Do not be dismayed.

Jeremiah 1:4-10

The Call of Jeremiah

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Another Mission Possible

So I am on my way to a Mission Possible now. Thank God for his provision in making this trip possible. This time, besides training caregivers at the orphanage, I felt specially led to share the good news with my grandma. She is almost deaf, cannot read nor write, doesn't speak mandarin. Sounds impossible for her to “hear” the good news, huh? I’ve actually tried to share the gospel with her before. But God doesn't give up every individual. He doesn’t give up my family and he is sending me message to go and do my part.

Am I nervous? After spending a night camping out at the airport and am getting ready for another 15 hours travel, I’m having a mixed feeling. I felt led, but I don’t know how God is going to use me. Similar to Moses, I don’t feel confident/qualified, which shows this is the mean time for me to fully trust Him (Again).

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.

I pray that God will give me courage and wisdom when I am spending time with my family, and reading bible story picture book together. God will touch my family’s heart, not just ears.
Please pray for me.

I am going to do several tasks during this trip. Day1, renew my VISA; Day 2-7 spend time with my mentors, visit the public orphanage (if possible); Day 7-12, be with my grandma; Day 13-18, help train caregivers in the children’s home, and be a nice daughter in the afternoon & evenings. Esply pray that I will be loving and patient with my family because I want to be God's light in their lives.

There are many things I have to do otherwise I will feel regret. I am given the opportunity to do some of them now.

Songs of Joy- Season One.

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.

Enjoy reading and talking with Miss Kara

Praying for the precious children

life is a nonstop flight guided by God.

Please join and pray for my “Songs of Joy” Medical team for Chinese orphans in this coming December

“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)

My dear family in Christ,

Thank you for your prayers and supports. God is very faithful to me as he has always been. He is supplying all my daily needs through people around me. I am writing this letter to invite you to my prayers petition—to pray for my organization of a medical trip to China this winter, my plane tickets, and the serving plan. For the past two weeks I feel our Father is confirming His vision to me over and over again: bring a medical team to China and serve at an orphanage I worked at. Yes, in this coming December. Prayers are much needed. Thank you.

God’s plan is always incredible. As you all know, the reason why I am in America studying speech pathology is because I saw the medical needs for the special needs children (esp orphans) in China. God did bring me here, with all the prayers and financial help(FB page). In my tuition-fundraising video(video here) , I said that I want to set up a foundation and bring a medical team after I worked in the U.S.—my limited human mind was thinking only by working for several years will I know enough therapists and then be able to organize a team. But our God is the all-power and awesome God, He wants this team come much earlier than I have expected---“why not this winter?”

As soon as I arrived Memphis, a girl who is one year ahead in my program (now my closest Christian sister here), Kara, took me to her church. I would never expect God has already got parts ready before I start my life on this new land! Besides a vision for International outreach, this church consists of doctors, students in med-school, OT, PT, Dentistry, and Speech Pathology. Moreover, at first I was not bold enough to share my story to people around, but God used my fundraising video and mutual friends to let His story heard. Thus, God has been opening doors for me to share his goodness and let people know what is happening in China. People came to me and said they are interested in going to China with me. But, my human brain was procrastinating, thinking: “maybe not this soon. Going to China is expensive, and I’ve just stayed here for 3 months, I don’t think I am equipped with enough speech pathology knowledge.”

However, God kept revealing and reminding me of my dream. I start to ask myself recently: why am I postponing? Why I say no when there can be a possibility? Because of the costs? Or do I doubt God won’t be this fast? Meanwhile, my professors told me if I ever plan to go to China, this winter will be the best time--my schedule next summer will be filled with schools and clinics. There are too many uncertainties next year. So why not act right now and see if it will work out this December? I don’t need to be fully equipped--the kids can’t wait and there is never a “fully prepared time” for God. And there are other equipped folks who are willing to go with me. So why am I so self-centered?

Therefore, a long winter break, at least one experienced clinician has joined, the orphanage I am going to is in need of staff…these things are telling me “yes, that’s God, trust Him and move on!” . I want to conduct therapy-based classes, and this will be my first organized trip before the numerous medical teams in the future. Also, my friends and I will be a better team of advocates for the needs. The dream God has given to me is so big: to set up a foundation and bring people with medical skills to help the special needs kids in various places in China. The organization will also invite college students as volunteers and share the good news to them--because the youth are the change of China. This first trip is small, maybe it only ends up with 2 members, but it is the fundamental step of a second step.

While I started organizing and sharing about the trip, I checked the plane tickets and got a bit frustrated: the 10,000RMB (around $1800) plane tickets are too expensive for me, when my family only makes a minimum wage (4500RMB=$750/mo) and we are paying the mortgage loan for my school. Before I left, my parents have already prepared not to see me for at least two years because of the costs.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1 NIV). So, my family in Christ, please lift this trip plan and my financial difficulty up for me. Prayers and Financially help will be greatly appreciated, if God led you to. In our last fundraising campaign for my tuition fee, we received $12,700. Yes, from $0 to $12700. It was a milestone for me and my parents who aren’t believers yet. I have the wealthiest Daddy in the world (and heaven!). I believe, if it is His will, I will be in China holding the special treasures in my arms, with my team, in this December.

“I will trust your unfailing love.” Thank YOU for holding my hand every step of the way.

Homesick

Last night (or actually this morning because I was staying up late preparing for the exams), I accidentally realized I have brought bed sheet and quilt from China.

So instead of sleeping on the beddings provided by the landlady, I made my bed with great joy. But when I was lying on the bed, I smelled a very familiar fragrance---the fragrance of the laundry powder my mom always uses. Everything "smells" so familiar, as if I was embracing her. She is so close, but so faraway! I couldn't have enough of this smell, and I tried in vain wanting to lock this fragrance to keep it from fading away. 

I miss my mom, I miss my parents back home. My heart aches every time when I think of them. Tears fell out of my eyes and I could do nothing but praying for them. Dear heavenly father, I give my parents to you. Please help them. Please help them find YOU! They need you. Thank you for all that you have provided. Thank you for letting them be my parents. 

I should press on and cherish everything I am facing now. Our mighty God is in control so there is nothing I need to worry about. Have faith, keep believing. 

Matthew 6:33(ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

Without you, no day is possible.

Today is the third day of my graduate school. As an International student with no background in Speech Pathology, the courses are overwhelming for me. I literally had the thought of quitting from time to time. Everyday I am facing new changelings: schoolwork is hard, sometimes I don’t even understand what the professor is talking about…lots of reading and medical terms; American life is way too expensive, I have already used up my monthly expenses which is not much…I am stressed and worn out. I miss my family back home, I miss the children I worked with…I miss the happy days when I go to work each morning with joy and hope and no worries…I miss the circle times I led with my kids, I miss teaching them math, songs and life skills…I miss their smiles. Those fun and awesome memories…

Each time when I am reading the hard and long academic materials, which usually takes me 50 mins per article, I really want to quit and lie down. I studied hard in China and did have problems, but it is the very first time that I am exposed to so many terms I have NEVER heard of before. Speech Pathology is too new for China… What makes me continue is the reason WHY I came here. I saw the pictures of my special needs kids in the orphanages, I remembered our worship, our days of prayers, HIS promises; I saw my parents they are working extremely hard for my tuition fee regardless of their health condition, and they trust me even though they don’t understand…I am not exaggerating---that’s what make me move on each day.

American life is not as ideal as most Chinese imagine. I can’t afford most of the things, I have to really live by myself, to adjust and learn. Time is money and I don’t have either one.

I don’t know whether you are able to relate to me. I need to ask for help all the time, and being a “slow” student as I have never been back home in China. I miss the carefree days, though it was also hard but at least I don’t need to worry about school, about feeding myself, and about the tight budget.

But I AM SURE FATHER IS WITH ME. He is right by my side.

There are MANY things I feel thankful to, even though the time is hard. People generously supported me and helped me with part of my financial problem. My program partner and her roommates are the sweetest girls I have ever met in Memphis: they carpool with me and care about my daily needs even though we have just met. Professors are nice and one professor even lent me his book (although it is as huge as a dictionary).Friends introduced me to different churches and we studied the book together…Without God, these things are IMPOSSIBLE. I hardly dare to imagine my days without HIS provision.

This is the time when God want me to know Him more, to TRUST HIM AND SEEK HIM MORE!!!

“Where you go, I go; who you serve, I serve…” That’s the reason why I left my family and came to this land to study and fulfill my dream. I took the risk of being in debt, but I will receive more in YOU. “The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, ‘listen to me, Asa and Judah and Benjamin. The LORD IS WITH YOU when you are WITH HIM. If you SEEK him, he will be FOUND by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”  ---2 Chronicles 15:1,2

Please pray for me and my parents. Pray that I am constantly restored in HIS presence, pray that my father’s spinal problem will be healed supernaturally, pray that my parents can rest and rest in HIM.

It is because of the passion for the kids in China that I applied, being accepted, raised money, and settled down in Memphis. HE is the one who brought me here. Not the university or the pilot. HE DID AND PROVIDES.

FIX MY EYES ON JESUS.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Hi my family in Christ!

This is my fifth day in Memphis and everything is doing good! Each day I realized I won't be able to do all of these without God. I was invited to a Chinese fellowship last Friday, and then I attended some church activities with my program partner in the past weekends. Every moment I can feel PAPA is taking good care of me: my Christian sister came to Memphis to help me settle down, people donated many daily necessities and supported me financially, my program partner and two classmates drive me to wherever places I need to go, both the church and the fellowship warmly welcomed me. Even though I am far away from home, I  literally feel God is my FATHER: He is protecting and helping his daughter getting ready for school. I am so blessed.

"Don't waste your season" was the title of our Sunday sermon. Yes, we are all called to do something for HIS glory. Each season is the mean time when we learn to trust HIM, to love HIM, and to fully depend on Him. I am really excited for the unfolding journey---majority of the people in the church are Med school students, and the church has experience of International Medical trips. He is so faithful, he is leading ahead and I am merely a follower!!! I am overwhelmed by the opportunities He has provided!!

1 Thessalonians 5:24

24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

AMEN!!

Overjoyed--God made it!