Sabbath Day's Rest.
Today was a good day. The weather was overcast and cooler. We
slept in until 7 a.m. and spent the morning reading the Psalms. I'm struck with how
Book III of the psalter is so appropriate for missions work.
One of the American girls lent us Brennan Manning's book, Abba's Child: The cry of the
heart for intimate belonging. I highly recommend it. We are only three chapters into the
book, and it is thought-provoking and inspiring.
We gathered with remnants of the team at the school. The others were in the city, in
Xinyang. We walked the streets of Lijiazhai. It is a small town and almost everyone
knows why we are here.
Our reasons for being here are to share the love of Jesus Christ mostly through deeds
of compassion and kindness through providing sports camps and activities (songs,
games, skits, etc.) for the children. According to the laws of the state, we are prohibited
to initiate conversations about the gospel to anyone under 18 years of age. We can
however, respond to a child's request for more information. We can engage students
18 and older.
The question is: engage them with what? The gospel is the good news of how God
loves his people and creation and has reconciled it to himself through his Son. We are
now invited into an incredible experience of love with our Creator that gives both
meaning and purpose to life. It's remarkable that we are accepted and loved as we are,
and, invited to love ourselves, others, and creation with the same love we have
experienced with our Heavenly Father. This experience is a life-changer.
We have met Chinese students who truly understand and love The Lord with heartfelt
joy and passion. They are truly thankful for all that God has done for them. My prayer is
that we Americans never grow complacent or lukewarm and lose this experience of first
love -- like we are seeing now before our eyes.
We ended today with worship and the word. I miss the sacrament of communion. Not
wanting to exclude or alienate those counselors who are not believers, we have chosen
to be gracious hosts. Yet, I keenly feel its absence. I was glad when one of the
American counselors read of the Last Supper and the Marriage Feast that is to come.
This area of China (Jigonshan-Xindian-Lijiazhai-Xinyang) was once a vibrant vineyard
of the Lord's planting, 100 years ago. Now the foxes have wrecked havoc. But, the
fields are still white unto harvest. Now we pray for willing workers to go into the fields.
It is a different time, culture, and government, but the need remains the same -- so does
the answer.
Tomorrow the last camp begins. Most of the kids will come from the very school that is
hosting us. We are expecting the largest camp yet -- over 50 kids with only 19 staff to
serve them. We are eager to begin.
You are constantly in our prayers.
Love and miss you all.
Jeff & Mim
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