Community

 Poems from Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Chicago History Museum

- From Mya

Community is where people live
The friends that lift you up day after day
The love, the care of your friends and family
These are your community

- From Arthur

A place of comfort and connection 

Of cringing and complexity

Busy and messy and beautiful

Diverse and united

Of belonging and becoming and believing

Where shared purpose and sacrifice creates safety

Where suffering creates strength

Where life becomes alive

Where we be known and know

Working together, stronger together, shining together

We are made to belong to one another

Community is destiny and sweetest reality

Community is home

- From Xiu

People we know

Places we go to

Sights we behold

Smells that fill our nose

The workers and first responders

The school, stores and hospitals

Kids playing, adults rushing by

The local bakery and its apple pie

The homeless in the corner

His bed that we just passed by

The creases that edge her eyes

Tobacco puffs and dinner from a new nights

Family, friends and familiar faces

Yesterday's wounds and hope for the future

Strangers becoming neighbors

The fragrance of Christ binding us together

- From Elliot

Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022

2021 was a year that started with the news of the deaths of my massage therapist friend Happy Vesse, my fourth uncle and my friend Andrew’s brother Matthew. It proceeded with many conversations – about race (George Floyd), politics (US election) and health (Covid, masks and vaccinations). It also revealed the fragility of the church and the faith of many; and begets the question – what is the foundation and unity of the church ultimately based on? What is my commitment to Christ and His Bride, and my love for my neighbor ultimately based on?

I spent much of 2021 studying for CFA Level III and took it twice; which is quite enough. Being called to be on the Orchard’s church board is both an honor and responsibility. And God had to shake the work stress out of me with a candida infection. Arthur moved on from Momentum and the residency, to start a translation project manager role at UTB. His ministry plate has also never been more full – doing Bible studies with Steve Wang, Jason and Jacob, and leading LIFE Group and Orchard Kids. Mya started second grade, found her groove with reading and telling jokes, began exploring piano and had her first tooth extraction. Elliot started Chinese Immersion with Ms Chin and Mrs Floyd, began to read and build his Marvel-pedia knowledge and lost his first 2 teeth.

It is quite true that they say we overestimate what we can do in a day, and underestimate what we can achieve in a year. In midst of the lows and heavy topics, we still managed some highs and frivolous fun. And with that, I look to 2022 with anticipation.  

A trip to Singapore, God-willing? A new kitchen perhaps? More hobby, silly-fun and Mummy-school time hopefully? Beneath the cream and fluff, here’s my hope and prayer for the weightier things –

1.      That I would seek God more in prayer and in Word – to seek Him first in all things, not relying first on the means He has given though conventional wisdom and the counsel of others.

2.      That I might fill out the sketches of what a church that welcomes, ministers to and celebrates diversity look like

3.      That Arthur and I will pray together more, and I may love, serve and help Arthur better

4.      That as parents, we will be more consistent and diligent; and help form character and Christ in the kids

5.      That we as a family will make new neighbors, share the Gospel with 1 more person than last year, enjoy God more together and look at screens less.