Sometimes He's Just Good.

Have you ever tried to run in a pool? It seems as if you're 30 seconds of blast (which is usually really only 3.5) leaves you exhausted and not going anywhere at all. When we were younger we had a 4 foot above ground round pool. Every night before we got out we had to spin the pool (go around the edge a few times to spin all the dirt to the middle.) After 4 or 5 or 6 times the water was moving pretty rapidly and you could move much quicker and with much more ease. Sometimes even "surfing" along the side as the current took you along.

Welcome back to Hua Qiao. Last year there was a lot of pushing. We were and are so blessed to have 10 years of people before us "doing laps" around campus to get the waters moving and the current flowing, but this year I can feel the current being swept away so much quicker. I had to ask, "what's the difference? Is it just because it's my second year? or that there's new people that show me how much I've learned?" then He answered, "They're Lifting." It's like someone turned on the pump in the pool and it's blowing the water with the current we've been trying to stir. Students have talked more, people and relationships have been highlighted. Quiet time has been understandable. Fasting has been much better and sometimes enjoyable. Relationships have taken a quick leap and others who have seen teachers come and go every year now stop and talk because we've returned. He is answering issues and problems as they come up in His way. Let me tell you a few:

-talked to our boy G who had a bit of a rough summer. It's as if he has his freedom, but is still living in the slave camp because where else can he go? A lot of cultural pressures weigh down and bring lies and untruthful thoughts to the front of his mind. I was lead to the story of the weeds growing up to choke the good seeds from growing. That sucks. I know the potential of this good seed and good soil and I hate when the enemy plants weeds. After getting to talk with our city coordinator (CC) (which is awesome because he has a lot more experience and cultural experience than I do) he gave lots of good advice and thoughts. One of the things was just getting him connected to an older more mature local believer. "Good point, how do I do that? I don't know any one really." But He does. I heard last night that our boy G had talked to another boy who went with us to fellowship last year. He's been a believer for 10 years and apparently out of no where just drops what he knows and talks to our boy. G walked away really excited and encouraged by what he was hearing and is excited about their friendship. ME TOO!

-the other issue was our new sister at the end of the year. Sister means girl. I'm a guy. Kelsey was a girl but went home. This brings up issues. I'm pretty sure she has a crush on me but even if not, I can't really speak into her life and ask the harder questions that girls can. Our CC mentioned just talking to Monica (teammate/old teamleader) or someone to possibly try to hook up with her who knows her. (I know some of these are "duh" statements but their the concise version of all we talked about and what my future plan was going to be.) The next day before I could talk to anyone, Emily (new Chinese-American teammate) tells me that she got to talk to our new sister the day before. They talked for a couple of hours and it was really good. My mouth just dropped open. "oh...oh sweet. awesome."

a few other rapid fire events
-I have strength. I just have strength. It's so nice to be able to do things.
-I've been able to play music and the drums with students.
-Lesson planning has been easier and teaching much more comfortable.
-Relationships are highlighted.
-Getting to know more foreign teachers
-Got our whole team moved in and then got to have a good honest talk afterwards about it all.
-He gave me a wood dock next to our river that I could sit on and just rest and relax and feel more comfortable.
-Kayla (friend from college) had to have her appendix and gallbladder taken out, while in the process had 2 PEs (pulmonary embolisms) and more while undergoing her first month of medical school. After 2 weeks was released from the hospital and got to go home two days ago!
-my Aunts Sunday group was having some struggles with dementia with their shepherd, but He has resolved the issue and their faithfulness is moving forward now, as we watch how it's all fleshed out!
-we were asking for deep fertile soil and not just the easy seeds, and due to this performance coming up I've spent an hour plus each day with a student I was really getting close to last semester and his girlfriend.
-Tannah now teaches all of my old students a new class, Monica, Valerie, and I teach the rest of them oral English, and Ashley, David, and Kelly all teach their English Corners. That means they have at least 3 foreign teachers who are all on the same page and can speak truth into their lives!

While it's fun to surf along the side of the pool, we don't want to quit. We want to press on and press in and splash the water out of the edges of the pool. Help us stay faithful in times of blessings and really celebrate Him for all He's done and who He is now more than ever! Thank you so much for lifting! He's doing work!