We are nearing the end of our fifth year of teaching at the A___ C___School here in N___! The school year in China generally runs from September through June, with only a two-month summer break because of the long Chinese New Year holiday taken in February. It was a blessing for us to see two of our students this year give a testimony of making a personal choice to receive Jesus as their Saviour due to some of the teaching and influence of our Bible classes and then to have them ask us to help them follow Him in believer’s baptism! Praise God! “. . . Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)

Recently, we also had the privilege to help a young couple going through a very difficult time in their marriage. The husband was saved 1½ years ago, and we have been praying diligently for his wife to trust Christ also. She has attended a handful of church services with him over the past year, but that was about the extent of her interest. However, a few weeks ago, she contacted us and said her marriage was in trouble, and she realized only God could help her! She very sweetly received Christ, asked for baptism immediately afterwards, and has been coming faithfully to our services since. Through many hours of counseling and the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, it seems that their marriage is going to be saved also! Hallelujah! “. . . all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Because the M___ family is now back in the States, seeking treatment for S___’s back issues, and because we are also headed back for a while to visit family and meet our soon-to-be-born second granddaughter, we have been working hard to fill in the gaps while we are gone. The last time both our families left N___ at the same time was two years ago; we had to combine our English and Chinese meetings into one and had very few folks to help out at the time because our church was so young. Even so, the attendance grew in our absence! However, we are happy to report that we are going to be able to keep both services running, as well as our two prayer meetings, while we are out of the country. Several of our folks have stepped up and been willing to take over many of the duties for us. It is exciting for us to see the growth in many of the Lord’s sheep, not only spiritually but also in their work for Him. We are so thankful for the wonderful, caring people of the Lord’s church here! “. . . And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?” (I Chronicles 29:5)

Each time we prepare to return to the States for a short furlough, God is always so good to encourage us and remind us that this is HIS work, and He will continue to build His church (Matthew 16:18). In just the last couple of weeks, not only have we seen the wife mentioned earlier get baptized but also two other folks. One was a local college student named J___, who was saved about four months ago. He has been postponing his baptism only because his mother felt he needed to study more about it before making that decision. However, he finally realized he needed to go ahead and make that important step in his Christian walk and was baptized last Sunday! Afterwards he stated, “I’m so glad I went ahead and did that! I should have done it months ago!”

Thank you all again for your support and prayers on our behalf and on behalf of the Lord’s work continuing here in N___, China! Please continue to be in prayer for the M___s as they seek answers to their medical concerns, for our church folks’ ongoing pursuit of a closer relationship with our Saviour, and for wisdom as we look to the future of the work God has called us to do here. May God bless you all!

M6009 Family