a Chinese weekend

So this weekend was packed with ministry! Friday night Anita Chik and I had dinner with a group of our girls to make sushi and miso soup...yes a Japnese meal but it was Asian and they LOVED learning to make sushi! The entire house ended up coming, 7 girls in all, 6 from China and one from India. Anita shared her testimony and presented the gospel through a sushi analogy...it was interesting. Probably one of the most unique ways we've shared the gospel. We had a great time hanging out together and got some good feedback on where they are at in their lives.

Saturday night we went to the Columbia zoo with several of them. It was a free night for college and international students from CIU, USC and Ben Lippen. This was lower key and fun to just hang out and continue to build relationships. They had a good laugh teaching me mandarin phrases and songs! I'm learning...slowly!!

Sunday morning went really well too. By this time I was getting fatigued with so many things back to back, but it's just the way it fell this month. We had the students act out the Prodigal Son story then broke into small groups to discuss it in more depth. They were really attentive...no offense, but more so than American students, they seem to take education and teaching more seriously. It was encouraging to have that time together.

Later that night I went to a presentation on a particular Chinese group. Anita Chik worked with this people group a few years ago and shared about her experience. Several students came and we had a good time of prayer and fellowship afterward. The presentation was two fold, one to learn about that people group...Chinese Muslims...talk about a blending of religions...and second to pray for future direction for a summer trip to this people group. For confidentiality purposes I am not sharing specifics, but please pray with us for wisdom in moving forward with the vision God has given CIU. I would love to be a part of this team and I am praying about the logistics...timing, money, this particular group, etc. We appreciate your prayers in regard to all this!

The greatest blessing to me this weekend was the reminder Friday night about where God has called me. As Anita shared the gospel message with the girls I couldn't help but thank God for brining me here for such a time as this. My heart's deepest passion is evangelism and right now specifically to Chinese people. There is no greater joy to me than to be able to share the TRUTH and LOVE of Jesus Christ with those who do not know him. Nights like Friday night are what make me come alive!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at workwithin us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21