I’m back on the map, and all I can say is WOW. God blows me away. I’m sitting in South Africa, reflecting on departing from Asia, the continent where I have spent my previous five months. “They were the best of times, they were the worst of times.” God always has a purpose for the good, and always manages to bring a lesson or challenge from the hard times. China was one of the good times. There were moments of utter disbelief in the blessings God poured out. There were moments of utter confusion and stress, which eventually resulted in healing and restoration. There were moments of feeling completely at home and at peace. There were moments of feeling completely foreign and out of place. The Lord has His hand on China and its people. His people are eager to hear from Him, whether or not they trust in Him yet, they are groaning in eager expectation. I cannot fully explain the many varied moments that moved me. I will, briefly, attempt to give an overview of the faithfulness of the Lord and the ways in which He knows my heart and pursues it: · While walking around the train station in our town, searching for lost and abandoned children to give food to (a woman we worked with has taken in many children into her home and into a boys’ home, many with physical or mental disabilities), we met Xia, a woman whose husband had divorced her and taken her children away. She had no money to return to her province, and had terrible pains in her legs and stomach. Christie, Sarah, and I carried Xia to a hospital (with many interesting looks by passersby), and through our contact’s translation, shared the love of Christ with her. Along the way and while in the hospital, we met several other people who asked for prayer or just wanted to talk. The whole evening was ordained by the Lord and His Spirit went with us each step we made. (We had to leave Xia at the hospital, as the government has a program to care for homeless in need of medical attention, but we are still praying for her as God mends her broken heart and fading body!) · While cleaning up at YWAM in Hong Kong, I came across a picture of two Bischoff sisters, meaning one certain Bischoff sister stayed in the same room I stayed in just a few months prior, and now I have a new memoir/bookmark for my Bible. It was really remarkable (that room, that time, and I was the one who found the photo)! · I named a kid…I got to give a little girl an English name – she’s two and I named her Lucy. She now has cups and books at her preschool (where Christie and I taught) with her new name on them! · A lot of support came in!! I still need $2,690 to complete the race, but I am amazed and astounded at the way God has provided, and I am so thankful for each of you who have supported me in finances, prayer, and encouragement! · We went to see the Great Wall of China…and it snowed! (my toes almost fell off from frostbite, but it was still pretty amazing!) It looked like Narnia. · Learning obedience and submission · Sitting in a real theatre, waiting for the opening to “CATS” in Beijing (yes, it was in English, and yes, I thought it was horrible…but getting to see a show – any show – while on the World Race was worth it) · Hearing God in the small things
Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I musn’t give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
