Good News, Great News, The Best News
August 2, 2008
Saturday, today was the youth outreach event. There are many sides to this coin, the opinionated side, which states that this puts the kids and the counselors through too much emotional turmoil because they have to say goodbye twice. By the end of the event it was a crying fest. Counselors, and students, boys and girls hugging and crying as the supervisor tried to pry everyone apart so we could go. This was the second time, since they had already gone through this the day before.
On the other hand, it was a God fest. Students from seven schools that seven teams worked at came to this event. The event consisted of songs, both worship and Chinese folk songs, a few games, laughs and fun, and then a testimony followed by a short meaningful sermon, and closing in a prayer. For some of these kids it was the first time that anyone told them that God loves them, and they cried at this news. After the prayer, a bunch of students stood up as a symbol that they just then accepted Christ.
We then broke up into groups. There was a Chinese facilitator to discuss the issue with the students. As well they handed out the book of Mark translated into to Chinese as a gift for each of the students. Inside the books were testimonies from very well known athletes. Each of the students was given a form, they could indicate whether or not they had just accepted the Lord, or wanted more contact. Some indicated they had, and many indicated that they wanted further contact from the sponsoring organization.
This is what it was all about, the headaches, the money, and the time away from home, the sacrifice by us and by you, our sponsors, those who supported us financially, and prayerfully. I’ve never seen such a successful event as this. We would never be allowed to do this on the Mainland, or in Vietnam. When they hear that God loves them in their language, it opens doors faster than we can. We were the bait, the relationships we built with these kids, and we wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for the blessings of God, and the support from all of you. Thank you.
August 1, 2008
Today was the closing ceremony. It went pretty much as expected, and is about the only thing that has been predicted so. The classes preformed a drama, or song and they went off mostly as planned. The certificate ceremony went well and smooth. It was great to see some classes cheering on fellow classmates. This was totally out of character for them. Some students cried, others didn’t want to leave, new friendships having been forged.
Tomorrow is the big day. Hundreds of students from all seven schools hosting a camp program will be at one school to hear worship music, the message and have a chance to make a decision. I’ve never done this before. This is wholly not permitted in other countries. Please be lifting this kids up, they are the future of this place and the future of another unmentioned country. They will be the bearers of the word in the future, bringing it to places to the north that have not yet heard.
July 30, 2008
The end draws near, emotions are running high. This trip has grated, shredded, folded, spindled, and mutilated us. We sit on the eve before our last teaching day, Thursday. Friday there is no formal class, just practice for the closing ceremony, that afternoon. We’ll then board our bus and wave goodbye to our students. As I write this, I can see their faces in my computer screen looking back at me as they switch from face to face. Yes, it has been hell here, but as Mother Teresa said, when she washes the feet of a leper, she can see the face of the Lord in them. So to, do we see the face of our Lord in these students, the good ones and the bad, all needing to be loved.
Today, we played water ball, or in English, water balloons. It wasn’t long before someone popped a balloon over my head. The war was on. I found a water bottle and filled it, then commenced to chasing the little rug rats around. By the end of it, I was soaked, as were they. This time washed away the frustrations of the morning when we wanted to tie up and hang a few of the students. It was a symbolic washing away of their earlier transgressions. One of my counselors joined in. The oddity of it all is that the youngest and the oldest person on the team played with these 13 year olds, while those in the middle, as age goes, just watched.
Later, after we changed our clothes, a group of girls came into the teacher’s room. One girl whose smile melts me each time I see her asked to play Uno. The group and I sat and played a game of Uno until it was time for them to go home. This is the good stuff, the moments of sharing love and life together, as was the water balloons. Two days are all that are lift.
Romans 14:8, Let no debt ream outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another. 14: 10, Lover does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore loves in the fulfillment of the law.
July 28, 2008
This is an update for the last few days. It has been a real hectic week leading up to today. There is a power struggle going on in one of the classrooms. One of the students had effectively wrestled control for the classroom away from the teacher. This poor teacher is so battered and bruised, she has nearly quite several times but yet she reaches deep inside and finds energy and courage to keep going. This is spiritual energy that is keeping her up right.
I’ve watched them all grow to some extent or another and for various reasons. One needs to find inner strength to deal with her anxieties. Others have had to learn that it is okay to make a donkey out of yourself. Figure out what that means on your own. And of course the bruised and battered girl is learning to stand on her own two feet.
Please be lifting the youth outreach we are doing. There will be hundreds of students attending where they will hear the message in their own language. We will of course be there. Please lift them up that their hearts will be open and receive the spirit. This place is a special place. From here is going forth many to China and Mongolia doing the work that needs to be done, and they know the importance of doing it. In 39 years, China will fully absorb Hong Kong that is the time they have left, 39 years. From there, maybe all of their freedoms will be disappear, unless, they have an opening effect on the main land. It is an imperative that China learns to be more like Hong Kong People. That is, believers.
As I write this, there are five days and a wake up till I’ll be in LA, and one more day after that and then home. This is always a bitter sweet moment for us. Well for those how have a heart for Asia. Part of me wants to stay in Asia, and part of me wants to go home. Here, I don’t watch T.V. Here there is much work to be done. Here there is good healthy food. Here I don’t need to drive, but walk or take mass transit, a much more effective mass transit than we have in the U.S. Here, things are very different.
Saturday, today was the youth outreach event. There are many sides to this coin, the opinionated side, which states that this puts the kids and the counselors through too much emotional turmoil because they have to say goodbye twice. By the end of the event it was a crying fest. Counselors, and students, boys and girls hugging and crying as the supervisor tried to pry everyone apart so we could go. This was the second time, since they had already gone through this the day before.
On the other hand, it was a God fest. Students from seven schools that seven teams worked at came to this event. The event consisted of songs, both worship and Chinese folk songs, a few games, laughs and fun, and then a testimony followed by a short meaningful sermon, and closing in a prayer. For some of these kids it was the first time that anyone told them that God loves them, and they cried at this news. After the prayer, a bunch of students stood up as a symbol that they just then accepted Christ.
We then broke up into groups. There was a Chinese facilitator to discuss the issue with the students. As well they handed out the book of Mark translated into to Chinese as a gift for each of the students. Inside the books were testimonies from very well known athletes. Each of the students was given a form, they could indicate whether or not they had just accepted the Lord, or wanted more contact. Some indicated they had, and many indicated that they wanted further contact from the sponsoring organization.
This is what it was all about, the headaches, the money, and the time away from home, the sacrifice by us and by you, our sponsors, those who supported us financially, and prayerfully. I’ve never seen such a successful event as this. We would never be allowed to do this on the Mainland, or in Vietnam. When they hear that God loves them in their language, it opens doors faster than we can. We were the bait, the relationships we built with these kids, and we wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for the blessings of God, and the support from all of you. Thank you.
August 1, 2008
Today was the closing ceremony. It went pretty much as expected, and is about the only thing that has been predicted so. The classes preformed a drama, or song and they went off mostly as planned. The certificate ceremony went well and smooth. It was great to see some classes cheering on fellow classmates. This was totally out of character for them. Some students cried, others didn’t want to leave, new friendships having been forged.
Tomorrow is the big day. Hundreds of students from all seven schools hosting a camp program will be at one school to hear worship music, the message and have a chance to make a decision. I’ve never done this before. This is wholly not permitted in other countries. Please be lifting this kids up, they are the future of this place and the future of another unmentioned country. They will be the bearers of the word in the future, bringing it to places to the north that have not yet heard.
July 30, 2008
The end draws near, emotions are running high. This trip has grated, shredded, folded, spindled, and mutilated us. We sit on the eve before our last teaching day, Thursday. Friday there is no formal class, just practice for the closing ceremony, that afternoon. We’ll then board our bus and wave goodbye to our students. As I write this, I can see their faces in my computer screen looking back at me as they switch from face to face. Yes, it has been hell here, but as Mother Teresa said, when she washes the feet of a leper, she can see the face of the Lord in them. So to, do we see the face of our Lord in these students, the good ones and the bad, all needing to be loved.
Today, we played water ball, or in English, water balloons. It wasn’t long before someone popped a balloon over my head. The war was on. I found a water bottle and filled it, then commenced to chasing the little rug rats around. By the end of it, I was soaked, as were they. This time washed away the frustrations of the morning when we wanted to tie up and hang a few of the students. It was a symbolic washing away of their earlier transgressions. One of my counselors joined in. The oddity of it all is that the youngest and the oldest person on the team played with these 13 year olds, while those in the middle, as age goes, just watched.
Later, after we changed our clothes, a group of girls came into the teacher’s room. One girl whose smile melts me each time I see her asked to play Uno. The group and I sat and played a game of Uno until it was time for them to go home. This is the good stuff, the moments of sharing love and life together, as was the water balloons. Two days are all that are lift.
Romans 14:8, Let no debt ream outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another. 14: 10, Lover does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore loves in the fulfillment of the law.
July 28, 2008
This is an update for the last few days. It has been a real hectic week leading up to today. There is a power struggle going on in one of the classrooms. One of the students had effectively wrestled control for the classroom away from the teacher. This poor teacher is so battered and bruised, she has nearly quite several times but yet she reaches deep inside and finds energy and courage to keep going. This is spiritual energy that is keeping her up right.
I’ve watched them all grow to some extent or another and for various reasons. One needs to find inner strength to deal with her anxieties. Others have had to learn that it is okay to make a donkey out of yourself. Figure out what that means on your own. And of course the bruised and battered girl is learning to stand on her own two feet.
Please be lifting the youth outreach we are doing. There will be hundreds of students attending where they will hear the message in their own language. We will of course be there. Please lift them up that their hearts will be open and receive the spirit. This place is a special place. From here is going forth many to China and Mongolia doing the work that needs to be done, and they know the importance of doing it. In 39 years, China will fully absorb Hong Kong that is the time they have left, 39 years. From there, maybe all of their freedoms will be disappear, unless, they have an opening effect on the main land. It is an imperative that China learns to be more like Hong Kong People. That is, believers.
As I write this, there are five days and a wake up till I’ll be in LA, and one more day after that and then home. This is always a bitter sweet moment for us. Well for those how have a heart for Asia. Part of me wants to stay in Asia, and part of me wants to go home. Here, I don’t watch T.V. Here there is much work to be done. Here there is good healthy food. Here I don’t need to drive, but walk or take mass transit, a much more effective mass transit than we have in the U.S. Here, things are very different.
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