It seems Sundays are going to be the fullest days while I am here, what with church in the morning and English Corner in the afternoon.  I don’t have much time for lunch.

Sitting further back in church this morning, I noticed that the stewards were trying to squeeze people into rows that didn’t seem to have any spaces left – this is how full it gets, even in the second morning service!  And I haven’t been to the upper level to see how big that is.  It does seem it might be difficult to make friends, especially as they all leave straight after the service is finished.  Even so, this morning I made a new friend, Echo, who said she had the courage to speak to me because I smiled at her.  (I smile at everyone… or at least try to!)

Once again, without understanding much, I enjoy recognising the tunes to some of the hymns and songs I know in English, and try to follow along in my broken Chinese.

Amazing Grace
奇异恩典
(qíyì ēndiǎn)

English corner today was a little strange because the talk was in Chinese so I didn’t understand what was being said at all.  I think it was something to do with working out your personality, and how to understand other people’s personality, so as to encourage the best in others and improve our relationships.

Anyway, it was great to see JD, JZ, JE and ZR again, as well as others and a few new folk who weren’t there last week.


It seems JZ always pulls a funny face.

We had a good discussion afterwards though.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

奇异恩典 何等甘甜 我罪以得赦免
前我失丧 今被寻回 瞎眼今得看见

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

如此恩典 使我敬畏使我心得安慰
初信之时 即蒙恩惠 真是何等宝贵

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.