persecution.

I have four days left in Beijing. We came yesterday to teach our last English camp with the students. Our normal building (a Bible college that was a “hotel”) was being used, so we planned to teach at the university for the day and head to our normal area later that evening. We arrived at the university, met up with our friends, and went to the cafeteria to eat.

Thirty minutes later, we were told we had to jet. The campus had received word that Americans were on campus and to keep an close eye on us. Our team left immediately, unsure what to do next. Whatever it was, it was not going to be teaching.

We all fled the campus, hopped on a public bus, and arrived at the school’s fellowship location. The team was a bit worried, but somehow I had peace. I have been in these situations before with interactions with campus security and police and prayed fervently for protection over our team, but more so for the safety of believers on that campus.

Once we arrived at the fellowship building, there was nothing for us to do, so the team went to the Great Wall. Later, we finally got to our normal location for the camp, and enjoyed a fun night building relationships and seeking opportunities to share the Good News.

I woke early this morning refreshed and ready to commit today to the Lord. We enjoyed breakfast and gathered into our classes for the last time. It was then that one of our students shared that we needed to keep the volume down and stay indoors because there was a possibility the government was going to do their monthly routine on this “hotel”.

We continued to teach and play games with the students and every once in a while we were told what to do in case government officials did show up.

Lunch came around with an rest time to follow. I desired to be with the Lord, so I found a secluded room and had an hour and a half of undisturbed time in God’s Word, in prayer, and time to catch up in my journal. It was phenomenal. (I’ll share what I learned today in my next blog post.)

A few times, I took put my earbuds and listened to the noise around me. Even if there was screaming or an invasion, I’m not sure I would have heard. In fact, my voice was probably heard as I sang to my worship music blaring through my ears so loud I could no longer hear my voice.

The neat thing was, I didn’t care. If people invaded this Bible college and arrested me or even killed me, I would have been fine. The thought in my mind was when David said in Psalm 118:6 and 56:11: “What can man do to me?” I was in the Presence of my Lord Jesus and I was content. I was fully satisfied. I was drinking deeply from His words and feeling the Holy Spirit speak to me. I wouldn’t trade that hour and a half for anything else in the world!

By God’s provision, the government never came. Within these last few days, I’ve seen how crazy people in this world can be to attempt to obtain authority and power. I’m so grateful that my God is sovereign over all!!

Persecution is going on all over the world. China makes me more conscious and thankful for my freedom in America in worship, but because of persecution, my faith has been challenged and taken to a level that it’s never been before!! I’m grateful for persecution and suffering in our faith. Trials refine our faith and make us more radical. Pray for the persecuted around the world!!

 

church’s desire.

After seeing and hearing my brothers and sisters wake up early to worship the Lord last weekend, God really put it on my heart to desire Him more… More than spending time with friends, more than sleep, and more than eating. 

I would sum up this past week in one word: DESIRE. I can’t remember the last time I’ve desired to be with the Lord this much. It seems like every waking moment, He’s on my mind. Recently, i haven’t been the most social person because I rather be locked alone in my room with my Bible and journal. I just keep thinking to myself, what changed inside of me to run after Christ with this passion? 

The only thing I thought of was conviction and being challenged by my brothers and sisters who are here in China, living, serving, and to make Him known. Every hour of their lives, it seems like they are consumed with Jesus’ love and compelled to share the Good News with those around them! They don’t care about the persecution here. All they want to do is be with their Savior.

God keeps challenging me in new ways. He keeps revealing more of my sin which humbles me at His feet, desperate for His grace, knowing His grace is the only hope I have to be resuced from my sin. 

A few days ago, the Lord told me to fast. I disobeyed. I only had a week left in China, and I wanted to get as much authentic Chinese food as possible before I left!! Still, my heart weighed heavy with a few major things I needed to seek wisdom for. It was at lunch that day when I learned one of my brothers on the team was fasting… And it convicted me. I fasted the next day and a half, really seeking the Lord and asking Him to reveal things to me.

I don’t think I would have been convicted in either situation without my brothers and sisters faithfully walking in obedience with the Father. I’m so blessed to have brothers and sisters who constantly strive to be more like Jesus, unconsciously encouraging me in my walk and strengthening my faith.

The other day, I met with my friend. Less than a year ago, I got to see her come to faith in Jesus. Ever since then, she’s been struggling staying strong in a dark world. We started talking about the church. She kept saying that churches were buildings. I explainedto her that a church is so much more than that!!

I have been experiencing the power of the church, the body of Christ. I’ve only attended two actual churches that were buildings over the last three months, but for the past 90ish days, I’ve never been so closely related with the church, the body of Christ!

The body of Christ’s desire is the Lord. I’m so blessed to have met the multitude of believers here to push me closer to Him, my One and Only desire on this earth!!

It’s hard to believe my time is near. I’m leaving in just five short days and I’m trying to soak up as much China as I can. I apologize for not blogging more, I’ve had limited Internet and I am writing now from my iPod touch. I hope to hear from all of you when I get back, these blog posts are only a few stories of what I experienced in my time here.

Thanks for keeping up and reading. I’ll be back in America in less than a week! Brothers and sisters- I love you all!!

gospel centered mission.

These past few days, I’ve been beyond encouraged by my brothers’ and sisters’ obedience to further the gospel to the ends of the earth. I want to share two instances with you.

Yesterday, I had lunch with some Chinese brothers and sisters (some of them below, eyes blotted out for safety) who have become strong believers in our God and who have a passion to make His name known. After lunch, my five American friends (here with the 8:08 College group from Christ Community Church) and I got to hear from four of our Chinese brothers and sisters and their upcoming missions trip. This July, they will be traveling for two weeks to the west part of China to share the gospel with a minority group who are strong Muslims. I was encouraged to know that my friends are going out to spread the gospel to the places that we can’t reach as Americans, and they are bringing the gospel back to Jerusalem.

These friends are around my age, 19-22, and are passionate about abandoning everything to make Christ known. In this area of China, Christians are persecuted. If they even get caught with the Bible, they could be imprisoned. This is dangerous, but one of our sisters said, “I could be the first person to bring the gospel to these people, and I could also be the last.” This brought tears to my eyes and I thought of all the other billions of people around the world who have no chance of knowing our Lord Jesus. Another brother shared his heart and the urgency to reach these people. We don’t know when the end of the world is coming or when Jesus is coming back… and they see the desperate need for the hopeless people in this area, and see the opportunity they have to share.

I want to help them. God has put it on my heart to help them financially. They need to raise money, about $1,000 per person. In China it’s hard to raise support with the economy. I’m going to try to raise money for them now until the trip and want to support them financially as well. I want to give to this cause of reaching the lost in the places that I can’t go to. The gospel is dispersing to every tribe, tongue, nation and people. If you’re also interested in helping either financially or prayerfully, please email me (jenn.yee12@gmail.com) if you are interested in giving. Literally, anything helps. God is going to work a miracle!!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
– Acts 1:8

They are going to the ends of the earth to be witnesses. It reminds me to have a heart for the lost, to ache for them and pray for them. God will reach His people and He’ll find a way to do it!!

I was also encouraged today when we were teaching English at a school. I ran into an 83 year-old woman from California. She was from Taiwan, her husband from China. They were here at this school teaching the Bible to these hungry students. This couple came about a week ago and are staying until June 1. Then, they’ll travel to Hawaii on their way home to attend some youth missions organization (I think it’s YWAM, Youth With A Mission). Just a bit ago, these old grandparents traveled to India to visit Bible schools there. They had the opportunity to visit a school that started with 4 Bible students and over 5 years, it has grown to 190 students!!

This couple is committed to seeing the gospel go forth. They don’t care about their health and age. The woman I met, she told me that she’s getting old, so she needs to do this missions work before she dies!! Most elderly people I know wish to take vacations and be comfortable in their live, spending the money they’ve worked their whole lives to earn. This couple, wants to continue serving around the world. They see the unreached people groups around the world and their heart breaks.

Shouldn’t this be all of our hearts? There’s nothing more valuable in our lives than knowing Jesus. Nothing. I believe that our two main purposes in life are to 1) enjoy God’s grace and 2) make His name known among the nations. I’m finally ready to do this. I’ve wasted the last 21 years of my life living for myself and striving for the American Dream.

None of that matters anymore! I’m starting to see that my treasure lies in Heaven. Money on this earth means nothing. Jesus could come back today and everything I have here wouldn’t matter whatsoever. I don’t want to live for this world. It’s not my home… my home is Heaven, which I’m desperate for.

I’m blessed to have brothers and sisters around me to remind me of how God is making His name known. He chooses to use us because He can, not because He needs us. I’m so grateful that God has chosen me to do His work. He’s calling you also. Now, have the courage and faith to do whatever He’s called you to!

passionate abandonment.

A few days ago, I found myself craving time worshiping through song. Being a Christian in China adds extra precautions and therefore, it’s hard to find a safe place to worship freely for foreigners.

I’ve been with Christ Community Church’s college team and we’ve been doing English camps with college students, focusing on conversational English. It’s far from the city and lies at the foot of the mountains. Every time I go out there, I’m amazed at the beauty of the Lord’s creation.

After a few games and activities on Saturday evening, we wrapped up the English camp for the day. A few of my American friends decided we could use some time worshiping our God. My friend grabbed his guitar and we met outside to worship. Although he messed up a few times and our voices weren’t harmonized, God was glorified as we sang from our hearts under a sky full of stars. I was grateful for God’s beautiful creation and amazed by His sovereignty. I went to sleep joyful with the Lord on my mind.

Five hours later, I heard my phone vibrate for my alarm I had set for 4:15am. Our team had planned to watch the sunrise from the nearby mountain. After I laid in bed for a few moments, I sat up, knowing the loss of sleep would be worth the gorgeous sunrise ahead.

The two American girls were with me, and I received a call from the guys saying they weren’t coming because they had already missed the sunrise. I was bummed because that meant no guitar and no singing.

It was a chilly morning and shorts and a T-shirt didn’t keep one of my friends warm. She left shortly after we found out the boys weren’t coming. Now, there was two of us sitting on rocks on a mountain in Beijing, China. There was a wall built on the mountain so we weren’t able to see the horizon. Twenty minutes later, the sun crept over the wall and shone in its radiance.

Moments later, my other friend left. I was excited for this time in solitude with my Lord Jesus. I desired to pray aloud and reflect on His beauty. I prayed for a while and encountered the Lord. It was only 5:45am, so I thought I’d head back to our room and catch a few more hours of sleep.

As I went back down the mountain, I marveled at God’s handiwork. The mountains and blue sky covered most of my peripheral vision. Rooster crows and dog barks filled my ears as I felt the wind brush against my face. It was beautiful.

As I walked by the main building to the entrance, I heard singing. I knew the place was a Bible school, but in America, it would be rare to find a church meeting before 6am. I followed the music and heard them worshiping. My brothers and sisters were singing loudly and passionately, all to the Lord. I sat outside of the door until I decided to peek in, when I saw around 30 adults gathered in a small room to learn more about Him.

It was probably around 6am at that time. My guess is that a early morning gathering isn’t uncommon for these passionate followers of Christ. Church service, prayer, fellowship and sharing… I bet something goes on almost every morning around that time. Then, it hit me.

When I woke up at 4:15am, I didn’t want to get out from under my warm comforter. I didn’t want to make that short journey up the mountain. I was tired. I like to sleep… In America, we all do. I was convicted. My brothers didn’t join us for one morning to worship together. It’s nothing against them, but as I viewed the Chinese and heard their voices singing out to the Lord, I was reminded of the difference of believers in both America and China.

The Chinese finished their singing around 6, which means they probably started around 5:30am, if not earlier. I can’t remember the last time I got up before 7am to simply worship and be with my Savior. My brothers and sisters here are willing to sacrifice literally anything: their families, their friends, their reputation, their jobs, their money, success and careers, and their sleep. Most days, when I’m sleeping, there are many around China worshiping, because they know the value of experiencing and being with the Lord.

Why am I not consumed with passion like that? These believers here are radical. They pray fervently. They really believe and trust in the Lord with all their hearts, minds, souls and strength. God has blessed them and protected them, however, the battle isn’t always easy. They can be persecuted, imprisoned, and even killed for their faith in Jesus, yet they don’t care. They’re willing to abandon everything for the sake of knowing Jesus.

They convict me and challenge me each and every day. I want to be a radical believer, one who is willing to get up early each morning just to be with my Savior. I want to pray fervently for big things and believe in God’s power! I want to be willing to abandon literally everything in this world!

Pray for these brothers and sisters who are madly in love with our God. Pray for their safety and for their ministries as they further the gospel!!

it may be time…

Well, I’m coming home in 12 days. It’s bittersweet… I’m excited to see my family and friends back in Nebraska, but part of my heart will still be in China. Anyways, there are some random things that I’ve been noticing about my life here, things I’ve been adapting too well in China- some of which aren’t acceptable in America. Enjoy reading!! (These are in just a random order… the order they popped in my head.)

1. I’m on last tube of Burt’s Bee’s Wax chapstick.. And for those of you that know me well, you know that this is a problem!! It’s very hard to find a stick of Burt’s Bee’s Wax around here… and even if I do, it’s very expensive!

2.I’m adjusting to the traffic in China. If I stay here any longer, I may be a maniac driver in America. This could be very dangerous. I also jaywalk all the time, because pedestrians do not have the right of way in China. Currently, I cross bigger intersections than Dodge and 72nd Street… jaywalking. This may be a problem.

3. I literally had no clean clothes or underwear a few days ago. I’m too cheap to pay to get all my clothes cleaned, but underwear is a necessity, so I was blessed to do one load of laundry at a friends house. It’ll be nice to have a laundry machine and a new wardrobe again. Some of my shirts are worn out!

4. I’m starting to use Chinglish in everyday language… My American friends may need to learn a few new Chinese words to understand me now. A few words for you to practice: mafan (pronounced mah faan)=trouble, bothersome, annoying; tai gui le (pronounced thai gway la)= too expensive; I’m sure there’s a lot more than many of you will come across during my conversations with you.

5. I occasionally get lost in the crowd when my American friends look for me. This could be annoying, for them, because I can always spot the whiteys in the mix of Asians!! It’ll be weird sticking out again in the midwest city of Omaha.

6. Living in a tiny town of 800,000 people (including surrounding areas) will be quite different from the small towns in China that are more than 2 millions people. It’ll be interesting adapting back to a quiet “city” where honking isn’t as prominent.

7. I’m starting to adapt to Chinese culture, nudging and pushing my way through people to get where I need to go… Along with hacking loogies and spitting them on the ground. This isn’t very lady-like in America…
8. I’m becoming so cheap with the yuan, RMB, kuai (exchange rate, $1= 6.5 RMB) that I won’t even pay 3 RMB for a bottled water or more than 1.5 RMB for an ice cream bar. This could be a bit of an adjustment coming home where things are a few bucks for food, ice cream or a bottled beverage.

9. Ever since I left Chicago Coffee in Kunming, it’s been hard to find a good cup of coffee. I’m not a big fan of Starbucks and I miss quality coffee made from hand-packed espresso. This is one thing that I’m looking forward to in America.

10. I’m starting to master the art of a squatty potty. Well, I’m as proficient as I can be without being able to do the actual China squat due to the lack of flexibility of my calf and shin muscles… I’m working on that. However, western toilets will be a nice adjustment.

11. I see quite a few people that look like people I know… aunts, uncles, cousins… I need to leave and actually see them before I start going up to random Chinese people thinking I know them. Today I saw a guy that looked like an uncle who lives in Seattle.

12. When I’m with my Chinese girl friends, I don’t mind it if they hold my hand or lock arms with me as we walk. In China, it’s very common to see friends showing affection in even these small ways. In America, I’m not really a touchy person. My bubble has been popped by a friend and continues to be encouraged by my Chinese friends here.

13. My sister and I talked my mom into buying matching shirts… for all five of us children. In China, it’s common for couples to buy matching shirts. We still need to find a shirt for the parents to wear, but us five kids matching will be pretty cool!

Well, that’s all for now. I hope all enjoyed it!! Asian smiley:  |D

tears of the saints.

It was around 8:30pm and I was headed home. I spent a wonderful evening with my parents, my sister, and with a family friend that lives in Beijing. I walked off of the subway and started my 20 minute stride back to the hostel I was staying at.

I looked all around me. People everywhere: Couples walking. Old Chinese people crossing the street. Headlights zooming past me from the variety of cars on the nearby street. Bikers filled the bike lane. Honks from cars and bells from bikes are ringing through my ears.

I reach for my Ipod, put my earbuds in my ears, and turn it to a song that makes me think about these lost people around me- “Tears of the Saints” by Leeland. The song started and I thought about the lyrics:

There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In it’s state of desperation
For Your glory

This is an emergency!

Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!

And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

First off, I’m surrounded by people, most of them lost, some of them probably have never heard the gospel before. I ran into two homeless, disabled people along the way. I gave them each 20 RMB (about $3 USD) and put it in their hands. The only Chinese I could muster up was “Ye Su ai ni”, which means “Jesus loves you”. As I walked away, tears filled my eyes. I wish I could have walked to the nearest McDonald’s or KFC and bought the biggest meal there I could find. I wanted to walk over to these two men, sit down next to them, give them the meal, and share a conversation, possibly leading to sharing the gospel. But I didn’t. I felt inadequate because of the language barrier.

I kept walking. Tears filled my eyes. Who was going to reach these people? They could barely move. They were poor. They were hopeless. I just prayed for them and hoped that someone would be willing to share with them… otherwise, that God would help me in my language learning so I can eventually share with the homeless and outcasts around the city and China.

This music continued. I put this song on repeat my whole way home, because I know how much it convicts me and motivates me to have a heart for the lost. Reread the chorus:

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

This is an emergency. Do we believe that? As believers, as followers of Christ, we often forget about the urgency we need to have for the lost. Do we cry for the lost and unsaved? Are we crying and aching for them to come back home?

During this part, I was convicted. Tears filled my eyes this time and my heart was burdened for the lost. I thought of my brothers and sisters all around the world, and that their hearts would be burdened also. We need to be a strong family that will work together to enjoy God’s grace and proclaim His glory. As I thought about my friends, I wondered how many of them have cried for the lost. How many of my brothers and sisters have actually cried because of other people around the world who haven’t heard the Good News of Jesus?

I’m reading this book by David Platt called Radical. It’s been phenomenal. I’d encourage everyone to read it! It has challenged me and is changing my life. Recently he talked about how even if the one-third that said they’re Christians are true Christ followers, that would still leave 4.5 billion people on this earth who aren’t following our Savior. 4.5 billion people. Lost without hope.

A major reason why this is so heavy on my heart is because God has been working on me. He’s been revealing my deep pride issues in the toughest ways within my closest relationships. The Holy Spirit has convicted me more than ever, and I’m experiencing how much I need the gospel. I’m desperate for it, all of it: the cross, Jesus’ blood, His forgiveness and grace. It’s impacting me within the depths of my heart, and I’m clinging to the only hope I have in my Lord Jesus.
I think of these 4.5 billion people around this world who don’t have this hope and my
 eyes water. I couldn’t even imagine attempting to deal with my sin without knowing the Good News!

So, I want to challenge you. When’s the last time you cried for the lost? Are you too wrapped up in your own little world to care for the people around you? How desperate are you for the God’s grace? How much does the gospel change you?

This is what I’ve been learning, and God continues to break my heart. This is one of the most challenging times in my life spiritually, however, it’s been a refreshing time to just sit at the Lord’s feet and experience His goodness and grace.

Sorry for this lengthy blog, but thanks for reading! Quick update: I just spent 4 days with my family in Xi’an. It was incredible. I only have two weeks left before I return home and time is running out! Pray for my last few weeks here and that God would prepare me to come back to America and leave this place I love.

Thanks for the prayers-

Jenn

unique creation.

In 1974, a farmer was digging to build a well in the city Of Xi’an in Shaanxi province of China. Digging a few meters under the Earth’s surface, he discovered the Eighth Wonder of the World- the Terracotta Warriors.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang wanted protection in the afterlife, so he wanted to build these warriors. Reseachers estimate there are 7,000 statues of warriors, horses and chariots, all built over four decades with around 720,000 laborers. It was incredible to see the history and hear the story of how powerful this man was.

After the building of the warriors were completed, the emperor decided to kill all of his servants and concubines, burying them alive. He had that much power. Many of of servants knew their death was ahead, so they wrote their name hidden in the statue they built. Each of the 7,000 sculptures were unique, varying by the position of the warrior, type of shoes they wore, and each face that resembled an actual soldier.

I was in awe of these structures. But as I thought about it more, why was this is intriguing?

As humans we want to see the world. I know I’d love to travel all around southeast Asia, India, Europe, and the rest of the world. I would love to see all the Wonders of the World and I often overlook myself.

Why would I be fascinated with the 7,000 different terracotta structures when I myself am a unique, one-of-a-kind human being, made up multiple organ systems that allows me to think, breathe, move and do everything else I can do!!

Seeing these soldiers made me grateful for the creation of each person. We saw fewer than three thousand soldiers, each of them differing from the one next to it. However, the world is composed of over 6.7 billion people, and each one of us God created us individually, not just by how we look, but how we think, dress, and live.

I’m so grateful for our creative Father. He created our innermost being before time began. He knows our deepest thoughts, feelings, struggles and emotions. He knows everything about us, even the number of hairs on each of our heads! Not only does He know us, but He loves us… And He showed us that love in the cross.

Oh, that beautiful cross. God keeps reminding me over and over again that I need Him. I’m a sinner in need of the One and Only Savior!!

Although the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors are appealing to my eyes, God continues to amaze me within the depths of my soul! Praise Him today for how He created you, beautifully and wonderfully!!

appreciative ABC.

Thursday night, the college team’s main ministry started- teaching English. After a few days of touring and orientation, we were finally off to interact with college students. The English corner was the first glimpse of these Chinese students eager to converse with their second language.

Being an ABC (American Born Chinese) or banana (yellow on the outside but white on the inside), the Chinese are always interested in my life- how I grew up, if my parents are ABCs and mainly, if I can speak Chinese. I connect with most students right away just because I am an ABC. The first night, I had conversations with many different types of students and enjoyed it.

Our first English camp was this past Saturday and Sunday. It was an adventure as we taught English and practiced speaking. It’s a challenge going back to the basics in our language, thinking about all the different tenses, irregulars and variations of saying phrases. Still, these Chinese students are hungry to learn!

In the midst of all of this, many of the Chinese girls always come up to me and ask about my life. They are curious about my life in America. They ask why I look Chinese but can’t speak Chinese, and then I have to go through the progression of how my grandparents can speak Cantonese and my parents can understand Cantonese and how the Chinese stopped there. It gets annoying at times, but I always end up just laughing about it. (Still, I wish my parents taught me Cantonese… at least something!!)

In America, if I find a Chinese person, it’s an automatic, mutual connection. And here in China, it’s the same… except that there’s millions and millions of them for me to interact with. I blend in so well. Here, I’m not a minority!

My American friends haven’t been able to find me in public places. Recently we were in a subway crammed with people. My friends tried to find me, but couldn’t. Eventually, they just yelled at me in English, to when they finally found me. I love walking in the streets of China alone. I don’t get stared at differently. People don’t stop me because they want to take a picture with a blonde hair, blue eyed foreigner. Here, I feel at home.

I’m so grateful for my ethnic origin of Chinese. Not only can I blend in with the Chinese people here, I can connect on a deeper level with Chinese students. Although cultures are still different among the two countries, I’m always open to learning more about my ancestor’s culture.

God is good. I’m blessed to be an ABC to have the opportunity to know the Lord and be raised in a Christian family. However, I’m grateful for my Chinese background to relate more to the Chinese around me!

one family.

Lately, I’ve been incredibly encouraged by the brothers and sisters all around the world. Some are in school, some are serving, and some are working… yet, no matter what we’re doing, we are always bonded by our heavenly Father!

These past few evenings, I’ve been blessed to have the time to connect with people back in the states, two friends in particular.

The first friend has become one of my closest friends. Having our friendship starting in China makes it easy connect with the Chinese people and culture. From the start of our friendship, we were put in the environment to grow together spiritually. We even grew spiritually before we became close friends. We had that connection with the Lord, but it wasn’t until later that we formed a close-knit friendship.

She constantly encourages me. I remember the first time I decided I wanted to be her friend. It was when we were in a women’s small group time and she called out greatness in me. She encouraged me and told me that she saw Jesus’ love reflected in my life by how I loved her, and everyone around me. It encouraged me more than she knows and I started to pursue our friendship. I learned she was a wise, rooted woman of God, along with someone who had a passion for people.

I talked to her last night, and was encouraged. We always talk about China and how God is good. We reminisced memories together in China, places, people, experiences, everything. I enjoyed every moment of our conversation, and after I got done talking to her, I realized how much I love her. She always encourages me. Every time I talk to her, she keeps me accountable, she loves me no matter what I tell her, and she calls out greatness in me. Our friendship was ordained by the Lord, and I’m so grateful to have her as a close friend.

My other friend is a newer friend. Even though we had mutual friends in high school, we don’t know each other all that well. As I talked to him and got to know him more, I saw his heart for the Lord. We encouraged each other spiritually, and I was amazed at how beautiful that was.

Anytime, anywhere, we as believers can gather with our fellow brothers and sisters. We can share things on our hearts and receive encouragement from our Lord through him or her. That’s what makes the body of Christ so beautiful and fascinating… we’re just sinners, living for the same purpose to glorify the same God on this temporary earth. Encouragement is needed on this journey. It’s not easy, but we have Jesus, who overcame everything in this world!

God is good, and there are believers all over the globe, hungry for community and encouragement. Find them, seek them, and let God use them in your lives. It’s great to have the body of believers bonded in unity in Jesus!!

the last leg.

Life is good across the world.

For the past week, my sister and her boyfriend have been in Beijing. On Mother’s Day, my mom and dad arrived, and yesterday, the 8:08 college team from Christ Community came in. I’ll be with both my family and the 8:08 team until I leave in exactly 3 weeks from today.

This is such a sad thought for me. I can’t believe time has flown by. I came to China March 5th, unsure of what I’d be doing in the future. Yet through these last few months, I’ve been seeking the Lord more than ever before and He keeps affirming my calling here in China. As of right now, this is where I’m supposed to be. I’m sure of it.

I’ve gotten to see God’s tremendous work in China, however, the harvest is still plentiful. An estimated 30,000 people come to know the Lord each and every day. That’s INSANE!! Still, at that number, since China has about 1,331,460,000 people, it would take over 120 years to reach them all! Even though the believers here are rising up to share the gospel and live for Jesus, there’s still room for more laborers for the harvest field!

God is sovereign. He’s teaching me that. It sounds ridiculous that He has to remind me of what He’s done for me and that He can do anything and everything, but He does. He continues to, over and over again, as I forget about the power of the gospel and the power I have with the Holy Spirit living in me!

God is teaching me to really believe and trust in Him. Not just say I believe in my head, but believing with my whole heart- believing that He is big enough to do literally ANYTHING. He can transform souls. He can bring those people I love back to Him. He answers prayers, really answers prayers, but why doesn’t that change the way I pray? He can heal relationships, He can do anything, without my help. He doesn’t need me! I also don’t trust Him enough. If I trusted Him, truly trusted Him, all my worries and fears would be gone. I would seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all else would fall into place. Jesus keeps challenging me to trust more in Him and that He is sovereign!

Continue to pray for my last few weeks here. Pray that God would use me for His glory in whatever way He wants. Pray that my parents and college students will be encouraged by the Chinese believers here, and pray that the Lord will keep all of us safe in our ministries here. Thanks for all your prayers!!