Third Meeting Update

On July 23^rd the women's china November 2013 team met for our second training session. We opened in prayer and a devotional on sanctification. Team assignments and our team verse were decided upon.  

The team verse is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Lord is leading each one of us in choosing the topic He wants us to share with our Chinese sisters. There is still much planning and work ahead, so keep us in your prayers as we prepare the subject of our talks.

Each time we meet as a team The Lord is uniting our hearts and deepening our friendships. We are all looking forward in seeing how God will use each one of us for his glory. As support letters went out this last week, we are faithfully trusting the Lord to meet our financial needs as a team. As with any short term mission trip there will be many opportunities to trust The Lord.

Loraine for the Team

Learning About West Meets East

This week we’re writing our support letters, getting initial paperwork done, checking that our vaccines are up to date, and turning our eyes and hearts towards China.  To understand the culture so we can better minister, we’re reading 3 books (plus a lot more!)  The first, One World Two Minds, talks about the differences between us and the Chinese, especially how the way we think affects the way we see the world.  It is a short book – only 76 pages – but it is not a short “read”.  After each section I need to put down the book and think, “How can I effectively minister to the Chinese people?  What do I need to do to teach in a way that reaches them?” 

Our basic way of thinking is based on Greek philosophy and starts from the viewpoint of the individual human being and how the world relates to him. Individual achievement is valued.  We know one person can change the world.   Our thinking process is linear.  We think in terms of cause and effect, logical progression of thought – the scientific method.  Not so with Eastern thought, which is more holistic.  They start with the whole, because they know that the individual is too insignificant to have an effect on it.  Their thinking is circular.  They consider every point and how it fits into the whole.  They must be in harmony with the whole.

 We see ourselves as the central figure, looking at the universe and trying to make sense of it.  They see the universe as the reality, and we are insignificant dots on it, whose role is not so much to explain and understand it as to relate to it.  The question that leaves me is, “How do I teach in an effective way to bridge the gap?”  We choose teaching topics next week, and I must admit, I’m not comfortable with anything right now. 

So the prayer request this week is that we choose topics and teach in a way that reaches their hearts.  (And that we can get funds together for the plane tickets quickly because prices are rising so quickly.)

 

Leslie for the Team

Introducing China Team Six!

Barbara Pillsbury, Linda Martin, Loraine Doud, Leslie Campos, Mary Waring

July 9, 2013

 

Today was our first training session and we are excited about going to China!  Some of us have never been there before and some are looking forward to seeing dear friends we have made on previous trips.  All of us eagerly anticipate the adventures that God has in store for us. 

 

We received binders filled with much of the materials we will learn during the next four months of training.  It will be fascinating to explore more about our Chinese sisters and brothers and the intriguing cultures and history of China. 

 

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.  Isaiah 25:1

 

Mary for the Team