International English
Corner. One other American and I attended. Several international
students were there. The two at my table prepared their Bible assignments
by sharing with me about what they were going to write for their essays.
The student to my right talked about whether or not Jesus’ servant leadership
style was appropriate for business. The student to the left talked about
God's mercy and justice and what they meant. At one point I was able to
point out a passage in John I'd just read earlier that week about looking to the
one God had sent. I really feel that the student to my left understands
God's mercy and justice and appreciates His mercy a great deal. Just pray
He comes to understand God's greatest gift of mercy.
Saturday night.
Bible study in our home. The
topic? Forgiveness.
One of the visiting scholars shared a
story.
"I was in high school. I'd just finished
my college entrance exam. I looked at the rough estimate of my scores,
which, as you know, means everything to students who are graduating. The
scores were high, probably the highest in my class. Later, one of my
relatives asked for the code that identified me on that test. He said he
could get me the official results earlier. However, when the results came
out later, I had received a much lower score! My mother and I found out
that another daughter of this relative's friend had taken the test on the same
day as I and received a score that was what I should have received. Yet,
what could we do? This relative worked for the government. So, instead of
going to Beijing Normal University, I had to attend another, class 2
university. I hated him for many years until I went to Guangzhou and
received my masters. Now I realize that I never would have pursued
English, which I love, had I gone to Beijing Normal University."
This scholar then shared some of her family
struggles. Her mother held a grudge against her mother-in-law. Yet
she was not inclined to forgive her. This brought up another
story.
"When I was a child, my mother's older sister
had a son who died. She became a Christian during that period and from
then on practiced forgiveness. My mother used to make fun of my aunty and
ask her why she was so weak. Yet, even though I was just a child I told my
mother that my aunty’s beliefs may not be hers, but she should respect
them."
This visiting scholar is so close to
believing. I have no doubt that this aunt must have been praying for
her. Please pray for her.