Hi friends & happy Tomb Sweeping Day!
This is a national holiday here, which is so significant that college students get 3 days off so they can… sweep tombs? Actually, it’s more like ancestral worship & veneration. This holiday is a little silly for Americans but the culture here is built around family, tradition, and ancestors. While trying to walk down the street, I see people bowing down to pictures of their ancestors and burning incense. I guess people are having fun and enjoying the festivities.
These past 2 weeks my focus hasn’t been sharing but rather consolidating those guys who have joined the family but haven’t been plugged in. I’m excited to say that they’re gonna be joining a training group, which is a Bible study where they read and grow in fellowship with other believers. Our 4 guys are named Su, Isaiah, Jerry, and Chen. Please be praying for these guys — they are very close to our hearts and we really want them to be “rooted & firmly established” in the Word.
Now that they are getting plugged in, we’re gonna head back to campus and spend the last 2 months here going all out praying and doing ministry. It’s exciting that I’ll be home next month. I really can’t wait to see all my family and friends again!
One thing that has been heavy on my heart as the return date approaches is what happens next. I’ve been offered a position as a long-term worker here but that requires me to sign a 3-year commitment that begins this June. What that means is I’ll be in the U.S. doing support raising & receiving more training until January 2018 then I’ll spend the next 2 1/2 years here. This is a huge decision and the deadline for coming on board is approaching. Please be praying for me as I seek God’s counsel on this. I will say this about it: It’s my heart to come back and I’m gonna move forward in it unless or until He closes the door.