Where to Begin, II

The last couple of days, I have participated in many blog-worthy activities. The number of things which I will write about eliminates the possibility of a detailed recreation, however, the accompanying pictures should suffice.

Sharon, our coordinator here in Macau, has been in the process of adopting a Chinese girl, Joanna, for almost two years now. After much prayer and waiting, this hope has become a reality. On Friday, the guardianship papers were signed and Joanna spent her first night with Sharon as her daughter. Sunday afternoon, everyone gathered at St. Paul's to witness the adoption ceremony which honors all of those involved in seeing this dream come to fruition, and, most importantly, praises the Lord for answering this desire of Sharon's heart. The adoption ceremony was followed by Joanna becoming a child of God through the waters of baptism. I have found that in Macau, the solemness that accompanies most ceremonies in the states is conspicuously absent. This observation held true for this ceremony as well. Joanna was so eager to be baptized that she kept pointing the water and then her head. It was truly an example of how we as Christians should eagerly seek the Lord with child-like trust. It was also very humbling to realize that seldom do we do this. It was an emotion filled service that ended in a traditional Lutheran way...with food.

Joel, Joanna, Sharon, Ruth, and Iantha at the baptism ceremony.

Sunday was also the moon festival which is celebrated in Macau with fireworks and food. The fireworks were great! I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed a fire works display with such enthusiasm. Maybe it was the tons of people watching in excitement, or perhaps the "ooh's and ahh's" that were heard throughout the crowd. Either way, it was a fitting end to a great day.

This is the square by my apartment decorated for the moon festival.

The fireworks display. Obviously the actual experience far exceeds the pictures. Sorry.

Today (Monday) is the day when, in celebration of the moon festival, everyone is off of work and they spend the day with their families. Today was also the day that Chris and I had to cross the boader as our visitors visas would soon run out. Although we knew that many people would be traveling Zhu hai today to see their family, we had no other choice but to cross the boarder. It was either that or be deported. Crossing over into China took about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours total. It was a long, crowded wait. Once we were safely on the other side of the boarder and were no longer under the threat of deportation, our team parted company and agreed to meet back at the boarder gate. In the ensuing time period, I had a very nice meal that resembled Mexican cuisine (something that is difficult to find in these parts). I also had a nice massage. So I a feeling pretty relaxed as we head back toward the boarder gate, but the feeling did not last long.

This is me pre-massage. The massages are done a little differently here. As you can see the massagee remains fully clothed.

We made our way to this crowd of people thinking that we could try to go around them to get to the line. Nope this was the line, or as our team is now referring to it, "the crush". It was pandemonium. If ever I wondered what it felt like to be herded like cattle, now I know. I was stepped on, pushed, shoved, had a suit case digging into a very uncomfortable place on my body (i.e. a cow prod), and got very up close and personal with the other team members as we tried to stay together in this sea of people. Children were being lifted up out of the crowd and placed on the other side of the gates by the parents and officials so that they would not be harmed in this mass of rushing people. It was crazy. However, once we made it through the swarm, we actually made it through customs quicker. So it was a trade off. Anyhow we have made it safely back home and can remain in Macau without the fear of deportation for another 30 days. Thankfully it will not be a holiday the next time we have to cross the boarder.

So now I am back home and in the typical fashion of someone that shows tendencies of a blogging addiction, I am now posting an entry to commemorate the harrowing experiece of today. But now I am going to bed. Too much standing in line, massaging, standing in more lines and tons of people tend to tire me out.