Three Teams Return but The Ministry Continues

Hello my friends,

Well three of the teams flew home today. The teams from Scotland, Ireland, and Costa Rica have returned back to the states and are now traveling back to their homes. I am so excited about what they have done for the kingdom this summer. I received an update today from the teams and I want to share with you a excerpt (a long excerpt, so put on your reading glasses) from the China team as told by Team Leader and Director of Royal Servants, Tom Ives.

**WARNING - IF YOU ARE A RESULTS-ORIENTED PERSON, READ WITH CAUTION**

I don't think anyone would dispute that we Americans (and Canadians) are often about results. We like to see things happen - NOW! That's why we love big crusades where hundreds (or better yet, thousands) of people stream to the center of the stadium to make a commitment to follow JC. It looks great and feels even better. We can see that we are accomplishing something tangible.

But the problem is that when you are doing Kingdom work in many countries, you must reframe your definition of the word, "results." The early pioneers in America didn't arrive on the prairie, stick the seeds in the ground and expect them to grow. The prairie was was virgin soil, untouched and un-tilled, and they knew they had a lot of hard work to do before they could even plant. And so the farmers had to first take a plow and break the ground by turning it over. Then they had to break down the large clumps of soil. Finally, after days of mindless labor, the soil was ready to receive the seed.

We often talk about sharing what we believe as planting seeds, and that is true. But what is equally true is that you can not plant a seed until the soil is first prepared. And that is often what you face in China. Here we encounter a generation of young people who have either never heard of JC - at all - or have heard the name but have never heard the story. Hard ground, virgin soil. And so our team patiently breaks the ground. But our labor is not in vain. In addition to Fair, mentioned in our last update, we have had another young woman join the family as well. But there is one other Chinese woman, Susan, who I would like to introduce you to.

As part of their homework, each of the Chinese students must keep a journal of their days in the exchange. Here, in excerpts from Susan's journal, and in her words is a window into the process she is walking through of having the "hard ground" of her heart softened and prepared to received the Word.

Tuesday July 17—Food day and first day of the language camp—Today we were going to look for some food. We went to so many grocery stores and two supermarkets. It was so funny to shop with foreign friends. Then we went to the Yanlong Restaurant to have lunch. Different countries have different cultures. In America, people don't put their arms on the table and don't make any noises when they are eating. But, in China it is allowed. It's interesting! Our American friends are all disciples. Before the meals, the disciples need to pray. We don't. So the Chinese friends began to eat when the meals were ready.

Friday July 20—Baken Mountain is a famous place to visit. We climbed the mountain. We ran, we jumped, and we laughed. We were happy! Emily explained the Bible for me while we were having rest. Hmmm- - about the Bible, a half of me believes and a half of me doubts! What a funny day!

Tuesday July 24—Today we went to the Thousand Temple. It's a popular place to visit. It's a Buddhist building. Some monks and nuns live there. I think it's novel for the American students to visit the tower. As we know, all of them are Christians. They believe in God and JC. But, religion is a thorny program!!

Marie told me that after she visited the tower, she felt a little sad! I felt sorry to hear that. Marie thought that there are many religions in the world, but only one is right. And, that's God and Jesus. I understand her, but, I'm still an atheist. Maybe someday later I will realize that God and Jesus are what I should believe in. Time can prove everything.

That's Susan's journey - the way that the Father is using our team in the process of opening up her heart to His Word. It is a journey that is amazingly profound. And it may may be a lengthy road. Statistics show that a Chinese needs anywhere from four to six significant encounters with believers before they will make a decision to follow the King. And this is the first time she has encountered the Jesus story...like I said, virgin soil.

And for those who think that a group of teenagers can't or don't accomplish much for the Kingdom (I've run into quite a few over the years), think again. The career people we have been working with in these two places have been more than pleased, they've been impressed and we have been invited back to both locations next year. But what's happening here doesn't have a lot of flash, nor a lot of glitz. It is a joining together with the full-time people to do a long, patient, faithful work that the Father uses in these type of countries to reach a people He loves. Not a lot of visible results, but Father is on the move here in China and our work is both significant and rewarding.

I hope that this brings you as much encouragement as it has brought me. Please pray for the teams that remain oversees and are finishing out there time boldly sharing Christ!

Love and God Bless!
Mags