –
Despite the common smog in Beijing, we feel healthier here than in the US.
Actually this week we have had very little pollution since the cold winds came
and blew the pollution out. We saw blue skies seven days in a row.
Because we walk almost everywhere and every day, we log
about 5000-7000 steps in a normal day. We walk to the bus stop, catch the bus
then the subway, then walk to our destination. It just feels so much better
than getting in a car and driving. A walking lifestyle also contributes to a
sense of community. We see people out all the time and enjoy chatting with them
as best we can.
We eat healthier too. Chinese food uses simple, fresh
ingredients cooked, yes with oil, but without the rich creams, sauces, and fats
of typical American fare. Chinese food leans heavily upon fruits and vegetables
with less meat so our GI tracts don’t feel as intense.
Torn – Mark and I
love living and serving among ex-pats in Beijing. Yet we live a divided world.
Many mornings we talk with our young adult kids back home, 12 (Daylight Savings
time) or 13 (regular time) hours away. So our day might not begin until after
11am in Beijing. We love staying connected with our kids and their families yet
we feel like we function with one foot in Beijing and one foot in SC. Yet this
reminds us of the Christian life: one foot in this world and one foot in the
next. We live here on earth with a view to eternity. Like Paul, we are torn. 21 For to me, living
means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful
work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m
torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be
far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I
continue to live (Phil 1:21-24 NLT)
Frustrated – We often
experience technological challenges. Where else does the internet randomly not
work? How can cell phones get service but not laptops? Then after all day, a
serviceman came and eventually unplugged and re-plugged in our router. Ugh, so
simple yet so frustrating.
In our world of constant communication, a down internet
hinders all productivity. Because of great distances within the city, we use
email, text, and video chats to communicate and plan with people within Beijing.
I often wonder how ex-pats lived in Beijing in the days before internet, text,
and emails. I suppose people met in person more often.
Unsettled – Ex-pat
life in Beijing resembles a revolving door. We often feel like we spend a lot
of time figuring out who is here, who is staying, and who is leaving and when.
People come and go so often that as soon as we get to know them, they return to
their home country. We just said goodbye to a South African young lady who
taught English for one year. She brought a lot of joy and vitality to our
church and community. Her perky personality matched her red hair. At the same
time we welcomed back a family from Australia that welcomed us in 2013. They
stayed in Beijing for four years, went back to Australia for about two years
and a few months. Now they return for a three-year commitment. We cherish the
time we have each person, remembering the words of Scripture: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as
unwise but as wise,16 making
the best use of the time, because the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16 ESV).
Pray for us, that we would take every thought captive and
surround it with God’s Word.
