Over the last couple of weeks, work assignments have taken me to Singapore, Taipei, Taiwan, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Along the way I’ve had a chance to spend time with co-workers, meet friends of RBC, and see some of the ways that East and West are closer than they are far apart.

In Taipei I saw this statue of Confucius who, living 500 years before Christ, saw the importance of study, thoughtfulness, morality, social relationships, justice, and sincerity.  (You can click on these small pictures to enlarge them).

South of Taipei I saw memorials to George Mackay who, while being relatively unknown to the rest of the world, is remembered here for his 19th century work in bringing dental services and the good news of Christ to the people of Taiwan.

I was impressed not only by Dr. Mackay’s amazing beard but, far more, by how important he remains to grateful followers of Christ in the region.

In the same harbor community of Tamsui, I found these fishermen doing something that I love to do in the lakes of Michigan, half a world away. If nothing else, this I understand (smile). There’s something about the anticipation, and unpredictability of putting a line in the water that seems to leave the rest of the world behind… if only for a few moments…

Back in Taiwan, heard this group of protesters before seeing them.

They were appealing to the government to intervene and block a corporate take-over of the company for which they work.

Thought about how universally we all long for protection from the forces that seem to threaten our security and existence. Interestingly, Oswald Chambers reminds us in today’s (May 23) My Utmost for His Highest reading of how important it is for us, in the middle of such concerns, to remember what Jesus said about our common and natural worries (Matt 6:25).

After a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I found myself faced once again with the tensions and real needs of people like ourselves, as pictured in this wall painting and graffiti…

And the huge forces of industry, commerce, and wealth, as seen in the enormity of Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers and Skybridge– which from 1998 to 2004 held the record as being the tallest buildings in the world.

They remain today as the tallest twin structures.

At street level below, these workers, pipes, (and even the bird… that may be waiting for the workers to break out their lunch)… seem to be so much more like the life that most of us live…

…than the world class Petronas Towers looming above them.

A little while later we visited an older part of Kuala Lumpur, and an old market that featured crafts from around the world.

These masks being sold at the market remind me of the faces we put on while trying to appear to be something we are not…

…and the colorful bags—of our obsession to find and bring with us… some of what matters… and a lot of which probably just weighs us down.

Then there was Singapore. By contrast with the expansive landscape and natural resources of Malaysia, this is one of the smallest City-States in the world.

Modern, prosperous, hi-tech, and regulated, Singapore reminds me of the state of Israel for its ability to turn a relatively small national footprint into force for global influence.

Here I saw shoes and sandals

left outside of doors

to respectfully leave street dirt where it belongs …

…and just above the sandals, a family shrine of incense, drink, and food offerings that express a form of ancestor worship that is an important part of a traditional Asian religion.

In summary, what I’ve been thinking about since returning home seems like two worlds-apart. One is an Eastern world-view that embraces wisdom without Christ. The other is a Western world-view that, too often, tries to embrace Christ—without wisdom.

Could the second be an over-reaction to the first?

P.S. I appreciate so much Mike Wittmer’s posts and your ongoing conversation in my absence…

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