China Mission Update - August 4, 2013

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

China Mission Update - August 3, 2013

Brief History of Xinyang

The following is a summary of some articles that John Peterson (our camp director)

provided us to read regarding the history of missionary work in the Xingyang and

Jigoshan area.

The first Christian church in all of southern Henan Province was dedicated in 1906 in

Xinyang. It started with Daniel Nelson, who was born on a little farm in Norway in 1853

to a Christian family. At the age of 14, he became a sailor. During his 15 years at sea,

he was shipwrecked four times, the last occurred in a storm near China. He was

rescued by a Chinese fishing boat and towed to shore near Shanghai, and served two

years on an American warship in the China seas.

Upon returning home to Norway, he recommitted his life to Christ and married Anna

Sandvig on September 26, 1878. Soon after, he migrated to Eagle Grove, Iowa,

purchased 80 acres of farmland through working carpentry and on building the railroad.

While shingling his new house in Eagle Grove, Iowa, Daniel Nelson thought of the

Chinese living in mud huts and farming tiny rice fields, barely eking about an existence.

According to his account, he thought of what he had seen in China: people begging on

the streets, the sick and dying left unattended, baby girls tossed on garbage heaps to

dies because the parents wanted a boy, and, thought how blessed he was in America

on his farm. It was then that he heard a clarion call in his heart: "Go sell all these things

you have here. Take your family and come over to China to help."

For days he struggled with this inner sense of call and finally told his wife, who

supported him. He went to tell his pastor, who told him, he was too old to go to China.

He was 38 years old with four children. The pastor told him he was uneducated as a

pastor and what mission agency would take and send him? Daniel Nelson even went to

a church convention for pastors and pleaded with them to start a Lutheran mission in

China, pledging to provide his own support. No pastor supported him. He even

attended seminary for two years, but still no mission agency would take and send him.

While in Thor, Iowa, on a bench a the Lund Brothers Store, he told the local pastor of

his sense of call to China. Again, the pastor told him to forget it. Evidently, Nelson wept

openly and caught the attention of the store owners, who advised him that if it was

God's will for him to go to China, that God would provide for him and open the way.

Those two brothers helped Nelson auction off his farm and equipment, and, on

November 30, 1890, he and his family arrived in Shanghai with $500 dollars in their

pockets with no ordination, no mission agency endorsement, and no financial backing.

His first year in China was spent in Wuhan (formerly Hankow) learning Chinese. His

early efforts, while scouting the mission field, were met with stoning, bandits, illness,

and vermin-ridden inns and hovels as he traveled. But, he was convinced that he was

about his Father's business.

On March 17, 1895, he was ordained in Wuhan and accepted for support by the

Missionary Society of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. He moved to Xinyang in 1901,

established a new mission there, and baptized his first converts on Christmas Day,

1902. He ministered in Xinyang for 25 years, bringing over 2000 souls into the Christian

faith. He died on February 8, 1926 by a stray bullet between warring troops of local

Chinese warlords.

I had walked life's way with an easy tread,

Had followed where pleasures and comforts led,

Until one day in a quiet place

I met the Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,

Much thought for my body, but none for my soul,

I had entered to win in life's mad race,

When I met the Master face to face.

I had built my castles and reared them high,

With their towers had pierced the blue of the sky;

I had sworn to rule with an iron mace,

When I met the Master face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see

that his eyes, full of sorrow, were fixed on me;

And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,

While my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vancished, and in their place

Naught else did I see but the Master's face,

And I cried aloud, "Oh, make me meet

To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet!"

My thought is now for the souls of men;

I have lost my life--to find it again,

Ever since one day in a quiet place

I met the Master face to face.

China Mission Update - August 2, 2013

Youth Camp #2 (Days 4 & 5)

We finished camp today and said our goodbyes, both to the 29 students who attended

camp, and to the 6 Hong Kong Team, who return home tomorrow, and 4 Chinese

Counselors. Next week is our middle school camp, expected to be the largest, with

about 50 students served by a reduced Chinese - American staff.

What and who we are unable to share with the children, we are able to share with the

counselors, since they are above 18 years of age. Many of these counselors are the

ages of our children, Jonathan and Rebekah. In fact, some of the counselors remind

and their personalities remind us of our children. We have become surrogate parents in

many ways, giving blessing and words of affirmation where they have been few or

wanting in their lives.

These counselors are remarkable. Their hopes and aspirations, their ambition and

energy, their selfless service and enthusiasm has been an inspiration to us to live

likewise. Plus, there is the additional blessing of observing the joy of newly born

believers. There transformation and thankfulness is infectious and awe inspiring.

These rejuvenates us in remarkable ways, in mind, body, and spirit. Despite the

difficulties of adjusting to a new time zone (14 hours difference), climate (the heat and

humidity), culture and language, smells and food, schedule and pace of life, somehow

moments like tonight make it all worthwhile.

Such experiences remind me of the A. Paul's words in Phil 3:9-10: "I consider all things

as nothing compared to the indescribable joy of knowing C. and the power of his

resurrection.

Knowing that C. will return, I truly look forward to the day when we will all be one nation

and one people on earth. Though we share diversity in language, origin, and

appearance, we will all sing one song of unending praise. Soli Deo Gloria!

We love and miss you all. As we experience these things, we constantly think of you,

desiring to share with you our joy. We also rest in the comfort and secure knowledge of

your love and prayers.

Love,

Jeff & Mim

China Mission Update - July 31, 2013

Youth Camp #2 (Days 2 & 3)

Tuesday (July 30th) was sports day. We adjusted our rotations to accommodate the
heat. We ran six stations, 15 minutes each, one of which was a rest station, and we
brought out water to a central location for the morning. We ran all the late afternoon
sports inside the main cafeteria/assembly hall with the same schedule.

By focusing on skill development and empowering every participant with a ball, we
enable each youth to discover the joy of learning a sport. We also encourage
experimentation and run through drills quickly, so that there isn't a focus on winning and
losing, but on discovery.

It always amazes me how many youth choose sports during their free time -- even with
the hot weather. They LOVE basketball, ping pong, and badminton. They LIKE jump
rope, parachute games, soccer. Some of the equipment we have is portable. I could
see us playing badminton in the fellowship hall of Good Shepherd.

Wednesday (July 31st) was a hiking outing to a local nature preserve. It was beautiful.
It was planted by a British gentlemen in 1915, so there are lots of maples, elms, and
cedar trees, along with the indigenous plant life and bamboo forests. The bamboo can
really grow tall -- it's just like "Crouching Tiger & HIdden Dragon" movie.

Tomorrow is our last full day of camp. The weather is as usual -- hot (97 degrees, 80
percent humidity, 110 degree heat index)! Please pray for stamina and good spirits to
finish strong.

Our thoughts are constantly on home. We thank you for your prayers and support to be
here to serve.
Love,
Jeff & Mim

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