Donna:
Lo and behold, February brought to us the Chinese New Year of the Pig. The period leading up to this auspicious holiday is definitely the most exciting time of the year for the majority of the population here, as everyone is busy relinquishing their worn out possessions, cleaning house and excitedly purchasing new clothes, foodstuffs, flowers and lucky papers to issue in good fortune. Millions of people are crisscrossing the country on high speed trains, planes and private cars to reunite with family for the New Year’s Eve dinner and TV gala! We had the privilege of participating in the annual dinner with Emanuel and Mandy’s family, which included Mandy’s parents from Shanghai! They prepared the traditional dumplings and fish and an amazing assortment of culinary delights! What a feast! Welcome 2019 once again!
On the 24th, we set off for Sanya, the southern tip of the country! Before the short winter ended, we decided to take advantage of the fresh air and beauty of the island. It just so happens that the day after arrival, I decided to take a swim, an activity which I believed to be advantageous to my precarious knee situation. Well, it just so happened that the knee dislocated once again, leaving a very painful and swollen joint. With some pain killers, anti-inflammatory meds and some TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) I got thru the acute phase and am now presently in the phase of immobilization and rest. For me, the hardest thing is to get thru the pain, and to mentalize myself that pain is actually a blessing… Maybe I need to slow down and listen more. As C S Lewis puts it : ”Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains.”
Actually, there is a condition named Congenital Analgesia, where people do not feel physical pain at all. This may sound wonderful, however the downsides of this are quite severe. If you do not feel pain, you may not get the treatment your body needs or you may ignore a potentially life threatening injury as there is no sense of urgency through the sensation of pain. I recognize that if my joint was not painful, I would probably be limping around on the swollen knee eager to get things done, thus hampering the recovery process. So even though God may be using pain to get me to stop, look and listen, He is still the source of all comfort.” Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2Cor 1:3,4.
Our trip was touched by seeing old friends in the housing estate, who remembered us from so many years back. A special lunch was held with our good friends, the Fu family and the Chan family the ones who led us to our current abode in Nan Shan. So, all is well that ends well! Let us cherish each and every moment, as we don’t know what God has in store for us tomorrow.
We are glad to report that other members of our family are healthy and are doing well. We are thankful.
Not least, we had a wonderful time of fellowship and Bible reading, with Chinese hymn songs and prayer, at our own home, along with our long-time friend, Wei Hong. She has an amazing ‘after-death’ experience, after a car crash many years ago. She knows the spirit world is real and she loves Jesus Christ.
And, finally, just a few images from the garden estate here in Hainan, near Ya Cheng Village, where we are spending 10 days:
The front garden 
Choir practice in the square 
Basket for those who can jump 
NamShan dancing group (one of many)