Hello family! It’s been a while since the last update and I guess I have a ton of things to cover, so I’ll get straight to it. =)
I’ll start off with the early part of October. During the October holidays, I was fortunate enough to go and visit Urumqi for the last time. Unfortunately, my partner wasn’t able to go, so it was a solo trip. As I arrived there, I felt like I was returning back home. Everything was still familiar, from the school campus to the street market. Even just eating the food reminded me of a lot of good memories from the previous trips there. While there, I was able to meet with the three Christians and to follow up on a few others. Because I went without telling a lot of people (for security reasons), I was only able to meet with a few people. But as I was prepping to go, I went with the sole purpose to encourage the family, whether it be with fellowship or equipping them with some books.
The first day, I was able to meet with them and we were able to share how we’ve been doing and some prayer requests. It was encouraging seeing them grow and mature, but as they kept on looking around all throughout the conversation, I was reminded again that they are still under much scrutiny by the school. They shared how they would get questioned a few days after meeting together, asking questions on their whereabouts and what they did.
I was also able to visit the Three Self Church. It was interesting, but I didn’t understand a single word that was said. So I ended up going outside and waiting for the service to end so I can purchase some books. While there, I met with another foreigner and we had a very lengthy lunch/conversation (6 hours to be exact). It was encouraging to see another missionary and again put me back into perspective of the need to pray over the missionaries, their lives and their unity as well.
I also saw Susan A in the final leg of my trip. We had a conversation and God has definitely been maturing her faith. Please continue to pray for her sanctification and opportunities to share with her co-workers. She has been getting more involved at the Three Self Church that I attended that Sunday, joining a study group and going every Sunday to their service.
Other than that, October has been like any other month: busy. We have been continuing to meet with Mario and his girlfriend for a while. Currently, we are going through a study on the characteristics of God. It appears both he and his girlfriend are open-minded to what is being said and discussed during our time. Please continue to pray for their salvation and that God will reveal his kindness to them.
My meetings with my language partner, Leo, have been very intentional. We have been studying through various chapters in the Bible and it seems he understands it all. The only thing is missing is belief. Please pray that God will grant him faith to believe in what is being said. In addition, please pray for courage because he (and like some other people I’ve been able to meet and share with) is afraid of the change this decision will bring. He knows and understands if he makes this decision, then he cannot do the things that he is currently doing, especially at his workplace. Please pray that God would not only grant courage, but also a change in heart to value what is best and not to settle for what the opposition is giving to him.
I also began meeting with another language partner. Some of you know him from the migrant school camp we had back in the summer. His name is David. So far, I’ve only met him 3 times and so I’m in the process of getting to know him. But as of now, he doesn’t seem to be too interested in the gospel. However, for the past two meals that we had together, he has been bringing a friend and she has some prior experience in hearing and being taught the Bible, but she isn’t a Christian. Her name is Bonnie. Please pray that God will cause the seeds that were planted previously to sprout and bear fruit.
Again, thank Berean for your support. And for the people, who have gone on past trips here, please continue the work through your e-mails. Again, responsibilities have been given to us the minute we started building relationships with these people. Please don’t forget. And for those who have been, I just want to encourage you guys that those little e-mails are helping out. Continue on family! =)
Greetings ☺ Like Alex has mentioned October has been just a busy month. I think personally the language class has gotten a lot more difficult, but work on the other hand has been very enjoyable. And the work has been fruitful as I think God has been opening the hearts of some of those we are meeting with. Causing me to really pray more for them.
Since the last update, I have trained and began to assistant teach at the local church we attend from 10 & 11 year olds. Other than the kids being so diverse and a little out of control, it is interesting to see how different these students from different areas of the world interact and learn about God. It has definitely been more rewarding to serve at this body rather than to just come and go, especially in the change of my attitude.
We also had the opportunity to meet with our two friends from Urumqi, Rita & Catherine. They were doing okay, but feeling a little on the lazy side. I think they just need some encouragement. So if you have a chance to shoot an email, shoot one ☺
We also began teaching at the school that a lot of our campers went to. The staff is very nice, so we just want to build relationships and hope to be a light to them as well. We only spend an hour a week there, so pray for opportunities.
Continued our FOF study with the Tony and Trog. The FOF study has been going good, but a little slow as we are trying to make sure they understand some of the terms being used in the workbook, but it is great to see growth in them already. It is very little, but things like being more actively engaged in their readings and their times of corporate gatherings. As well as little things like knowing the book order. It has definitely been awesome to see their growth and hunger for more of the Bible. They finished a lesson on how to study the Bible, which took a couple weeks because it was hard for them to understand how to do it. I think during this study I realized how privileged we are back home to have so many resources to be able to use. So please lift their growth in the Bible up, both in their minds and hearts.
We also began to attend English corners every Tuesday to build and develop relationships. We’ve met several of the people from the English camp there and caught up with them. So please continue to pray for opportunities with those we meet up with from the English Corner.
Thank you for your support. Please send some updates over this way too. And I hate to repeat but as Alex mentioned, emails from the summer team do make a stronger and more helpful impact than you may pray for the work over here.
