The pace of time can seem very different at times. When you are with people you like, time seems to zip right by. But when you are practicing for a marathon, the clock seems to slow down and the agony seems to last forever.

I may have missed to say goodbye to Q3 if not for a public holiday that marked the beginning of Q4. Q3 was another unhappy quarter as I witnessed many pro-democracy organizations disband under political pressure. Many more pro-democracy members are unreasonably detained/imprisoned, and I have no idea how to offer my minuscule support now that the supporting organizations are gone. Q3 was sad and I cannot help but foresee a sadder Q4. Sigh.

Life moves on as time continues to flow. I wrote up a few Q4 goals, many of which will involve collaborations with others. In terms of work, I have pretty much given up hope to advance my career here in this dying city. However, I seem to see hope in the many people God allowed me to meet serendipitously in Q3. I’ll see if I can dedicate more time to work with them and help each other out in Q4.

“Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1Peter 4:10)