I have just returned from another visit in Shanghai, and once again it was time well-spent.

The group I have been studying with for the past 3 years plus is doing better than ever. The one lady who is a Christian is continuing to do an excellent job as she teaches those who are not. She is steadfast in her studies with them, even though she feels very inadequate for the task. I ask that you will continue to keep her in your prayers.

The other two ladies had a lot on their minds while I was there this time, and I enjoyed some good discussions with each of them one-on-one, and with all of them together. Both have said that they have come to believe that there is a God, but that they are still pondering about whether it is right to say that Jesus was in fact God in the flesh (or, in other words, whether the God we read of in the New Testament is the same as the God who exists). It has been fun to watch them get to the stage where they are, and I am excited about what the future holds for them. Both are doing a good deal of searching, thinking, and praying. I ask that you will continue to support them too, through your prayers.

I had the good fortune on this trip to meet up with three new workers who are stationed in the area near where I usually stay — near, of course, being a relative term. We traveled for about 2 hours to meet them, as they stay quite far outside of the city. They are all three teaching at a university, and are starting a group. Several of their students are meeting to worship with them. The young man who translates for them does quite a good job of it, and I was very impressed to see how vibrant the whole group was.

The three workers who are there are closer in age to the younger of the two ladies who has been studying with me for the past several years. She was able to join me when I met them, and I am excited about the connection they made. These 3 can travel about 45 minutes to reach the train station near where she works, and they are all planning to try to make it a more regular habit to get together and encourage each other. After the talks this young lady and I had over the past week or so, I am pretty sure that spending some time with these young workers will do her a world of good. Just like when I was there in May with the two interns who spent the summer with us here, I think it will be an excellent opportunity for her to connect with young people closer to her own age, and to have a group of peers to interact with. I am really pleased with the opportunity that this all presents.

In addition, while I was there, I got to do a good bit of research into several different language schools. I found a program that would really be helpful to me, and if all works out, I hope to spend several months there improving my Chinese language next year. Not only will this be beneficial for my language skills, but the school will enable me to get a visa to stay longer in the country. I hope you will be praying for me, that this will work out in whatever way is best.

I plan to be home in the middle of next month, making my regular report. This upcoming January will mark 15 years that I have been in Singapore. (That is hard to believe!) This is the regular 5-year point in which we will need to review my work and renew commitments to it. I will be looking forward to seeing all of you back home when I am there.