Monday, November 30, 2009

maranatha


With the beginning of the Advent season comes the dawn of another church year.....
and with one voice the prayer of the church is lifted up - Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
"Behold, I am coming soon! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
(Rev. 22)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

post-trip thoughts

"This is what God the LORD says— he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let the desert and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements rejoice. Let the people sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands. The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies. "For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." (Isaiah 42)

What an honor and a privilege to be a part of the new thing God is doing to bring the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Asia! You can hear about something, read about it, look at pictures, or watch it on TV, but until you actually experience it firsthand it doesn't become real to you. Now I understand why my brother Josh is so excited about his work in Hong Kong, and why he signed up for a second year. Now I understand why he is going back to China next year to work for a Lutheran organization in Shanghai. Now I know.

God is indeed doing great things through His Word and through His people in Asia, and it is truly a blessing to be able to see that and experience it. We spent our first week at the MCDH School in Hong Kong, teaching english and sharing with the students and faculty there. The second week we were at an English Center and Drug Rehab House on the mainland.

Many thanks for all of your prayers and for all of your support of this mission trip. The trip to Hong Kong and China was an incredible experience and the best trip of my life, but it's so good to be back home in Missouri. I look forward to sharing more about our experiences in the future, and the exciting things God is doing in China.

Friday, November 20, 2009

american fun fair at mcdh school in hong kong

the cross of christ - the reason we are here



teaching chinese kids american football - go chiefs!

this big map on the wall is a good example of how this school likes to do things .... big!





Thursday, November 19, 2009


so great to see my good friends rose and tony yuen in hong kong!
touring hk with christa and josh



trying to blend in with the crowd ....

Friday, November 13, 2009

teaching at mcdh school in hong kong

how do you say faith in cantonese?


three new friends help in leading song motions ...


we learn from them as much as they learn from us ...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

brothers and sisters in christ

some of our new friends ...


introductions ...

Monday, November 9, 2009

lantau island

hiking with sister Christa on the Lantau trail

a nice view of a small village from the trail up above ...


made it down to the beach ...

Enjoying the view and the refreshing water after a long hike on Lantau Island.
"Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands." - Isaiah 42:12




Tuesday, November 3, 2009

asia bound


We're off and on our way to Hong Kong. Please pray for our team and for our safety!

Sunday, November 1, 2009