In the author's ten years living in China, Chinese friends and foreign friends alike have told him that in many ways he is more like a Chinese person than an American. He sees himself as an «egg,» which is white on the outside and yellow (Chinese) inside. For cross-cultural ministry, we learn from the apostle Paul: «I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some» (1 Cor 9:22). Paul's purpose in becoming all things to all men is so that some may be saved. We can see this displayed in his preaching to the Athenians in Acts 17, how he becomes a local by relating to them through their culture. This book first looks at how we are to imitate Christ's love and humility to effectively love the locals to whom we are ministering. Then the book covers many specific aspects of life abroad and how we can better live like the locals in many areas that some may be saved. Though this book is particularly targeted for those readers who are ministering cross-culturally, it is also a very beneficial book for Christians aiming to be light in their home country.
Suffering is an inevitable part of our lives as humans. We, as Christians, are called to have an understanding of suffering that is based on how the Bible interprets and mentions sufferings. Suffering is a huge theme throughout the Bible. The first part of this book focuses on what the Bible says on the topic, as what the Bible says about suffering is the best way to understand and perceive our own sufferings. Be warned, suffering is NOT a subject that is light and fluffy, hence this book is NOT light or fluffy. The second part of this book contains stories of my own personal sufferings, which have been unique in many ways, and include an incurable genetic disease. I look at these sufferings in light of the Scriptures and the lessons the Lord taught me through them. The idea is that each of you, by reading this book, may also be encouraged to look at the Lord's purposes in your own sufferings, past and present. If our hope is rooted firmly in the Lord, there is hope and rejoicing in the midst of our sufferings.