I got home earlier in the week after a very good trip to Shanghai. The group meeting there has progressed very well, in my estimation, since I was last there in September. They’ve finished studying Acts (they’ve been at it for about a year), and have moved on to Galatians now. They seemed pleased that they were able to understand Galatians better in its larger context, after having gone through Acts so carefully.
One of the ladies told me something that made me feel very pleased. She said that someone recently asked her if she is a Christian, and she was stumped for a second, not sure how to answer. She said that she knows she’s not a Christian “yet” (her word), but that she didn’t want to say no either, when asked. I ask that you continue your prayers for her, as this is real progress for her. She says she is not ready to become a Christian yet, but she is certainly moving the right direction. Do pray that God will keep her from distractions and things that will draw her away.
I tried to contact my former Chinese teacher while in Shanghai. She moved back to Shanghai in October, and I was hoping to get her to worship with us. She was very busy while I was there, and though we talked several times, she didn’t get to worship with us. Pray that we can see some change there before my next trip to Shanghai.
I got the opportunity to meet up with several students while I was there too. One of the Christians is a lecturer at a university, and I had a good time with a group of her students while there. I attended class with her one day, and led a short discussion at the end of the time together. Later that evening, we had dinner with a group of students she works closely with. There were some former students there, and some current students. It was a good, relaxed atmosphere to get to know them and build some connections. I’ve seen some of them around campus off and on over the past few years, so this was a good way of furthering those connections.
I am hoping to be back in Shanghai in March. I think we’ve got a really good foundation laid for the work there. It is a long way to go, still, but a very good start. I am pleased with what I see there.
Things in Singapore have continued to progress nicely while I was away. The group here did a good job working on plans for events for this summer, keeping me informed via email while I was gone. I am excited about the plans that have been made, and am especially pleased by the initiative of some of the members to keep things moving ahead smoothly.
I received word last night that we’ll have a visitor with us this morning. I think it is a brother from the Philippines. It will be nice to have a guest with us for our assembly this morning.
Many thanks to all of you for your prayers while I was away. Your support for the work is very much appreciated.
