Strangers in our land.

In October 2005, a group of China students came to our church. It was a English learning visit for them. Celine was the person I greeted that Sunday morning, & you could feel her enthusiasm. It didn't take long to identify Jack as the class clown / representative. He's tiny in size, but we would know him as someone with a big heart. Angel deceived us all (me, at least) by dressing all white - a lovely blouse & a skirt - something I've not seen her wear since. Windy was the most confident of all & her walk up to the front to introduce herself to the crowd proved that. And Zizi - she always had a sweet smile.

Throughout the year we have bonded. We would house them weekly & take them church. We would cook for one another & eat together. They even joined us for Christmas carolling. We became like family. We loved them & they loved us right back.

In less than 4 weeks' time, they will all be heading back to our motherland, China. We decided to visit them at the place they are carrying out their training on Merdeka Day. My dad is away in US & there's a chance that they would not meet again. I didn't know why, but I did bring along the video camera & thought of a great idea - recording down what their "parting words" to my dad. There were tears - both of joy and of sorrow.

I saw the video several times as I showed it to May, my mom, my cell group... And I just marvel at what God has done. Each one of them had been touched by our little acts of kindness - both intentional & unintentional ones. God gave us the heart to love them, these strangers in our land, and they have professed to have felt the love of Jesus. I know 2 of them who has placed their hope and trust in this God of ours.

I hope they delay their departure. They have been a bundle of joy.