Mid-point of the final camp. We went on a hike today in the Pudom Forest Reserve.
The same place we went last week. It was just as beautiful. A British gentleman
planted many trees indigenous to North America in the reserve in 1905. They look like
a type of cedar tree. They have grown now and tower over 100 feet tall and move with
the wind in their boughs.
I was asked to talk about peace tonight. Our camp's theme is the "9 Marks of
Excellence" (from Galatians 5). How do you talk about peace without mentioning God?
We had five men from the village tonight in our evening session, checking us out,
wanting to know what we are doing. I shared of a time that I was paralyzed by fear
when hiking the French Alps in my early 20's. I had climb a ridge made of shale rock in
a high alpen valley only to discover a 2000 foot precipice on top. The sheer magnitude
of the drop froze me. I literally could not move. I dared not move. I had put myself into
a dangerous situation foolishly and I knew it. I was unprepared for the challenge.
Through prayer and singing, I was able to calm my fear, and, with renewed peace was
able to descend the mountain.
I also talked of peace between people. On a camp retreat (i.e., a VDC weekend) the
leadership was in conflict with each other and could not resolve it. They asked me to
resolve it (as SD). We had a footwashing ceremony where everyone humbly washed
each other's feet (the kids will do this tomorrow). Soon hardened hearts became soft
again, people asked forgiveness of one another, and new unity and harmony was
restored amongst the team, and it became a great experience, and we finished strong.
I asked them to consider if they needed peace in their life and where they could find
such peace -- and left it at that. (If asked, the counselors have the right, under Chinese
law, to respond with direct answers related to their own experiences, i.e., a testimony).
It is upon my heart to share my experiences of faith with a few of our counselors who
are university students. With them I am under no prohibition from the state and can
talk more freely.
Please pray for opportunity, timing, and faithful witness to the hope that we share in our
Lord. Tomorrow is our last full day. We have sports tournaments in the morning. It will
be another hot day 98 degrees plus humidity. Another heat index of 110 degrees. The
kids are doing great. The are great singers, and it blesses my heart to hear them sing:
We are the light of the world. So, shine, shine wherever you are. We are the light of the
world.
Love you all! We will be home in a week.
Jeff & Mim
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