“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
I’m excited to share with you what we are doing here in China for the month! Our ministry contact is Jake Taube and works with Project China. Turns out, things have changed in the last 20 years and you can openly share your faith here unlike before, which is so awesome! It is no longer illegal to have a Bible or have it in public. You can even buy Bibles here in stores and online. Here, in Harbin, Jake has been diligently sharing the gospel, making disciples, and raising up pastors for 7 years and now there are 4 established Christian Churches in Harbin. The authorities know about them and because they know they are not a cult or part of an uprising, they have no problem co-existing with Christians.
On our first day here, Jake explained to us our ministry for the month. He stated, “There are lots of things I could have you help with here like paint a building, build, etc. But why would I ask you to come clear across the world to do something that just any nice person can do? I am asking you to do something that ONLY you can do…something that ONLY children belonging to God can do…and that is to share the Gospel.” That is what we are here to do. We are here, first and foremost, to love God and love others. We are here to share His love with the people of China. We have no secret agenda in getting to know people, we simply are living out of the love that He has lavished on us and God will do the rest.
I was reading in Acts Chapter 4 where the authorities commanded John and Peter not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus and they answered them and said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” This is the “how” of sharing the Gospel. We share the Gospel out of an OVERFLOW of God’s love for us. I have come to a point because of the miracles that God has done in my life (healing me of deep depression and self hatred and giving me a passionate will to live life to the absolute fullest!) that I CANNOT HELP but share with all those I meet of the glorious love that God has lavished on me. It doesn’t matter if that person is Chinese or American, young or old, believer or nonbeliever, whether using words or just actions, I cannot help but live out of that incredible place of overflow. None of this is of my own strength or my own doing. God’s goodness and His peace is what upholds me and my team. For that, I am overwhelmed with passion and excitement for this month!
We are working with universities in our area and meeting with students who are learning English. Yesterday, I met a girl named Lynn. She has only been here for 2 weeks and was overjoyed to talk to an American. Lynn and I talked for over 3 hours while we walked in the city. She talked of how she yearns to be able to follow her dreams in life and not have to live the norm. She longs for a passion for life. I shared the Gospel with her and how God helped me to raise thousands of US dollars to be able to come to China. She is eager to hear more and we are meeting again for lunch tomorrow. I am excited for the work that God is doing in her heart. Lynn is smart, kind, and so beautiful and I am so excited that God has encouraged her heart by connecting the two of us. Please pray for Lynn and for God’s plan in her life is fulfilled and that He connects her with more people that can be positive influences in her life.
One of my teammates met a girl named Ping in a coffee shop and turns out she is an English teacher at a nearby university. Because of that connection, we have an opportunity to help her teach a class today and then meet with the Dean of the department afterwards! It is those kind of divine connections that blow me away. So excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to share with you what happens! Please pray for favor and for a revival to break out in this city!
So, that is our heart for the month. This is what our mission in China is…to love God and share His love with others in whatever way that looks like. I believe that God will do amazing things this month and will keep you posted. I love you all.
Blessings to you!
Laura
