China Blog
July 27 - 28, 2013
It's the weekend.
(There is no internet connection these past two days, so I am combining these two blog
entries.)
Saturday we went to Jigonshan Mountain, to the south of LIjiazhai, near Xindian village.
Jigonshan towers above the local mountain ranges. It is the highest peak. It is also the
historic site of a summer missionary enclave that was started by Daniel Nelson in the
1900's. He was the first to purchase land on the mountain and build a home.
Jigonshan is formed into two valleys. One became the summer residence of foreign
missionaries from America, Sweden, Germany, and Norway. The other was developed
by wealthy Chinese businessmen.
It was also the home of Paul Martinson, who was my missionary professor at Luther
Seminary, St. Paul, MN. On the mountain is a small church they built. a larger meeting
hall for all the missionaries, which also doubled as a large worship area, a couple of
schools for Americans and Swedish missionary kids, a cemetery, and missionary
homes.
When the Japanese invaded China, Field Marshall Chiang Kai-Shek had field quarters
and a bunker system on top of the mountain. With the Japanese occupation of China,
many of the missionaries fled -- never to return. When Mao Zhe Dung took control after
the war and Kai-Shek fled to Taiwan, all missionary property was confiscated for the
state and their return barred.
Mim's parents (Jerry & Mavis Trelstad) were also at Jigonshan two years ago, following
the missionary trail, which included passage by boat to Shanghai, then passage to
Wuhan by boat up the Yangzee River to Wuhan, then disbursement to the North
throughout the Henan Province, which included Xinyang and Xindian and Jigonshan.
China Service Ventures conducted their first cultural camp on Jigonshan about 5 years
ago. Unfortunately, negotiations to renovate and operate a school during the summer
months using much of the former missionary buildings are not fruitful at this time.
Hence the move to Lijiazhai (a mere 15 minute bus ride away.
Today, a Chinese Construction Firm and the Chinese Military facilitate the mountain.
We were fully aware that we were standing on ground where missionaries had walked
over 120 years ago. Much of the missionary cemetery was destroyed during the
Cultural Revolution, but a few grave markers remained. One was of a woman who died
when she was only 36 years old.
Unless our Lord comes again in our life-time, each of us will pass from this life. One
cannot live forever unless transformed by the trumpet call on the Last Day. It makes me
think of how to spend the rest of my life in service of our Lord. Hopefully, we have many
years left. Regardless, we want to spend them in service of our Lord in endeavors that
are noble, praiseworthy, honorable, and excellent, and true.
July 28, 2013
Xindian Church. Today we went to visit an active church started by Anna Martinson (the
grandmother of Paul Martinson), It is one of the few remaining church compounds and
courtyards left in Henan Province, so it is of historical importance for preservation.
Anna's husband died six years into her mission. The mission agency requested that
she return home, but she refused, saying that she, too, not just her husband had been
called to serve China.
Without state-side support, this remarkable woman raise four children by herself,
provided for herself a livelihood, started an elementary school, and church. I wish we
knew more of the details of her life. We are walking in the footsteps of history. Truly
we have such a great cloud of witnesses.
The congregation is lay-led by women. They preach, teach, and shepherd the people.
The church is very small, seating perhaps 50 on wooden pews. The floor is made of
bricks, as are the walls, though they are plastered.
I was asked to preach. What a humble honor. I spoke on Luke 7:36-50 (A sinful woman
forgiven), a text we have shared at Good Shepherd, and sent greetings in our behalf.
Their service starts with singing then a time for Bible study. Up front, instead of a
podium, there is a desk. The lecturer exposits the texts, everyone taking notes. They
spoke on Ephesians 6 and spiritual warfare. After the teaching they read the psalms
antiphonally, repeating the reader. The service ends with the Apostle's Creed and
Lord's Prayer and Benediction. A simple service.
Today we rest The weather is, of course, hot, humid, and muggy. It is 96 degrees with
80 percent humidity, and a heat index of 106 degree plus. Any exertion immediately
brings on the sweat.
Tomorrow we start Youth Camp #2. More Chinese counselors have come for the week.
We meet them tonight. We should have a camp of around 70 people.
We are thinking of you all at home and holding you in our prayers.
Love,
Jeff & Mim
China Blog
July 29, 2013
Youth Camp #2 (Day 1)
It's a repeat of last week. Same schedule, songs, skits, sports, etc. with minor
adjustments. The day went well. We only have 28 youth at camp this round. The day
started with some negativity. The US team, which was here two weeks prior to us
coming, is starting to talk of home. Tired minds and tired bodies. It is definitely "hump"
week -- the mentally most challenging week for the team. And, it is spiritual warfare and
prayer time. Patience is a little thin. People are tired of the heat and humidity (heat
index reaches 110 degrees every day for the past 14 days), and the pace and grind of
camp (14 hour days). But, we all pressed through, and, it was a good day.
Mim and I celebrated our 29th Wedding Anniversary today. We figure that about 75
percent of our married life has involved summer mission trips to serve impoverished
children at risk throughout the world. Almost 99 percent of our married life has involved
summer camps serving youth. About 50 percent of our anniversaries have actually
been spent on the mission field in the world.
We, of course, count Utah as a mission field.
Tomorrow is the sports program of the camp. We will let you know more about how
things are going tomorrow. Internet is very spotty. We are lucky to get a signal from
some nearby business.
I'll write more about the food and pace of the small country town in which we are staying
soon.
Love to all.
Jeff & Mim
