Our time in Won Gai is over. I’m pleased to report that our dinner party was a smashing success. All of the teachers we spent time with this past week attended, as did Hannah, our favorite student.
Our guests allowed us, as hosts, to order all of our favorite dishes. So, it was sweet and sour pork, braised beef in a sizzling skillet, spicy noodles, chicken, and rice. We told stories, shared memories from the week together, and wished each other well for the future.
After dinner, two of the teachers who are a married couple invited us to their house. We gladly accepted the invitation, and were treated to coffee and fruit, and repeated offers of Chinese brandy. We traded songs in English and Chinese, and Katherine and I danced a little for everyone. Soon, everyone had notebooks out and were writing messages and trading our e-mail addresses. It was like the end of the school year, and we all just got our yearbooks.
All kidding aside, the message writing was a great opportunity for witness. We were able to write our prayers, that our friends would come to know Jesus, and that they might understand the depth of His love for them. It was yet another door the Lord opened for us.
However, we had one closed door, too. Throughout dinner, the after-party, and a farewell breakfast with our friends this morning, Katherine and I repeatedly tried to share what Christians believe with our friends. We tried any number of different approaches, but we could not get he words out before the moment had passed and everyone’s attention was elsewhere. It felt as though we couldn’t quite get there without completely forcing it and making things totally awkward. So, we didn’t. We decided to trust in the Lord’s leadings. He opened so many doors for us; if He didn’t open this one, it must for a reason.
By the way, the school we spoke at is open to employing a foreign teacher to teach English! We had been praying for and searching out an opening to allow a missionary to be in the city long-term, and now here it is! And the best part is, they would pay you $1000 yuen per month, which is more than enough to live on quite comfortably in Won Gai. So, a missionary filling this role wouldn’t even have to raise support! How amazing is that! If you feel that God might be leading you to China, or to the teaching of English, or both, please e-mail us and we will put you in contact with the right people. We want so badly for someone to seize this opportunity. Please pray with us that God would make the right person known, and soon!
Oh, and also by the way, we finally met the one guy from Won Gai. But we met him here in Atlantis, not in Won Gai. Nonetheless, it was inspiring to meet this brother. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be the only believer among your people. May God strengthen him and give him boldness in witness.
Tomorrow, it’s on to the Tibetan regions! Until then…
– Gary, on behalf of Team Doulos
