As the semester starts

Living in a foreign country has never been easy. You’ll never know the difference between you and the locals until you meet them. You’ll never understand their life style until you live in one. You’ll never know what they’re thinking until you become one of them, or at least, make yourself to be like one of them. And you’ll never understand why dogs in Germany are so obedient compare to those in Malaysia. Their master can let the dog run freely without fearing that the dogs will bite anyone, just like in Malaysia. The dogs are just so polite and will not bark at anyone.

That’s my opinion of life in this foreign country, where the Mercedes is originated. Yesterday I had dinner with the remaining John.-F.-Kennedy-Straße Chinese seniors. In the past, I used to cook together with the Malays. Yesterday, we went shopping at Handelshof. I heard they said they’ll cook this and that. I didn’t understand. I still thought we would be cooking together. Until after we bought stuffs then I realized that they’ll cook separately then eat together. So I was left stunned and blurred. I really didn’t know this was and still is the Chinese custom in Heilbronn. I felt so paiseh because I ate without contributing anything. Wish I can cook. Wish I knew it earlier. Wish I… Sigh, I felt very awkward. It won’t happen again. Wish I’m 10% alike of those seniors. Just 10% of them would be more than enough for me.

Come to think again, real life will start soon. Tuesday will be my first real lecture class. Honeymoon is really over. Everything is real. I have to be awakened from my dreams. It’s time to pursue my goal – 1,0 Note. Can I do it? I don’t know. Rely on my own strength is not enough. I need to be strong, along with His presence.

A lot people will now start, or already stared, to think. What is the purpose of studying in foreign countries? Is this just coincidence that we have to study in foreign land? Is everything just a flip of luck that I met you, out of so many other people? Is everything can be just simply define as an accident? At least these were something that I thought last time.©

No, I tell you all. No. I had bible study with Jia Jin last Wednesday and I’m assured that all of these are within the will of God. A Bible quote from Jeremiah 29:11:

“…for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”

Trust me my friends, it is His plan, to have you studying in foreign countries. It is in His plan, that you face problems sometimes. It is in His plan, that you confront lots of temptations from the evil ones. It is in His plan, that you encounter ups and downs in your life. It’s all in His plan, my friends. And all these temptations, in the truth, are to grow you into a better character. He will not give you tasks that you aren’t able to bear, for it is stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

As we read through this verse, you can actually learn that all temptations are from God. “He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” What can we understand from this sentence? I tell you, my friends. He let the devil to tempt us, with condition that the temptations are inside what we can bear. You see, He will not give us tasks that we cannot execute. And when being tempted, He assures us a way out. We will not be left alone in the dark. Therefore, no matter where we are, keep it in mind, that God will never forsake us. Have faith in Him. He will guide us. He will keep you on track, just as stated in Isaiah 26:3-4:

You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Fear not that you are weak. Don’t look down on yourself too much. You know I’m talking about you. Have faith in Him, my friends. His grace is everlasting. You will be strong in His presence. You will overcome your weaknesses.

… he (the LORD) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Remember, my friends. Stay strong, my friends. Belief in Him, my friends. A Psalm of David (Psalm 23), a chapter to remember. You will never walk a path alone, for He will shine your way throughout the darkness. He will provide you an exit in time when you face temptations. You might be at the edge of giving up, feeling regret of being in a foreign land. But I tell you, even if all the people in a piece of land do not care for you, do not understand you, do not give you a hand, laugh at you, insult you, hate you… be reminded, that there is always someone in your heart, whose love towards you is indescribable. Who loves you so much that He lived to die for you. Because of His love towards you, He was being crucified, tortured. Remember of His love, my friends. You are never alone, for at least I’m there for you, if you read this post.

Monday will be a tough day. In fact life will never be so happy-go-lucky anymore. I will work hard for everything. I will not isolate myself from my shepherd anymore.


Be tough, be strong...


Vincent