That is pinion for “thank you” since my computer cannot write and you, or most of you, cannot read Chinese characters. There is so much to be thankful for during these three weeks in China.
Our contact challenged us join with them to plant a new house church in the city. I am delighted to report that God met the challenge! Thursday night we hosted between 30 – 40 Chinese for a bible study and ice cream social in a newly cleaned and decorated flat just to the north of the existing congregation. The Chinese man who will be pastoring this flock is a talented musician, on fire for Christ and bold as all get out. He has been trained and raised up for just a time as this. I could not be more delighted about what God is doing in this new Chinese pastors life and in the life of this infant congregation that the Lord has seen fit to breathe life into. I get a knot in my throat just thinking about it.
I am also thankful for the chance I had to meet repeatedly with four Chinese women to study the Bible. I am amazed to report that on the Thursday of our last bible study two of the women prayed to receive Jesus. Candidly, I almost missed extending the invitation to them because I was just certain they could not be sure yet. Alas, when the HolySpirit moves I learned I would be wise to get out of the way. We closed our prayer welcoming the two new daughters into the family of God – still gives me shivers.
The other two women are seriously considering what the message of Christ means for them; asking in one of our last meetings, “What is the practical application of receiving this message and receiving your Jesus?” They joined our last bible study and we worked to connect them with many Chinese Christians who are committed to getting that congregation off the ground. I have great hope it will only be a matter of time, Lord willing, before two more daughters enter the family.
Team, Jesus has given us great favor to catch a glimpse of the harvest in China. Many, many have gone before to plant seeds, water and nurture these hearts. Thank you for investing in growing the population of Chinese in the Kingdom. I heard that the world welcomed its 7 millionth baby sometime in October/November 2011 and it only makes me wonder what number child was born into the family of our Father this month. He too is crafting a planned community that awaits a population boom; what a gift that we just tangibly filled a few flats it Heaven!
