Ni hao (Hello) from Harbin! It’s been twelve days since we left Atlanta and started on this incredible eleven-month journey. We flew fourteen hours into Beijing then we took a nineteen-hour train ride to Harbin. The moment I stepped off the train in Harbin I felt a rush of joy, knowing God had huge plans ahead for my team and me!
In Harbin on our first night we met our contacts and they shared about their ministry and what all we would be doing to help the ministry grow. They use a process called “the funnel.” The first part of the funnel is going out and getting as many numbers and emails as you can from Asian students at four different Universities. Being honest and telling the students that we are here to share the gospel. This part has been one of the easier levels because the moment we stepped off the train we became famous! Everywhere we go there is always someone who either wants to take a picture with us or of us, especially when we travel in packs. Also, I’m overwhelmed at how many people speak English in China, but for those students who don’t speak English we have a translator that goes out to do ministry with us.
The second part of the funnel is building relationships, turning acquaintances into interested friends. The ones that are interested we ask them to hang out one on one. We ask if they would like to study the bible with us. From that point we continue to pour into them and move deeper into the bottom of the funnel. Each level of the funnel is a deeper invitation to know God more. The goal of the funnel process is to build and train disciples of Christ in Harbin.
What has ministry looked like for my team so far?
Our first couple of days we visited a University called Harbin University. We had the opportunity to play soccer with some students and learn kung fu, which was awesome! We got lots of numbers and have kept up with several students. Right now we are at the first part of the funnel and are working to move into the next stages. I am so grateful for this opportunity to love on these students, to pour into them the love that God pours into me daily. It gives me so much joy to see them smile when they hear about Jesus! So fellow readers I ask that you pray for these students as we share God’s love with them. God has HUGE plans for Harbin and I look forward to sharing with you how faithful He is. Love you guys <3
