AN IDEA MADE IN CHINA TO WEAR AND SHARE!

I have an idea that I would love to share with you!  Our Global Partners in Hope Women’s Connections team began teaching women in China to share their faith last March using the time-tested “Wordless Book”.  We didn’t realize at the time that it had been used in China in the late 1800’s by Hudson Taylor, we just knew it was well received and seemed to transcend culture. 

I had seen various bracelets used in the same way but God kept prompting me with a new twist on the idea: “what if there was a different and distinctive bracelet that people would notice”?  And I kept thinking how great it would be if this encouraged more women to share the Good News more often, knowing that the most difficult part of sharing is beginning the conversation! 

After trying to make them ourselves we took our efforts to China and had them made at the Silk Market and now we call them the “Global Partners Story Bracelet”.  It was a wonderful confirmation to have women coming up to the booth at the Silk Market as they were being made, asking about them saying, “Those bracelets are so pretty!”  I said, “thank you, this is my Story Bracelet, would you like to hear the story?”  They always said, “Yes” and the Gospel was shared and women came to Christ! One lady said, “Thank you for telling me this story, I am so happy!  This is really Good News!!”

This same scenario has been repeated over and over in the US too; people are complementing the bracelets and women are responding with, “It’s my Story Bracelet, would you like to hear the story?” I can’t believe how simple this is and now God has asked me to take the bracelets and the training to women’s groups to teach them how to share their faith here and to talk about how women in China are being reached using this tool!! (We have also developed an accompanying card with a script and instructions which will come with each bracelet.)

I love the idea of providing a tool for women to share in North America and around the world and it is really wonderful because each bracelet ordered would help to provide funds for continued ministry in China! The bracelets are made using onyx, coral, jade, white jade and pearl beads, in China by a dear lady at the Silk Market and they are available for a suggested $25 donation to Global Partners in Hope.  

©       If you would like one of us to present this to your women’s group to teach them how to share their faith, email or call Peggy Sperling (contact information below).  I get so excited when Christians cooperate for the sake of the Gospel and this is about helping each other communicate the Message God has asked us to share!

©       When they order the Global Partners Story Bracelets & instructions they will be ordering a personal sharing tool plus helping women to come to Christ in China!

I recommend reserving time with us very soon because of limited supplies

A NEW CHURCH IN CHINA!

 Here we are at a very special dinner hosted by Mr. Ling, owner of the 2nd largest furniture distributorship in China.  He had 11 of his staff with him and we knew it was a Divine Appointment!  We brought: our driver Mr. He, Neil, Hope, Yolanda, Sharon and me.
We had now idea what God would do...

Neil with a new brother!  So happy and excited after Neil shared the Good News and all 11 made decisions for Christ! (The 12th was a woman who was a believer and had been praying for the rest.)

Sharon and me with new sisters!  They were so excited they didn't want us to leave and followed us out to the van, even slapping the windows as we left. Part of our hearts are there for sure!

Excited new brothers!  (Mr. Ling is at left).  Pray for them as Hope and Yolanda work to do Bible Study with them and also work to find leadership for this new church in China!

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.