Rose

On Jon's first day of class about two weeks ago, I ran out of some key ingredients for our supper. The kids and I made a quick trip to the convenient store inside the apartment complex. I saw this lady hanging around looking at the kids. Then she asked if they were mine, and all that. She spoke some English. Hallie and I spoke a little Chinese and we could communicate some. She asked if she could come over to our apartment. I said yes, and she followed us home. I continued to cook supper and she watched a little. She said that my potatoes were bad, because I left on the peel. She was very impressed that I made bread (rolls). She played with the kids some. Jon came home, and we invited her to eat with us. She stayed. She admitted that my potatoes were good. And she really liked the rolls. We prayed before our dinner, and she was pretty curious about that.


Later in the evening, she went home. I knew that we had made a new friend. I was pretty sure that she would show up again.

She did. Sunday morning. This Sunday is a make-up day for the up coming holiday (another story). Most people had to work and could not come to worship. It was just Margaret and our family. Then Rose shows up. Margaret jumped right in and helped explain what we were doing. We sang a few songs. I think Rose even sang some. Jon led a prayer and Rose said she wanted to pray too. Jon said a few words, M. translated, and then Rose repeated the words. However, she lost interest before the prayer was finished.

We took the Lord's supper, and explained what it means. She was interested in what the bread tasted like.
Jon had to leave to go to class (make-up day). Right before he left, Rose asked for M's phone number. M. said she would give it, if Rose committed to studying the Bible. Rose said that she did not have time and Margaret told her that if she wanted to study English, it was a good way to begin.

We thought that M. was doing great!



Pretty much as soon as Jon left (maybe a little before) things started getting weird. Rose told that she was looking for work. She told that she was divorced and her son is with his father. She divorced for another man, but that relationship is over. It had been over for several years now. Margaret told her to forget him and start her life anew now, and gestured to the Bible. While she was talking to us she kept taking out a large mirror from her bag and looking into it. She was sometimes talking with M. while looking into the mirror. I thought that was pretty strange. Eventually, M. had to leave. I fed the kids lunch and Rose played with the girls some. We tried to talk some more. Her in English, and I in Chinese. I guess we understood about 1/2 of what each other said.

Rose finally left at 2:00. I was pretty worn out! There were a few times that it was harder to be polite, gracious, and loving (like when she said I was fat!). Hopefully, we have thrown some seed out there. It feels like it is on rocky soil, but you never know what God will do!

Please pray for Rose and the choices she makes in her life. Pray for us as we try to minister to her. We are very thankful to see M. in action for the Lord!