Dear Friends,
Do you enjoy the beauty of fall as much as we do?
For me (Barbara), this season is the most beautiful time, full of wonder and feeling. It also seems to remind me in a special way of my childhood years, running through the colorful leaves, harvesting apples resulting in freshly made apple juice (sometimes it was a little more potent than that), and the early evenings together in the wood-stove heated kitchen. These were such happy moments, moments that will never come back again.
How glad I am, that I know the Lord Jesus, and that life makes so much more sense when understanding Him and His purposes. Just the other day we were privileged to rejoice in Gods time and working in our friends life.
I (Greg) was holding back tears, as Barbara and I helped Akira, our longtime Taiwanese friend, to bring her baby Jeffrey to the car.I was simply overwhelmed with God's grace, as I contemplated her life story that she had shared with us over lunch.
My mind went back to the time, when we met Akira for the first time. It was in the year 1993, one year after the International Student Fellowship had come into existence. I remember her first visit to the bible study very vividly, as she definitely portrait the image of a magazine glamour girl, equipped with all the crutches and sins of an "appearance oriented culture." Her oriental beauty and the flashy clothing made her immediately distinct from everyone else. When getting to know her a little closer, it became obvious that her heart had become calculating and reliant on her natural advantages, not afraid to use those for her own desires and satisfactions.
From that time on, her roller coaster existence caused her to end up at the bible study or in our living room only when trouble and problems came her way. She listened and left, she wanted to know and yet she didn't, she opened her ears and yet they were closed, she came back after time, but she was so far away.
Talking about evangelistic discouragement, here it was!!!! "Lord we want to believe, but PLEASE help our unbelief'!!!! Gradually, Akira's times of absence became frequent. After a year of silence, in February of 2000, we met Akira again. This time it was at a Chinese church meeting, however, now she wasn't alone anymore. Through the birth of little Jeffrey, she had committed her life to Jesus. As a single mother, she had finally understood her need for God's forgiveness and guidance, and here she was, a woman with a totally different outlook on life.
Her love for Christ is expressed in many different ways; as a devoted mother, as a willing servant in giving and hospitality (she opens her home for Bible studies, and buys & washes clothes for the homeless). And guess what, yesterday she talked with me (Barbara) saying that she would love to come to Europe and serve the Lord with Hope Worldwide. Yeah, Hallelujah Lord, thank you and forgive our unbelief.
What has God taught us through Akira's story?
God worked with Akira in His timing. Keep your door open for the unbeliever, no matter how frustrating it gets.
Sometimes you may feel like you'd rather have the person out of your life, instead, plead with the Lord for patience.
Look beyond the exterior and see the cry for meaning in life that people have, whether expressed or not.
There is a time when you don't have to actively pursue a person, but pray and keep your heart and door open.
Keep checking back with people to see what God is doing
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Germany & Prayer Requests
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Praise to our faithful Father, we have a departure date: FEBRUARY 6, 2001!!!
Hope Worldwide bought the tickets and we are now making final preparations for the transition. We are roughly at about 50% of our monthly budget and about 20% of our monthly, outgoing budget.
Please Pray
For Akira's spiritual growth, protection, and guidance
For the International Fellowship. For guidance and wisdom in the transition
For wisdom as we plan the transition to Europe
For the necessary financial supporters and prayer partners
Thank you for your prayers and gifts, which help people like Akira to come to know the Lord. We love you all and appreciate your partnership in the ministry.
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