EFCC and GPIH Teams
While this report is well overdue, it is with a full heart
that we can report that our March trip to Beijing was very successful. Due to technical difficulties, I could not
connect with the blog while we were there however, the problem has been
resolved for the next visit.
We are running out of adjectives to describe or amazing Connecting With China experiences. Each time we go, we gain new perspectives and
new understanding of how God is using us to help our Chinese sisters and
brothers. This trip was a little
different than past visits because we were teamed up with Peggy Sperling,
Women’s Director for GPiH, Dr. Liz Seltzer, and Harriet Congdon. What a bonus!
Not only did we teach, we learned a great deal from each other. 
One of the goals of this trip was to train the first tier of
women Coaches. These six women have
committed to each identify and train ten other leaders; who will then each
identify and train ten more leaders.
Thus growing and strengthening the Chinese Christian community to become
sound and independent. Two full days of
Kathy’s and Mary’s time were devoted to this training. Dr. Liz taught about mentoring and
leadership. Kathy, Mary, Harriet, and
Peggy worked with the Coaches individually and in small groups. It was a very special opportunity for
excellent teaching from Liz as well as developing close personal relationships
with the exception Chinese Coach leaders.
John and Greg kept busy while we were training the Coaches. They implemented follow-up mentoring and teaching for men and students from the recently concluded GPiH Crown leadership course. There is a great need for men to mentor and teach male believers. The hunger is great; some men came long distances to almost every open session where John and Greg taught.
Every evening we separated, with the Schmids teaching one
gathering while John and I taught at another venue. These were mostly house church members and
leaders or Bible study groups. However,
we each got the opportunity to interact and plan seeds with young college
non-believers. In small groups,
individuals feel more free to share their deepest hurts and needs and gives us
the chance to encourage, support, and show God’s profound love for them. 
One highlight of the trip for Kathy and Mary was the second
women’s retreat organized by GPiH. We
laughed and cried and taught and prayed with sixty-five wonderful women. As the retreat drew to a close on Sunday
morning six of nine unbelieving women came forward to accept Jesus as their Savior. There were many tears and cheers! Our God is so amazing!
While our EFCC team taught over 200 people, this trip seemed
more about developing individual relationships that large group teaching. Personally, this is what touches my heart the
most. All team members over the past
several years can attest to the great warmth and hospitality of our Chinese
sisters and brothers, After completing this fourth mission and remembering the
dear familiar faces of established friends and sweet new friends made every
trip, God is continuing to shw me how much He loves each individual. He would send us all the way to China to
encourage one single hurting sister or brother.
God willing, we will be going back!
Let us know if you would like to join us!
Mary
