China Mission Update - July 27 & 28, 2013

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

China Mission Update - July 25, 2013

Youth Camp #1 (Day 4)

We survived today, and we are so tired!

Today was a sports rotation day. The weather reached a high of 96 degrees with 80
percent humidity. This meant the heat index was around 106 degrees. In the morning,
we did our normal rotation of soccer, volleyball, basketball, ping pong, jump rope,
badminton, and ultimate rubber chicken.

The students then met in small groups for discussion on today's theme of peace (one of
the 9 marks of excellence). The afternoon craft was t-shirt making with permanent
markers -- another time-honored tradition that never grows old.

The afternoon was spent playing tournaments. in the sports. The evening was spent
with each student group presenting songs to the larger group and ended with a camp
fire outside and more singing.

We took the journey of one thousand steps home under a star-lit night and collapsed
into bed after cold showers.

Tomorrow is the last day of camp. It is a half day. Please pray for good endings. Some
of the counselors are also leaving. We trust that the seeds that were sown in
faithfulness will bear fruit. Some emails are being exchanged. The counselors are
looking forward to a few days of rest and hopefully few meetings.

I played in the games today without serious injury. I kept thinking back to Russia 2000
when I tore my Achilles' tendon. I was 40 years old then. Now at the age of 53, I am
very aware of my limitations. The worst now is a very sore back and slightly strained hip
abductor muscle. I have four days to rest these muscles.

Thinking of home tonight and our friends. We miss you all.
Love,
Jeff & Mim

China Mission Update - July 24, 2013

Youth Camp #1 (Day 3)

A thousand steps. That is how many steps we walk each morning to the school, where
the camp is taking place. It takes about 12 minutes. We walk this route four times a
day. About 45 hellos. That is how many times we try and greet people, looking for eye
contact, especially in the morning when the city market is in full swing. I know, I
counted. It's amazing how people respond to a smile and warm, friendly gesture.

Three hours. That is how long the hike into the mountains took today. I gave up on
counting steps -- too many. It was, however, about a 1000 foot climb in elevation. On
top, we saw the grave of a Taoist Monk over 300 years old. It was the hottest day yet,
since our arrival. The conversations along the way, however, were priceless and worth
all the sweat and effort. These conversation, really, are why we are here. The sports,
activities, songs, and crafts are all relationship builders to enable these types of
interactions. For the sake of prudence, I will tell more when I return.

It blesses me to see some of the "old" camp games still being played, like "shuffle your
buns" and "ships across the ocean." They never grow old. Some of the old songs are
good, too, like "Bubblin Over" and "You are the light of the world." I think I will keep our
old song book. Friendship bracelets, weaving together strands of colored thread, never
grow out of date.

I'm learning some new Chinese games, too, like Chinese Chess and "Run Fast" card
games. Some only make sense if you can read the Chinese characters (Pin Ying) or
know certain Chinese words. I think our youth would love learning them.
Big day tomorrow. It is our last day of sports and last full day of camp. Please keep
praying for health, stamina, and favor. Your prayers are effective and powerful.
Love,
Jeff & Mim

China Mission Update - July 23, 2013

High School Camp #1 (Day 2)
Sports Day!
This was one of the reasons we came to China, to conduct sports programming as part
of the traditional cultural camp. The youth loved it! And, of course, this is what Mim
does best.
We ran six sports (volleyball, soccer, basketball, ping pong, jump rope, and ultimate
rubber chicken), rotating every 20 minutes. Every youth had a ball, constant motion, no
standing around, quick succession of drills. We did this for 1 1/2 hours and were done
by 10:00 a.m. The temperatures were already close to 90 degree with at least 70%
humidity. Water and adequate hydration has become a major factor to this camp.
Everyone was really into the sports, great enthusiasm. We conduct the sports in the
school complex, where the teachers also live with their children. So, we have attracted
quite a following. Even during the off times, the youth want to play sports.
The small track and field that we thought we could use is all tore up and under
construction. We are innovating, tying nets to trees and drainage pipes and playing in
outside courtyards between buildings.
This afternoon we had craft time. Thanks to our local CMA chapter and Gale
Stringham. Mim refers to you as the Christian motorcycle "gang." It invokes quite the
image in the minds of the youth. We did the angel charm and fruit of the spirit key
chains and animal balloons. I am now a certified mouse-balloon maker.
In the afternoon we did another sessions of sports. This time we played badminton,
beach-ball volleyball, large parachute games, ping pong, and jump rope. Our camp
director, John, asked if we were finished with the sports session, because all the kids
were still playing into rest time. We told him we had officially ended 30 minutes ago.
The youth love it.
We all sweat profusely. We must have gone through 40 gallons of water for 70 people
in one day.
Great discussions are opening, too, as friendships are formed. Many of the Chinese
students have aspirations to study in the United States. Jobs are difficult to find in
China. When asked, we are able to talk openly about The Lord to answer questions.
Many conversations are happening!
Keep praying for grace and favor with the youth and the local authorities, and, for health
and strength. The days are long (like all camps) and with sports activities added, it
makes for exhausting, but fulfilling days. Please pray for healthy stomachs. The change
in cuisine can upset digestive tracts.
Tomorrow the camp may go on a hike into the local countryside. Keep praying!
Blessings,
Jeff & Mim

China Mission Update - July 14, 2013

China Blog - 2013, Sun., July 14, 2013
We are at the SLC airport, finally! Despite our preparations and diligence, some things
did not get done. Now it is time to let it go, trust God, and focus on task ahead of us.
We could not have reached this point without the support of a loving community. Truly,
we go with a "great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrew 12:1).

A member of the church gave us $100 for the trip and literally took the watch off his
wrist and placed it on mine. It is an INVICTA brand. He said it is worth a $1000. He
asked me to give it away to a person in China, to whom The Lord would reveal to me.
Wow! I've never worn anything that expensive.

Can you imagine being given a gift like that to give away with such instructions? What a
visual parable! The gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ is much more priceless than the
watch. We have a treasure to share the message of forgiveness of sins and life in the
name of Jesus with those whom The Lord reveals. I forget that the Holy Spirit indwells
me, a priceless gift of immeasurable worth. I will be living each day with watchful eyes
and a listening heart. Is this the one, Lord, with whom you want me to share?

Recently, our daughter described our family's motto as: "Adventure Every Day!" At first,
I had thought she misspoke and had meant to say, "every day is an adventure." But,
she meant it the first way. She really blessed us. We live with the command to
adventure in The Lord every day. It takes some courage, involves a measure of risk,
and promises great joy! I will be reflecting on her words during the trip.

We will miss everyone. We already look forward to our return to share the joy. We love
you and hold you dear in our hearts and prayers. We hope you feel the same about us.
Adventure in Christ!
Jeff & Mim

Background
We are traveling to Lijiazhai Middle School (about 60 miles south of Xinyang, Henan
Province, China) to help conduct three youth summer camps for middle school and high
school students, 45 campers each, as part of a larger, international team recruited from
the U.S., Hong Kong, and China, to provide a caring and gracious Christian community
experience that respects the limitations set by the Chinese government.

These students are part of the “Bo Ai” (i.e., “boundless love”) program that makes it
possible for rural students to attend school. Without the financial support offered
through China Service Ventures many of these children would not be able to attend
school, since their families are too poor to pay costs for their room and board.

Jeff and Mim will introduce sports activities into the camp curriculum. Thanks to the generous support of many people, we are able to serve these children in this way. It takes about 2 days of travel to arrive at our destination, which is 14 time zones away from Utah We left July 14th and return August 15th.

Camp Schedule
Sun., July 14-15 ! ! Travel to Beijing
Mon., July 15! ! Travel to Xinyang, Henan Province by Train
Tue., July 16!! ! Travel to Lijaizhai Middle School - Join Team
Wed., July 17! ! Children’s Camp
Thur., July 18! ! Children’s Camp
Fri-Sat., July 19-20! ! Orientation for High School Bo Ai Camp #1
Sun., July 21!! ! Church/Rest/Wash Day
Mon-Fri., July 22-26! High School Bo Ai - Camp #1
Sat-Sun., July 27-28! Rest/Church/Wash
Mon-Fri., July 29-Aug 2! High School Bo Ai - Camp #2
Sat-Sun., Aug 3-4! ! Church/Rest/Wash/Orientation
Mon-Fri., Aug 5-9! ! Middle School Bo Ai - Camp #3
Sat-Sun., Aug 10-11! Team Debrief/Night Train to Beijing
Mon-Tue., Aug 12-13! Jeff & Mim in Beijing
Wed., Aug 14! ! Travel home to Salt Lake City

Camp Focus
We will be focusing on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24), but due to the unique
nature of government restrictions, we will present them as the “9 Marks of Excellence”
Tuesdays and Thursdays will be sports days, morning and late afternoon, for which we
(Jeff & Mim) will be directly responsible to lead.

Prayer Requests
• Favor with the Chinese team members and children
• Favor with the Chinese government, local & provincial
• Favor with the Chinese school officials
• Health, Safety, and Unity for the entire international team
• Quick recovery from jet lag for Jeff & Mim
• Wisdom (we aren’t 20 year olds anymore) for activities
• Opportunities, within government restrictions, to talk openly, one-to-one with Chinese
students about our hope in Christ
• Blessings for Good Shepherd people (we will miss them) and blessings for us (that we
are freshened in our faith and marriage.
• Safe travel for us and our ministry bags
Thanks for your prayers and support. We expect great things to happen in, through,
and among us in China!

Update from the Ukraine, P.James

We have arrived in Odessa, Ukraine and completed our first day of training. When we arrived yesterday, the electricity was “off” and so we couldn't blog, send, or receive emails. It is off again as I write this, but I trust it will be on again sometime before we retire for the evening.

Our travel was gratefully uneventful. We flew on United Airlines from SLC to Dulles, Washington, D.C. We flew on Austrian Airlines -- a division of Lufthansa? -- from Dulles to Vienna, Austria. And then we had a Boeing 737 from Vienna to Odessa, Ukraine. This last flight was interesting, because it was Ukrainian International Airlines. The instructions and crew were in Ukranian, which was too much for my limited Russian to follow. :)

None of us slept much on the plane, and so after dinner and a brief walk around the Odessian city center, we slept well. Our first accommodations are at the German Ukrainian Lutheran Church. This is the headquarters for the Lutheran Church in the Ukraine, and so their facilities include the bishop’s office, the pastor’s office, a dormitory, and a large stone church building. It is a beautiful facility, and only four blocks from the downtown center.

The key theme in our training today was on service. We are here as servants—bond-slaves of Jesus. Our grounding text is Mark 10:42-45. Our team has 18 people. We are expecting a hundred children next week, and the same again the week after. Pray for us to get over our jet lag  We are glad to be here and serving Jesus and these children on your behalf. P James, Jennifer Wollesen, Amber Wolff, and Wendy Jepsen.

PS - the photo is Wendy Jepsen, Diana, and Amber in front of St Paul's Lutheran Church.

Update from Duy Beck, Hugs for T.UG.

Project Update: Significant Accomplishments in 2012

A report from Duy Beck.  Duy is supported by Good Shepherd through our Mission budget.  Please pray for him.

· By God’s grace and despite many obstacles, the Lord blessed us this year with significant traction in-country – all on a shoestring budget:

· Completed detailed structural engineering drawings for orphanage w/ site plans, cross sections, elevations, etc.

· Obtained construction permitting from local municipalities and individuals: District Land, Engineer, Health, and Town Planning officers

· Established in-country dedicated banking accounts in both USD and the local currency

· Established firm relationships with rural village leader/committee, local volunteer organizations, and necessary suppliers for purchasing construction materials

· Completed perimeter fencing, gate, store, temp latrine

· Completed foundation (98 feet x 25 feet for Girls dormitory and 75 feet x 25 feet for kitchen/dining).  This foundation will also support a 2^nd story dedicated towards volunteer & staff housing needs.

· Built 4 rain water wells/catchment tanks, harvesting over 30,000 liters of water

· Obtained 2 year resident permit (lasting until May 2014)

· Utilized soil bricks (made by our construction team) to make 2 room house for local village mama

· Completed hydrological water survey to determine feasibility and optimal placement for 500 foot deep bore hole (clean water well)

· Overcame significant hurdles of no water, electricity, or consistent transportation to development site

· Completed a majority of baseline health evaluations for physical and targeted emotional development needs

· Created initial database of children for future child sponsor program

· Identified COSOTA requirements for copy writing music in-country

· Built-out greater perimeter security for Daycare & Mama’s/older children’s home

· And learned a bit of guitar to compose some Holy Spirit inspired music and enough Kiswahili to try and stay out of trouble (and pass an oral exam for Thunderbird!)

Although our goals are primarily focused on the development and building, we also want to implement sustainability through a focus on education for the children (through college if possible), social entrepreneurship (ideally, beyond subsistence farming), better financial controls (electronic bookkeeping vs. paper based ledgers for greater transparency and reporting for donors), baseline health surveys (annual physicals and initial screenings on children’s backgrounds and emotional positions – utilizing WHO (World Health Organization) software and child development tools used by psychologists and pediatricians), micro-funding (we’ve given our first micro-gift to a pastor that supports over 5 churches and his immediate/extended family of 10 - He is working on a chicken project), and most importantly, ministry and spiritual growth of our beneficiaries.  Our desire is for complete healing: spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and financial.  As the Word of God states, you cannot neglect any of them.  Jesus always compassionately healed those that came humbly seeking His healing.  Lord willing, we’ll be able to take a similar model of social entrepreneurship, development, health, etc. to other markets – tailored of course towards localized standards and needs.

The Virtua Foundation’s Vision for 2013 in E. Africa

· Complete the development of a sustainable orphanage & community center with small clinic, computer center, arts/music rooms, and library, housing up to 100 children and volunteers

· Drill a deep bore hole (water well) of 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) that will provide clean water for the orphanage and up to 7,000 rural villagers.  This is GSLC’s “Love Well.”

· Establish a social enterprise with the assistance of Thunderbird School of Global Management, beyond subsistence farming, that will provide small business training for the older children and staff, operating revenues and educational tuition assistance for the  orphanage

· Implement simple, yet modern financial systems that will provide better financial controls, reporting, and transparency for in-country NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) partners and international donors

· Assist with school tuition for 100 children

· Identify parameters for adoption through local social services

· Develop continuity plan for the orphanage in the event of an absence by their primary caregiver

· Complete initial baseline health evaluations for all children, utilizing free software provided by the WHO (World Health Organization)

· Provide micro-funding opportunities for very select, impoverished families that are supporting the ministry

· Encourage music/arts with our children through instrument and vocal development.....and record at least 1 more music album with their beautiful voices!

· Encourage deeper relationship with Jesus (and the prophetic and apostolic ministry) and assist our children to operate in their spiritual gifts

Thunderbird – School of Global Management:  A Social Enterprise & Field Experiment

It is the mission of the Virtua Foundation to come alongside NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) and non-profits and empower them into more sustainable practices.  It is our desire to collaborate best practices – both learning from them and sharing a few ideas that we’ve learned.  African mindsets, like many, shift incrementally.

It is our desire to build a life-long friendship & relationship with our beneficiaries – a relationship as family, but to financially support for only a limited time period.  Ideally, that time period is during the two year development/construction period.  So how does the orphanage support itself beyond that time? 

This January, by God’s wonderful grace, my Alma mater, Thunderbird (#1 Int’l business school in the world), is sending a team of Executive MBA students to Tanzania to help identify the feasibility of an orphanage run social enterprise – beyond subsistence farming.  Mama has been fairly effective with utilizing every aspect of land possible for beans, corn, etc.  She has rented 2 acres of land where she grows corn.  She grows beans on the other half of our land development that will eventually house the boys’ dormitory.  She has a cow that is milked 2x per day that provides nourishment to our little, little ones.

The executive field team will identify and explore opportunities this fall and deploy a small team this January for their in-country field work.  They will then provide a business plan with pro-forma’s, implementation and break-even schedules, and even research additional opportunities for grants/funding possibilities.  After much prayer and deliberation, we’re excited about their presence with us in-country and look forward to possible future collaborations in emerging markets. 

Residency & Financial Update - a need for assistance

By God’s grace, my residency in Tanzania was finally approved!  My residency VISA is good until May 2014.  It allows me to legally operate within the country on behalf of Tuleeni and gives me a bit more freedom and some discounts on a few things locally.  Combined with a little bit of Swahili, it’s a big step in the right direction.  The apostle Paul would typically spend 2 years in a market – providing a model that works well, especially when trying to establish and implement multiple aspects of sustainability.

“…for the worker is worthy of his support.  Matthew 10:10”

On behalf of the Virtua Foundation, we have been very grateful for the many donations towards the project and our efforts in Africa.  We could not do it without you.  Up until August 2012 this year, I have personally supported myself with funds that I donated to the Foundation or generous assistance from close family and friends.  After nine months in the field, I was no longer able to personally support myself.  The board of directors of the Foundation approved a small budget for me of $400 per month (which includes 2 flights per year, basically leaving $100 per month (before taxes!) for me to live off of).

After spending more time in prayer, we feel led to ask for more financial support.  I’ve been trying to model myself after the apostle Paul when he used to be a tentmaker.  After further study in the book of Acts, Paul stopped making tents and devoted himself fully to his ministry at the appropriate time.  “…Paul began devoting himself completely to the word.  Acts 18: 4, 5”.  The word also states that Jesus and his disciples relied on the support of ‘many others’.  On my short trip back to the states, the Lord encouraged me to go back to work while I’m here (which is such a blessing to be able to do).  Unfortunately, with my absence and lack of funds, we have a small delay on our efforts directly in Africa.  It would also seem that my time is best spent in the field, where I can continue to help meet the various needs of those we are ministering to – whether it be identifying needs for our children with schooling or building.  I am returning shortly and, Lord willing, should be able to re-engage our construction team to continue the project.