Take the Gospel to the People: The message bible states it well in Romans 12: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life and place it before God as an offering.
Many would wonder how is going to the market to shop can be a part of ministry. We are lights in a dark world and in the markets the people see a difference. We need to share that light. As I’ve traveled, all over, people make comments: You are so happy, you are so nice, and you shine! Not to mention, in markets, it is easy to converse with the people ~ most of them speak English.

People want to know about you and really appreciate it when you take a moment to talk to them about their lives and cultures as well as sell/buy their wares. Questions are asked of various topics. At some point, there is an opportunity to share the gospel. When I start to share, many of the people in the markets tell me that they have heard about Jesus and want to know more. It is reaping a harvest of what has been sown before. I’m always thankful for the people who have gone before me. We’l rejoice in heaven one day for being co-Laborers for the gospel without even knowing each other here!

At the “good deals spot” Anointed Scarves

Yes, it seems a little out of place, but there is a remnant. What an honor to be sent for a visit and tour of their museum. They shared all about their heritage and explained that the original temple was on teaching torah lane. We had a special dinner with the families who were Jewish. Most of them were Messianic Jews. They explained how when the tribes were scattered, a remnant came to China. The Emperor at the time welcomed them and blessed them. Some were given land and a royal last name. Even the Chinese Constitution recognizes a special place for the Jews. I was blessed as I befriended one of the young girls, Soph. She was Messianic, her parents were too, but her grandmother was not. Soph asked me if I would share Jesus with her grandmother so she too, could receive Jesus as Messiah. At our visit of her grandmother’s house, the Lord opened up an opportunity for me to share and her grandmother prayed. It was such an honor to do so. I was taught some more Chinese on this trip, wu hen goshin (spelling?? ) which means I am happy. Upon the completion of our prayer, Soph’s grandmother was saying wu hen goshin, wu hen goshin. Soph turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, you know what that means. Indeed I do, it means that her heart was filled with love, peace and joy. Making her very happy indeed!

Soph’s Grandmother saying Good Bye

Soph’s mother has this amazing talent of paper cutting artwork. Her artwork is divinely inspired and many come from bible stories. I purchased some of the artwork. Below is some of what she cuts. You can see, it is not just cutting “folded snowflakes” as the cuttings are not symmetrical.

Jesus, Jacob wrestling w/Angel of the Lord,  Jewish Synagogue

The PH Orphanage a place where you can see what it is like to be loved. Special needs children (which is defined by the government to cover a wide range of special children with challenges clef lips, heart problems, physical, and development) are all there. The founder, Tim, and his wife, Pam, are humble people being obedient to what the Lord has directed them to do. They have been given an open heaven to dispense love and enable the children to receive the necessary medical care and in most cases be adopted into a family. It is an amazing place and I always look forward to our return. All of the children hold a special place in my heart.

I first visited the Orphanage a year ago in Dec. 2005. I was amazed at the vision the Lord had given Tim to for the orphanage. At the time, we walked, prayed and thanked the Lord for the vision. When I was back in May of 2005, I rejoiced with Tim and the staff on how the Lord was bringing the vision to pass. In 6 months many of the buildings were completed and operational. The Children’s park was installed (my role was a slide inspector and made sure the rides were fun ~ All of the slides passed)

On this last trip in Nov/Dec. 2006, I sat and listened to Tim share updates on some of the children and their medical treatment. He then moved on to the list of Children that were waiting for treatment. One by one, name by name, he listed off each child. Tim has 7 children (4 from China) but as I listened, I realized that really he had 117 children (many more who have been adopted out). I could hear the love and passion for reaching the children in his voice. I kept thinking to myself, wow, here is a man of faith!! He talked about how 10 years ago when the Lord spoke to him about the orphanage, he did not know how it would come to pass. Now here we sat rejoicing about what the Lord has done, doing and will do. He asked us to join him in prayer for the funds to perform the surgeries and other needs to be met. There is one more house yet to be funded. If any of you have it on your heart to assist with the building of the last house, let me know and I’ll get you hooked up with Tim and the PH Foundation. PH is really really treasured to me.

Our group is eating traditional Chinese food, for some it is a step way outside of their comfort zone. I’ll not forget to mention they are also getting use to eating with chopsticks and most meals are eaten with Chopsticks (ok if you really really need a fork, they will bring you one). I’m getting pretty good at using the chopsticks and don’t have too much run a way food.

The food (some of what looks funny) can be a challenge. I encourage them to invoke the missionary food rule and just try little bites to see if they like something. I like to watch the kid’s and in many ways, they are doing better than the adults!

Our breakfasts are traditional Chinese foods. Bamboo shoots, Chinese veggies, Pancakes (Chinese but really nice), hot chili peppered celery (really tasty ~ but hotttttttttt!) and tea. We had our lunch of Traditional Peking Duck ~ a culinary delight that all must have when in China. They serve the meals by using a giant “lazy susan” in the middle of the table. You need to move fast as the food goes zipping by. It is a great concept here and no one had to say, “pass the rice.”

I enjoyed seeing the adventurous spirit people have when it comes to the strange food ~ fermented eggs, quail eggs (Last time I had them they tasted like ˜smoked mozzarella cheese, so this time, I encouraged others to try them. Well, no smoked mozzarella taste this time. Sorry Guys, but hey an egg is an egg ~ right???) To most of the groups relief, we did not eat at the “fear factor” buffet on this trip as most food was identifiable.

Zoe and Jackilin showing how to use Chopsticks correctly: