Before I forget...

Sunday, August 8

My parents have been married 57 years today. Congratulations, and thanks for a good model of marriage, Dad and Mom. Mom just turned 75, so she was a young bride!

We've been to church this morning, the last load of laundry is in the washer, and our suitcases are mostly packed for a return home, starting 5am tomorrow morning. We're thinking of bringing home some Maggi curry ramen if we have room. Maybe our favorite green tea shampoo, too.

A few memories before they disappear:

• Yesterday, walking along Orchard Road (our first visit to this tourist strip with blocks of huge shopping centers, one after the other) - a tiny old man is whirling 1-2" wooden beads on a circular 2 m. (6') diameter rope. It's a fitness demo. His skeletal body sways, thin stringy muscles standing out in his arms and legs, as the beads ring him like a hula-hoop. Impressive.

"If you did that all day, you could look like that," I tell W, getting the giggles.

He shakes his head and rolls his eyes as though I'm nuts. "Thanks but no thanks."

People toss money in the old man's box, and he makes more from entertaining with his antics than from sales. Money is money. He has a newspaper clipping posted to prove his fame, too.

• In church this morning, the song leaders hover between the notes B and E (octave above middle C), about a fifth higher than in the USA. (Our music rests between E and A above middle C.) Such high-pitched music! I find my throat protesting as we screech up along the melodies.
•  All the missions banners have typical ethnic faces, but this year there's a striking addition. Without exception, from Africa, Asia, Europe, S. America, N. America, The Islands, to Australia, each includes an urban scene, with high-rises and technology. The future of the gospel lies in reaching the great cities.
• Announcements: This afternoon, church attendees are in classes. Tonight, the Love Singapore interdenominational rally is in the big convention center where Singapore National Day is held tomorrow. Friday's big missions service, and a pledge drive for faith missions with a special speaker next Sunday. It's a busy week for VFC attendees! They're a missions-minded, missions-driven congregation.
• A missions team is going to Xafrica. "They are heroes, representing us in missions," one pastor introduces them and has them stand.

I absentmindedly think, "Heroes? What's the big deal? Lots of our church people go on missions trips. They're not necessarily heroes, are they?"

Later, someone prays "God' blessings for the year our team will spend in Xafrica." What? It's a mostly Arab country, and the first language is not English, so these Chinese, Malay, and English speakers have learned another language in preparation. That's not typical N. American "short-term missions," as we know it! These 10 people are trained church planters. They expect to leave behind indigenous pastors, house churches, and lively fellowships of believers where there are none. They are going to stony ground; I plan to pray for them this coming year.

• One of my students, Shehan from Sri Lanka, preaches the missions sermon. I'm inspired to renew my commitment of obedience to the call of God to missions. 
• We run into Shehan and the pastor and wife at Mr. Prata at lunch, and have a short chat. W and I order the identical menu we enjoyed Thursday: butter chicken, chili shrimp, white rice, Tee-O (sugar, no milk) and Kalamanci lime juice (W). The waiter approaches us with a smile, stating our drink order before we tell him. We've been there a few times! And the flavors are even better than we remember.
• We never have "finished" a visit the way we've done this time. We saw our friends at least once, except for one of my college professors who heads a church here. We renewed our commitment to serve in missions and education. And we will go home somewhat rested. Amazing. In a week, W will a plunge into the new academic year, and I return to full-time studies. Thanks be to God for his mercies, new every morning.