Thank you for your prayers and financial supports to make this trip come true.
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.”—Psalms 126:2 (NIV)
We serve an awesome God. I had a fun, amazing, memorable winter vacation. With many prayers, the “Songs of Joy” mission team-although it was only my friend K and I- paid a visit to the foster home I used to work at in Asia. Before the trip, the main goal was to seek ways to help children with special needs, and spread His name when possible. But God wants more than we’ve planned. He wants to bless this nation-He used us to spread his good name even before we arrive the orphanage, He expanded my vision of the ways to help children medically in this developing country; and my understanding of Him grew: no matter what the good deeds we are doing for him, the root purpose is to make disciples, and bring salvation.
“Let them hear my name.”
What The Lord wants to accomplish is more than we could imagine. God already started using us even before we arrive the orphanage. We got to share His good news with K’s former roommate, a driver, my father, and some college students. I was being asked several questions, such as “why are you studying speech pathology?” “what are you going to do in this trip?” “How did you become a believer?”…I thank God for giving me salvation and all the plans, I am even more grateful because I can share my testimonies with people who haven’t known Him yet. We were also being asked about “where do people go after they die”, “ What’s the difference between Christianity and other religions”, “Will God be angry if I am a believer but my family has another belief” … I am thankful for the boldness and wisdom He provided when answering all the tough questions. God’s love fills our cup and it overflows out of the cup to people around us. That’s why we can go and love the unwanted. We are saved BY GRACE for His good work. That’s the difference between Christianity and other religions.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”—John 14:18
I spent two weeks living with and serving the precious orphans. All the happy memory still lingers in my mind: we had circle time and table time together, we held hand in hand and went for a walk in the village, we celebrated Christmas together unwrapping presents… I KNOW these children are making progress. I am very thankful for this trip: I am one step closer to the foundation I have dreamed for special needs children in China; I got a better idea of what the children need, how we can plan the trip, what donations we can raise for the kids. Please keep praying for us, I believe God loves His children and he is going to make this come true.
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61, 62 NIV)
In the third week of my trip, my Dad and I was in a car wreck. The car was destroyed, but PTL we were safe. The Lord turned bad things for good—I got to pray WITH my parents and share Bible verses (James) with them after the accident. Even though they aren’t believers yet, they literally said “yes” to the verses, and they said: “God saved us.”—all of these brought tears to my eyes. God never gives up on my family: Because my teammate and I spent longer time in the orphanage, I thought I may not have a chance to share his good news with my family. However, God is awesome. He is going to do great things for my parents. Pls pray for my family-the car wreck still haunts on me from time to time. And Pls keep their salvation in your prayer. They are closer!
Life in the U.S. started again. This semester’s schedule is crazy and much harder —Today I spent a whole morning reading only a few pages of Neuroscience. And I’ll start having clients this week!! I miss my family back home. It seems like my life is on a nonstop flight flying to a destination I don't know. BUT, the thing I do know is-God is with me. He knows where I am going and what I will do to glorify Him. He is faithful and he will take care of all my concerns: my dreams, my family, and a nation with shouts of joy.
Faith, Hope, Love---keep trusting God and fully relying on HIM.
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| Enjoy reading and talking with Miss Kara |
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| Praying for the precious children |
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| life is a nonstop flight guided by God. |
