Saturday, December 25, 2010

Peace On Earth

Singing Sand Dune,  Western China |
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, 
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
- Luke 2: 8-14


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Untitled

Jiyugaokar, Japan |

Hmm...just don't know...untitled moments...

"When times are good, you should be cheerful; when times are bad, think what it means.
God makes them both to keep us from knowing what will happen next."
Ecclesiastes 7:14


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

From Dorasan With Hope

Dorasan, 50 kilometers north of Seoul, South Korea |

March in Korea was grey, cold and windy - the kind of weather that added a very different or rather strange ambiance to this unused and empty Dorasan Station.

To the people of Korea, especially the south, this train station represents their longing and hope for a day that there will be no more border to separate the north and the south.

Outside on the platform, stands a huge billboard that says, “Not the last station from the South. But the first station toward the North."

Hope, indeed!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Windy City Just Wasn’t Too Windy

Chicago welcomed us with a gentle breeze. She charmed us with bridges and buildings that display pure architectural beauty; big city with a delightful and casual ambiance – just lovely.


Chicago, USA |

Chicago, USA |

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Walk In The Light

Toledo, Spain |

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel. - Psalm 89: 15-18


Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Hard Day's Night

Mt. Huashan, China |

He was one of the few workers that we ran into while climbing Mt. Huashan, near Xian China. Seeing what he did for a living - climbing a steep and narrow path with a big load on his back, have given me a very different understanding on the meaning of Hard Work.


"What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? ..."
- Ecclesiastes 2:22

Thursday, July 1, 2010

My happy Canada Day!

Canada Day 2010, a beautiful sunny Thursday. Decided to drive out to St.Jacobs farmers market. The place was festive, busy with people enjoying the holiday. The sounds, smells and faces of the Mennonites just reminded me that I am here in Canada.

It was also the national day when I first set foot on Canadian soil. Only it was called Dominion Day, and later got changed to Canada Day. My 35 years of Canadian experience here on this land has been quite an interesting ride. There were times of learning, spiritual awakening and going through life stages.

The ride isn’t over yet. If God willing, there maybe a few more turns before it completes its journey.

St.Jacobs, Ontario Canada |


St.Jacobs, Ontario Canada |

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Waiting

Singing Sand Dune, China |

It is slow. It seems long. It looks as if there is no end.

I waited patiently for the Lord.
He turned to me and heard my cry.


He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud.
He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady. 


He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord.

- Psalm 40: 1 - 3

Sunday, June 27, 2010

I saw you

Suzhou, China |

It’s interesting to see how different people would react differently to strangers, especially to someone with a camera in his hand walking in front of their house. For most people a stay-away-from-me look would comes natural, whereas others may display a warm and welcoming smile that makes you feel like you’re being taken in as part of the family.

I came across this older couple in the old town area of Suzhou. Our encounter was only a few seconds, but as an outsider being welcomed was an experience that last forever. Sometimes I just wonder how would I react if a stranger were walking by my house?

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,”
- Matthew 25:35


Sunday, June 20, 2010

Cease the Moment

Once there’s a credit card commercial suggested that almost everything can be purchased with a price, except the many special moments that happen in our lives. They are simply priceless!

Well, this is one of those moments – Flora and two years old Ethan.

Distillery District, Toronto Canada |

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Shoeshine

Central, Hong Kong |

It was quite a surprise to see shoe polishers (shoeshine boys) lining up in the middle of an alleyway next to the once famous "Queens Cinema" on the island side of Hong Kong – a scene that took me back to fond childhood memories. I would have thought such age old profession might have faded away into the past like many of the buildings or things that we grew up with. But well, guess I was wrong! It looks like this shoe shining business is very much alive and well positioned in the market. This is uniquely Hong Kong!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Old Friends

Saw this gentlemen and his friend (the cat) a few years ago from the street of Lisbon. What caught my attention was their care for each other, and seemingly a deep shared friendship.

Now looking at the picture again, an early Simon and Garfunkel tune came to my mind.


Old friends, old friends,
Sat on their parkbench like bookends

A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes of the high shoes of the old friends

Old friends, winter companions, the old men
Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city sifting through trees
Settle like dust on the shoulders of the old friends

Can you imagine us years from today,
Sharing a parkbench quietly
How terribly strange to be seventy

Old friends, memory brushes the same years,
Silently sharing the same fears
-by Simon And Garfunkel

Lisbon, Portugal |

Monday, June 14, 2010

Wisdom Better Than Folly

There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it.

Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.

So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
- Ecclesiastes 9: 14 - 18

Manila, Philippines

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Smile

Their playground was what used to be a famous landmark in Manila - Smokey Mountain, a large garbage dumpsite. Their laughter and joy came from anything that they can pickup along the way, or simply a stranger look slightly different with a camera in his hand appearing before them. But with whatever they can get, they enjoyed and be happy with it.



Manila, Philippines

Comes and Goes

What does man gain from all his labor
at which he toils under the sun?

Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.
- Ecclesiastes 1:3-4



Scoreboard

Scarborough, Ontario |  Scoreboard waiting for the new season to be opened again.