Written 3/12/11
I feel so extremely privileged to be able to live out who I
am boldy, and freely here in China.
And I feel so blessed to work with missionaries who foster that freedom,
and set up our schedules to be full of living out who I am, and showing that to
the Chinese people here in Harbin.
am boldy, and freely here in China.
And I feel so blessed to work with missionaries who foster that freedom,
and set up our schedules to be full of living out who I am, and showing that to
the Chinese people here in Harbin.
Jake and Steph send us out to mingle at English corners. Or
what the University we went to called today a “Chatting Café�. These are classrooms
in Universities where Chinese college students go, to practice their English.
what the University we went to called today a “Chatting Café�. These are classrooms
in Universities where Chinese college students go, to practice their English.
Gaddy, Steph, another American, and I went to one tonight.
When we walked into the classroom, we were greeted by a round of applause. The
students were excited to have foreigners walk in.
When we walked into the classroom, we were greeted by a round of applause. The
students were excited to have foreigners walk in.
We each joined a group of about 5-7 Chinese students. We
played some games, and practiced talking about how our “winter break�
went. It was great getting to be a
part of helping them practice their English.
played some games, and practiced talking about how our “winter break�
went. It was great getting to be a
part of helping them practice their English.
Naturally as the night progressed they asked us questions
about what we were doing in China, and where we were from. So I told them the
truth (with total permission from Jake and Steph), that I was helping a church
in China.
about what we were doing in China, and where we were from. So I told them the
truth (with total permission from Jake and Steph), that I was helping a church
in China.
They asked more and more questions, and so I just continued
to be myself, and answer the questions honestly.
to be myself, and answer the questions honestly.
There was one guy who was extremely interested in
Chistianity. His name was Eric. He kept on asking question after question, and
was so intrigued by my story of how I came to know Jesus. He asked me to
explain to him about Jesus, and what it means to be “good� in God’s eyes.
Chistianity. His name was Eric. He kept on asking question after question, and
was so intrigued by my story of how I came to know Jesus. He asked me to
explain to him about Jesus, and what it means to be “good� in God’s eyes.
I was able to share with him the entire good news about
Jesus, and God’s gift of life on the cross. How “good� is not achieved, it is
an act of faith.
Jesus, and God’s gift of life on the cross. How “good� is not achieved, it is
an act of faith.
I don’t even remember him blinking. He hung onto every word
that God was helping me share with him. He kept on thanking me for answering
his questions, and taking the time to listen to them.
that God was helping me share with him. He kept on thanking me for answering
his questions, and taking the time to listen to them.
I had to fight back from tears coming down my face for a
moment. Because I kept on thinking “ How long has he had these questions? He’s
searching for truth…for answers… How many more people like him are here in
China? Around the world? How many Christians are sharing the freedom that comes
with putting our faith in Jesus?�
moment. Because I kept on thinking “ How long has he had these questions? He’s
searching for truth…for answers… How many more people like him are here in
China? Around the world? How many Christians are sharing the freedom that comes
with putting our faith in Jesus?�
I was humbled
to be one of the people God used to water the seed that had been planted in him
a couple years before, when a friend invited him to church.
to be one of the people God used to water the seed that had been planted in him
a couple years before, when a friend invited him to church.
Jake and Steph have a wonderful innovative idea in that they
use the apartment that my team is staying in as the “party� house. Where they
invite people that they meet over to hang out, eat, play games, and leave room
for there to be more talk and questions answered in a chillaxed environment. So
we’re having our first party tomorrow afternoon. We’re inviting some of the
people we met at the first English corner we went to, and some of the friends
that we met tonight.
use the apartment that my team is staying in as the “party� house. Where they
invite people that they meet over to hang out, eat, play games, and leave room
for there to be more talk and questions answered in a chillaxed environment. So
we’re having our first party tomorrow afternoon. We’re inviting some of the
people we met at the first English corner we went to, and some of the friends
that we met tonight.
Eric said “I have a controversial question to ask you…Do you
think the Tibet people have the right to fight for independence and to be governed
by the Dhali Lama.�
think the Tibet people have the right to fight for independence and to be governed
by the Dhali Lama.�
I confessed that I honestly only knew little about the
plight of the Tibet people and their fight for indeendence. But that one thing
I do believe firmly is that people should have the opportunity to search for
truth, choose what they believe in, and not be forced into it.
plight of the Tibet people and their fight for indeendence. But that one thing
I do believe firmly is that people should have the opportunity to search for
truth, choose what they believe in, and not be forced into it.
I feel blessed to be a part of the opening of options for
some of the Chinese people here that I am meeting..
some of the Chinese people here that I am meeting..
I told him that Jesus made an extremely bold and
controversial statement…one that he should consider in his search for truth. He
asked what it was and I told him it was this.
controversial statement…one that he should consider in his search for truth. He
asked what it was and I told him it was this.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life… no one comes to the
Father except through me.�
Father except through me.�
He nodded his head, and I could see his mind went into
ponderville.
ponderville.
I gave him a card with the churches address on it, and told
him even if he can’t make it to church tomorrow, I hope to see him at the party.
him even if he can’t make it to church tomorrow, I hope to see him at the party.
He agreed, and said he looked forward to discussing more
about Jesus.
about Jesus.
I do too.
Agenda:Love,
Bethsaida
