An Overall Progress Report

We have already prepared and sent a short video highlighting the work over here that will be shown soon at your special "Mish" day service, but before that day gets here, let us tell you about some of what's going on:

First up, George. He's probably the best guy we've got right now as far as enthusiasm, willingness, potential for growth... George has been mentioned before, I think -- he's the guy who came down from the north of China to look for work in HZ. He's teaching Chinese to Josh and to the Clarks. He's full of energy and joy. He's been hosting a mid-week group at his small apartment for a few weeks now. Josh goes over there, but actually, George is definitely the main teacher. They invite new people to join them, so it's a mixed group. George has said that he'd like to start a "family" at his place -- which is exciting because we would like to see the W3 group start to spread itself out a little more and eventually reach out to more people in more areas. He's doing great overall, but you should pr*y for him. He's recently broken up with a long-time girlfriend whom he left behind in the north when we moved down here. She is a sister, but her f*ith is very weak -- in fact, pr*y about that, too -- and she has not always been the best thing for George as far as peace, encouragement, and (frankly) purity. He took a big step to move away from her and get focused on better things, and he is happy to have done so. Of course though, it's always hard when a relationship finally comes to an end. Anyway, besides that, he also needs to find a steady job. He was trying to sell insurance [ask the Davises if you want to know just how hard he was trying!] but it didn't work out, so now he's looking for something else. The dream was to come to HZ, get rich (!), and provide for his marriage to the girlfriend. Now he's unemployed, piecing together an income with informal teaching and translating, and he's broken up. But really, he's got such a good attitude about it and realizes that it has been the right thing for him. His f*ith has grown tremendously and continues to grow daily! Remember George.

Besides that... as we've alluded to already, the Clarks, the Davises [well, Josh], and now the Hardins (hooray!) are ALL studying Chinese on a regular basis! Hallie even has her own tutor(s) and will begin her personalized lessons tomorrow! That was one of the things that had hounded each and every one of us. You know, you get here and you think, "Now I'm going to really learn the language," but something comes up, and another thing, and another thing, until suddenly you realize that three or four months have gone by and you haven't really made any progress, you don't have a teacher, and you are stuck in a rut. So, we all talked about it and kind of motivated one another and -- sure enough -- now we've all found teachers, and we're all learning! In fact, the whole George thing and his desperate need for money is what got the Clarks to "take pity" and hire him as their teacher. So once again, mysterious ways... Now he's having to take pity on them as they mumble through the dialogues.

In other news, The Clarks have been hosting a children's English class at their place on Fridays, while Gao Yan (by herself the first week, and then with Margaret) tries to reach out and teach the moms some "other things". The first week was hard; some of the mothers were unprepared and unwilling to read the particular Book that GY had wanted to share. And even when she tried to read from another less-threatening but still related children's book, there was less than complete cooperation and interest. The second week went much better, thankfully. It went so well, in fact, that GY -- whom we thought would just about never take up a teaching offer from us again -- is actually looking forward to their next class!

And maybe the last thing -- at least for now -- is that we keep waiting for Shen Li to take the plunge. She's sure to be the first; we just don't know when she'll say that she's completely ready. She and her daughter are so sweet. The Clarks [which, if you haven't figured out, is us] are meeting with her, as usual, this Sunday morning. We'll just wait and see. We don't want to put any pressure on her; we're content to let Him nudge her along.

So, that's it. Others might add some news as it becomes available, but that's an outline of what's going on with all of us right now. Other issues to be thinking about: jobs and housing for all of us in the upcoming semester(s). The Clark place is now looking secure; the Davises have the house, but Josh might (?) be looking at other schools; and the Hardins are considering a transition away from Jennifer working and are having to wonder how that might affect their work and housing. We are all busy, yet we are also looking ahead to further opportunities -- seek guidance and open doors on our behalf. And remember the Hardins as far as health goes. They've had, at least recently, the worst run of it -- it seems like it's rare for all of them to be healthy at once. As Spring comes on, it would sure be nice if they (and all of us) would have a nice, long stretch of really great health.

Thanks, Love, and Goodbye for now!