China Youth Trip Part 2 |
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Greetings from Hong Kong! We retuned to Hong Kong from the USA and two days later received our first group and went into China to minister in house churches and orphanages. Later we’ll have pictures from that trip. First, we want to show you the highlights from the second group of youth from Teen Mania that was here in August. Like the other group, we made numerous border crossings with Bibles and teaching materials. This group traveled to Nanping, a Chinese city several hundred miles east of Hong Kong, for an extended ministry stay. We boarded the train loaded with ministry materials and headed through the countryside.
Arriving in Nanping, a city of several million nestled in the rolling hills of Southeastern China, at our first meal we were promptly greeted by two People’s Republic of China Religious Bureau Officials. At dinner, the officials sat on either side of Steve and Tim (the Teen Mania leader) and though they couldn’t help feel a little nervous, the Chinese Officials seemed quite friendly. We worked with an above-ground, registered church and did an “English Camp”. As the American youth engaged in conversation with Chinese youth, they were able to share the Gospel and many of the Chinese teens received Salvation. The youth also shared testimonies, taught drama and visited the Chinese in their homes. Steve shared in the church service on Sunday before approximately a thousand people. The senior Pastor (picture on the right) said they have a total church membership of 5000 people. This above-ground registered church was founded in the late 1800’s by Methodist Missionaries. Today it is Pastor’d by a Spirit-filled Pastor who loves God and wants his people to grow spiritually. The youth did drama for the whole church and at the end of the service people came up to receive salvation. (In the third picture, two young attendees thought the service was a little too long) On different occasions Joab, Sharmin, and Steve all preached and ministered to the youth. (The girl in the picture on the right, Sharmin witnessed to and then prayed with to receive Jesus.) The group also traveled 10 miles down river by boat to do outreaches in village churches. The group met at one larger registered church (pictured center and on right) and then set out on foot in many different directions, some walking miles to visit other small churches in the outlying regions. The people below are all church leaders in different parts of countryside where the teams visited. The teams were able to pray and share with them. The lady in the first picture is 86 years old and established the church in the above pictures many years ago. The man, in the second picture, was all-smiles, from ear to ear, as he greeted Steve with a boiling hot cup of water in an old chipped tea cup (the temperature and humidity were both over 90). At first Steve thought he was just someone who lived in the home (as he spoke no English); then he was introduced as the leader of the church that met in this village. By personally giving Steve the drink, (their cultural idiom) he was honoring him as a highly received visitor in front of all the others present. He also looked to be well in his 80”s and maybe even 90’s. Nanping city life and a tour through the “meat market” (the American youth—and Chinese loved this part).
Back in Hong Kong, the teams cleaned for a Charity distribution center, taught more English camps, and ministered in Hong Kong Churches.
Many dear friends were made and email addresses exchanged with Chinese and Americans. And, of course, at the end of every time of befriending, comes the time for goodbyes. The whole second group on their last day visiting Hong Kong. Thank you partners for all you do! We love and appreciate you for enabling us to serve the Chinese!!! Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are here as an extension of you!!!
And all from Fischer Family Ministries |
