an update on the life of tim chan

so what's going on in tim's life now? well, that seems to be the popular question people like to ask. let me give u an update.

work stuff:
i'm working at a small company called canaan shipping. it's a shipping company in vancouver (under the cambie street bridge to be exact). what we do is store packages of lumber (lumber is bc's largest export), and stuff them into ocean containers, then ship them out to all parts of the world (mostly asia). my role is to manage the inventory.

good stuff at work: a young christian boss who listens to my ideas, a cook that makes chinese food for lunch for everyone, it's only a 5 minute drive from my apartment, people speak cantonese alot (so i get to practise mines lots)

not so good stuff at work: not such good pay, not many people my age, all the single females are 10+ years older than me

church stuff:
i'm back at my childhood church - surrey chinese baptist church. yes, it is far. it's a small church with a 40 person young english congregation and 80 person chinese congregation. currently i'm the english worship department head (meaning i coordinate all sunday worship services). that also means i'm on the church council (which makes the decisions for the church).

good stuff: with a small church, it's very easy to build relationships with people, it's a very personal intimate church. the opportunity to lead worship lots and train the youth in leading worship. it's very easy to get involved.

not so good stuff: lack of resources (mainly people). it is quite a far drive (30 minutes w/o traffic, 45 w/ traffic). there's always tons of responsibilities (it gets burdening at times). and again, the lack of single females my age (sigh).

small group:
last year, me and my good friend (gideon fung) started a small group for university graduates (which we lovingly have called "after CRU"). this has been one of the highlights of my year. we meet together twice a month for a time of worship, bible study (we're currently doing an IN DEPTH study of ephesians, hoping to finish in one year, ha ha), sharing, prayer, and fellowship. we meet at different people's place every other sunday evening. i love how the people that attend love God and have a passion to know Him more. every time i meet with them, i'm inspired to know God even more. what a blessing they have been!
and of course, you all are welcome to join. just call me if you're interested. and let me just mention that there are plenty of single, godly, kind-hearted, loving, young men and women... did i mention dashingly good-looking ;) (hey after CRU people, i'm looking out for you)

living & family:
the past 8 months, i've been living with my favourite bro, dan, in a 2 bedroom (a master bedroom and a maid room.. ha ha.. sorry dan) apartment on oak & broadway (i'm not going to post my address, in case any of you are stalkers... kidding, kidding). besides the noise complaints of our neighbours, it's been fun, having our own place. but dan's now gone (travelling around tibet and teaching english in china for a year), and i've got the place to myself for the summer. my favourite sister, tiff, is coming to live with me in august. it'll be a blast! she'll drive me crazy (i love u tiff), but it'll be good times. she's in hk for the summer. my parents are in hk too, doing their thing. my dad's getting quite involved with missions work in china, and my mom's a counsellor at my church.

spiritual life:
haven’t been fed very well the last few months. i’ve really be trying to grasp the concept of unconditional love, no strings attached. but it seems without that pressure of needing to earn love, i’ve lost motivation to read the Word. it’s taken me a while, but slowly i’m developing a hunger to read God’s word, not out of a need to be loved, but out of a longing to hear from God and grow. and although i’ve felt like crap the past few months for not having any quiet times (especially since i’m a leader at my church), it’s been a strange way of God pruning me of what’s dead (the wrong motivations to read the Bible) and allowing something new & fresh & living to grow (a longing to grow spiritually and hear from God through His Word). it’s been a humbling experience and i’m still work-in-progress, so keep me in prayers please.

upcoming events:
creationfest - july 21-24: 4 days packed with camping in washington with some of the best christian bands

skydiving: i went in april, but want to go again before my 3-month training license expires. all are welcome to join me. Either aug 1 or 2nd. any takers?

july 10- joint praise & worship: there's been a desire amongst churches for unity. so we're starting to meet with each other, build relationships between the churches. i'm leading that night, so you're all invited! 6pm at vancouver chinese baptist church - 7474 Culloden Street (by knight & 59th ave).

so there you have it. an update. this is the theory that i just thought up of (let me know what you think of it): that having this info will assist in having meaningful conversation with me. Because you’ll now be able to direct the conversation towards something that interests you in my life (not everyone wants to know about inventory management techniques and performance indicators… work stuff). whereas without this info, you’d have to keep on asking me questions about my life until you get to something that interests you (and this process might mean you having to listen to me explain some parts of my life that really don’t interest you). what a theory eh? i thought of it in the shower, that’s where i come up with my best ideas (like the pie-fundraiser / promotion)

anyways, let me leave you with some good solid verses

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
~Psalm 19:7-11~