Trusting Him

I received the following email this week and was so impressed with what Father can do (in a very short amount of time) if we trust Him with our lives. In 2009, this young lady first visited East Asia with her college group during the Christmas season. After graduation, she returned to East Asia to serve for six months. Then, after her six month term ended, she returned (on her own dime) to teach at a local university. Here are her words:

The first time I came to this country was in December 2009. I came out on a two week trip with my college having no idea what I was really getting into. I’d never had any interest in this place whatsoever. It wasn’t one of those situations where I felt this huge burden for this place or people. I just knew I was supposed to come. When it came time to go I was excited, nervous, and feeling incredibly inadequate. We spent our time in different classrooms meeting students and sharing as much as possible. On our last day in that city one of the workers said, “There is such a need out here for C teachers. We have so few. Who knows, maybe someday He will call some of you to come back out here and teach.” I remember that so clearly because at that moment I started to wonder if it was possible that He might call me.

From that time on, I began seeking whether or not that was a call for me. Now, exactly 2 years later, I have my own classroom into which a team (who is on the very same trip I was on in 09) came in last month and shared with my students. One of the girls on that team asked me how I got here, and as I shared my story we were amazed at how similar our stories are. She is asking for direction about possibly returning here as a teacher.

I think so often we don’t realize what kind of awesome plans are waiting if we’ll take that first step of obedience! It is so very easy for us to have a self-focus. I know that because I am the world’s worst. But we are made for so much more than warming a pew, collecting mountains of stuff, eating until we feel sick, and then realizing that no matter what we do we are still just enduring life. I don’t know about you, but I want abundant life. I want joy. I want passion for the things that matter. I want to be emptied of my ugly self and filled by the Sp! I am seeking these things for my life. I want to encourage you that if you’ve never truly asked him what it is He has for you to do, then now is the time.

So many people say they aren’t called to “go” when in reality we all are. I’m not about to say that every C is meant to move overseas. But I am absolutely saying that every C should ask, “Where do you want me to go?”, and then obey. It may very well be that what He has for you is right where you are. But we should never just assume that is the case when we have never asked! It is just as possible that He's calling us to leave what we know and love.

The question is, will we do it? For every excuse we have about why we can't do this or go there, He has the grace, the provision, and the plans to blow them out of the water. Whatever He tells you to do, whether at home or far away, He will provide for and He will equip you for. He delights in using the weak and foolish things so that others will know without a doubt that it’s Him and not us! In the midst of my planning to come here I was having a time of serious doubt about the practical aspects of what I was about to do, and He impressed on my heart so clearly this question, “Can you trust me too much?”

Year of the Dragon

The Chinese Lunar New Year is the ultimate holiday for Chinese worldwide. In East Asia it is the one time of the year when businesses and factories close. The world’s largest annual migration unfolds as millions return to their family home, filling every seat on airplanes, and packing themselves into overflowing trains, buses and cars. Red envelopes filled with cash are exchanged and fireworks light up the night skies as families and friends are reunited, sharing meals that include dumplings, sticky rice and many other culinary treats.

This year, the Chinese New Year will fall on January 23. It provides a perfect opportunity to build friendships with Chinese people in your community.

我 願意 (I am Willing!!)

What a way to begin 2012!! This afternoon, at our BIG English and National Clubhouse, we attended a "dunking" party. Twenty-two people participated. Each one was asked, "Are you willing to follow and serve HIM forever?" Each replied: "我 願意." "I am willing!" Two of the participants were 100 years old and 92 years old. You should have heard them shout out with great gusto, "I am willing!"

One of the participants, Bill, is from our Thursday night Home BOOK Study group. Bill teaches in a local junior high school. Some of you have met him, and others of you have been "yarping" for him for quite a while. Thanks again for all of your support!!

Meeting the President

Recently, we received a phone call from the shepherd of our little national clubhouse. He wanted us to join our Children's Saturday SS class for an outing. Phone calls in our national language are still somewhat problematic. Although our language ability continues to improve, hearing, understanding, and responding over the mobile phone is often difficult for us. We understood some of the instructions: date, time, meeting place, passport, and something to do with our island's president. So, we set out on another grand adventure.
Early on the first Saturday of the month, we joined our clubhouse leaders, mothers, and children from our Saturday class on a field trip to visit an open house of our island's presidential office building (capitol).

The building was designed during the Japanese rule of our little island from 1895-1945. It was damaged from Allied bombings during WW 2 but was restored in 1950.

The front entrance, used to greet visiting dignitaries, is beautifully (but simply) decorated with shiny granite flooring, a Y-shaped staircase complete with red carpet, and urns of orchids everywhere.

Many dignitaries have taken photos with the president in the entrance hall. I guess on Full Open House Saturdays, he is not at work. Of course, if you had thousands of guests visiting your office in one day, you might leave too. But, there were cut-outs here and there, so the children enjoyed being photographed with the "president".

And, other important government officials. We all had a great time being together. We especially enjoyed spending time with the moms. If you're ever here on the first Saturday of the month, we'll take you on a grand adventure to meet our president. Come visit.

Aunt Lottie-Remembered

When I was young, most little girls wanted to grow up to be Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. I wanted to grow up to be Aunt Lottie. Well, it took a long time, but at 43 years old, I finally made it to live and work in her part of the world. And, at 47, I finally got to visit the exact places that she lived and worked in the late 1800s and early 1900s.Aunt Lottie moved overseas when she was 33. This is a photo of the outside of the clubhouse that she attended in her first city, a port city. In this port city, she also helped start 2 primary schools and 2 middle schools.

And, this is a photo of the inside of the clubhouse. This clubhouse was closed during the Cultural Revolution. It remained closed for 49 years. It reopened in 1988 with twenty members. Today, there are over 3600 members.

Outside of the clubhouse, there is a memorial obelisk to Aunt Lottie, dated 1915. Following her death, another school was started in her honor in the home where she had lived.

At the age of 45, Aunt Lottie moved inland to do rural work full-time. This is a photo of the house where she lived during that time.

While in this inland city, she founded another clubhouse. This is a photo of the entrance way leading to the clubhouse.

About 300 members attend this older building. Another newer building has been built with about 1000 members attending.

This is a photo of the inside of the older building serving about 3oo members. Aunt Lottie died on December 24, 1912 at the age of 72 enroute back to the USA. She is just one of many workers that have left a lasting impact and legacy on our part of the world.

Many of you will be celebrating Aunt Lottie's legacy during the upcoming Christmas holidays. I hope these photos will bring her love for the peoples of the world to your memory often.

P.S. Some of you may remember some of these photos. Elizabeth had the opportunity to visit some of these places on her Christmas in CH trip in 2009. She was quite pleased that she beat her mother to seeing these places first :)

Brothers and Sisters

Wonderful news! We have new brothers and sisters in HIM! The Sunday after we returned to the USA, we received these photos. Three young adults and a couple were dunked by our little national clubhouse shepherd.

The three young adults have been active in our Summer English mini-VBS for children and youth for many years.
And the couple has children in our Saturday Sunday School program and our Summer English mini-VBS for children. The Sunday before we came to the USA, the father accepted HIM at the close of Jack's message.
We are so excited to receive this news. Please remember these five as they begin their new journey with HIM.

Together We're Better

I cannot begin to express my joy over this summer's activities. Our annual Holiday English Camp for 6th graders at a nearby elementary school was a huge success. We were able to share this summer more than ever, and one young man, Mark, decided to follow Him. We've already been invited back to the school for next summer, and we have been given two other exciting possibilities for year-round activities in the community.

Mini-vbs for children and youth at our small national clubhouse was great!! We had about 75 children, teens, and adults join us.

And, VBS at our big English clubhouse was bursting at the seams. This year, we had 495 children attend two sessions, morning and afternoon, and 205 teachers and helpers. More than 200 children made some kind of a decision to follow Him.

But, the best thing about this summer's activities was PARTNERSHIP. We had friends come from California and West Virginia. Local volunteers from our home BOOK groups, BSF, Esther's youth group, our small national clubhouse, and our big English clubhouse ALL worked together in every location to share HIStory. It was absolutely amazing.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos:

Easter crafts at the public elementary school

Distributing the BOOK to tourists

Crafts at mini-vbs

Sharing the Plan

Connecting with Others

Working together

Heading to NYC

Great decorations! Thanks!

Training trainers

The Centurion, of course!

You said "go"

You said "yarp"

So, I will!

$100,000 NT for Japan Disaster Relief

Until the whole world knows!