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

Favorite Photo Memories - February 2013

Learning to Make Chinese Dumplings

 

Using chopsticks is easy!

 

 

Cosmetic company group

 

 

   Tiananmen Square - Old Wall Gate

Nancy's in Heaven

 

Bunmi with special sisters

 

Tammy teaching

Shoulder massage after all day teaching

 

Special Gift from after team taught all day

 

Great Wall experience

 

 

Dinner at our special friend's home



Reports: China February 2013

Chris Montgomery
 

 

As I’ve run into various people they all ask the same question; “What was the highlight of your trip?”  The answer is both very easy and very challenging: it’s the people.

 
It’s easy because the Chinese were incredibly warm and welcoming.  Their joyful attitude made it easy to love them. 
 

But the Chinese people were also challenging, because they exhibited qualities that I only wish I possessed.  They were so hungry to hear God’s word, and eager to learn. We taught at one place for five hours, and when we finished they clamored for more.  They love passionately because they have sacrificed to know Him.  Because they take risks to be together there is uncommon unity among the believers.

I think everyone on our team would agree:  we learned far more than we taught.  We received much more than we gave.  And none of us will forget them, nor will we be the same.  Because our hearts were united not only by a common love for Jesus, but also an anticipation of the day we will see “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.   And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  Revelation 7:9b-10.

I saw Jesus in them.  And I was humbled by it.

Bunmi Peters

 

I had heard from Mary about the passion of the believers there for GOD, but I was not ready to see how much the believers wanted to learn and learn for hours. They soaked in as much knowledge as they could without looking at their watches nor were they distracted by a busy child. They were so loving and genuine in their zeal for GOD. Like us "westerners" they had serious heart issues, but it seemed to me that they wanted GOD solutions. No bandaids like prozac or whatever people use these days to deal with their problems.

I was so blessed to see how the believers put "their safety" out there so that they could learn more about JESUS and I saw how GOD loves the Chinese people and one day we will all worship the King of all Kings together at the throne in heaven.

Rev.5:13
Psalm 46:10

Mary Waring


This was my fifth opportunity to lead a team with EFCC’s Connecting with China.  One of my greatest blessings of these trips is reconnecting with people I have met during past trips.  A young woman approached me at the meeting at a major cosmetic company.  You may remember that during a past stay, 11 women accepted the Lord after our team taught at this same company.  With tears in her eyes, this woman, who was one of the 11, came to thank me for praying for her when she became a believer.  We laughed, cried, and praised our Lord together.  At another meeting, a woman introduced me to her precious adopted daughter that we had discussed during the last trip.  The continuation and continuity of these special relationships are very precious to me and, I believe, very helpful to the people we work with in China.  

God teaches me many things during each mission and this one was no different.  Everything I discover about the Chinese culture, and every challenge learned from leadership under pressure, God uses to refine me to better serve Him and our Chinese sisters and brothers.  May God be glorified by all we do!

Friday Free Day

View from our hotel room

We woke to beautiful blue skies and sunny cool weather!  It is a miracle compared to last night when we arrived to smog so thick you could cut it.

After breakfast we went to the Silk Market.  It was a surprise to see that the Silk Market has a new face inside.  All the stalls are now nice new glass fronted booths, more like tiny shops.  One of the vendors told me that since the rennovation, their rents have gone up three times what they were.  Our friend Stephanie is fortunately honoring prices she has given "old time customers."  I took no offense at the "old" and gratefully accepted her good rates.

The celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival and New Year is still going on.  For hours every night there are many many fireworks being fired off all round our hotel and throughout the city.  Our rooms are on the 23rd floor, again, so we have great views of the fireworks.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is a very full day.  The team will be split up going to two different venues and meeting twice the people.  Please pray that God will direct our teaching and that His love will shine through us. 

Mary for the Team

We Have Arrived!

Departure from San Diego

 

It is great to be back in Beijing ... pollution and all.  It was a long, but happily uneventful trip.  Beautiful Grace met us as the airport.  There was so much luggage that the hired van took the baggage and three women to the hotel and Grace and the others came to the hotel in a separate taxi. 

After dropping our suitcases in our rooms, we 'retrieved'  some money from the ATM in the hotel building.  There is a large grocery story located in the basement of the hotel where we bought a case of water for each room.  The group was happy to see that there is a Starbucks in our hotel building.

Arrival at Beijing Airport

 

A very tired group of women went to bed early.  Tomorrow we have the day off to acclimate to the time, go to the Silk Market, and review our teaching.  We have a very full schedule and it was wonderful to see familiar names on the timetable.  

Mary for the Team

Just 3 Days to Departure!

Excitement is in the air as we put the finishing touches on preparations to leave for Beijing in just three days!  After waiting for 3½ months after postponing this mission, it feels amazing that we are actually leaving in just a few days.

Some of us have finished packing while others are just beginning.  Fortunately, Hainan Airlines is one of the few airlines that still do not charge any baggage fees for the first two checked bags.  That allows us to put our clothing in one bag and fill the second bag with gifts for our Chinese sisters.  We raffle off a few gifts at each teaching venue and, like women everywhere, the ladies love it.   

The weather is predicted to be in the low to mid 40s, which is not bad for mid-February.  The pollution is reportedly extremely bad, so we are taking face masks with us, but continue to for rain, snow, or wind to clear the air, at least for a few days.

Please pray for our team:

·       May God provide us with many fertile Divine meetings and moments.  We want to be used to the max to glorify our Lord!

·       May we all stay healthy and strong to finish this race well!  The long 12+ hour flights during flu season can be challenging.

·       May the Beijing pollution not affect us or those we are going to meet and teach.

·       One of the team has significant back pain.  Please pray for relief from this pain so that she can enjoy what God has planned for us. 

·       Please pray for one of our teammates who is uncomfortable flying.  I truly admire both of these women who have courageously stepped forward into this mission knowing about the lo-o-ng flights involved.

·       Other team members are struggling with job stresses and family issues.   

It is our prayer that all the spiritual warfare we have encountered, including having the mission postponed, foreshadows a Spirit-filled abundantly fruitful mission experience!  

God willing, we will keep you updated about our activities when we reach Beijing!