HOMELESS IN BEIJING

 While Sharon and I served the women in China, Global Partners in Hope and our guests served and taught too!  One evening, we divided into teams, chose locations and went off in search of some of Beijing's many homeless, migrants.

The leaders who went with us were impacted greatly - so many saying things like, "I didn't think about them as people with stories" and "Now I understand I need to reach out to them in Jesus Name!".

Pictured here is our team of Nate, Yolanda, Sarah and I with 3 or our 4 new friends at dinner.  The gentleman on the right has a son-in-law in seminary and is trying to support himself and send money to his family in the village.

They were reached for Christ by westerners in their village and wanted to be Christians because of the way believers treat them; now our team members are taking them to church and giving blankets to them.  This is a great admonition for us all!!

GOD PLANNED OUR DAY!

Today we had planned to go to the Great Wall but the cold is severe and usually much worse at the Wall so we decided to meet with Stella to get a few more of the Chinese hand-made journals.  We met Stella at the Silk Market because of needing to pick up the Story Bracelets there and had such a wonderful time.

We bought the journals and then Stella just opened up to share with us.  Those who knew her thought Stella had accepted Christ but she was convinced that she was "bad" and couldn't go to Heaven! Sharon had on her story bracelet so I shared the story with her again and both of us explained God's love to her until she understood that she was loved and forgiven.  She prayed with me and received Christ today!

We rejoice today that God changed our plans and we were there to meet with precious Stella.  Can you hear the angel choir singing praises??

GIFTS FROM HOME & SPECIAL MOMENTS

 How do we capture these moments for you?  Sharon and I have struggled with finding a way to share the passion and deep love for God expressed by the Chinese believers.  We hope to make an attempt as we share some special photos:
                                                                                                                                              


Here is Sharon with JiLi who received one of the beautiful Story Quilts made with love by Peggy Banner.  JiLi was so touched by this gift and so excited to share the message of the quilt.
One day we will see the eternal dividends from Peggy's labor of love!

Heidi received one of the beautiful shawls made by the wonderful "KnitWits" in Texas.  With tears in her eyes, Heidi said she felt wrapped in love an prayer by these women from far away.  She is a Kingdom worker from Hong Kong and needed the support and encouragement expressed by the skillful hands of dear ladies.  Heidi loved knowing she will be continually prayed for!

For some of you who've followed the progress of the Women's Connections in China, here are familiar faces and a new one!  Josh and Sabina send their love to you and would like to introduce you to "Promise MA"!  He's adorable!!

Here is a shot of our group that met in a sewing room (shared about by Sharon earlier in the blog).  There were 15 of us in a tiny space filled with God's love and presence!  Better than a cathedral as far as we were concerned!!

A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

 Dec 12, 2010

From Sharon -
I was very disappointed today that we would not be able to attend a home church like we did the last time we were here. I think that was one of my highlights from the last trip. We decided to have a service in our room – and then we thought we were attending a “Christmas party” this afternoon. Little did we know that God had something wonderful in store for us.

We went to a restaurant to meet with the group of believers that Hope started. There were 35 people there for the “party”. It was a celebration of Jesus. They had a whole program in place. They sang songs – and tears welled up in our eyes. The spirit is so strong in the room when then sing. Peggy was able to video them singing Silent Night – it will be a treat for all of you to hear. Some of the songs they danced to. They did a couple of skits – and the last skit was very powerful!

After the skit – they had everyone divide into groups of 3 to discuss what they thought the skit meant.


Hope put us with a girl named Wang Hui who she works with. Peggy asked her how long she had been a believer. She told us that this was her first time to visit and that she was not a believer. We were able to share the gospel with her. She told us she was not ready to believe yet because she did not see how she could believe in Buddha and believe in God at the same time.

Then they had a guest speaker who gave a very clear presentation of John 3:16-18. There were other unbelievers in the room besides Wang Hui, and at the end of his talk each of them were asked directly if they were ready to trust Christ. Wang Hui said no – but that she wanted to talk to Hope to get some of her questions answered. Please pray for her and that God will open her eyes to the truth. There were people who made a decision today and they prayed with them in the front of the room out loud for everyone to be a part of their becoming part of their becoming a part of the family of God and to welcome them into their fellowship. This was the “party” - to celebrate unbelievers becoming believers. Our hearts were so full from the whole afternoon. God is so good!

Then they had a guest speaker who gave a very clear presentation of John 3:16-18. There were other unbelievers in the room besides Wang, and at the end of his talk each of them were asked directly if they were ready to trust Christ. Wang said no – but that she wanted to talk to Hope to get some of her questions answered. Please pray for her and that God will open her eyes to the truth. There were people who made a decision today and they prayed with them in the front of the room out loud for everyone to be a part of their becoming part of their becoming a part of the family of God and to welcome them into their fellowship. This was the “party” - to celebrate unbelievers becoming believers. Our hearts were so full from the whole afternoon. God is so good!

SWEET BABIES & A STUDY GROUP

This is our Tea Room Study Group!  These women want to grow in their faith so that they can lead others.  Yolanda (back row and far right) is one we met back in March on Sharon's first trip along with Hope; she has asked Sharon to do a weekly study with her which she will then teach to a group of women.  She is not confident to do her own at this time but  is passionate about beginning and so excited to have help!
Sharon writes:  "We team taught on how to deal with worry and stress and on the 2 natures. When were finished with the session, a pastor's wife told us that she had been having such a hard time this week dealing with these things and that the teaching on the struggle of the 2 natures really helped her see that God has not left her and that there is not something wrong with her. She felt that because she was struggling with doing the right things, that God was angry with her and she said no matter how hard she tries to obey God – she just keeps messing up. She was so encouraged to know that this happens to all believers and that there is hope. She has been overcome with worry about this struggle and she felt such a release in her spirit by being at this session."

 Our Wednesday night study was a mixed group of about 15 people - once again they traveled long distances to be with us and took notes feverishly!  The talk on purity went well and the men especially loved Sharon's talk on the old and new natures - several were drawing stick figures of her using her arms to represent the battle between our natures as we seek to follow Him.

 This morning we went to New Hope Foster Home and what a privalege to see what Robin and Dr. Joyce Hill have done by the grace of God for these formerly hopeless children. Children who would have had little or no future receive life saving surgeries and new life.  The adoption rate is nearly 100%!

 We fell in love!  These precious little ones are taken care of by their nannies and well loved.  About 40 villagers are employed and each nannie takes care of 2 babies during the day. 

Sharon employed her "Gramma" skills and had one camera shy little one who wouldn't let her go! (Don't tell Ken...)  The facility is not only spotless but darling! These people work closely with Steven Curtis Chapman who has provided much funding for them.  A blessed day!

FORBIDDEN CITY, TRAINING & POWERFUL PRAYERS

 After a breakfast with GPiH staff, volunteers and guests here in Beijing as well as a inspiration from Ian Vickers, CEO, Sharon and I went to Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square - a beautiful day of fun and rest after many training days...

 At Forbidden City, Sharon and I found our new low energy washing machines!!

 Sharon standing outside a beautiful wall at Forbidden City.  God has blessed us so much in allowing us to join the Chinese believers here is this place full of culture and history!

 Shining faces listening to Sharon sharing how to conduct a Bible study and leading a study in Romans 12.  They are traveling for hours to get to where we are and then do not want us to leave.

 Holding Josh and Sabina's baby "Promise"...He is sooo sweet I was tempted to take hime with me, but thought they might notice :)

Sharon with a dear lady who received one of our special gifts.  She was so blessed by the Scripture on the cross, she was crying. There are so many questions and a great need for leadership training in many areas. Our plans include a retreat for leaders in the spring and follow-up training on a ocnsistant basis with Hope Zhang, our assistant.

PRECIOUS LEADERS & A PRIVATE PERFORMANCE!

It is hard to imagine how each trip becomes more impactful and a greater blessing to us and the women here who desire to lead and to impact China and the world! 

Hopefully tomorrow I will have time to include more pictures but for now I thought you might like to see this precious lady who preformed a lovely Chinese song and dance for us before we taught a class.  The women are so grateful that we have come and so eager to learn that they find such creative ways to share with us!  We are truly blessed~

NEWS FROM SHARON!

We can hardly wait to share with you what God has been doing the past few days while we have been here in Beijing. The internet was down in our hotel for a couple of days – so it put us a little behind in sharing with you – but God has been working none the less.


Yesterday is fresh on my mind so we want to share this day with you.

We were told that it would be necessary for us to meet in small groups this time of 6-8 people so no attention would be brought upon the people attending the sessions. We met at a Tea House with leaders from a local body of believers that were selected to come and learn so they could take back the materials to the rest of the women in their local body. Our group started with 10 and by the time we ended there were 20 women there. They just kept coming anyway. Their desire to learn is so strong.

We taught from 1-5:30 and they did not want us to stop.

Because we are in smaller groups this time – they are able to ask many more questions and there was great interaction. Each church picked from our list of topics what they wanted to be taught. The subject Peggy has taught 3 times already has been on Sexual Purity. We were shocked and amazed at some of the questions they had for us. Let me share some of them with you.

Question: We have been taught by our pastors that because there are so few Christian Chinese men, it is ok for us to marry a non believer and then we can try to lead him to Christ. Is this a right teaching?

Question: We have been taught by pastors that if we have sex outside of marriage we have to marry that man – even if he is a non believer. No other man will want you because you are already damaged -Is that a right teaching?

Question: We bring shame on our family if we do not marry. What do we do if we cannot find a good Christian man to marry – we need to get married so our family is not shamed.

Question: If you have never had sex and you are older and not married – no man wants to marry you because he thinks there is something wrong with you – so they feel they need to have sex so that does not happen.

One question from the day before was if you have sexual relations, and then repent, why do they keep doing it over and over? Why doesn't God help them stop if they have repented. (We taught the Old and New Nature topic to this group to give them a better understanding. They thought God was not working in their lives since they had sinned.)

These women want to do the right thing before God – but the pressure to be married is great. It seems in every culture that there are more Christian women then men – but it is really having an impact here in this country. The need for more men to reached with the gospel and then trained on how to be a godly man is greater than we even knew. Our hearts are breaking for these women.

We have shared with them what God wants for their lives is to not be unequally yoked and to be patient to wait on God to bring the right person for them – but they are so afraid of being alone and being a shame to their family. It is very hard for them to trust and wait.

Please pray for our Christian sisters here that God will raise up more believing men and that Christian couples will be able to grow together the way God intended.

Pray for their purity. Their culture makes it hard to be strong in their faith and making the right choices. You are helping change a country. To God be the glory.

Serving Together,
Sharon

WE'RE HERE!!

News from China‼ (Our news has been delayed because the internet at the hotel has been down until this morning)…


We are here and we are so excited! Sorry I have been unable to write until now – Sharon and I arrived safely on Thursday Dec. 2nd in the afternoon Beijing time (around midnight on Wednesday in the Colorado). We had a great flight – very smooth and wonderful seats with lots of room. Both of us slept well the first night and awoke on Friday fairly rested.

We met with Hope in the morning and had training with our first group from 1pm – 4pm on Friday and the second from 7-9pm. Today (Saturday) we attended the Family conference with Jim and Judy Burrows n the morning – they had a very nice turn-out and it seemed to go along quite well. After a quick lunch near our hotel we conducted training with another group at a Christian Tea House‼ Whew – we had not had time until tonight to go to the grocery store to get our supply of water for the week …

We have seen 35-40 women so far and they are so enthusiastic, have so many questions and we are amazed at how far they drive and the effort they put in to be wherever we are. It is a blessing to serve these open and dear women – the need for leadership training is great. We are excited to plan consistent follow-up for Hope to do when we are not here and to announce an upcoming leadership retreat for the spring!

Much more to come tomorrow and pictures to share. Actually, the internet is down in the hotel so I am writing this in a word document in hopes of pasting it into the blog. Sharon says to tell you all that your Saturday will be wonderful – we checked it out ahead of time for you‼

Love,
Peggy

Staying Focused on the Mission Ahead

We are looking ahead to the plans for our rescheduled trip to China.  The women there are praying for us and we are so excited to see them.  Our training is prepared and ready and yet we wait to see what God has for us in terms of the timeline and new training plans:  we know this delay is not in our plans but it is in His so we are ready to learn what He has for us to present and whom He has prepared for us to see!
In the meantime, I am continuing my Mandarin practice, entering new contacts into the data base and following up with those who've expressed interest in the work in China and in Mali!  What an amazing mission ahead ~
Expectantly waiting on Him,
Peggy

Delay in Plans

Urgent prayer request - Due to an international incedent regarding Chinese dissident who received Nobel Peace Prize - our events in China and our departure forChina tomorrow have been delayed. We are confident all will move forward; please pray for quick resolution to these events that have nothing to do with GPiH and... are beyond our control and also for airlines to make necessary changes for us. Thank you!

The BAOs in Denver

We had such a GREAT time! Shaun, Sarah and Shaunah are wonderful house guests! It was truly a pleasure to host them in our home, but watch out – they might start finding household projects to do for you!  As I introduced Shaun to folks here I added “tree-trimmer” to his accolades and “dishwasher” to Sarah’s. They are precious people and it is easy to see why God has used them to reach so many.

We truly felt God’s presence in the time spent with each person over the 3 days and I could see people were moved to participate in the mission‼ Additionally, there have been more opportunities for me to present our work to those who could not attend and this exposure will certainly lead to more and more chances to partner together in this Kingdom work! I so enjoy watching God connect people – He wastes nothing! Shaun also gave away some beautifully bound copies of his newly published book to the joy of each recipient!
VISIT SUMMARY:

Tuesday - Picked up the Shaun, Sarah and Shaunah at DIA and then went to White Fence Farm – a family restaurant with many things to do and see. It turned out to be a hit and it kept them awake until we got home for an early bedtime – helping to get their sleep cycles on track.

Wednesday – Shaun woke up refreshed and proceeded to trim my 3 large pine trees in the back yard! Then, I served breakfast for the BAOs as well as for the family of Sharon, my Mandarin teacher. We had a wonderful visit and went to Heritage Square with the whole group and then back to my house for late lunch. Sharon’s daughter Amelia is 5 and speaks Mandarin so it was great for Shaunah. Then it was time for our China visitors to rest up for the evening speaking engagement.

Our dessert event at Tom and Jenny Board’s home went very well! There were 14 there and the group was very engaged. We had much positive feedback and no one moved afterward but instead stayed on to ask many questions. Several couples will be more involved! and Shaun’s friend, Frank Cole brought another friend, Jodie Wang. We also had a couple there who support Jim and Judy Burrows. Shaun spoke well – no evidence of jet lag – he is the consummate professional!

We made a grocery run on the way home for items to help regulate little Shaunah (many pit stops had to be made on road trips). Shaunah loved the kids’ shopping buggy at the store and then all 3 slept for the 50 minute drive home.

Thursday - We had breakfast with Dr. Peggy Fraser, professor at Metro State and friend of Rachael Crabb, who came to the Denver dessert reception. We ate outside at Peggy’s lovely home and from the very start, she and Shaun were totally engaged in the conversation and brainstorming about connections and a visit to China! Peggy will be a champion for GPiH!

After breakfast we met Jodie Wang at Mardel’s Christian Book store and everyone had a great time there. Shaun and Sarah were overwhelmed by the huge array of Christian books and materials there – we have so much here and yet there is so much need for resourcing in China! We had a delicious Chinese lunch at Jodie’s home. Jodie and her husband are from a community near Beijing and she, Shaun and Sarah made a wonderful lunch for us! “Chef” and “Tree-Trimmer” should be added to Shaun’s resume I think…Jodie gave a large box of children’s clothing to Shaunah and again our little visitor had young friends who spoke Mandarin with her.

Our evening event at Panera was fabulous! There were over 25 people there, many having been invited by Sharon and Ken Sanchez. Sharon did such a great job of sharing her heart and taking people to China with her words! The presentation went well and Shaun and I really enjoyed our teamwork! Shaun’s story and words were most compelling and not only were there tears but we are certain those present will partner with us in some way. I look forward to circling back with each person we met and with those who tried to come but could not make it.

Friday – I drove the BAOs to Castle Rock at 9am to rendezvous with Kevin Wilma. It was a great visit and wonderful time of really connecting. Jon and I love this family and will miss them very much until we see each other in October in Beijing! I can’t wait to hear the results of the time spent in the remaining cities/states. Those of you hosting Shaun, Sarah and Shaunah BAO are very lucky indeed!

Worship in Langfang with students and Fortune Cookie Stories

Saturday's Leadership training was in partnership with Jennifer Chen's BCEF business fellowship organization run by her husband George. We had about 50 in attendance and trained for about 6 hours with an hour for lunch. Wonderfully received and at one point in the afternoon when I thought they might need a break the said "No!" - such a hunger to know and to do all they can for God. There will be a need to have different levels of training in the future as we are laying the groundwork for the upcoming connections on the website (coming soon!) on Skype and in person. In total, only counting the larger groups we trained 130 women on this trip!

I took a beautiful 2 hour drive on Sunday with Hope to Langfang, the college town built by the government where Hope attended and started a ministry. We had a really nice sharing time with 5 lovely young ladies, one named Joy who is a seeker and the birthday girl! After worship we went to lunch in the village of Langfang - a very rural type place with dirt/mud streets and vendors and meat cooking at nearly every residence/shop. We ate at the girls favorite family run restaurant and enjoyed great food and a beautiful cake!

Monday was packed with connections: a meeting with the woman at Anadarko Petroleum about possible donations to the China Harmony and Unity Center; time with Iwona Fahel; meeting with Eunice (wife of the Beijing Int'l Mandarin Church pastor); meeting with Sabina. Great times spent with all!

Tuesday was again filled with: a meeting with Shaun and Sarah BAO; time with Judy Burrows of Family Life Ministries; meeting with Hope and more time with Sabina! It was really good to have these times to really talk through how we are working together and how we can help each other to help orchestrate religious freedom in China! Then on Wednesday Shaun took me to the airport for the long ride home :).

Now, about those fortune cookies: I try to bring goodies and treats that are made in the USA - well this time that included fortune cookies purchased from Oriental Trading Co of NE :)! Knowing that fortune cookies are American and not Chinese, I thought that might be fun to bring since you can get them with Scripture Verses inside from Oriental Trading. It was really great to see how excited the women at the first training received them after Hope explained what was inside - because there were 75 women, I couldn't see all the expressions.

Then the next day at Sabina's church, after lunch and before the baptism I passed some out. They had never seen them and one lady called them "lucky cookies" and had heard of them. We had to show them how to open the cookie and take out the verse which one young man helped us translate. One lady ate the whole thing verse and all before we had a chance to explain! She was really disappointed to learn she had eaten the verse! Chewing on the Word...

I will add more and then link to the full summary of the trip soon. So many things and such excitement over God, worship, learning and all that we take for granted here. It truly wakes you up to your first love. There is a sweetness and freshness to the people and their faith. As you can probably tell, every spare moment was taken and if there had been more moments they too would have filled. Please pray for us as we move forward on creative ways to continue what we've begun and then plan the next trip in October for the Reconcilliation Forum at the Summer Palace!

Sunday, July 4

The Wall, The Temple and The People!

Here are some more pictures for you! Check out the three ladies in their special prayer shawls from our dear KnitWits!! The shawls and the women are gorgeous!!

On Thursday, we made it another shopping day because it rained all day. Such hard work that shopping is… Then we saw the sweet children at the orphanage and had fun giving them little gifts and lots of hugs. There was a group there from Grace Alliance Church in Ohio and it was yet another wonderful connection with Deborah and Peggy as well as two of Peggy’s adult children who were having ministry there. They were so excited about all we are doing and I know the relationship will continue.

What a fabulous dinner time we had with Jennifer Chen. We certainly share the same heart and will collaborate together to help the women here! It was so exciting to make our plans for the Saturday training and we enjoyed fabulous food at the Taiwanese restaurant. We are certainly well fed here! I don’t think I’ve eaten the same thing twice and it is all soooo good! This restaurant is nearly walking distance from out hotel and is another one run by Christian people.

On Friday, we had a great vision casting meeting with Shaun and Sarah BAO – wonderful to see their hearts for God and this city! Later, we went with Hope to eat real “Beijing” food….YUM! Then we made a trip to the Temple of Heaven which was wonderful and very HOT! From there we made a quick exchange for Maye at the Silk Market and had a quick planning meeting with Sabina for Saturday. Finally, we had such a great dinner and visit with Ramsey, Iwona, Melvina and Esther Fahel. It really was a joy to see them and to share their lives and our ministry. Ramsey also told me he would arrange for me to meet with someone at his company (large petroleum co.) to discuss a corporate donation for the center here! I will be going there on Monday morning; please join me in praying for this!

Well, enough for now….more later :). It is pure joy watching God work in this place!!

Saturday, July 3

Wish you were here!

I know I am behind in writing this week. Oh, what a week it has been! I will give you a brief summary for now and, as is my custom, I will write a trip journal when I return home with more of the highlights.

On the 29th of June - We went to the Forbidden City with Dony. I have never before experienced the “instant friendships” one develops here! It is such a pleasure. I do have to say it was very hot and humid for this Colorado girl :) and Maye, Faye and I were in competition as to who was the drippiest! Later on we went to train on how to lead a Bible study for small groups. Another great day!

On the 30th of June - Our team went to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall with Eunice (pastor’s wife of the Chinese international church) and Dony. It was really nice getting to know Eunice and sharing about the vision of Global Partners to help orchestrate religious freedom in China! We rode chair lifts to the wall this time, walked and took pictures and then decided to ride down on the sky slide. It was so funny to see Dony intervene so that Maye and Faye could ride down. Their beautiful silver hair caused the Chinese workers to question whether they were young enough to ride (my hair of course is a “natural” brown :))… the sign there says you can’t ride for various reasons including if you are “old and weak”. We all got a big laugh out of that and it became a “funny” the rest of the week! Dinner that evening was with Shaun and Sarah at another Christian restaurant in Beijing. We met some terrific people again and enjoyed fellowship.

I will catch you up on the rest tomorrow. So much to tell including the terrific training today with another 45-50 ladies and some really really wonderful possibilities!! Stay tuned…

Blessings and a hug from Beijing!

Monday, June 28

“Gospel Shopping”

Today we had a very wonderful day at the Silk Market. It really is an experience! Our new friend Phoebe went with us and was a great help to us. At one vendor where we purchased some fans, a young lady named Lucy remembered me from the March trip and was so friendly to us. While she helped Maye, Faye and I, her boss asked Phoebe why we were so happy and energetic considering that many women in our age group are fairly cynical and somewhat embittered by the all they have experienced around the time of the cultural revolution etc. Phoebe explained that it is our faith that gives us joy and a beautiful seed was planted! This happened several more times and so Phoebe named it our “Gospel Shopping Day”!

Tonight we had a very special dinner with Lucien, Katy and Sally Wang and Sally’s fiancé, Chris! So great to be with them and to learn so much from Lucien about the “unregistered churches” here. In his words, “it is such an exciting time to be a part of God’s plan for China!” To that we say, “Amen”!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Wonderful Sunday!

A very sweet service yesterday at Josh and Sabina’s church! Everyone is engaged and complete attention is given by all 70+ people. It felt like 80 or more in the room and was very hot in the small apartment but no one appeared to be bothered at all. Maye, Faye and I shared for just a few minutes about who we are and why we are here. A very delicious meal was served and then 6 people were baptized! I will include pictures on the next posting – just so moving to see what they do and how each person is genuinely happy for each new believer. After each one comes out of the water (in the bath tub) everyone sings, “I have decided to follow Jesus”!

This small place and each person is so well organized and it is fascinating to watch as it is transformed from church, to dining room and then each knows what they must do to completely clean the place in record time after the baptism. The schedules don’t allow for coming back to do these things with working many hours each day, long commutes and working 6-7 days per week for many.

We were invited by Jennifer Chen (who attended the training on the 26th) to attend a “passport church” for Chinese who’ve lived abroad and have foreign passports. Again, we met very warm people and were very warmly welcomed! I shared for about 10 minutes about the work of Women’s Connections here and we now have more people attending our training on Saturday! Nearly all spoke English in this service which is held in a convention center. And of course these dear folk invited us to dine with them after the service! A great day!!

Thank you for praying! Stay tuned for more!!

Peggy

Amazing Day in Beijing!

Maye Jepson, Faye Hayes and I arrived safely last evening, rested very well and along with our beautiful translators/speakers Hope and Sabina, we conducted a very successful seminar! The room filled almost completely with 70+ in attendance (the room would hold 80). This doubled our attendance at our biggest event on our first training trip in March! God certainly went before us and doubled our efforts in every way.

The women were very receptive and very responsive to our efforts to train them. All speakers did a fabulous job, including Sabina and Hope who translated and taught as well! Hearts were certainly touched and the interaction at break time and at the end could have gone on and on. One new friend “Phoebe” introduced me to her visiting friend who was open to hearing more of Christ! So much to tell and yet it is time to rest.



Oh, 4 of the prayer shawls made by our beloved “KnitWits” were received so well!. If the temperature were not in the 90’s I am certain they would be wearing them everywhere! Wendy said with tears in her eyes that, “this was the most precious gift she had ever received!”. Sabina also received beautiful knitted things for her coming little boy, she was so thrilled and said he was spoiled already. She wanted to express to Ruth Selby how much she loved the baby things!


Tomorrow we will attend Josh and Sabina’s church and baptism and then in the afternoon we will visit George and Jennifer Chen’s church as well. We so wish you were here with us to share in our joy! Maye already said she can’t wait to come back and we only just arrived…

Blessings until next time
Peggy