Last month in China, our ministry was focused on building relationships with Chinese students and using that as a gateway to sharing the gospel with them. The goal was to make them into believers, but at the end of the month, I hadn’t seen anyone become saved. If I look at the ministry in terms of numbers, then it can seem like a failure, but the kingdom of God is a process of planting, watering, and harvesting seeds and any part of the process that I or you can play is an honor and a success if we are led by God through it.
So I would like to wrap up my time in China by sharing with you about my time of planting and watering God’s seeds in some amazing young people.
My team and I focused on becoming friends with the Chinese students and showing them that we’re interested in who they are as people and doing what they enjoy. On our first full day in China we played basketball on campus in hopes of meeting people.
We were able to meet some great girls at the local university and after hanging out with them a few times, they agreed to have a Bible study with us. We discovered that the girl on the right, Winter, was already a believer (Praise God!) so we took to encouraging and building her up in her faith. Happy (left) said she was a believer but we weren’t quite sure where she stood on certain principles. We shared the gospel with Alice (middle) and she left the café curious but semi-uninterested.
They were so open and friendly, though, that they agreed to come to church with us the following week. It was great to introduce them to Chinese believers and show them options and people who could be there for them after we left. I was also encouraged by the fact that they found the singing inspirational and Bible stories (such as David and Bathsheba) to be interesting.
For the Autumn Festival, we were blessed that this group of students invited us out to celebrate. We found that they were all so amazing. They had a deep desire to learn English and weren’t afraid to pursue that by connecting with us and developing relationships with Americans. Their eagerness opened the door for us to have a Bible study with them the following day; we were able to share the gospel with over 15 students!
Wei Tao, who is one of the founders of the Christian church there, had such a willing servant’s heart. He helped Carolyn and I with our logistics and though we asked so much of him, he was always willing to give more. I also loved the fact that when we would thank him for his help, he’d bring it back to God and wanted nothing in return but for us to continue serving the kingdom and bring God to China.
It was a blessing to visit several Chinese church services and worship with other believers. I enjoyed seeing the similarities and differences in intent and execution. I’m so encouraged by these people who are brave enough to stand for God in a place where they’re definitely the minority.
These are some of the wonderful girls I was able to practice English with, encourage, and love on. Their hearts were so big that they actually ministered to me with their love.
Even though I wasn’t instrumental in “converting” any of these people, my time in their lives and thus in China was no less impactful. It meant just as much for us to spend time becoming friends with people and building relationships because I believe that as we love them, there’s more potential for them to know God. In this way, we bring them across the thin line from friend to Christian.
This month was indeed one of planting, watering, and spreading seeds for God’s kingdom. It was planting for the people like Alice and Alex who had never heard the gospel before yet may one day remember the words that we shared with them and turn to Jesus. It was watering for people like Happy, Polly, and Paris who visited church services before and saw the promise of believing in God but still need the faith and extra push to get there. It was spreading for the people who were already Christian but were encouraged by our presence in China. We were able to let them know that they’re not alone and push them toward boldness for God.
With everyone that I talked to and everything that I did in China, there was God’s direction and purpose. I don’t regret not “converting” anyone because it was an honor to introduce people to Him and challenge them for Christ. This role was obviously the one I was meant to play in China and my prayer is that I was obedient and fulfilled it well enough that the fruit will be harvested in His time.
I leave China with prayers of one day knowing the glory, joy, and fulfillment of a relationship with the one, true God. Until next time…
Fundraising Update
$10,265 of 15,500
I must raise $15, 500 to cover the costs of the trip. If you are able to give in any amount, here the ways you can give:
- Click the “Support ME” link on the left-hand side or at the top of the page and follow the step by step instructions.
- Send a check made out to “Adventures in Missions” with “SCOTTSHARION” in the memo line to:
Adventures in Missions | PO Box 534470 | Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
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