I can’t believe it, but we hit the 6 month mark in December. Time flies by really fast!
I have spent the past couple of months trying to get to know the students better (some from the summer camp, others are through other means) by hanging out and grabbing dinner with them. I’ve been able to talk about non-physical things with some of them, but now I have begun to make even more straightforward efforts to share the fantastic news with them. Instead of waiting for opportunities, I have just brought the topic up and started asking them deliberate questions about non-physical things. I’ve been able to explain the fantastic news to a bunch of people I’ve invested my time in, and so I am hoping the seeds planted will be grown by Pops. Please think for that the fantastic news may bear fruit.
I also had a lot of free time in the latter 2 weeks of December because a lot of the students I met up with were either studying for finals, working on final projects, or were in the process of taking finals. This was a great opportunity from Pops to get to know some of the fellow workers out here. There’s a group of guys that I started hanging out with more recently (they’re all Americans like me, around the same age, and they’re all here in Beijing doing the same kind of work, except through other companies). It’s been a blessing getting to know them and having some good company. I just only hope that our friendship will be grounded in the book and in JC and not just trivial things.
Requests
(1) Love for JC – my New Year’s Resolution is simple: love JC more and more. If there is no love for JC, there really is no meaning to what I do.
(2) Sober & Alert – to be focused and not distracted. Chinese New Years is coming up and that’s when everyone goes back home for a month. Please think that we won’t be lazy and complacent, but that we will use the free time wisely.
(3) Team Unity – please think for our transition as our two friends come, that we will be like-minded in passion and in purpose.
(4) Daniel – he finally completed his big exam that he’s been preparing for the last 4-5 months, but he’s going to go back to his hometown during Chinese New Years. Please think that the HS will continue to give him interest and eagerness to learn more and to read more.
Ni hao,! Xin nian kuai le, BCC! ☺ (HAPPY NEW YEAR!) Well, we have passed the six months mark since we’ve been in China! Time is seriously flying by too fast… I am truly amazed by the many blessings he has provided for us thus far. Personally, I am most thankful for the many people here that have helped us in so many ways. He is so gracious to have provided a family away from home! Despite the escalating chill outside, I truly sense the warmth from the fire of his power, working greatly in the hearts of the people here, and therefore so grateful to have this opportunity to be out here!
This past month has been chill, as the holidays were upon us, making it difficult to meet with students as they prepare for final exams and many of them going back to their prospective hometowns for their winter break. (I hear most Beijing-ers are usually from far-away cities). However, I am continuing to meet with Claudia each week until the last week of this month. We’ll resume again when winter break is over next month. I am encouraged by her desire to know more each time we meet. Please continue to think of her, for him to reveal to her the true state of her being, and that he would give me wisdom and strength to be accurate and bold.
I am SO looking forward to having our two family members from home join us very soon! I especially just want to shout out a BIG “THANK YOU” to all of you who have continued to make contact with students throughout all this time since the summer. It is so nice to hear them talk about how ‘so and so’ and the student I happen to meet up with has been emailing regularly. As you all know, we are yet only a two person team… there’s only so much coverage. All of you who are following up are just as much a part of the work here, so I encourage you to please, PLEASE let us know how the student you’ve been keeping up with are doing… it would help us out a lot! ☺
*People/things to keep in mind:
Claudia- for her heart to be convicted of her need for JC. That she would in return come to repentance and accept him as her L&S.
Stella- that her interest to know the book more would grow and would be eager to study and speak of eternal matters.
Family- assurance of salvation for Dad, Mom, Sister and Brother in law. Mom’s health; and sister’s health as she just had a baby girl, Isabella aka. Izzy ☺ Yes, I’m a real auntie now! I wish I can hold her ☹
Our team of two to four- unity and fast adjustment as a new group; that we would continually lift one another up, keeping each other accountable in love.
Personal health- my stomach is much better! However, my blood pressure has been very low at times to where I felt close to fainting (it could be the drastic cold weather change); please continue to think for my overall health; that I would learn to trust in him no matter how my health ends up.
