So much has happened in the weeks being in China. God has really been working on my heart and showing more of himself in ways I could never imagine happening. However, with this work, my heart has been torn and a piece of it will forever be left in Zhangzhou.
I was asked a question as we left: “what fruit of the spirit was I lacking?” I really didn’t know the answer to this question at first, but the more I thought about it the more I thought about faithfulness. God has really been working on my faith since being here.
Near the beginning of our stay in Zhangzhou, we headed to Cherry Valley to meet our friends and finish some work that needed WIFI. One of the girls there had a bad stomachache and soon my stomach started to hurt as well. My team prayed over me, but nothing happened. I left the building to go walk around, I didn’t know what was wrong with me. As I was gone, my team prayed over our friend’s stomach and she was healed! I came back wondering why her and not me… However, my team started to pray over me again, and again, nothing happened. Elijah gave me a bible to hold as we prayed again. In my head, I thought this was a bit weird, but I was willing. They prayed and all the pain was gone! Wiped away like it was never really there! That was the first time I had ever been healed and I cried.
Afterwards, our squad leader would challenge me each day to reach out and pray for others. Our host dad wanted to show others what Jesus could do, so he called a few of us into a back room after calligraphy to pray for a man who had a bad headache. I laid my hand on his head and began to pray. Eric stopped me and told me to pray TO the headache in Jesus name. He told me to tell it to get out in Jesus name. I was slow to speak, my words were stuck, and I was uncomfortable in saying it. However, after praying those words, there was a lightness to the room and not only was the man’s headache gone but mine as well.
There are countless stories like this one where Jesus healed because I chose to step out in faith and pray over those people. Its still a challenge for me and I am still working on building my faith to step out and be bold for Jesus. With this, so much was happening within me and within this family that it made things difficult to leave.
In the days before we left, I was able to grow a close relationship with this sweet family. We got a sneak peek into our host dad’s work as a teacher, where we were able to teach some fun math games to the students as they made us lunch. Us ladies did a bible study with the mother through Beauty for Ashes and were able to answer any questions she had about Jesus. She was open, raw, and receptive; traits we often neglect in our own communities.
I grew closer to the children in the family as well who were open and receptive to join us in many activities. I was able to talk with the older boy about his creative drawings and he drew me some sweet pandas to take home with me. The younger boy and little girl taught me how to play Chinese chess. This game was rather difficult to understand, granted I couldn’t read Chinese, but worthwhile all the same. I won the game, even though they both helped me make the right moves and fixed my mistakes. Lastly. we snuck out of the house with the two boys in search for ice cream and fried chicken on our last night! This was quite the adventure that brought joy and laughter all around.
Every moment with this family was such a blessing. Every word we were able to speak and action we were able to do, created a connection between our two worlds. We have been able to laugh together, cry together, sing together, and pray together.
When we had to say our goodbyes and they asked us to come back soon, my heart ached for them. I don’t know when or if the opportunity after the Race will arise for us to return. I want to see this family grow and develop a deeper relation with Jesus. I want to see all that God is going to do for this family. We made a way for them to learn more and made connections with people so that this family will still be guided in their faith; however, it was still difficult to leave.
As we settled into our new place, I mourned for this family. A part of my heart was left behind with them. It was hard to move forward and have the same enthusiasm for ministry as I did before. A part of my heart will always ache for them, a part of me will always remain with that family. Oh, how I long for the day we meet again!
Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours.
Love Always,
Laura Leigh Armstrong
