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eighty two.

Had to do my presentation assessment today for Global Ethics..

Before the class started... A classmate asked me "where is your name from?"

O: It's Hebrew

C: Oh, I thought you were Indonesian?

O: Mmm nope, its origins is Hebrew

C: Haha, so you're Indonesian, Australian, Mexican [inside joke] and now Jewish?

O: Not Jewish... It's just Hebrew

C: So your parents just decided to name you a Hebrew name?

O: No. I'm a Christian. My parents picked it out from the Bible.

C: Oh...

Silence all around the classroom.

It was a shocking experience even for me... I can imagine, if I was still in Sydney when a classmate asked this, I probably would have tried my hardest to not have to declare that I am a Christian. Perhaps it's from a fear of judgment.. but it definitely is insecurity and not being firm in where my sense of identity comes from.

Even in the beginning of my stay here in Korea, I would feel so self-conscious when I prayed before a meal in the cafeteria... Thinking these young adults are looking at me weirdly and judging me..

But nowadays.. I feel nothing like the above. If anything, it's become an identity I'm proud of.

My professor and classmates may think being in that class will shake my faith and what I believe in... But I think it instead has made me more convinced of it. It has led me further to dependence and a real understanding that this world needs God.

That same classmate, at the end of the class, revealed how he is going through depression because of the state of this world. He thinks that this world is so much in ruins that there is no hope... I pray that sometime soon, he's shown otherwise. I know where my hope comes from... And it's definitely not in states, International Law, ethical thinkers or any other worldly power... It comes from The Creator - The God over all things.

This life is just a rehearsal for what's to come. And on that day, it will be a glorious day.

Praise God and thank Him that despite my feelings of loneliness here, He has shown me that He is indeed everywhere. Whenever it is easier and safer to just hide my Christian identity, His Spirit speaks out on my behalf and declares it with boldness and courage.

I know that by myself, I would not have gathered up the courage as I am a proud, sinful and weak person.. but with God's Spirit, I believe He has given me the strength to live out such a life. Pray for me that I continue seeking Him.. and that as the Bible says...

38 (Jesus said)"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Mark 8:38

Pray for boldness, courage and shamelessness when it comes to speaking about Jesus. Maybe one day I will write up my testimony... Testimonies are great because they remind you of the past life you've lived and how God has changed you for the better... I myself have gone through a lot of bad things in my life.. But through those times, I believe each and every event pointed me back to God... and I wouldn't be here right now writing this up if it weren't for His saving grace. I owe it all to Him.

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Anyway my topic was US-Iran relations - US invasion into Iran and under what basis the invasion was on.

Anyway... long story short, I wasn't very prepared.. Winged it but it went okay..

Professor was quite happy, the class was a bit sleepy... But a good discussion was brought up - mostly about International Law and what-not.

One of the few classes where there is little debate against Christianity....

ANYWAY.

After class.... Nothing much happened... Went back to the dorm... Talked to a few people... Dinner... Movie [The book of Eli].... Youtube... etc.. Fun fun!

Sleep time soon.... early start tomorrow..