Grasping Heaven

by Wilder-Smith, Annelies

• ISBN13: 9781935265344
• ISBN10: 1935265342
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-09-01
• Publisher: Stl Distribution North Amer

Summary

Grasping Heaven is the story of a young lady doctor from Denver Dr Tami Fisk. Her journey led her to do pioneer work among the Yi minority in the Great Cold Mountains of West China. After three years her promising time in China was cut short as she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The ensuing story is her final journey that ultimately led to her death. A story of faith, courage and a remarkable sense of humor. Grasping Heaven also reveals the striking parallels of Dr. Fisk and the life of Dr. Broomhall, who forty years ago was the first to work among the Yi. His time was cut short due to the communist take over. After three years he had to leave the country. With excerpts from Tami's journal, the book shares her anecdotes and observations of the Yi people in China, in particular her stories of being a Martian. I have recently come to a startling conclusion: I am, in fact, a Martian. Let me explain. Since being in Zhaojue, many people have gaped at me with looks that can only mean theyve discovered a life form never encountered before. Whenever I did anything, such as speak, eat, or buy things, they would congregate around me, watch in awe, and discuss it among themselves, probably commenting on how human or not my actions appeared. Whenever I was inside a place with windows, people would come in waves for a glimpse of this new creature. - Though to be fair, Im equally fascinated with the Yis faces, each of which tells a different storyAlso included are some of her most famous stories are her culinary adventures. Drunken Shrimp. Have you ever tried that? These are the freshest shrimp Ive ever eaten. They certainly were not overcooked. They werent even dead. In this local specialty, the chef takes live shrimp and marinates them in a series of sauces, letting them flush out their little digestive tracts. They are served in a mixture of alcohol, chili, and other spices. The ones on the bottom of the dish are in a drunken stupor, but the ones on top, because theyre not fully soaking in the alcohol mixture, tend to wake up and start moving. Once one jumped out of the dish! The key is to take on that is not moving, and hope that is doesnt sober up on the way to your mouthcause it s rude to throw it back!Along with the interesting, and often funny entries included in Grasping Heaven, the book provides an introduction to the new organization named MSI which was founded by Dr Jim Taylor III, the great-grandson of Hudson Taylor. The amazing history of how God hath wrath the words of Dr. Taylor blends into Tamis life story.It also gives a glimpse into the life and beliefs of the Yi people a plight that will hopefully attract some readers to consider living and working among them. Finally, Tamis insights on heaven are an encouragement and will serve as an eye-opener to many readers. A final poem by Tami clearly tells how she has grasped heaven.

Table of Contents

Tami's Poem	p. 5
Preparation for the Journey
Love Never fails	p. 9
Glimpses of Heaven	p. 15
High Road Prayer	p. 20
Becoming a Doctor	p. 29
Calling to Serve in China	p. 37
Tami Joins MSI Professional Services	p. 43
Journey to China
Arrival in China	p. 55
Chinese: The Eternal Language	p. 63
Culture Shock	p. 70
What God Hath Wrought	p. 76
Sheep and a Pig's Head	p. 80
The Gateway City	p. 85
Torch Festival	p. 91
Cemented in Flexibility	p. 96
What Counts	p. 102
Tami Is a Martian	p. 107
The Martian at Home in China	p. 115
Moving to the Mountain Village	p. 123
Winter	p. 130
The Great Cold Mountains	p. 134
The Martian Doctor	p. 138
Final Journey
The Martian Returns to the United States	p. 157
Cancer	p. 165
Intensive Chemotherapy	p. 173
Valleys and Peaks	p. 180
A New Drug Trial	p. 184
Miracles	p. 189
Back in Asia	p. 195
Farewell from the Mountain Village	p. 199
Productive Years	p. 202
Excruciating Pain	p. 208
Heaven Is Better by Far	p. 213
Grasping Heaven	p. 220
Epilogue: Tami's Legacy Continues, by Dr. Matthew Koh, President of MSI Professional Services	p. 229
Afterword: A Life of Grace, by Dr. Reggie Tsang, Cofounder of MSI Professional Services	p. 233
Afterword: A Celebration of Tami Fisk's Life, by Dr. James Taylor III	p. 235
Appendices
A Celebration of Life: Tami's Memorial Services	p. 243
Tributes to Tami	p. 247
Tami's Poem	p. 251
First Corinthians 13	p. 254
A Short History of MSI Professional Services (1989-2009)	p. 255
Tami's Curriculum Vitae	p. 258
The Authors	p. 261
Acknowledgments and Bibliography	p. 262
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.