Hard to believe how fast this year is going by for us. I think it is going faster for us- no adjusting to a whole new culture, no trying to find our way and figure things out. It is nice to be able to get in a cab and go, speaking enough Chinese to communicate our wants and needs.

As we work now, at school and in the community, the people have become more real, more personal, more "our people". That may not make sense, but until you live and become a part of a foriegn culture, you feel like a guest, a visitor, with no real tie or devotion to what you are doing. Now we have friends, we have a community, and we are a part of Chinese people's lives. We are "in" with the community and it feels more normal.

Seeing how fast the year is going and knowing we will be headed home in less than 7 months puts a whole new urgency on what we are doing.
Many, many opportunities are come out for us to share our beliefs and ideas. It is like we do not even have to "work" to find opportunities or create these chances. They are presenting themselves and they have G-d written allllll over them!!!

Many of our new friends are searching- for meaning, for answers, for joy. This is a country where there is very little joy. I see some laughing but it seems in evil ways- at others expense or from nerves....not real joy, not real contentment.

As we work especially hard with our friends and even starting a new English circle next week, we are seriously asking for pr-yers. We need energy, focus, discernment ( big dose of that), the right words- His, not ours, and patience.

Also remember our kids as they strive to make an impact on this country too.
They are helping us pry daily for the friends coming here for Christmas dinner. We want the Spirit to move through this home and touch their hearts and we know that pryer can get the prep work into place.

Learning Chinese is a long process and we have to do any sharing in English- pr y for the right words that they will understand.
We are excited about the coming months and all that we will get to be a part of. We want to do all we can while we are given this opportunity to show light to a very dark area.
It is hard to even describe what it is like here- it is definately a see it to believe it place. But His work can, will, and is being done here.

Philippians 1:9----- He is with us wherever we go!!!