*SIGH* I was reading this article this morning, and I found myself rolling my eyes more than usual. I mean, does anyone else see an opportunity here?

In summary (I know, I've written tons!), a group of American Christians had 315 Bibles confiscated at the airport, and they are refusing to leave China the airport (thanks to David, who kindly corrected my 6:30 am mind freeze -- chalk it up to early) until they get them back. Can I just ask the questions that are burning in my head? Thanks.

• Do any of them need a Bible in their home in the U.S.?
• Can any of them actually read Chinese (yes, the Bibles are in Chinese)?
• Do they realize they're coming off as jerks?
• Do they have no respect for authorities and laws that God has allowed to be in place?
• Has anyone thought about the fact that maybe, just maybe, the customs agent who confiscated them wanted a Bible and didn't know how to get one?
• Why are they asking for CHINESE law in ENGLISH? They're not likely to get it -- Chinese is the official language of China, folks.
  
• Why do we need more Bibles in the U.S.?

I see a huge opportunity to leave Bibles in China -- God can do mighty things with those Bibles. Stupid Americans.

Anyone else?

A bookish day

Yesterday was a good day in Brasil. We've got the week off (there's a tiny evangelism team here, but R is taking care of it) and so yesterday was reserved for lunch at the Outback and a trip to the movies to see "the new Batman."

Of course, between events we had to go to the bookstore (it's like a tractor beam pulls me in each time I walk by). I've been looking for classics that I haven't read yet (and/or should have read long before now), and I came across Anna Karenina. In English, not Portuguese. The fabulous bookstore here imports Barnes & Noble Classics, and they're not much more expensive than they are in the U.S. Price in dollars? $8.95. Price in reais? R$16,60. That's about $2 more than the price in dollars, if you convert it. But for a book in Brasil, that's really cheap, especially for a book that is 700+ pages and imported.

Anyway, I picked up the book, planning to buy it, and when I got to the counter, what did I discover? I had a bonus waiting for me. I had accumulated the required number of points on my loyalty card, and I got a R$15,00 discount! All said, I bought Anna Karenina for R$1,60, which is roughly $1. God bless discounts.

I am tired. There is no other way to say it. No matter how much rest I get, I am always tired. I stayed at the hotel last week, and having to be with the team constantly drains my strength, no matter how great the team is. I love being able to come home and rest -- I am an introvert to the depths of my being. Not to mention the fact that I had family here and had to entertain them.

We have 4 more weeks of teams before our full month's rest in September, when we will be packing and escorting my mom around Minas Gerais (and buying more pewter).

God continues to bring to my mind Isaiah 40:31 -- "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Being rejuvenated, renewing my strength, begins with sitting before the Lord and waiting on Him. My heavenly Father exudes strength, and He gives it freely, if I slow down enough to wait on Him. Do you know what it feels like to just sit with someone and be rejuvenated by their strength? I have friends who do that for me, some without knowing it. I am ready to get back to my regular schedule, now that I am at home, of sitting with God daily.