Light the Darkness

Masterplanning

I spent my free time on Thursday night and my day off on Friday dreaming, praying, strategizing and planning for how Project Partner could be fruitful and effective.  My good friend, Claude Robold, who is a trained consultant in Masterplanning took several board members through the Directional Arrow exercise.  It was very helpful and it gave our dreams wings.

Kristen Levitt, Director of Project Partner, expressed a lot of excitement at the end of the session where we worked through Needs, Milestones, Resources, Objectives, Goals, 90 Day Priorities, 2- 5 year Priorities, and 5-20 year Priorities.  It was interesting to experiece how the process pulls together the various componants in order to assist you in developing a master plan.  Those of us who participated were stoked!

Belinda is going to post some pictures of us so you can check out her blog.  The scriptures tell us that man can plan his course but it is the Lord who determines His steps.  We are very aware that it is God's call, God's will and God's way that wins the day.  However, our motivation is to invest the time to be in tune with Him and with each other.  He can lead us in preparation just as clearly as He can lead us in the moment.  It is exciting and motivating to imagine what He is going to do.

I invite you to be a part of it.  I'll write more later and share the planning doc with you when it has been approved by the board (and modified if necessary).  One of the first things we want to do is build a volunteer base here in Olathe for prayer, bookkeeping, assistance in mailing, donor correspondance, and more.  If you have a heart for what God is doing in China we have a place for you to make a difference.  In the process you will discover more about God and more about yourself.  AND you'll get to work alongside some great people who are a lot of fun :) 

How to Pray for China

I asked our partners how we could pray for them and their answer was a good insight into their priorities.  The response was swift as if they didn’t need time to contemplate the answer, which is no surprise, as I’m sure they are praying for these things daily.  The first answer was to pray for more and better leaders.  Secondly, pray that they can increase the number of training centers and provide more training for the pastors.  Third, pray for the government to come to know Christ.  Interestingly, they didn’t ask for more freedom (though that would be nice in some ways they said) because with freedom there is an increased problem with cults which are presently banned.  If the government leaders accept Christ they could lead the whole country to Christ was the reasoning.  The fourth was that they could have more income to build churches because the churches have to have a building to get registered.  And it is only when they are registered that they are approved and therefore legitimate in the government’s eyes.  I would add one more which I know is on their hearts but didn't come up in this conversation.  Pray that more and more individuals would come to Christ.  Their heart for evangelism is very apparent. 

We made it safely to Hong Kong last night.  When we got to our hotel we found my suitcase was here!  Thanks for your prayers.  Kristen and I have both had some stomach problems but nothing terrible and today seems to be a better day.  Thanks again for upholding us in your prayers.  Our safe travel is another blessing.  Thank you.

In the next couple of days we hope to make some strategic connections with persons in Hong Kong.  Kristen and I both love this city and the people here.  I find myself walking through the streets praying for this city.  It is one of the most beautiful and energetic cities in the world.  It is a financial powerhouse.  I pray it could be a sending city for world missions.  Thanks for being a sending city in Olathe.  We miss you and look forward to our return on Monday.  We are praying for you too.

A Deeper Respect

Every time I come to China to work with our partners my respect and appreciation for them grows.  The picture on the left is one of several ladies from a congregation.  You can learn more by reading on the Project Partner web site.  However, you should know that there is so much more that we can't put in print.  It is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.  There is so much for which to praise God and there is so much for which to pray.  When we get to heaven, oh, the stories we will hear!

We are doing well.  Last night I got some food that didn't set well but I'm feeling better today.  This week we were served turtle, eel, little tiny birds that were whole (complete with beak, feet, everything), sea cucumbers, dog, frogs, octopus, pork intestines, chicken feet, roots (several), purple potatoes, duck, duck eggs, multiple kinds of fish and many green things that look like weeds.  I've learned to eat Tofu, rice porridge, dim sum, and really appreciate it.  If you keep your plate full and stay busy they don't hand you as many of the exotic things.  However, if you make eye contact and they put it on your plate you are expected to at least taste it.  Everything is served with the words, "it is good for you."  Okay, well, there are some things that we endure for the cause of Christ.  Enough said about that!

Today we travel 5 hours by car and two by ferry.  Thank you for your prayers.  They are being answered. 

China Trip

Next Wednesday we have a team from Indian Creek leaving for China.  The team led by Kristen Levitt includes Haley Robb, Luke Kendall, Britanni Dremann and Kelly Schiedel.  They are going to the Guangdong province to lead an English camp.  Please keep them in your prayers.  If you click on the link to Kristen's blog you will find more details and prayer requests.  You can also keep up with the progress of the trip. The trip is sponsored by Project Partner. 

I honor the dedication of these young adults.  The purpose of the English camp is to help the Chinese people practice their English.  Which they are happy to do.  The camps are lead in partnership with the church in China.  We are the attraction but the relationships that get built with the church members is the lasting benefit. 

The team does get to spend a day in Hong Kong on each side of the trip.  I think Hong Kong is one of the most beautiful cities on earth.  If I could go to any city in the world for a couple of days Hong Kong would be at the top of my list. 

I wish I could go but we are hosting the leaders of WCA Germany next week to continue building our partnership there.  Will you pray with me that God blesses, protects and uses this trip to deepen the devotion of our team and to reach people in China with the gospel?  Thank you.  I'll keep you posted on the progress.