Gifts for China

 

 

Hello Friends,

Friday was a good day!  My team members and I spent the afternoon making beaded necklaces strung on leather cording to give as gifts to our Chinese sisters.  Making the necklaces was so successful we decided to meet again to make more.  The women love to receive anything made by hand.  They are always so appreciative.  The necklaces were easy to make and turned out to be very beautiful and elegant.  We were very pleased.  We have an excellent variety of gifts to give thanks to those who have made bible book covers, hand crocheted shawls and hats.

 

As the time draws near for our departure, plans are being finalized and our itinerary in Beijing, Shenyang, and Chengde are pretty much in place.  It looks like we'll be off to Shenyang shortly after our arrival in China.   It will be a 4 hour train ride from Beijing to Shenyang.  I love traveling by train and am sure my team members like me, are excited to see some of China's beautiful countryside.  We will be attending a wedding while we are in Shenyang.  We are excited and feel privileged to be invited.  After several days of teaching in Shenyang, we will be off to Chengde, also by train.  Returning to Beijing for more teaching and reconnecting with believing friends until we depart for home.  

 

Throughout this trip we will be teaching and ready for God's leading and looking for many divine appointments.

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support.  Please pray that our team unity and bonding would continue to grow, multiplied time to plan and prepare with excellence everything that needs to get done, and that we would not be hindered in doing God's work by the weather or any outside forces.  

 

Beijing will be hot and humid.  Shenyang is closer to the mountains, so we are expecting cooler temperatures in the mid 70's, but we may have some humidity there as well.

Thank you, again for all your support and for partnering with connecting with China.  We couldn't do it without you!  

 

Angela Smith for the Team

 

Introducing Team 8 - Bi-Cultural Crew

Mary Waring - Gayle Sharp - Angela Smith

We are excited to tell you about our next visit to China!  An exciting new adventure awaits!

Angela Smith, Gayle Sharp, and Mary Waring have all served our Lord in China during at least two previous visits to Beijing.  During the next trip we will team up with precious Chinese sisters and travel outside of Beijing to Shenyang and a small village.  Shenyang is about a five hour train ride north of Beijing.  Our work there will be similar to what we do in Beijing which is to teach, encourage, and mentor our Chinese sisters and brothers. 

 

Since none of us on the EFCC team have been to Shenyang, I thought it would be interesting to research it a bit.  Here are a few facts from Wikipedia:

 

Shenyang, is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province, as well as the largest city in Northeast China by urban population.  According to the 2010 census, the city's urban area has 6,255,921 inhabitants, while the total population of the Shenyang municipality is up to 8,106,171.  In the 17th century, Shenyang was conquered by the Manchu people and briefly used as the capital of the Qing dynasty.

Along with its nearby cities, Shenyang is an important industrial center in China, and serves as the transportation and commercial hub of China's northeast—particularly with Japan, Russia, and Korea.  

Shenyang has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate characterized by hot, humid summers, due to the monsoon, and dry, cold winters, due to the Siberian anticyclone. The four seasons here are distinctive. Average high in June = 81, average low = 63, rainfall = 3.6"

 
Prayer requests:

·       All the pre-trip planning details will go smoothly

·       May the content of our talks and conversations be pleasing to God.  We are very aware of the great responsibility we have to represent our Lord correctly. 

·       May all team members stay healthy and strong during our rigorous schedule.

As for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.  Psalm 73:28
 
  Mary for the Team

Team 7 - Wonderful Wrap Up

April 9 - 21, 2014

John and Mary - Grace - Joseph - Rob and Karlene

 

Karlene's Report ...

 

It is late and yet I still have China on my mind.  It is not easy to forget what God did and how it felt to be there.  We have been home now 3 weeks.  It amazes me how time files by and how busy we become wrapped up in everyday life.  I know that for me, I will forever have the people I met in my heart and in my prayers.  I am eager to return. I am trusting God to provide Leaders and Educators to Teach and equip these precious people.  I just know that God has many more Blessings to pour out upon China and I am anxious to hear about future teams and ministries that come back telling of the Miracles that God has done and is doing.  We serve a Mighty God my Friends!  I am so Thankful for the opportunity to have gone. It has forever changed my heart.



 

Mary's Report ...

Spring on the Great Wall



Fabulous Architecture - View from our hotel



Our schedule was very full with teaching almost every day and/or evening.  It is always a joy to rekindle the precious friendships that have developed over the past four years of serving our Father in China.  Another special joy was getting to know Karlene and Rob better.  They did a great job interacting and teaching our Chinese sisters and brothers. 

Sign on seminary wall



The first Sunday we were in Beijing, John preached at the service of a house church of dear friends.  This is the first house church I was privileged to visit in China and it always feels like home to me.  After the service they fold up the chairs, roll out a big table, and everyone eats together like a big family. 

 

Sunday lunch with The Family

 

While most pastors deserve our admiration and gratitude for their challenging calling and work, to be a house church pastor in China takes a special determination, courage, and dedication. Many (most?) house church pastors also have secular jobs because their small congregations cannot financially provide for them and their families.  Often these pastors work tirelessly with no one to mentor, encourage, or support them.  It is outstanding that our church recognizes the great need to work with house church pastors in China.  Pastors Dennis, Dave, and Jeremy have made multiple trips to Beijing to work with pastors.  It is our prayer that this link will grow strong and long.  



John Teaching

John and Rob greeting a new friend



 Because John and Rob Campbell were with us, we had access to several new men’s groups.  There is a great need for men to minister in China!  One primarily men’s group meet in a fifth floor walk-up apartment.  The very tiny living room also served as the kitchen.  Fourteen of us crowded into the dimly lit room.  John taught about listening with our hearts.  Then Rob led teaching of the men in the living room, while Karlene and Mary talked with a few women in a tiny bedroom. 

Esther and Mary looking at "Selfie"

Mary teaching a small group



These small intimate settings and the one-on-one Divine appointments are some of my favorite work in China.  It is during these sessions that I most feel the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit.  Our efforts in China require much prayer and dependence on God.  It is His agenda that we follow and His plan we strive to accomplish. 

   

John teaching Easter Sunday service

One of my most memorable mornings ever in China was attending Easter Sunday service in a house church in Beijing.  To make it perfect, John preached the excellent sermon.  He began by sharing a beautiful and emotional story that illustrated the incredible love our Lord Jesus has for each of us.  Enough love that Jesus chose to die an excruciating and humiliating death to wash us pure enough to become precious adopted children of the Almighty God. 

EFCC team with China friends

Thank each of you who supported us through your prayers and/or financial donations.  We truly appreciate  your contributions and know that we could not do this work without your help!  Bless you!

 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory now and forever!  Amen ... 2 Peter 2:18



Mary for the Team