Tomb Sweeping

China just celebrated a National Holiday - Tomb Sweeping Day. Millions of Chinese pay their respect to the dead on this day (traditionally they burn paper money but this year it seems government officials were trying to get the Chinese to display more "civilized" acts of respect such as presenting fresh flowers or planting trees. 

For the Garretts, it meant a day off of work - and a day that we do not have to make up later. Often when we are given a holiday from work, the official school/government policy is that we have to make up our classes on either a Saturday or a Sunday. It kinda takes the fun out of a holiday if you have to spend your weekend teaching! 

But today was different. And today we were able to spend some nice quality time with some old friends from ORU and their three boys. TJ and Michelle have just moved to China. They are a little nervous, but they are going to do great. I can already tell that Michelle is going to adapt really well to life here - after being here only 2 days she was willing to hop on the back of my scooter (we just got a new scooter- I'll post pictures soon).... and face oncoming traffic to zip around town! Don't worry - we were perfectly safe! But it's funny how accustomed I've grown to China and traffic and crazy things that happen here... but how truly strange it all is. It's fun to see it all new again through someone else's eyes.

So that was our Tomb Sweeping Day - while most of China spent it mourning over their dead, we spent it celebrating a new beginning with friends! Yay!

Comments

[Arnie McCall]

Wow guys!!! I can not tell you how often I have thought about you two, and wondered what you were up to. I knew you had to be somewhere in the world making a ridiculous impact for Jesus! I'm really glad i received your update email, and look forward to staying up with what your doing in China.
Sheree and I recently moved with a team of people to launch a church planet in Pensacola Fl. Please let us know how we can support what you guys are doing and how we can pray for you ministry. You can find out more about us on my blog at arniemccall.com. Peace Out Josh (WORD!!) That was just for you Josh;) Arnie

[Sarah Bickerstaff]

Hi Josh and Chana,

It's been a long time since we've talked, so no worries if you don't remember me. :) I used to work at the Starbucks in Nacogdoches and we spoke a few times about God and international work/missions. It's good to read about your work in China - and your girls are so big!

After graduating from SFA, I moved to Boston & have been working at a homeless shelter/residential recovery program here. It's not China, but it has definitely been an adventure thus far. :)

peace to you,
Sarah