Nestorian Tablets : Traces of Gospel thru Silk Road

I first heard of the Nestorians and their travel when I did my Church History II. I was very fascinated by it, in fact I think I wrote a paper on it ....

Anyway .... cos of my knowledge of it .... I made my way to see the tablets for myself .... the tablets is found in a former Confusion Temple. Like any other China history and museums ... it has lots of relics that display the richness of the history of China .... but ... too bad ... my knowledge of China history is still very surface and not enough to appreciate its richness ... off course its also hampered by Cina-buta huruf ....

Walked into the first few halls .... filled with statues of Buddha through the centuries ... a few statues were of Hindu gods ... I have not seen so many types of Buddha statues before. What was amazing was that many of the statues that was found and restored .... the heads of the statues are missing or blown off ... its like God hates idols and destroy it.

After walking around for awhile ... I decided to head directly to the hall that home the Nestorian tablet since I do not really know how to appreciate the other display and my not knowing how to read Chinese did not help ... off course I was also hard pressed by time as well.

After looking at the tablet, I enjoyed and appreciate the Chinese paints that hung along the corridor ... :0 and after that I had very late lunch and rushed off the look for The Great Mosque in the Muslim Street .... I cant seem to find my direction and my feet was killing me, I decided to hail a local tut-tut .... the man charged me RB20 .... but it is actually RB5 or at most RB10 .. I know its a bit high but since my feet was tired ... I took the ride. What a ride!!!! That man .... just drove through the traffic and I had to pray all the way for God's protection --- O man ... dont let the bus hit me .... I dont want to land up in a hospital in China ... sadly ... the driver did not only conned my money but also the direction .... he dropped me off in the end of Muslim street and gave me the opposite direction that I need to walk to look for the mosque.... this is China ... and this is the China culture ... sadly ....

Terrecotta Warriors

On the 3rd day of my trip .... my host arranged for a private car to take me to visit Terrecotta ... that man is a nice man ... honest and responsible. He shared that his late wife died in the Xian earthquake in 2008. Many died.

Since I was tight of time, I hired an English guide to bring me around and to explained to me the historic background.

I have heard so much of this place and being under one of the 8 wonders of the world sites, my expectations of this place was lifted high.

I would say that I was a little disappointed because buildings was build around the pits that make the pits and what I see a little fake and not that original. Having said that I think that it has to be this way as to preserve the site and artifacts.

It is still amazing to see how smart and the technology required to build such a massive underground world. Besides the diversity of the physical build of the soldiers, chariots, horses, horsemen, there were ducks, geese/birds and acrobats to entertain the emperor in his after life. The spear head were sharp and did not rust cos its made from chrome. So, the Chinese had chrome technology way back then ....

As I walked around, my heart is sadden to sense the traces of the wickedness and evil of men - every single worker, craft men, local or foreign experts were killed after they finish their section of task. The second son killed his other siblings to secure his place on the throne only to loose it after 3 years to outside powers. So, the spirit of death is prevalent in this place.

Ok ... I have visited this site once .... and once in a life time is enough for me .....

Holidaying with parents

I joined the local tour to Great Wall yesterday.was quite a challenging trip cos felt d tour was a rip off of what we are suppose to see and enjoy.we spent only one hour on our own in Great Wall and the rest of the place the guide took us was some unknown ala Hollywood,and one jewelry outlet and food outlet.felt the guide just wanted to earn our money.

But touched me in this trip was seeing at least three person bringing their parents for this trip.one kind lady who helped me a lot in this trip told me that she deliberately bring her mom to see Beijing n visit the  Great Wall while d mom is still mobile.the mom is 78 and climbed the GW. She reminds me of mom and I and makes me miss Mom.

Another daughter brought her parents and she was always busy buying food and snacks for her parents making sure they are not hungry.

Then a son brought his parents. He was caring n gentle with his parents.

Seems that for a lot of elderly people here this is their only trip they make and they really come from far remote places,saved all their money to just see their capital city.

With us wad four elderly men who came together. They seem bit rowdy and loud. Guess they don't have kids to bring them but came as a group,which is not bad ad well.

The sad thing about thus tour group was how the tour company rip them of thier only chance to travel to see. Instead packed them up to places for shopping which you know its either a rip off pricing or a fake.

The guide was nasty and mean. In fact,I will call her wicked. She lied to me about the stop I am suppose to get off,literally asking me to get off when I ask for directions. Her only kind conversation with me was-oh d jade is cheap,must buy back cos China jade good quality and oh,u come China must contribute to d economy,make sure you buy our local food product. It's all and only money she sees. At the end of the day,saw.her counting het commission and splitting with the driver-r3000++

I will still strongly recommend a private car and a private tour. At least we will not be stuck in situation where we need to add money for some fee which it seems we did not pay..m like huh? Sadly, this is the real China and the ugly side of human.

The Journey Begins

It has been ages since i ladt blogged.so decided to start again.m at Changi T2 waiting for my flight ti Tian Jin.this is indeed a journey of grace n faith where i asked the Lord send me to Cousins area in China and here I am waiting fir my flight.
Took a bus in to Jurong.In Jurong,a Limo was arranged to send me to Changin-FOC under credit card benefitn-not mine off cos.

When i check in d gal at the counter said that the flight is fully booked,hence upgrafe me to emergency exit for free.wow ....

This is my first time flying Scoot,d new budget airline under SIA.lets c later how this will be compared to Airasia or Jetstar.

Adventure,exciting times is awaiting me as my Father leads me in His will n purpose of this trip.

Ikan Kembong Masak Asam

This evening, Lillian came over to CLeng hse cook lak2 dish for us ... we all LOVE her cooking cos its yum2 ... she's a very good cook. So, I quickly run home to get my camera to "record" down the recipe ...

a) To blend :
3 big onion
2 serai
1/2in lengkuas (just a bit)
belacan (1 inch)
dry chili (15-20)
ginger (1/2 inch)

b) Vegie for fragrant:
Daun limau parut (2-4pcs)
Daun kesom

c) Vegie
Ladies finger
Tomato (3)

d) Ikan Kembong or selar (6-8)

e) Asam paste juice, asam keping (2-3pcs), salt, sugar & ikan bilis cube (1/2)

Method :
1) Blend (a) and then add oil into wok to dry (a) till fragrant

2) Once its fragrant, add the leaves (kesom & limau parut)

3) Add water and the asam paste juice and asam keping in

4) Bring to boil

5) Put tomato and ladies finger

6) Add the taste ingredient (salt, sugar & ikan bilis cube)

7) After tasting it .... its ready to be served!

Poem by Thomas Merton

Echoes so much of my heart and journey in this season :

My Lord God
I have no idea where I am going
I do not see the road ahead of me
I cannot know for certain
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact I think
that I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so

But I believe that the desire to please You
does in fact please You.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this
You will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust You always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death
I will not fear, for You are with me
and will never leave me
to face my perils alone.

M burning midnight oil to work on a scrapbook for our pastor ... pastor's appreciation day is 1 week away .... so this is my project ... and as I think of her .. this MYF top 10 came to mind ... and with it .... sweet memories ..... I remember singing our hearts out every camp and getting emo during camp ... especially on the last day ... during USM days ... I also had a Valentine memory of it .... ahem! ... :) Tried You Tube looking for the song .. cant find it ... guess its too old .. but thank God I can still find the lyrics .... so I better paste it here ... just in case .... thank God for all the people He placed in my path to journey with me ....

Every time I think of you, my heart is filled with joy

I thank God for all that you’ve meant to me

You have helped me serve the Lord in many, many ways

We are partners for eternity.

God is using you to give His Gospel to this land

Your whole life is serving Him in someway

And I’m sure He’ll carry on His work will not be done

Until Jesus comes again some day

Chorus

I’m thankful for your fellowship

Thankful for your partnership

Thankful for the love we share in Jesus Christ

I’m thankful for the joy we’ve known

Thankful for the way you’ve grown

I thank God each time I think of you

You are always in my heart it’s right for you to know

I love you because of Jesus’ love

I am praying everyday your love will grow and grow

Guided by His wisdom from above

As you choose to do His will He’ll cleanse you from all sin

You will face His judgment without shame

Then when Jesus comes again your life will be fulfilled

Giving praise and glory to God’s name

Chorus

(Phil. 1 : 3-5)