6/23

6/23

10AM

If it was the Lord's will (Acts 18:18-23) then Paul would return. I have something to learn from Paul. To follow the path God has prepared confident in His way. I was uncomfortable about having to leave in the middle to the missions trip, but I know God will provide for the team and they will accomplish what we came out to do here just fine. I'm excited to see the relationships that we are building with the kids. EFC Shalu and Pastor Chen really hope to reach the neighborhood through the interactions the church and our team have with them.

The team is flyering for Irvine's activities Thursday morning at the schools. They also have an evening visit to the hospital where there is potential for the gospel message to be spread and Jesus' name to be heard. On top of all that is music class for tonight and tomorrow night. The turnout was pretty good: 4 for guitar, 3 for piano, and a LOT for drums. Some have never been to a church before, so we're excited for the chance to be one of the first Christian influences in their lives.

Please pray that God would give the team strength to do things they never would have done otherwise, courage to act when they should, and boldness and conviction to share when the opportunity arises.

6/21

The weather returns to the usual "hot and humid" variety  very quickly when the gusts of cool sea air stop blowing. In the wake of the typhoon, which passed through the strait and never came close to the island, the weather is cooler, the sky is cloudy, and outside it is very windy.

It's Monday, and the biggest part of our trip here is about to begin  and I'm making plans to leave. Already I have assigned the few tasks that I retained responsibility for to the others.  I knew I would be doing this. It was planned but I don’t feel good about it. I ask anyone who reads this to continue to pray for the team. Keep up with their updates. Pray that God would give them strength to do things they never would have done otherwise, courage to act when they should, and boldness to share when the opportunity arises.

I want to end by tell you about Joseph. Remember Winston? Well Joseph is his brother, and he was driving the other car the first night. I met him again at the celebration dinner at my table. Joseph also teaches a cram school and he translated for me when I shared my story that night. Something that I said really spoke to him and his situation, and we had a great conversation together. We continued conversing on Sunday after service and since I didn’t know what else to do to help him in his own situation, I prayed for him. Being able to connect with someone on such a level let me feel God working and His Spirit moving. And I felt unworthy.

6/22

6/21

Sunday service is finally over. I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of the congregation in prayer and worship. Alhambra could learn a thing or two from Shalu. We led worship today and though some of the songs were new and rather difficult (try singing One Way for the first time in a different language) the sweet sound of people making sounds to praise God was a blessing for our team to hear. Even if it was a half beat late.

Deborah and I did a house visitation on accident. One of our VBS girls Amy lives just down the street and invited us to her house. We thought we were just going to see her room and play with her, but her parents were in and we ended up conversing with her mother, an unbeliever open to the idea of religion, for nearly an hour. She believes in a sovereign entity, but isn't convinced that Jesus is the only way.  Pray that God would make Himself known to her in her own life. I was reminded of the potential impact that we can make in the lives of these kids when I asked her if Amy ever talked about what she learned in her church activities. She replied that Amy loves to talk about what she did with the older people she played with.

I  think our girls are building good relationships with the college girls who come to EFC Shalu. Some of these girls have been attending for a while, but haven't accepted Christ yet. Please pray for God to work through these new relationships.