We are ready to fly!

Our bags are packed and zipped and we are ready to go!  We are excited!  John and Mary Waring and Greg and Kathy Schmid have been close friends for over 20 years.  This is not the first trip they have shared, but we think it will be the most exciting one.


Each of the EFCC team members is taking two very stuffed bags.  No, we did not pack our entire closets!  The second bags are filled with gifts and materials for the work we will be doing. 


Kathy and Mary are particularly excited to participate in the second ever women’s retreat to be held March 10-11.  Last spring Peggy Sperlling of GPiH presented the first known overnight women’s retreat in China.  It was such a success that she decided to increase this year’s retreat to two nights. 


The schedule that our dear Chinese sister, Fangfang, prepared for us is packed with many great opportunities to meet, teach, mentor, and encourage our sisters and brothers in Beijing.  There will be several men-only sessions that John and Greg will lead; while single sisters and women-only groups will keep Mary and Kathy busy.  Some evenings we will go as couples to work with small church groups. 


This EFCC team has experienced an extraordinary amount of spiritual warfare.  Dana Hawkes who was scheduled to teach the Crown College course last week in Beijing and then join our team has had to cancel his trip.  After training had started, Dana was in an auto accident and is under doctor’s orders to stay home and rest from a severe whiplash injury.  Please pray for his quick recovery.


Kathy has also been suffering with numerous physical attacks including a burst ear drum.  Her doctor has said Kathy can go to Beijing, but we continue praying for a pain free and quick recovery for her.


We are all looking forward to meeting and working with Harriet Congdon and Dr. Liz Selzer who will be coming with Peggy Sperling, Women’s Director for GPiH.  Harriet lives in Portland and Liz is from Texas.  It will be a pleasure to again work with Peggy in Beijing. 
 

During the next two weeks, please pray for our activities.  May God be honored and glorified by our efforts.  May we all work smoothly together and may our Chinese sisters and brothers be strengthened and learn what God wants them to carry in their hearts. 

Mary