Sunset

Last weekend, Peter and I went to dinner with two of our friends, John Wayne and Edward. After dinner we stopped down by the Yangtze to watch the sunset and take some pictures. The time with them was very enjoyable and my conversation with Edward that day turned to spiritual things. We've had a lot of long, deep conversations over the past few months. It started the first night I met him. He started asking me about what happens after death. I knew this kind of work here would be great. Edward's endless curiosity and questioning is evidence that the Spirit is working. He is reluctant to "give in" to believing, so he keeps asking questions. I hope he continues to do this. I didn't mind talking with him for more than an hour about the Truth. What a great opportunity! Keep Edward and John Wayne in your conversations with the Father. They both need help because the Deceiver is working very hard to keep them blind. Ask that the Light that breaks the darkness come into their lives. They know there's something about the Truth, but are observers for now. Ask that they be believers! Be bold! Be persistent!

As I sit here on my last full day in China, I am thankful for this opportunity to share in the work here. It has been an incredible journey. All of the glory goes to Him for the things he has given and shown me. His Word is powerful and effective. This wasn't only true for how it worked in the lives of my friends, but also true for me. My friends have grown, learned, and come to believe, but I have needed his guidance and help too. He has been with me through the joys and the defeats. He has been the same, unchanging Alpha and Omega even though my address and culture have changed. He is awesome! He has shown me so much and now I take all of this with me for the rest of my years.

This journey continues as I pitch my tent each night closer to my real home above. Before He brings me there, the work continues. He tells us to work while it is day. So as the sun sets on this chapter of my life, a new chapter begins. Where will it take me? Who will I meet? It is in His hands. I am in His hands. My confidence comes from Him because He can do things that I cannot. He can keep me going when I feel tired and weary. He is my All in All. I will miss the people, but I have the assurance that I will see some again above! And for those who are still searching for the light, I will be on my knees asking that they will become part of the Family also. My eyes are getting a little misty. They are all in His hands and that is a promise I can hold on to by his grace. What a great God we have! He has done amazing things here and He will continue to do so until He returns. Soli Deo Gloria!

Screaming in China

The other day I went into our tiny kitchen. Because Peter and I don't cook a lot of food ourselves, a trip to the kitchen can be far and few between. On this occasion I opened up the door and was startled and scared silly by a giant cockroach that snuck out from behind our garbage can. He was making a bee-line right for my feet. I was screaming like a little girl. I was doing the dance up and down with my feet which usually happens when you see something frightening running across the floor. Thanks to the Chinese design of an elevated living room the roach was trapped in the kitchen and couldn't get lost underneath our furniture or something more tragic. Peter tossed me a sandal and I crunched that bug, taking care of business. Here's the evidence of the aftermath. He was about as big as my thumb. Even up to the end, there are always surprises waiting for me in China!

Go big or go home

The occasion: Tony's birthday. The place: Aloha restaurant. Last week Sunday, I made my final trip to this Western food paradise. Andy, Peter, and I got to the restaurant a little early and started with an appetizer. It was a Cookie Frenzy milkshake. It's a wonderful mix of Oreo cookies, ice cream, and cookie dough. O YEA!! That was just for starters. When everyone else arrived, we all decided to order the biggest burger on the menu: The Big Kahuna. It's a grilled cheese sandwich topped with a half pound of beef, a pickle, caramelized onions, and then another grilled cheese sandwich. I got some added toppings: a fried egg, bacon, and thousand island dressing. It was huge. It was delicious. It was a marathon of eating. I finished it though. I didn't get to the fries and I felt like I do after a big Thanksgiving feast. This is no ordinary burger. It's the Big Kahuna. In this case I went big and now I can go home, satisfied and proud to say that I mastered this monster burger. Aloha Aloha, I will miss your food in America. Please open a restaurant back home. Until next time, stay hungry my friends.

I speak Chinese in my dreams

Sorry for the hiatus. My internet router broke and the process to get a new one took some time. In the meantime, the work has continued and the One above continues to pour out numerous blessings on these people. After spending almost 10 months in this country I've adapted to the culture and have even taken on some of the norms. Here is a list of some of the things I now do or have done that I just wouldn't do in America.

I use chopsticks for every meal.
I spit wherever and whenever convenient.
I wear a mask to cut down on pollution inhalation. (Only a few times recently. Check last week's news.)
I push and shimmy my way through crowds of people.
I use a squatty to answer nature's call.
I wash out my dishes with hot water before eating from them.
I wear a murse.
I speak Chinese in my dreams.
I carry tissues with me just in case I wash my hands or need to answer nature's call.
I never use a drying machine after washing my clothes.
I run or jog or trot after buses.
I say "maybe" a lot.

Maybe there are more, but right now I am bubbling with excitement to come back and share stories and pictures with y'all. I will be back around July 1 and I'll be coming to some cities near you to tell about the great things He is doing in Wuhan!