TAKE A PEEK

Most of the things I share are about our ministry and the people whom God has brought into our lives.  BUT this week is a bit different.  We just left Texas and have arrived in Alaska where our daughter,  Lori,  and her family live.

We love visiting with Lori and Josh.  AND of course we are more than thrilled to spend time with our grandchildren:  Michelle (9), Jude (7), Seth (5), Levi (3) and Luke (1). We are always ready for adventures when we visit this beautiful part of America.

Watching them fish (we’re not residents, so it’s not allowed for us to fish salmon in this way), reading books, swimming, eating together, playing, going for walks or whatever . . . is always good for us.

Ministry is something we always share with you, but we have definitely been blessed as a family.  God blessed us with three children of our own:  Lisa, Jonathan and Lori.  And he in turn blessed us with very special spouses for each of them:  Rhett, Pam and Josh.  And of course the sweet gifts of our 7 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. (Michelle’s twin, Amelia, passed away at 2 months of age).

All of life is sacred, whether spending it with family, friends or in ministry reaching out to others. God has given us this opportunity to love on and help shape these precious lives, and we take it very seriously.

So this week is FAMILY, and we have looked forward to the trip for some time. May God also bless your FAMILY in every way.  Enjoy the photos and the summer. More to come next week.

 

 

 

 

A FAMILY ON MISSION

Christian Mountain Children’s Home also known as Liouguei Orphanage, was founded by the pastor couple, Yang Xu and Lin Feng-Ying in 1970. The orphanage takes in children from families who have suffered major accidents and couldn’t afford to raise the children. Some are abandoned children and others are victims of abuse.

Christian Mountain’s Children’s Home is also famous for developing foot painter,  Grace Yang ( Yang En-Tian), who had no hands due to a congenital defect. Grace was found abandoned in a market right after her birth. She overcame her disability and learned to write and paint with her toes. She was adopted by the Yang family, and is now happily married and has a son and daughter.

To tour this HOME is a blessing.  The children are so gracious and the orphanage does everything they can to provide proper education, life training, skill development, etc. to help these children grow into beautiful adults. We are always very touched.

The HOME also has a choir that tours throughout the world. They are well trained and have such touching voices. One of the songs that they often sing has the following words:

Title: The invisible hand.  Click to listen.

Lyrics
Even though I can’t see you 
nor to touch you.
But I know well.
you are whispering to me.
O, Lord Jesus, O, Lord Jesus….
I know full well.You are here right now with me.
It’s your hands.
Nail-pierced hands.
Comforting me and my broken heart.
It’s your voice which is full of gentle words.
They refill my thirst, that inner- most thirst in my mind.
 

The founders, Pastor and Mrs. Yang, both passed away in 2013. We shared video and photos at that time from their life celebration service. Their son, Pastor Joseph Yang and his wife now direct the ministry. They are also surrounded with wonderful co-workers who serve there as well. Joseph has been challenged with a number of illnesses in recent years. Pray with us for their leadership, for Joseph’s health, for the children at the home to grow up to be healthy in every way. Pray that all of the needs for this orphanage would be met and would continue to bring glory to God.

WORTH THE EFFORT

Recently we asked you to pray for a training for SE Asia workers who would be using Praise Dancing Exercises for ministry in their communities.  This is such a great way to connect with community neighbors. It’s fun, exhilarating and so meaningful. It’s just another way to love on people and tell them about Jesus.

Well, the next training will be held on June 8th.  Join us in prayer as we support these ministry partners in SE Asia.  You know the saying, “Anything worth doing is worth doing right”, and this definitely applies here.  Leaders must be prepared.

I love to hear the stories of how people connect.  One friend who is using these Praise Dance Exercises, also incorporates numerous other ideas in ministry as well.  She shared that she mobilized a  friend who is a hair stylist to go out with her to provide free haircuts for senior adults who had financial challenges.  Well, they had a slew of people who connected with them.  I asked her if she cut hair too. She told me that she never had before, but that day she just knew God directed her fingers as she trimmed hair.  She said that they turned out great — they were very happy customers! She had me laughing with hysteria as she shared her life experiences.  She wasn’t trying to be funny, but sometimes life just turns and twists that way and provides us with some real chuckles.

Why would someone even take the chance of cutting someone else’s hair?  Well, her life is a beautiful story of how God provided for her and her family following her husband’s death.  As a new believer, her church took her in, and she had the FAITH to open a catering business, but didn’t know ANYTHING about cooking.  Pretty amazing!  Oh, she has so many stories of how God has graciously led her through challenges and struggles.  So for her, ALL of this — the haircuts, exercises, etc. — are all WORTH THE EFFORT to introduce people to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Hey, he promises an abundant life even with all the twists and turns that come our way.

So join with us and PRAY for the next Praise Dance Exercise training on June 8th.  Pray for people in surrounding communities to have open hearts.  Pray for courage, strength and wisdom for the leaders as they train.  AND pray that all glory and honor will go to our Lord.

Thanks for traveling with us.  It’s WORTH THE EFFORT! We send out our love to all.