APRIL 7TH - ENJOYING JOSH & SABINA'S GROUP & TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

 Wonderful time with Josh and Sabina's group! Love these ladies - Kanghua is one of our leaders (on left)

Ron preaching about Living in God's Peace. They loved his story of his early life in Korea and US.

 Josh and Ling with long prayed for 2nd baby!

Josh and Ron - a little martial arts demonstration!

 Nice visit after church to Temple of Heaven - beautiful walk ways and buildings!

Jim, Ron and Hope enjoying the sights!

FIRST DAY TEACHING - WONDERFULLY RECEIVED AND WE WERE MOST BLESSED!

Pastor Jim shares about discovering Spiritual maturity - these young believers were so hungry for this teaching; there were many requests for more information, the material used and great discussion groups afterward! There were a total of about 40 today meeting in an apartment "church" on the outskirts of Beijing.

Each time there was a break, young believers gathered around each Grace Team member to ask questions and ask for prayer. Here is Ron, praying with these three.

One of our winners of the lovely knitted hats and shawls from the "KnitWits" (knitting a witness for Christ)!They love the gifts and the prayers that go with them!

Here is Jon, after his talk about "Fighting Lions & Facing Fears". I love the great feedback and interaction with  hungry brothers and sisters!

A new brother! Made a decision for Christ after Ron's testimony on forgiveness.  He received a beautiful bookmark (made by Yinyen in Denver) before sharing about receiving Jesus. 

Lovely Judy & Emma. The bond was immediate and so sweet! They loved Judy!

Our Team: Grace, Judy & Jim Malouff, Peg & Jon Sperling & Ron Dalton! Excited to be in Beijing. 

Our first adventure and a first for me: after waiting for our driver who had difficulties with his van, we were on back roads to avoid traffic and received a "swipe" from another vehicle - very minor but paint scratch on side of the van. 

All is well! The team was tired last night but ready for adventure of the "non-traffic issue" variety :) Excited to see what the Father has for us here!

KNITTED GIFTS IMPACT FUTURE MISSION TRIPS!

Hope, our current director of China operations, said this about the gifts we bring to China, "We did mission trips before and feel it is good to be there and that our relationship is the main thing but you teach us to bring love by bringing gifts like the shawls and hats.  It help us to see you really care about us and now we want to do that when we make mission trips!"  

Hope will be taking the remaining shawls, scarves and hats from the KnitWits and from Sharon Tom to the northwest of China.  The people there are very poor and the weather is very cold so these gifts will be meaningful on many levels in addition to extending a loving hand while sharing the Gospel!

Thank you to all who have knitted, given, sent funds, cared, prayed and loved - you have made a difference and your loving efforts will reap eternal dividends!

Ann Dou, former principal of "100 Fold" Kindergarten also made a special trip to bring gifts for those who have helped us to give - can't wait to send them to you!

 Lovely ladies wearing their pretty gifts!

Meet Rebecca - our Aussie translator who also leads worship at the "Upper Room" - loved her hat! 

 Helena - beautiful leader with an amazing story of years of depression and even suicide attempt.  Now, joyfully serving!

 Tracy loved this shawl!

 You remember Jufang?  Her English name is "Hannah"!

Lily chose a hat to match her outfit!

TEAM ON THE WALL!

Here is part of the team:  Jeff Allen, Pam Cox, David Goodman, Fangfang, Barb Allen, Liz Selzer, Jufang, me & Wendy Joseph!  Marlen Young was having coffee with our driver and Liz Loeffler & Jane Trice were recovering at the hotel... We've had some illness and mishaps but so many blessings!  God is so great and we are anxious to report more but for now, this is all I can do.  There are some more photos on Facebook for you!  Keep praying!

LEADERSHIP TRAINING WITH ENTRUST

We have had a busy beginning - Training the first night by Liz, Wendy and Pam, Training on Saturday, shopping at the Silk Market of course and Monday's Entrust beginning in today's post.  Read tomorrow about our training at the Mary Kay meeting and new sisters!  For now, I am excited to share a few photos from Monday...

Here we are taking a moment to seek the Help needed to begin; the Entrust staff and our leaders pray.

Liz Loeffler assists the leaders in identifying needs~

Eileen wins the KnitWit's shawl - she's an energetic young woman with a heart to serve!

Emma and Weiwei are 2 of our leaders each of whom are asked to share their stories.

Kanghua sheds tears sharing her story and heart to reach out - she is an example to us all! Later, I will compile the stories of each of the 15 leaders present, along with photos so you can know them better and pray for them.

Chinese food court for lunch!  Yum! A wonderful day of openness and beautiful teachable hearts.  Stay tuned!

FIRST BIG DAY!

FIVE OF US - at breakfast "church" on Sunday.  L to R: David Goodman, Peggy, Pam Cox, Liz Selzer and Wendy Joseph.  Jeff Allen is taking the photo and the rest are attending various churches.  Great team and though we've kept very busy, we are loving the time together and with our sisters and brothers in Beijing!

SATURDAY'S WORKSHOP:

Wendy teaching "God Knows Your Name" - wonderfully researched with biblical history and life application! Tracey is translating.

Here is Marlen, translated by Fangfang, teaching on the "Power of Forgiveness".  She followed my talk about the "Comparison Trap" and it flowed so well.  Lots of great questions afterward and the illustration with the names of those we need to forgive written on dissolving paper...dropped into the water, made the point!

Liz, with characteristic joy, shares a painful story from her past with the message "Portable Peace" and the women were so moved! I am certain they will remember and that God will use this to influence their lives as they grow in Him.

Barb Allen shares a short testimony and her radiant spirit touching all who have met her!

Pam shared the power of her story while teaching the women how to make a "Story Rope", weaving the past sorrows and joys into a beautiful, tactile picture of their lives.
Here, she is sharing with Eileen, who translated for her and you can certainly tell they are "sisters" by their love!

Jane shares her testimony...in Mandarin!  The women heard her in their language and you could hear the collective sighs of approval - Jane is a joy!

Laura, sharing her Story Rope testimony.  I have this on video and will share.  The ladies loved making these and all were moved and loved the teaching and again we marvel at how well it all flowed as though it were planned...hmmmm... guess it was!

Jeff & David counsel with Daniel.  The men had a great time of sharing - David on "The Reluctant Moral Hero" and Jeff on "Authentic Success"!

Ahhh - here is one of our shawl winners - loving the idea of the KnitWits praying for her and her boy!

UP, UP AND AWAY!

Our team leaves tomorrow morning and we are super excited!  What amazing people God is sending: From Entrust - Liz Loeffler, David Goodman, Jane Trice, Jeff and Barb Allen; Women's Team - Pam Cox, Liz Selzer, Marlen Young, Wendy Joseph and me!  Whew...with some very interesting preparations and obstacles...well, we wouldn't think we were being sent to accomplish anything for the Kingdom without them... All in all, we are looking forward to His plans for us in Beijing and would love for you to pray for us!