Parable of the Soils

On November 16, we taught about the parable of the soils in our home on Friday. The Taylor's also discussed this parable with their contacts semi-recently, and we have been able to discuss people's funny and interesting reactions as they try to figure out what type of soil they themselves are. We would all like to think we are the good healthy soil that encourages abundant growth, and some people tell themselves they are even if they aren't. Some people though are quick to see that worries or desire for wealth or whatever is crowding out their desire for God. Some people who are not blind to their own weaknesses come away with a resolution to seek God more purely, and throw out some of the "weeds, thorns, or rocks" in their life, or to somehow soften their heart and make themselves more receptive. It isn't easy to do, but it all comes down to this, doesn't it? Do this, and the kingdom is yours. Leave it to Jesus to put it to us in such a way that we can all understand it. To Him be the glory.

Getting to Know God

We are about to complete our autumn eight-week session of studies that we have conducted on Friday nights. All during October and November, seekers and a few Christians who want to learn more have come to our home to study prayer, following Jesus, Christian marriage and dating, purity, forgiveness, and sharing faith. We have tried hard to keep most of the sessions in Chinese, and have always had reading and study material and some personal discussion in Chinese. That part is still a challenge and we need prayers and effort to improve, but I am thankful to say that the students who came said they could feel the love and dedication we bring to the subjects we taught. And they seem to be learning, asking some good questions, and willing to pray with us when they come. Thank God that he showed us some good contacts. Pray the seeds planted in their heart this semester will be nurtured and will eventually be very fruitful.

Watchman Nee Group

Several weeks ago we met a few students from a different Christian group here in Shaoxing. They are part of a group that was started by the famous Chinese Christian Watchman Nee. If you don't know about him, go check out his Wikipedia entry. He's an amazing (and kind of controversial) guy whose congregations are still growing and multiplying today. He also wrote some super books like "The Normal Christian Life" (which you can download a free PDF version of here). But back to those Christian girls...

The group they are a part of seems fantastic and really mature. So many of the Christians we've met at our university are fairly immature, know only a little about what they believe, and don't do any kind of outreach. Last month though, the group that these girls belong to had a month of intentional evangelism. They had special meetings, invited lots of students, and ate meals with people as they shared the Good News with them. During that month alone, three new people decided to become Christians. Several more students said they were interested enough to keep studying (directly with the Christian students) each week.

It's so great and fills me with so much thankfulness to see young Chinese Christians equipped and bold enough to do such work. And it humbles me to see how well they do it and how passionate they are compared to myself. Our part of God's work here in China is important and we strive to do it well as we rely on God's help. But there are many old churches (like the 100+ year old church in Shaoxing) that have been been here for decades and are continually passing the torch on to younger generations. We're johnny come lately to China compared to these great Christians. Praise God for them and we hope we can encourage, help, or at least praise them for their good work.

Clear Creek Ambassadors

We know a lot of planning, schedule juggling, and fear conquering goes into a trip to China and it is worth it. Thank you Ken and Jan for taking part in my student study. We studied the Prodigal Son. Ken and Jan had a lot of great insight from their life experiences to share with the students. I’m not really 100% American, so it is funny for me to see Chinese students meet real 100% Americans. The students were all asking the following week, “Where are they?” Thank you to Walter and Diane for coming to our home and our university and enjoying the beautiful mountains. GaoYan wants to thank Diane so much teaching the children and saying so many encouraging words. Thank you to Jake and Shelly for keeping us connected to a loving Clear Creek family. It was fun to see Jake and Ruthie enjoying the pink Bonnie Ray bicycle so much. Thank you for gifts and supplies from America. Thank you to the children’s ministry for creating the great video. We’ll be on the lookout for dragons in China.

Beijing October Holiday

October holiday we met my Dad and his younger co-worker, Andrew, in Beijing. We climbed the hill overlooking the Forbidden City to take pictures. The Drum Tower has an Olympic like drum performance after ascending the steep dangerous wooden stairs to the top. We ate Beijing duck and inspired by Andrew most of us, except for me, nibbled a fried scorpion. We imagined ourselves standing in TianAnMen Square for the flag lowering ceremony, but that was impossible for the millions of people with the same idea.

On two separate occasions ladies handed us Christian tracts. The first lady walked by real fast and put the paper in GaoYan’s hand without saying a word. The second lady was standing at a subway station. I was pushing Joy in the stroller so she helped me carry Joy up the stairs. I said, “Thank you so much.” She said, “Thank the Lord.” I looked around and over my shoulder wondering if they could legally hand out these tracts and said a prayer for their safety and great work to spread the Gospel.

Patrick and his girlfriend met us in Beijing at the Temple of Heaven one day. We saw something romantic from Patrick. His girlfriend had chosen high heels for a day with lots of walking and her feet hurt. Patrick offered his scandals to his girlfriend while he walked barefoot for a while. After we all ate a hotpot lunch together. Back in June Patrick moved from Hangzhou to Beijing.

HaiBin was one of our first neighbors in Hangzhou in 2008. HaiBin taught GaoYan some art classes, and Caleb is the same age as her little boy. About the time we were moving out of ZhongXin neighborhood, HaiBin’s family was moving to Beijing. Ever since, GaoYan and HaiBin have kept in touch and seen each other once a year. While visiting Beijing, our family stayed with HaiBin and family one night. The next day we all climbed the Great Wall together. We slid down from the Great Wall on a luge just in time to miss my Dad and Andrew’s flight to Hangzhou.

Hardin Halloween

 Halloween is one of those holidays that China does not always seem to "get".  It is catching on, but slowly.  Jon has to work late on Wednesday (he gets home at 6) so we just planned to go to Pizza Hut. It has sort of been our tradition.  The kids dressed up in their costume and se headed out.  We started to take the bus, but it was super crowded, so we took a taxi. Even without walking the whole we, we were seen by many people and the kids did get more attention.  They loved it though, because it was on their terms.  Eryn even went out of her way to wish some security guards a Happy Halloween.

Liam was there, but he was sitting next to me and it was harder to get a good picture of him.

The next day we had a "mini" party at our house after Trick-or-treating with Margaret and some neighbors.

  Eryn is not unhappy here, she is just playing the part of an evil witch.

Liam was a skeleton (I made the leg bones with tape)

here, you can see his face.

Thanks to Shelly for bringing the hat and green face paint!  I am happy to report that she is no longer green, but her eyebrows are still a little darker.

She is the Wicked witch of the East--before the house fell on her and she lost her shoes to Dorothy.

Our front door.

Three witches riding together

The whole group that trick-or-treated.

Brownies, cupcakes,  apple cider, and good company

Happy Halloween!