" The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." ~Zephaniah 3:17
This is the verse that we printed in Chinese and attached to each cookie we gave out this Chinese New Year. We really felt a sense of God's assurance that He is mighty to save the people of Hong Kong, and that He delights and rejoices in them.
THANK YOU so much for praying for our outreach this past week, we really appreciate those of you who stand with us, asking God's Spirit to move. We believe that "the effective prayer of a righteous man (or woman) can accomplish much." Although we cannot see the full effects of our prayers and outreach at this time, we have faith that God is working and that He is drawing the people of our village to Himself.
We were able to connect with many children and some of their parents as we gave out balloon animals, painted faces and hands, and gave out cookies. The second night of the festival we also brought a child-sized basketball hoop and let the kids line up to shoot baskets. Everything was a huge hit! It was so fun to play with the kids and we saw many of the same people that we had talked to last year. It was great to be a part of our village culture, and to show that we cared for our neighbors. Please pray that the relationships that have been started through our outreach will grow and that God's presence would be evident in us, drawing them to Jesus.
Caleb and Gracie did a great job handing out the cookies. They each held a basket and handed a cookie to each child that came to our table. In all, they gave out almost 100 cookies!
The village festival had a few different meanings behind it. It was the last two days of Chinese New Year, so they were celebrating the end of the most important Chinese holiday. It is also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day; traditionally it was the only day of the year that girls could propose to boys (and only during a leap year). Also, our village was celebrating the birthday of an ancestor who became famous for predicting the weather. Over time after his death, he has become become one of their gods and is worshiped. So the party was held just outside the most prominent temple, with the idol within viewing distance of the stage where the pop singers were singing. Over those two days, spiritual activity was very high, with offerings of entire roasted pigs to the idols, and the lion dancers going to the temples and houses bringing "good luck" to the village.
Living in our village is a very real reminder that many people still believe that idols have some power to protect or provide for them. There is a temple right next door to our apartment building, and every day there are offerings of incense and various foods to the false gods. Please pray with us that the people of our village will see that the true God of Heaven is the only One who can save them and give them what they really need. He is the only one with true power, and the only One who truly loves them.
THANK YOU! Click here to see pictures of the outreach and Chinese New Year.
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