racial reconciliation

When we first changed our focus for reaching the U people from living in a quaint, picturesque village to living in this large city, the cultural, intellectual, trend-setting place for these people, it came with a vision of seeing the Gospel demonstrated so boldly that different ethnic groups could be unified in Christ.  

We've all heard of different groups becoming unified over common interests, common goals...  but at a society level, when have different groups, who have previously loathed and hated each other, every become unified and peaceful with each other apart from a major work of the grace?  This government wants to see "Unity".... and they're going about it in ways seem far less than inspiring or attractive.  There's not unity.  There's major pain, anger, suspicion.  

Ask for the grace of Christ to be known so profoundly that it could bring true healing, change, reconciliation for the Chinese Han majority people and the Uyghur people in this province.

Mary

We call her Mary... this dear single mom who professed faith with joy and tears and awed worship just this past summer.  Our friend who is her local pastor told us he felt grateful to see her instant flame for Christ, that it challenged and spurred him on.  

But very soon after she came to Christ, she had an invitation to bold sin.  A life that the world tempts her to believe will solve all of her needs for protection and community.  It's a lie and she knows she's choosing a path that is not what God wants for her (it's dishonorable, even among the locals who do not know God, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians.)  She's being totally choked at her faith walk in Christ.  

Please ask for her to know the Holy Spirit pursuing her, awakening and convicting her on her need to walk in the light.  Pray that the love of God would overpower her weakness and lift her up to walk in obedience and love for her Savior.  

dark winter

When we were planning to move to this city, our dearest friend and mentor in this line of ministry told us "Don't move there in winter."  We'd heard before about the dark smoggy days, the biting cold (which has more opportunity to bite you when we walk, travel (bus stops) and visit outside with neighbors far more than in the states.)  And this winter, we're seeing it yet again...

Dear friends of ours are battling really hard depression.   They're facing major decisions, they feel need to be made immediately.  Please ask for wisdom, patience, perseverance and encouragement for them.    And it touches down and hangs over us too.... as I'm sure it does for many of you winter ones as well.  Would you ask the Father to graciously lift our eyes and hearts?

There is much opposition to our lives and work and most of all, to ministry here....  We are not welcome by the government (they barely tolerate us!).  We don't have understanding of commercial culture to be able to work well here.  We aren't used to lugging groceries home in the freezing cold.  And these are all minor, tiny bits of opposition compared to the spiritual battles against belief and clear proclamation, all the myriad misconceptions.

But the King has promised his victory!  We labor not in vain!  Ask for the Lord to encourage our souls to persevere according to His vision, His plans for us here.