becoming

I am back!! And a big surprise to see Cc at the airport when I arrived! Thank you for your prayers, emails and blog comments during the trip. I really miss all of you!

I hope everyone is well. For me, I am a bit disappointed that so far the most common saying I got is that “you looked darker”, not “you looked thinner”. But being as intelligent as you all are, I think you will be able to say more encouraging words when you see me in person in the next few days or through the pictures I posted.

Praise God that everything went well in Brazil. In fact, I have to say that God’s grace is abundant in the Sao Jose church there. I see a number of new Christians growing very strong and fast, as well as the bonding and love among all brothers and sisters. I think this trip was also more relax for me than my previous trips; since my senior pastor took most of the “heavy talking” and teaching. Other than preaching on 3 Sundays to different churches and congregations and leading a few bible studies and house groups here and there in the first week, I just sat back and watched what God is doing most of the time. That’s good too, since this allows me to do more reflections and thinking on the spot — regarding the Sao Jose church, MGC, and about myself as well. Hopefully I can share more about these later on.

With a full morning meeting, and a pile of things on my office desk, I do not think I can write long. But I do want to say “thank you” for all of you who were so thoughtful about Cc and Jocelyn during my absence. I am really thankful that we have brothers and sisters like you and that we are all part of His family.

And if you have absolutely nothing to do for the rest of the day, you are most welcome to take a look at the pictures taken during this trip (by Rev. Wong and Alex) — all 307 of them!

There is so much happening around the world these days. Of course the biggest news in the Biblical world is that the tomb of Herod was found (see Bock's blog for a day by day updates).

Another "big" (and quite embarrassing to some) news is that the President of ETS (Evangelical Theological Society) Frank Beckwith resigned as a result of his decision to be received into full communion in the Roman Catholic Church (read Ben's entry and response here).

Also, today is the birthday anniversary to Karl Barth. And speaking of birthday, CK Barrett turns 90 last Friday, and a special NT Seminar was held in Durham.

And since I am here in Brazil. Poeple might notice that Benedict XVI is visiting Sao Paulo and people are rushing in to the city to see him.

There is so much happening around the world….