Uncle Drew

Thought of the Day:  코리아
Song of the Day:  Juniel-바보

This week's persecuted church: Myanmar

Fighting between government troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in northern Kachin state has forced dozens of civilians to take shelter at a Baptist church in Sumprabum, located about 80 miles north of Myitkyina.

At least 40 people from Mai Htawng village arrived at the church yesterday and it is expected that more will come over the next few days, according to church volunteers. Church officials also say they cannot continue to support the displaced people unless they get more aid.

More fighting is also said to be taking place in two other nearby villages, Hka Garan Yang and Sumpyi Yang.

Thought of the Day:  Wedding Dress
Song of the Day:  IU-너랑 나

This week's persecuted church: Egypt

"The television and film are also inundated with Islamic propaganda. In the schools, the boys and girls start their day with Islamic teaching. It starts when the students are outside they are again inundated by Islamic propaganda; it is called Khutbah. When there is a transition from one teacher to the next the same ritual is again repeated.

In terms of employment when one is looking for work particularly in the public sector, you are asked for your name, which is normal, but in Egypt, you are asked your name; this is the system, and through your name particularly in Egypt your name, your father’s name and your grandfather’s name and if there is no mention of Mohammed in your series of names then you are known to be a Christian .. You will know that you have been classified and it could be a reason for a refusal of a job and things like that.

You also find discrimination in the university. A Christian cannot be a gynecologist, or teach Arabic, because their reasoning is that being Christian, how can one teach Arabic when it is based on the Koran and how can you teach the Koran if one is not a Muslim.”
-Father Samir

Thought of the Day:  Evites
Song of the Day:  Humming Urban Stereo-Hawaiian Couple

Bibliomaniac

I got The Lost Hero during the winter and finished the 550+ pages to give to my student for Children's Day and also to use it for our next reading material.  I figured the book was long enough for him to read for a while so that I would have about two weeks off of preparing new reading material.

He finished it in three days.  He liked it so much that he asked his mom to buy the next book too, which is 500+ pages.  He finished that one in two days.

I'm not even proud of my student.

I'm behind in my reading.  =(


I hope I can get this public school job.

Thought of the Day:  Interview
Song of the Day:  Yozoh-My Name Is Yozoh

This week's persecuted church: Nigeria

At the same time the attack on the Catholics was taking place, other members of the sect attacked the Chapel of Victory Protestant church service, meeting outdoors near the Faculty of Medicine. Professor Julius Falola, who was preaching when the Islamists arrived, recounted a horrific scene similar to that described by Professor Olofin. Explosions and gunshots were followed by fleeing church members who provided easy targets for Boko Haram killers.Falola said that some of the Christians “jumped over the fence while others ran deeper into the campus.” Falola hid in the university clinic. Falola and Olofin, as well as other witnesses, said that the police did not arrive until 10 AM. “The shooting went on for 45 minutes,” said Falola.

Boko Haram topped off their killing spree later that night, by opening fire on the Church of Christ in Nigeria parish in Jere. Because of a state of emergency in the town, worshippers had foregone meeting in the morning in favor of what they assumed would be an unnoticed and therefore less dangerous evening worship. Halfway through the service, witnesses reported that the Islamists came “in their trademark car, Volkswagen Golf, dressed in flowing gowns.” After “their routine shout of ‘Allah akbar,’ they . . .  headed straight for the altar” where they shot and killed the pastor, Reverend Albert Naga. Four others died from the attack, as well.

Thought of the Day:  Costco
Song of the Day:  Taetiseo-Twinkle

공포

One of my students is fascinated by American horror movies, so lately I've been educating him on Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street series.  Today, he asked a lot of questions about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre:

Student:  So is the Keychain really dangerous?

Me:  You mean Chainsaw?

Sometimes, I can't believe I get paid to do stuff like this.  Only sometimes.

It's freaking hot.

Thought of the Day:  Lesson Plan
Song of the Day:  HAHA-너는 내 운명

This week's persecuted church: Bangladesh

His journey towards conversion began abroad, far from Bangladesh. It led him first to baptism in the Presbyterian Church. After that, he fell in love with a Catholic woman, married her and then converted to her faith. Once they were back in Bangladesh, Vincent and his wife were welcomed by threats and violence. Members of his community beat him almost to death.

After almost two months in hospital, Vincent is back home. But the same Muslims who followed him and held him in high esteem when he was their imam now cannot accept his new "status".

Beating is also not enough. Other forms of violence can be used. Both husband and wife have been ostracised, forced to move from home to home. Vincent eventually lost his job and now has to do odd jobs to survive.

Thought of the Day:  Lotte World
Song of the Day:  Small Talk

This week's persecuted church: Laos

A Lao student and six Thai Christians are still being jailed for participating in worship services in Luang Namtha district of Luang Namtha province. On March 24, 2012, Lao police went to Tribal School in Phonsawang village and arrested a Lao student, known by his first name as Ala, for religious involvement. The police authorities also arrested six Thai Chrisitans who visited Ala. It has been 25 days that Thai Christians, known by their first names as Ayo, Sanon, Tawit, Taweesak, Sarlapong, and Piloo, hve been waiting in prison in order to be charged formally. Later today (April 17, local time), Lao officials are expected to informally charge Thai Christians and also to inform those charges to the Lao Christian leaders in Luang Namtha province.

Thought of the Day:  Curtains
Song of the Day:  Amazing Grace

Finding Neverland

Last week, I had to read The Wizard of Oz.  This week, I had to read Peter Pan.  Although there were many obvious similarities with their movie versions, the books had all kinds of details that the movies left out.  There is a lot more violence.  Both Dorothy and Peter are supposed to be significantly younger.  The antagonists are much more evil.  But through it all, I really hated how I couldn't get the movie versions out of my head while reading the stories.

One thing that surprised me though about Peter Pan was how sad and profound the story was.  The lost boys long for a motherly figure which would eventually become Wendy.  Wendy and Tinker Bell long for Peter's love.  Self-centered Peter longs for his own mother that he can't remember yet refuses to give in to a life of maturity and responsibility.  The mature and responsible characters of the book, Mr. and Mrs. Darling, long for their children to come back home.  Even the evil Hook longs to put an end to Peter's cockiness.  Everyone is longing for something...

But no one seems to be able to find a solution to their heart's desire.  Even Neverland doesn't suffice Peter who continues to come back to Wendy's bedroom over the generations.  I felt a lingering melancholy while reading this book intended for children.  There was no resolution.  The ending was not a happy one.

But as Keller points out in his sermon series on Esther, none of the characters are longing for the wrong things.  They're all desiring good things but looking for them in the wrong places.  There is nothing wrong with seeking things like acceptance, comfort, beauty, and honor.  But there is something horribly wrong when we seek these things outside of Christ.

Peter Pan, you need Jesus just like the rest of us.

Thought of the Day:  Friday
Song of the Day:  Norah Jones-Don't Know Why

This week's persecuted church: India

On Easter Sunday in Chamrajnagar (Karnataka), police went to the home of Rev Rajesh, 27, a pastor in the Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) who had just finished a prayer service. They asked him under what authority he conducted the service at his home. Then, they insulted and eventually ordered him to vacate his home.

Later that day, Rev Rajesh and five other pastors went to the local police station to file a complaint about the incident. As they were briefing the attending officer, about 100 activists from the Bajrang Dal stormed the station and attacked the clergymen and a parishioner. The latter, named Babu, was wounded to the head and needed 24 sutures. Police present at the scene stood idly by.

Thought of the Day:  Suit
Song of the Day:  The Beach Boys-Barbara Ann

Original American english teacher

My student, John, and I share the same birthday.  Last week, I gave him Naruto comic book #54 and a monkey key chain for his birthday.  Although he didn't "pre pare" my present, I have a strong feeling it wouldn't have beat receiving this letter.  I wish you guys could see the cut up envelope he stapled and stickered up with Angry Birds.

He has a fascination with American names.  Why are there middle names?  How can 'Henry' be a last name too?  Is Nicholas the real name or is it Nick?  He loves the name 'Hiccup' like from How to Train Your Dragon.  He wishes his name was Dink.  Haha. Not Dinko.  He can't get enough of hearing me say the name Sheba.  He isn't the best English student I've ever had in my life, but he's up there on my good list.  Thanks, John.  I hope to see your english wings soar!

Thought of the Day:  Running
Song of the Day:  FF 8-Fisherman's Horizon

This week's persecuted church: Syria

Islamist attacks against Syria’s Christian community, including kidnappings and murder, have occurred almost from the onset of the popular uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad which began in March 2011.

These murders, which have killed over 100 Christians, include the hanging of a 28-year-old man; a 40 year-old father of two shot dead; two young men killed while waiting in line at a bakery; and a 37-year-old father with a pregnant wife, his body cut into pieces and thrown in a river.

Most recently, a car bombing targeted the Christian district in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, killing three and wounding 30.

Thought of the Day:  Dress & Tux
Song of the Day:  He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought

It's My Party

Me:  So what are you doing tomorrow?
Student:  Nothing.  Just studying.
Me:  But it's your birthday!
Student:  What are you doing?
Me:  Working.
Student:  But it's your birthday!
Me:  What about you?!
Student:  I'm a student, so I have to study.  But you're an adult.  You should meet your girlfriend and friends.
Me:  I'm an adult, so I have to work.  You're a student, so you should play!
Student:  But it's your birthday!

I know.

Thought of the Day:  I can cry if I want to.
Song of the Day:  2NE1-Scream

This week's persecuted church: India

A young woman was thrown out of her home this month for daring to give thanks for healing in Christ’s name in a predominantly Muslim village in India’s West Bengal state, and then her parents helped Islamic extremists to beat her nearly unconscious.

The attack on Rekha Khatoon, 22, took place on March 9 in Nutangram, Murshidabad.

“I boldly told those who beat me up that I may leave my parents, but that I will not leave Jesus,” Khatoon said. “Jesus has healed me, and I cannot forget Him.”

Thought of the Day:  수지
Song of the Day:  Eagles-Hotel California

This week's persecuted church: Laos

The first story concerns a man named Khamla, the only Christian in a village in the district of Viengphuka, Luang Namtha province. He is a recent convert, after being cured of a long illness through the fervent prayers recited every day by a friend in a neighboring district. The authorities have repeatedly ordered him to abandon the Christian faith. At his refusal, on 2 March officers faced him with a choice: leave his home and the village, or renounce his faith. This is because, said some witnesses, "the authorities want to keep Christianity away from Viengphuka". At the moment there is no information about his fate because of strict censorship on the issue. 

Thought of the Day: Rings
Song of the Day: Ewan McGregor & Alessandro Safina-Your Song

KONY 2012

I finally saw the Kony video that my brother sent me.  I saw Invisible Children a while back but was surprised to see that it was connected to this 2012 cause.  If you haven't seen it yet,
KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
.

Thought of the Day:  표현
Song of the Day:  Wu-Tang Clan-Clan In Da Front

This week's persecuted church: Iran

Media sources from Iran warn that the number of arrested Christians in Iran is on the rise in various cities.

HRA News reports that the arrested, are mostly new Christians who have converted from Islam.

In the city of Esfahan, two women, Shahnaz Zarifi and Maryam Del Aram and a man, Shahram Ghaedi have been arrested.  Reports say that Mr. Ghaedi’s home was searched during the raid and a number of items were taken by the Iranian security forces.

Mr. Ghaedi is a member of the St. Pauls church in Esfahan and a theatrical artist.  He has repeatedly played the role of Jesus in various Iranian theaters.   Those familiar with him and his family say that his whereabouts are currently unknown.

Maryam Del Aram, 56, was also taken from her home on the same day.  Iranian security police searched her home at the time of arrested and took a number of items including her bible with them.  It is said that Mrs. Del Aram suffers from severe illness and is currently deprived of her medication by Iranian regime forces. Multiple attempts by her daughter to give her the medicine in prison has failed.

Shahnaz Zarifi, is a new Christian who converted from Islam and has two children.  She was arrested last week.

Thought of the Day:  Housing!
Song of the Day:  브로콜리 너마저-말

Mess

"You know some of us for whatever reason sometimes think that the only places Jesus is prepared to be are those places that are in perfect order. But the places where Jesus does his best and his deepest work are usually a mess because he loves to transform the mess of our lives when we admit it to him. When it comes out into the open, he loves to transform the mess of our lives into something gloriously, orderly, and purposeful for his honor."
-Sinclair Ferguson

Thought of the Day:  Snakes
Song of the Day:  Ben E. King-Stand By Me

This week's persecuted church: Syria

Syrian dictator Bashar Assad's security forces last week killed Husam al Murra, a Syrian Christian who had joined the Syrian Free Army, which is fighting to topple the regime in Damascus.In recent weeks, several other Christian men have been shot and killed in different parts of the country.

In recent weeks, several other Christian men have been shot and killed in different parts of the country. One of the victims was a priest from the city of Hama, who was killed while trying to provide humanitarian and medical aid to people injured by Syrian army gunfire.

According to a Christian lawyer in Damascus, Assad's security forces have also begun targeting churches, monasteries and schools under the pretext that they were being used as hideouts for "armed gangs."

Many Christians have stopped going to Church on Sundays, and some Christian schools have been forced to shut down out of fear of being targeted by Assad loyalists.

Thought of the Day:  Awesome 집
Song of the Day:  When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

BA-NA-NA

Thought of the Day:  샤브샤브
Song of the Day:  Despicable Me 2 Trailer