So while every morning and evening was filled with English tutoring, from 11:30 until 6 at night we were free to engage in relationships with our university friends. These friends came from our first Friday night in Harbin, we attended English Corners, which is an event for the local university students, come to practice their English with one another and with the interns of the ministry with whom we were working. It was a little intense, as they swarmed around upon our arrival to greet us and this continued on even upon sitting down. However, as time passed and conversations were had, relationship seeds were sown and we walked away with 10 or so girls’ phone numbers. With those numbers in hand and with texting galore, we invited them over for a spa night on Sunday. We invited 10, but 20 came. Thankfully we were prepared with a good amount of snacks and drink and we invited them in with open hearts and eager anticipation of our night of fun. We had set up stations where they could get their: nails, hair, makeup, and eyebrows done. As they walked out the door, each girl received a note of encouragement, words we had prayed over, and knew needed to be known by each of these lovely ladies. We all had so much fun, sharing in some good conversations (not without a few translation issues), which led to some coffee and lunch dates.
Our second Sunday was a movie night, where we provided yogurt and fruit while watching, “13 Going On 30”. I love this movie and was so excited to spend it with “my girls”, but God had other plans… It all started with one of the girls asking about a picture on the wall representing the lame man who was lowered down by his friends from the roof of a building to full of people listening to Jesus, where the man was healed both physically and spiritually, as people questioned His authority. “Is this a true story?” one girl asked. I was able to say “Yes, it is”. From there, we pulled out my Bible and a Chinese Bible and me and 4 other girls sat and read through the story together. They asked me questions and it led to stories of David and Goliath, they were eager! It was then that the movie began, and a couple of the girls left to watch. However, two remained and after some more questions and discussion they had to leave. Those girls walked away, with answered questions and some unanswered questions, but they were hungry for more even though they didn’t fully understand. That night two more grew in their knowledge of a God, that night seeds were planted. Now, let the watering begin, that is my prayer.
