Wednesday, February 6
I awake to find that Doris has prepared for me a final breakfast of fresh fruits and juice. Beyond that, she has read my book and has a few questions. After affirming the premise, and my passion for people to come together on earth as it is in heaven, she asks if I believe in heaven and hell. I tell her that I do and explain the concept of afterlife as a situation in which we will either live eternally in relationship with or separated from God as determined by our response to the person of Jesus Christ. And though she has expressed a belief in Jesus, this is something she cannot accept. "We are all loved by God, His children," she tells me and the thought of eternal separation from a God who loves is unacceptable to her way of thinking. More than that, she believes in reincarnation and tells me that she has lived many previous lives. She states her belief that the soul never dies, but passes perpetually from one garment (the physical body) to another. In response, I respectfully site Hebrews 9:27 as a basis for my belief that we are afforded only one life to live.
Our conversation is in no way an argument, and we genuinely enjoy the give and take. At some point, Bob walks in and it's time to head to Kuranda for some last minute shopping.
Up in the mountains just 20 km from Cairns, we arrive before the shops have opened; so, we head to the home of one of Bob's mates, Allan Payard and his wife, Kimberley. Allan and Kimberely are internationally recognized underwater photographers, adventure divers, artists and explorers who have lived and worked professionally on the Great Barrier Reef for nearly two decades. Nestled uniquely in the rain forest, the Payard's place is amazing and I snap some photos before the four of us share morning tea.
Soon, Bob and I head back into Kuranda, purchase a few items and return to Holloway's Beach. Jean is up, but not feeling well. Perhaps it's best; my flight to Brisbane leaves in less than an hour. We share a final and express our love for one another. As I leave, I wonder if I will ever see her again.
A two hour flight takes me to Brisbane where I am met by Pastor Jeannie Mok and her son, Jon, around 3:00 p.m. Together with her husband, David, the Mok's pastor the International City Church in Brisbane. David (a biochemist by trade) and Jeannie once ran a successful Chinese restaurant in Chinatown from which they launched the multi-ethnic church some nineteen years ago. Today it is home to 600+ members hailing from more than 45 nations. Like Sydney, Brisbane is a remarkably diverse city where some 1,500 immigrants arrive each month. Given the situation, ICC has established a number of government funded programs including the Multicultural Community Centre and the Asian Pacific Institute through which they provide trade-specific training in a variety of fields, as well as ESL classes and other immigration services. Through such efforts, ICC is widely known and respected by elected officials of both state and federal government.
With me comes much needed rain; so much rain in fact that by 5:00 p.m., the front of the sanctuary is flooded right up to the stage! The Mok's come close to canceling the evening service, but thanks to the efforts of their staff, the sanctuary is clear again by 7:00 p.m. That night, I share the Biblical Mandate for the Multi-ethnic Church with a smaller than usual crowd (about 75 in total) given the excessive flooding and, as well, the fact that Chinese New Year celebrations are going on throughout the city involving a number of folks from ICC. Nevertheless, the message is well-received and Pastor Mok tells the congregation that she has been moved to tears by the presentation. It is, she says, a validation of their efforts through the years, efforts that have often been misunderstood and unappreciated. Her closing comments of appreciation and thanks cause me to recognize that I, like the apostle Paul so many years ago, am now traveling throughout a specific region on a mission, in part, to strengthen the churches (see Acts 15:40, 41). And in that moment, I once again experience the power and pleasure of God uniquely manifest via the multi-ethnic church.
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