TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHINA - SUMMER 2009

Such great times!!!

These are the highest of the highlights of my time in China.  I tried to keep it as brief as I could while giving you a feel of how incredible the time was.  Also, I changed the names just to be safe.  Maybe I’m overdoing it a little, but I want to be wise here.

 Top ten highlights:

A new mode of baptism!

10. I experienced the weirdest baptism ever.  One of the teachers, Michael, an intelligent and gifted guy was talking to an on fire Chinese staff woman named Lucie.  She found out he had never been baptized and in a few minutes convinced him he needed to be.  They came to me and wanted to know what we could do.  Well, we didn’t have a pool, a river or anything so we improvised.  I’m not sure how his fits with the mode of baptism in the Bible, but we baptized him under the shower.  I told you it was weird, but also very moving and memorable. 

9. During my time traveling around China I got to visit both government churches and underground churches.  I was moved by both, but was especially glad for the way God opened up doors for me to see the incredible community of the family house church. 

Preaching in Fuzhou

8.  I had the privilege of speaking at the Hai Dien church & a Fuzhou church.  It was such a thrill and honor to speak at these Chinese churches. 

Bible Club - a unique experience for students

7. I was given amazing teaching opportunities including the Chinese staff Bible study; American staff Bible study, devotions for staff; and Bible club.  It did make my schedule pretty crazy, but I loved each and every opportunity to serve. 

Lucas - me - Cathy - some of my old Bible Club students 

6. One of the surprising highlights was near the end of my time in China.  Several of last year’s Bible club students came to visit me and we had an impromptu Bible club with worship, Bible study and the most intimate, sweet prayers you’ve ever heard (in Chinese). 

5. I bought 10 Bibles and brought 10 Bibles (thanks Jim), got one from a friend and gave my own to a student.  Some were given to Christians and some to interested seekers.  What a great opportunity to sow seeds!

Aaron and me - Can you tell I still have a little jet lag?

4. In Inner Mongolia, a door opened to share with Sherry’s husband, Aaron.  He took off work to show us around.  We became good friends and continue to email.  I’ve asked him to read through John.   I also got to share with the top students in Sherry’s class.  They practiced their English with me and I got to share openly with them.  I gave them Bibles as gifts. 

This was just after I had meet a most amazing woman - and would soon meet her husband.

3. The day I spoke at the Hai Dien church I had a few responsibilities that morning so fearing I’d be late I took a taxi.  I got there an hour early!  I sat down on the front row and a woman sat beside me.  We started talking and after a few minutes she told me her husband had started a Bible College for the underground church.  She asked if I had any time to meet with him.  He, his wife, daughter and mother took a two hour bus trip to visit me.  We really hit it off and he asked me if I’d stay and teach.  I told him I couldn’t but would pray about teaching next spring.  Lord willing, I’m planning on teaching “The Life and Writings of Solomon” to underground pastors this next spring.  All I could say was, “Thank you God, thank you.”

Me and Jeanie 

2. An incredible opportunity presented itself near the end of my time in China.  I asked all the Chinese staff to dinner – 14 in all.  I sat beside a woman named Jeanie.  She’s the liaison between Peking University and TIP.  She’s a very sweet woman.  I asked her if she was a Christian.  She said, “No, but I have a deep respect for Christianity and would like to understand more.”  I offered to do an on line Bible study with her and she said she’d love that.  Next to her was Sarah, an English major at the University.  She had never read the Bible so I offered to give her one.  She seemed genuinely excited and wanted to join our study.  The following day I brought her a Bible and learned that she was the daughter of a former high government official.  Since then another woman has decided to join the study.

1. The most exciting thing of all was watching Janet and Lilly place their faith in Christ.  After sharing the gospel in Bible club – where everyone is suppose to already be a Christian - Lillie prayed with Sora, my precious co leader.  Janet, a Chinese staff member, was in another Bible study with me.  She indicated she didn’t understand the gospel so I told her I’d love to talk more.  She said, “Just a minute,” then went to talk to her boss.  She came over and said, “Let’s talk.”  She was completely ready to trust Christ.  She’s now back in her home town and going to church for the first time.

* I should mention that since I’ve returned I have continued to have contact with many of my former students and friends.  I send out a weekly on line Bible reading with questions.  They let me know when they have don't understand something about their readings.  I also have several on going conversations via email with some seekers who challenge me with great questions. We've even talked a few  times on Skype.  Our on line Bible study through Romans hasn’t started yet, but I’m looking forward to beginning it any time now. 

 

 

  

TOP TEN "SUFFERING FOR JESUS" LIST

I thought I’d put my tale in the form of a David Letterman’s top ten list.  I’m posting one this week and the really important one next week.  This first top ten list “suffering for Jesus,” well, they actually reflect my wimpee side.  They did, however, help dewimpify me - some.

 

Top ten suffeing for Jesus events:

10. Sqattie potties – It took me about two weeks, but I learned the far eastern art of sqattie potties.  Now, I’m an expert – another skill to put on my resume.

9. Wrong room fear - My great fear was in the middle of the night after my long walk to the potty, I’d return down the hall – with no lights – go into the wrong room and crawl into bed with one of my fellow teachers.  We were close but not that close.  Fortunately, my worst fear was never realized. 

8. 2 hours of hot water a day – okay now we’re talking about suffering for Jesus.  To make matters worse I would meet students before class (the first hour of hot water) and was in charge of the reading room in the evening (the second hour of hot water).  The reading room was designed to have a place that we could meet with students and have meaningful conversations.  It was great!!  I'd have a conversation or two and then about 9:30 p.m. I’d say, "I’ve got to do something, but I’ll be back in about 30 minutes."  I’d go and take my beloved hot shower and return a much happier and cleaner person.  

7. Quarantine – The first seven days we were quarantined, restricted to our dorms.   We took daily temperatures, wore masks and had food brought to us.  Although we missed out on seeing some of Beijing, we did get really close as a group.  I think that must have been God’s plan all along. 

6. Remodeling - They were remodeling our dorm and so from about 7 a.m. until something like 8 p.m. – it varied from day to day – there was the sweet sound of a jack hammer and the aroma of construction dust; cough, cough.  

5. One bathroom for the dorm - We had a sign that said, “No one; Women; Men”  You put the right sign up; check then enter.  I only had one mishap.  

4. Wood mattresses – Our beds didn’t have mattresses.  We slept on boards covered by a quilt – still I slept like a baby most of the time.

3. Falling down – I ran and traveled all around Beijing, Fuzhou and Manzhouli.  I bit the dust 9 times.  I can’t decide is I’m graceful to be so clumsy or clumsy to be so graceful!  Fortunately, I was never seriously hurt.

2. Internet access- Being new to the campus, at first we had no internet access.  By the end it had improved greatly, but by then I was so busy, I had no time to get on Skype.  I didn’t get to contact my family much. 

1. Family – This is a new phase for Janelle and me.  Being separated is difficult for both of us.  I was gone most of the summer; will be home for six weeks then gone for almost 3 months.  Pray for us. 

 

 

 

Ruth's journal

All TIP students - including our Ruth

While in Beijing, China this summer I met a remarkable woman.  I’ll call her Ruth.  She is in her mid 40’s, a single parent, a Chinese English teacher and a Christian with a remarkably tender, teachable heart.  In her home town, she is a member of a small group of Christians who meets in hiding.  She lives in a Muslim area where the government doesn’t look with favor on the church.  I thought you might enjoy following her spiritual journey while she was at our summer training.  The following are some excerpts from her daily journal.  I did as little editing as possible to give you a real feel of her heart.

 

Friday, July 10^th

This is the fourth day since I came TIP.  During the four days, I have learned a lot that I didn’t know at all before.  …  We have two male facilitators and a female facilitator.  One is an old man named Doc, who is very kind and patient.  He behaves like my father.  Another is a man who is very handsome and wears very fashional hair style.  The female facilitator is very beautiful and elegant with sweet voice.  I like them very much. 

 

Saturday, July 11^th

At lunch, our facilitator Mr. Doc was busy announcing to the trainees about the preparation of final speech.  He put his meal aside and focused on his work.  I sat beside his seat and watched him tell everyone patiently and carefully.  I was moved by the old man’s working spirit and attitude.  After he finished announcement, he returned to his seat for his lunch.  He had a very simple dish, but without any rice. 

            I remember on the first day in my classroom, Mr. Doc asked all of us to guess the information about him.  One of us guessed that he is a teacher.  He said, he once worked in a church for 25 years and then became a teacher in the university.

            So today I asked him whether he was a Christian.  When he learned that I’m a Christian too, he was even more excited than I.  After I told him how I began to believe in God and how my belief changed my life, he told me excitedly, “You’re my sister.”

            Thanks to God I met Doc – a faithful Christian in this small campus unexpectedly.

            From June 26 on, I can’t go to church until August.  …  It is not until the end of this month I can return to Yinchuan, Ningxia.  I will leave God for more than a month.  But God doesn’t forget me.  He lets me get close to the old man to be filled with holy spirit.

            When I told Doc I don’t know how to pray, he said he would tell me and pray for me.  We made an appointment that we would meet at the dinning hall at 7 a.m. next Tuesday.  He would guide me to pray.  He also invited me to attend Bible Club on Tuesday.  Now, I’m expecting that exciting moment. 

            Such is the old man with great energy and enthusiasm.  I love the old Brother!

 

 

Tuesday, July 14^th

            In the early morning, at 7 o’clock I arrived at the dinning hall, where I made an appointment with Mr. Doc to go.  When I entered it, I began to search for him in every corner, but couldn’t find him.

            “Maybe Mr. Doc forgot our appointment because of his old age.” I said to myself.  Even one of my classmates agreed that he must have forgotten, for she also helped me look for him.

            Just as I sat at the table near the door, feeling a little disappointed, Mr. Doc came in.  He didn’t forget. He help me to remove my confusion about how to pray to God for my boyfriend Danielson to become a Christian.

            He prayed for Daniel’s belief.  And at lunch, I received his invitation to Bible Club this afternoon.

            Yes, it was really exciting to meet many sisters and brothers at the club.  We sang a holy song and shared the story of each other.  We also learned a piece of Bible.  Doc explained the words of God vividly and even used some simple movements so that we could easily understand.

            To my great surprise, Doc had me pray in the face of the others.  At first, I was very nervous, but thank God it was amazing that I prayed fluently for some minutes.  After I finished pray, Doc and Sora praised me for that.  I really got the inspiration from holy spirit.

            Until today, I know many facilitators are Christians … Wow.  God is always together with us wherever we go. 

            Many thanks to Lord, my dear father, brings me so much happiness!

 

Wednesday, July 15

            Yesterday evening, it was our class’s turn to go to Yuan Ming Yuan park. Since we began TIP class, we haven’t gone out of the school gate. 

            On our way back to the school, Swing and I went to a supermarket secretly.  I hunted a lot of food because I can’t get used to the food of the cafeteria.  But unexpectedly, on our way back after we went out of the supermarket, we met a facilitator.  He identified us as TIP trainees and questioned us.  Because Swing still wore the blue ribbon.  I was clever to put my name tag into my bag.  Swing began to tell a lie that we were allowed and our facilitator knew about that.

            At that time, I exactly wanted to beat Swing.  I knew we brought trouble to Mr. Doc.  I couldn’t calm down although Swing comforted me again and again.  Even from this morning, I have been feeling guilty.  How I regret doing that.  As a Christian, I broke TIP rule.  I did set a bad example to others.  I especially feel very sorry to Mr. Doc.  How much I want to say sorry to the old man, but I have no courage.  My mind is filled with train of thought.  Now I just want to admit my guilt before the Lord.

 

“My dear Lord, I beg you to punish me for my guilt.  I know I really hurt Mr. Doc.  If you can help me wash away my guilt, I’ll feel peaceful in my heart.  My Lord, please give me courage so that I can say sorry to Mr. Doc, whom I wouldn’t like to hurt.

            My dear Lord, have your holy spirit fill me and touch my heart with your power.  Bless me to get rid of my sin and make me a true Christian.  Amen!

 

Thursday, July 15

            Thank you, my Lord.  Finally got courage from you to tell Mr. Doc about the incident.

            After I had breakfast at my dorm, I went to the dinning hall to find Mr. Doc, and both of us went to the classroom where I said sorry to him.  Then had him read my journal of July 15^th.  While he was reading, I couldn’t control myself and burst into tears.

            The moment he finished reading my journal, he was excited and pleased.  What a kind – hearted old man!  And then we began to pray.  I implored the Lord to forgive me for my sins.  He prayed for my regret and courage.

            How comfortable I feel after I spoke out!  A huge stone was removed from my heart.

            In order to teach us how to make a persuasive speech, Mr. Doc showed us variety of motivational methods in his class, which make his classes lively and impressive.  What impressed me most is today’s game, “Who will live?”

            We were divided into groups of nine.  Each person plays a role of one occupation, such as fireman, farmer, doctor, etc. … Each person tells the others why you think somebody should die in the circumstances that only four of the group can survive on a lonely island with only a small boat.  Very interesting!

            As a result, we all know how to make a persuasive speech.

            As for our Bible club, I have a lot to share with my roommates.  Every afternoon I have a peaceful and unforgettable time there.

            This afternoon lead us to learn “John 13:1-17.”  It‘s about the last meal that Jesus had together with his disciples.  God loved his disciples and began to wash his disciples’ feet after supper.  After our pray, Doc and Sora began to wash our feet like a servant, just as Jesus did.  Wow, never in my life have I experienced such a scene … I’m sure nobody else in my daily life is willing to do that except Christians, our parents and relatives.  What Doc and Sora both did amazed and affected us.

 

Saturday, July 18

            This morning, Doc showed us a video about a Christian … born … without arms and legs …It seems that God treats him unfairly.  But he still loves life, still full of hope about his life.  Yes, he can do what average people do.  We can hardly imagine what difficulties he must overcome.  However, he has proved to the world that he can do it.  His strong will, perseverance and attitude to life make him stand up and walk together with others.

            While seeing the video, I was moved to tears.  I pray for him and beg God to bless him to have a merry day forever.  He is sure to inspire all TIP members to overcome difficulties and study hard. 

 

Tuesday, July 21

It is the last time for our Bible club to get together.  Thinking of this, I feel it like the last dinner.  How I wish our club would continue forever.  Although we have a short time at the club, I’m filled with holy spirit.  God has given me a lot through Doc, Sora and other brothers and sisters.  Thankful to the Lord for  giving me ability to understand his words and pray for all members of TIP for our families and children.

            When it came to the understanding of God’s words, Doc divided us into groups of three to discuss the meaning of each paragraph given to each group.  Thank God again for giving me inspiration to direct a short drama to illustrate God’s words.  “The seed cast in the weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard and nothing comes of it.”

            After that, each of us got a very precious gift which was made by Doc himself.  It is a bracelet which is connected with 6 different colors of beads.  Each color symbolizes a meaning. 

            Red: stands for God’s blood

            Black: our sins

            White: we’re saved and have a new life.

            Yellow: God’s home – Heaven

            Green: permanent new life

            Purple: the bridge between God and us.

 

            To me the beads are even more valuable than pearls.  Because I know Doc has a poor eyesight.  I don’t know how much time he spent in making all these gifts.  Thanks a million, Doc.  I’ll keep the gift forever.

 

Thursday, July 23

            I didn’t make a good preparation for my speech.  I even couldn’t recite it.  But I volunteered to be in the first group to make a speech.

            Just as the old saying goes, “No pains, no gains.”  When it was my turn I was very nervous.  While I was standing on the platform, my mind was almost blanky.  My God, I had to made my speech according to my impression of what I had written.

            What a great failure it was.  God really gave me lesson.  When I done something, I should put my feet on the ground and do it seriously.

            Oh, God tell me why I commit sins every day.  I hope you can restrict me every minute, for every day I feel I behave like a child.  God, thank you.  Please help me.  Amen

Pray for "Ruth."  Pray for all those who made decisions and are heading home to difficult situations.  Pray for my on line Bible Study that I send to each of my students every week.