Tomorrow I have an important presentation to make in efforts to secure funding for our agency. All day long, even though the staff was nervous about it, they tried not to bother me so I can focus on preparing for it. From my office, I could hear them working hard outside: Taking phone calls from people with all kinds of different needs and pointing them to the right services. New immigrants coming in asking for help. Talking to people who want to volunteer and sending them to the suitable volunteering opportunities. I couldn't help but be touched by them. They work for low pay and practically non-existent benefits. They have not had a raise in almost 8 years. Yet they toil quietly, without recognition and sometimes without appreciation, simply because they want to help make another person's life a little easier.
Hearing them work from within my office, I feel a heavy burden on my shoulders. Even though I have very little emotional stake in the organization, I feel a tremendous responsibility for the staff. I only hope I will be successful in our fund development efforts, not just to keep an agency going, but so these wonderful people can continue to make a difference in the community, one person at a time, one phone call at a time. I hope I can do my best tomorrow...for them.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
A Chinese New Year photoshoot :-)
We were sitting at home on Chinese New Year's Eve with nothing much to do in the afternoon when we remembered that Taylor was supposed to wear a traditional Chinese costume to school the next day! As we dug through her closet bringing out the different outfits, we decided to do an impromptu photoshoot at home :-) Hope you enjoy the pics as much as Taylor enjoyed being in front of the camera :-)
http://picasaweb.google.ca/alfred.lam/ChineseNewYear?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.ca/alfred.lam/ChineseNewYear?feat=directlink
Saturday, January 24, 2009
"Preached"!
Today I was invited to give a speech to a South Asian Community Group. They organized a community outreach conference on the needs of people living with disabilities and invited me to be the closing speaker. I was humbled by the invitation and was thankful that the speech was well received. The audience was gracious and I appreciated all the kind words afterwards. But it wasn't until I was on my way home that I had a chance to reflect on the experience.
I mentally replayed my speech in my head and I was surprised to see that while I made no "biblical references", the "biblical influence" behind the speech was obvious: I spoke of the inherent sacred dignity of each and every individual without mentioning the doctrine of the image of God. I talked about the reality that all of us live lives that are broken in someways and need help from others without using the word "sin". Again, without mentioning the biblical reference, I closed the speech on the truth behind the words, "it is more blessed to give than to receive."
When I thought about the experience some more, what surprised me was how much the crowd "embraced" the speech. The vast majority (99%) of them do not have a Christian background, and yet person after person came up to speak to me afterwards, some with tears in their eyes, affirming what they had heard. What started as a routine speaking engagement for me ended up being a major learning experience. I came away with a new found amazement of the universal appeal of the Bible, and I am convinced, more than ever before that the Bible is not a "religious book" that was written simply to "propagate" the Christian religion.
Who knows? Perhaps my "previous life" as a Christian minister or a "preacher" was meant to prepare me to become a "messenger". One who is sent to serve, and bring hope and encouragement to those who are outside the walls of the religious community?
I mentally replayed my speech in my head and I was surprised to see that while I made no "biblical references", the "biblical influence" behind the speech was obvious: I spoke of the inherent sacred dignity of each and every individual without mentioning the doctrine of the image of God. I talked about the reality that all of us live lives that are broken in someways and need help from others without using the word "sin". Again, without mentioning the biblical reference, I closed the speech on the truth behind the words, "it is more blessed to give than to receive."
When I thought about the experience some more, what surprised me was how much the crowd "embraced" the speech. The vast majority (99%) of them do not have a Christian background, and yet person after person came up to speak to me afterwards, some with tears in their eyes, affirming what they had heard. What started as a routine speaking engagement for me ended up being a major learning experience. I came away with a new found amazement of the universal appeal of the Bible, and I am convinced, more than ever before that the Bible is not a "religious book" that was written simply to "propagate" the Christian religion.
Who knows? Perhaps my "previous life" as a Christian minister or a "preacher" was meant to prepare me to become a "messenger". One who is sent to serve, and bring hope and encouragement to those who are outside the walls of the religious community?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Stranger in the bathroom!
A funny thing happened at work today...
Our new office is located in a building that also house a private school. This afternoon I went to use the men's room at the same time that the kids from the school were coming back from playing outside during recess. As I entered the bathroom, many of them were also beginning to line up to "go" themselves (I guess that's part of their daily routine). As I was getting "settled" in my stall, I heard a few of them whispering outside, "Who's that in there?"...
They must have been taught to speak up when they see strangers on school grounds, because next thing I knew, about 50 of them started chanting loudly: "Stranger in the bathroom! Stranger in the bathroom!"
Talk about ruining my mood for my "personal time"...I decided to get the heck out of there and made a quick retreat back to my office before someone call the police or something :-P
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Ted Haggard Story
This week I read about the Ted Haggard story, how the one time megachurch planter/pastor and President of the National Association of Evangelicals was treated when it was revealed 2 years ago that he had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct. Apparently he signed an agreement with his church to not speak about the situation for 2 years, in exchange for a 1 year salary "pay-off". Now that 2 years have past, Haggard is ready to come out and tell his side of the story.
I know there are always 2 sides to every story, and I have no interest in debating who's right and who's wrong in the whole situation. What caught my eye, however, was when Haggard revealed that a sexually abusive experience from his childhood had left emotional scars and internal trauma that he had to privately struggle with his whole life. I believe there is a valuable lesson to be learned here.
From my own personal experience in this past year, I have learned that behind every sin, there is almost always a context of personal and private pain. Unfortunately, in the church so often we choose only to look at the sin, and not the pain that caused it. I am not suggesting that we excuse personal responsibility for sinful acts. Rather, I am suggesting that we need to learn to look at sin more holistically and (dare I say it?) more biblically: Sin is not only individual and personal. It is communal. It is generational. It is environmental. It is part of the narrative of both the human race and each individual lives. Each of us, because of our brokenness and sinfulness contribute in our own ways to cause pain in others, and that leads to more sinful and hurtful behavior. In a very real way, when a person sins, all of us have 'blood on our hands'. Perhaps that's the greater truth behind Jesus' words to the mob ready to stone the woman caught in adultery: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." Perhaps not everyone in that mob had commited the sin of adultery, but the truth is that each person there had a hand in the woman's sin.
Back when I was in seminary, my preaching professor once said, "If you learn to speak to the pain in people's lives, that will make you a better preacher." Today, I learned a greater truth: If you and I choose to see the pain in each person's lives rather than the "sins" they've committed, that will make us better people.
I know there are always 2 sides to every story, and I have no interest in debating who's right and who's wrong in the whole situation. What caught my eye, however, was when Haggard revealed that a sexually abusive experience from his childhood had left emotional scars and internal trauma that he had to privately struggle with his whole life. I believe there is a valuable lesson to be learned here.
From my own personal experience in this past year, I have learned that behind every sin, there is almost always a context of personal and private pain. Unfortunately, in the church so often we choose only to look at the sin, and not the pain that caused it. I am not suggesting that we excuse personal responsibility for sinful acts. Rather, I am suggesting that we need to learn to look at sin more holistically and (dare I say it?) more biblically: Sin is not only individual and personal. It is communal. It is generational. It is environmental. It is part of the narrative of both the human race and each individual lives. Each of us, because of our brokenness and sinfulness contribute in our own ways to cause pain in others, and that leads to more sinful and hurtful behavior. In a very real way, when a person sins, all of us have 'blood on our hands'. Perhaps that's the greater truth behind Jesus' words to the mob ready to stone the woman caught in adultery: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." Perhaps not everyone in that mob had commited the sin of adultery, but the truth is that each person there had a hand in the woman's sin.
Back when I was in seminary, my preaching professor once said, "If you learn to speak to the pain in people's lives, that will make you a better preacher." Today, I learned a greater truth: If you and I choose to see the pain in each person's lives rather than the "sins" they've committed, that will make us better people.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Happy New Year!
Wow! Can't believe 2009 is here already. It's been an interesting holiday season for us. On one hand it was very busy, as we were moving to a new office location and doing renovations at home at the same time. On the other hand, it was also quiet as we basically spent the holdays with family and a few close friends.
One of the highlights of my holiday was getting the opportunity to spend time with my old friend from HK. We have been friends for 28 years now, although we haven't seen each other in more than 5 years. He was the one that I blogged about earlier who called me out of the blue in the office one day. Because of work he only comes back to Canada twice a year to see his family for a couple of weeks. The fact that he made it a point to set aside time to meet me speaks volumes on how much he valued our friendship.
Anyways, we went over to have dinner with his family and over a few (too many) glasses of fantastic wine, he shared with me his own life struggles over the last 10 years and encouraged me to keep looking ahead and moving forward. A few nights later, we went out again, this time only the two of us. Over a few (too many) beers, we talked again, for 3 hours. Before hand, he said to me, "After dinner the other night, I realized that I did most of the talking and didn't spend enough time listening to you, so I want to spend another night to just listen." I found out later that prior to coming back to Canada, he spent a month trying to figure out what to say and how to encourage me!
As we parted ways outside the pub, we knew we wouldn't see each other again for a while, as he was flying out the next day. He put his hands on my shoulders like an older brother and said, "Listen. Whatever happens. Whatever you need. Call me." Over the years, I have heard words like that many times. I have said the same to countless others. But coming from my friend, it felt/sounded different...because I knew he really meant it.
One of the most important lessons I have learned over this past year is what real friendship looks like. I learned the difference between being "friendly" and being a "friend". I realize that I don't have many friends. But the ones I do have, they have demonstrated and proven their friendship to me by steadfastly standing by and walking beside me through this most difficult time of my life. To all of them, thank you! I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you.
So, as we embark on another year, of all the things I can wish for you, I wish that 2009 may be a year where you experience much friendship. Have a wonderful new year, everyone!
One of the highlights of my holiday was getting the opportunity to spend time with my old friend from HK. We have been friends for 28 years now, although we haven't seen each other in more than 5 years. He was the one that I blogged about earlier who called me out of the blue in the office one day. Because of work he only comes back to Canada twice a year to see his family for a couple of weeks. The fact that he made it a point to set aside time to meet me speaks volumes on how much he valued our friendship.
Anyways, we went over to have dinner with his family and over a few (too many) glasses of fantastic wine, he shared with me his own life struggles over the last 10 years and encouraged me to keep looking ahead and moving forward. A few nights later, we went out again, this time only the two of us. Over a few (too many) beers, we talked again, for 3 hours. Before hand, he said to me, "After dinner the other night, I realized that I did most of the talking and didn't spend enough time listening to you, so I want to spend another night to just listen." I found out later that prior to coming back to Canada, he spent a month trying to figure out what to say and how to encourage me!
As we parted ways outside the pub, we knew we wouldn't see each other again for a while, as he was flying out the next day. He put his hands on my shoulders like an older brother and said, "Listen. Whatever happens. Whatever you need. Call me." Over the years, I have heard words like that many times. I have said the same to countless others. But coming from my friend, it felt/sounded different...because I knew he really meant it.
One of the most important lessons I have learned over this past year is what real friendship looks like. I learned the difference between being "friendly" and being a "friend". I realize that I don't have many friends. But the ones I do have, they have demonstrated and proven their friendship to me by steadfastly standing by and walking beside me through this most difficult time of my life. To all of them, thank you! I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you.
So, as we embark on another year, of all the things I can wish for you, I wish that 2009 may be a year where you experience much friendship. Have a wonderful new year, everyone!
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