August 4, 2002: Observant Jury, The Teacup

Hi,

Vivaldi is one of my favorite composers. This morning at church, there was
a visiting string quartet from Poland. They played a section from
Vivaldi's "Four Seasons". It was neat to see them up close and listen to
the four distinct melodies woven together like a tapestry. I had forgotten
how much I love this piece of music.

One of the highlights in my life is teaching English in China for a summer.
A friend of mine from my church in Boston, Gloria Chyou, is looking for a
roommate/teammate to teach in China for a year. Please forward this to
anyone who you think may be interested. She writes:

As you all know, i've been praying and preparing to go to china...and one
of the things I've been praying for is a roommate/teammate. when i was
there in 2000 - 2001, i was blessed with a wonderful roommate and sister,
Lois, and together we were able to 1) support one another physically,
emotionally, and spiritually, and 2)make a much bigger impact than we would
have on our own.

So...here's where i need your help. Would you or someone you know like to
teach overseas for a year?

----------------------------

Here's a job description:

Liu Shi Kun Music & Arts Kindergarten, established by famous pianist, Liu
Shi Kun on September 8, 1999, is looking for 2 American or Canadian English
teachers for the fall of 2002.

These are the basic conditions:
1. Full time teacher: teach 40 hours a week for five consecutive days. (3
classes in the morning, 3 classes in the afternoon)
Salary is 10000 RMB per month.
You could also teach part time --> teach 25 hours a week for five
consecutive days.
Salary is 5000 RMB per month.
2. Free furnished apartment and utilities. (with me as your roomie)
3. Free food as provided by the kindergarten canteen. (3 meals a day)
4. Working Visa provided.
5. Paid vacations plus public holidays according to the law of the People
Republic of China.

What are the requirements? They are looking for someone who has a
university degree and some overseas/teaching experience. However, if you
are a native English speaker and have some experience with little kids, you
won't have a problem. More importantly, if you love the Lord, want to be
on mission with him, are willing to share your life and love with parents,
teachers, and children, and ready to commit a year overseas, then you are a
qualified candidate!

So....please pray about this...and feel free to forward this e-mail to
like-minded friends. If you are interested or have questions, please
e-mail me (gchyou@post.harvard.edu) or call me at 562-522-8037.
Love, Gloria
_________________________________

This week's thought provoking question is, "If you were to adopt an orphan
from another country, which country would the child come from?"

This week's humor and inspirational pieces were forwarded by Anna Man and
Susan Hasegawa, respectively.

Enjoy!

-Josh.
_________________________________

The Observant Jury

A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating
guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense's closing statement the
lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a
trick.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all," the
lawyer said as he looked at his watch. "Within one minute, the person
presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom." He looked toward
the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. A
minute passed. Nothing happened.

Finally the lawyer said, "Actually, I made up the previous statement. But,
you all looked on with anticipation. I therefore put to you that you have a
reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and insist
that you return a verdict of not guilty." The jury, clearly confused,
retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and
pronounced a verdict of guilty.

"But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt; I saw all of
you stare at the door."

The jury foreman replied, "Oh, we looked, but your client didn't."
_________________________________

The Teacup

One day in this beautiful shop a couple saw a beautiful teacup. They said,
"May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't
understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup.

There was a time when I was red, and I was clay. My master took me and
rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'let me alone', but
he only smiled, 'Not yet.'

Then I was placed on a spinning wheel, the teacup said, and suddenly I was
spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting dizzy!' I
screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he
wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him
through the opening, and I could read his lips as he shook his head, 'Not
yet.'

Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool.
'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over.
The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I
cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This
was twice as hot, and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I
screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening
nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'

Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to
give up. But the door opened, and he took me out and placed me on the
shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.'
And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful.
I'm beautiful.'

'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and
patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made
you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have
crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if
I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I
hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any
color in your life. And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you
wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held.
Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first
began with you.'

MORAL:

God knows what He's doing (for all of us). He is the Potter, and we are
His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a
flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not tempt you beyond what you can bear...
1 Corinthians 10:13