Greetings from Korea! Our time in Korea is coming to an end but before we go I want to share with you some of the things we have seen and learned here. God is so good and once again He has provided many opportunities to encourage and be encouraged.
We met with 20 former ISF students and met 26 of the 28 who will come to CSUEB in January, 2008. The new students were very thankful to learn about the ISF program and had many of their questions about CSUEB answered by former students who came to the meetings to assist us. Thank you to Jake, Eun Ji, Chang Hoon, JiYoon, Bomi, and Park for helping. Please pray that these new students will come to the ISF Friday meetings and have the opportunity to experience God's unconditional love.
One of our recent former students, Ji Won, attended Onnuri Church with us. She met Byoungki and Jun who also attend this mission focused church and was encouraged to get involved with the youth program. Please pray she will be mentored and her faith will continue to grow.
Another highlight was meeting with Pastor Ji, Director of ISF Korea, and his staff, Helen, Sean, Min Young, Eun Ju, and Ji Won. We learned more about ISF Korea and how they reach out to international students on many of their university campuses. Ju Yeon was also present at this meeting and as a result will begin helping the ISF group on Seoul National University campus next week. Please pray that the relationship which was planted last year will continue to grow and result in a community of believers who network and share resources with one another for the benefit of international students and God's glory.
We leave for home today with hearts full of thanksgiving and awe at all that God has done throughout this long journey. A special thank you to all who helped us along the way and especially to Lee Sun Tack and his beautiful wife Chung Yeol who made us feel so welcome here in Korea. We will never forget.
Until we meet again may God bless you,
Chris and Linda
Monday, October 8, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
More on China
After leaving Tim and Marilyn's we travelled to another large city in China to meet Moses and Vicky. They are Chinese Nationals who are reaching and discipling current students and students who have graduated from a major University. We spent 6 wonderful days with them and their various groups.
On Wednesday night we attended a book study for workers (students who have graduated). They are studying the Book of Acts so Jay led the study that night in chapters 10 and 11. After the study there were many questions about how to be transformed and how to cope with trials. It was a blessing to see how open and transparent these young people are and how they desire to grow in their faith.
During the next 6 days we attended many more book studies and group meetings both for students and workers. Moses and Vicky have 4 groups: 2 groups for workers and 2 groups of students (one for new believers and one for those who are more mature). They are also mentoring 4 or 5 young people, who have a desire to serve the Lord in ministry, to do what they do. This way the work can be done by many as they are grounded in their faith.
Moses and Vicky themselves would like to receive more theological training. Please pray that God will provide this for them.
We also met a young girl named Annie. She had plans to continue her education and become a doctor but after going on a short term mission trip to one of the "stan" countries God called her to return. She returned and spent 10 months sharing her faith in this Muslim country. She had again planned to come back and return to school but when we met her she was preparing to go back to serve for another year.
We were humbled by these people who have so little but want to give to help others. When we shared about the situation in the Ukraine their first response was, "How can we help?" Annie is a good example of how they live out their faith. After lunch she had an appointment to have her hair cut off so it could be used to make a wig for a girl in Canada who lost her hair due to chemotherapy.
We arrived in Korea 2 days ago and have already seen 7 former students. Today is Sunday and we will share our trip with the young people at Ju Yeon's church. Next week we have many more meetings scheduled with students and speaking at the 2 Universities. Please pray that God will use our time here to encourage these young people to devote themselves to the One who is worthy.
Sheng di zhu fu ni
Chris and Linda
On Wednesday night we attended a book study for workers (students who have graduated). They are studying the Book of Acts so Jay led the study that night in chapters 10 and 11. After the study there were many questions about how to be transformed and how to cope with trials. It was a blessing to see how open and transparent these young people are and how they desire to grow in their faith.
During the next 6 days we attended many more book studies and group meetings both for students and workers. Moses and Vicky have 4 groups: 2 groups for workers and 2 groups of students (one for new believers and one for those who are more mature). They are also mentoring 4 or 5 young people, who have a desire to serve the Lord in ministry, to do what they do. This way the work can be done by many as they are grounded in their faith.
Moses and Vicky themselves would like to receive more theological training. Please pray that God will provide this for them.
We also met a young girl named Annie. She had plans to continue her education and become a doctor but after going on a short term mission trip to one of the "stan" countries God called her to return. She returned and spent 10 months sharing her faith in this Muslim country. She had again planned to come back and return to school but when we met her she was preparing to go back to serve for another year.
We were humbled by these people who have so little but want to give to help others. When we shared about the situation in the Ukraine their first response was, "How can we help?" Annie is a good example of how they live out their faith. After lunch she had an appointment to have her hair cut off so it could be used to make a wig for a girl in Canada who lost her hair due to chemotherapy.
We arrived in Korea 2 days ago and have already seen 7 former students. Today is Sunday and we will share our trip with the young people at Ju Yeon's church. Next week we have many more meetings scheduled with students and speaking at the 2 Universities. Please pray that God will use our time here to encourage these young people to devote themselves to the One who is worthy.
Sheng di zhu fu ni
Chris and Linda
Sunday, September 16, 2007
China
We arrived in China Thursday afternoon after 18 hours of travel. Tim and Marilyn met us at the airport and took us to a hotel downtown. After a nap, we met again and went to a mid-week youth meeting at a 3 self church. I wish you all could have seen 800 young people lifting their hands praising God. We did not need to understand their words, our hearts were united in worship. That night we met a young student named "Shirley". She had recently asked Jesus to be her Lord. When we left the meeting I didn't see her again and was sad. But God is faithful and two days later Tim received a call from another person saying he and Shirley were at the bus stop nearby. Tim and I ran down to the bus stop to see "Shirley" and she had time to come back to the apartment with us and share more of her testimony. Please pray for this precious new believer.
The next day we took a taxi to Tim and Marilyn's and spent the day with them. That afternoon Jay arrived and we all had dinner together before returning to the hotel. It is quite an experience to cross the street in China. Dodging cars, motobikes, bicycles, and buses can make you feel like a sitting duck. I don't know how Marilyn does it with the two little ones.
Saturday they took us to a Lake that is frequented by tourists but we soon became the main attraction. It seemed everyone wanted a chance to talk and touch a white person. We met several Chinese brothers and sisters and were encouraged by them.
Saturday night several friends came to Tim and Marilyn's and we had a good time sharing our testimonies and encouraging one another. One of the girls was brought by a friend. She had recently arrived from V.N. and had not become a member of the family. As we talked and prayed for her, she made the decision to commit her life to Jesus. There was a lot of rejoicing here and in heaven.
Our time here is short but we have been blessed and we pray we have been a blessing to Tim and Marilyn and others we have met. Please continue to pray for us to stay heathly and get the rest we need.
Shang di zhu funi
The next day we took a taxi to Tim and Marilyn's and spent the day with them. That afternoon Jay arrived and we all had dinner together before returning to the hotel. It is quite an experience to cross the street in China. Dodging cars, motobikes, bicycles, and buses can make you feel like a sitting duck. I don't know how Marilyn does it with the two little ones.
Saturday they took us to a Lake that is frequented by tourists but we soon became the main attraction. It seemed everyone wanted a chance to talk and touch a white person. We met several Chinese brothers and sisters and were encouraged by them.
Saturday night several friends came to Tim and Marilyn's and we had a good time sharing our testimonies and encouraging one another. One of the girls was brought by a friend. She had recently arrived from V.N. and had not become a member of the family. As we talked and prayed for her, she made the decision to commit her life to Jesus. There was a lot of rejoicing here and in heaven.
Our time here is short but we have been blessed and we pray we have been a blessing to Tim and Marilyn and others we have met. Please continue to pray for us to stay heathly and get the rest we need.
Shang di zhu funi
Monday, September 10, 2007
Trip to Ukraine
Early Saturday morning we travelled to the Ukraine with Kati and another couple from the Reformed Church of Hungary. This proved to be an appointment arranged by God. Kati is the woman who has been going to the Ukraine with bibles and food for 25 years so she knows many people there and introduced us to many of her friends.
We visited and received a tour of the farm orphanage in Nagydobrony. This Christian orphanage is supported by the Reform Church from the Netherlands and is a self-supporting facility. The children here are well cared for by a staff that is employed by the church. Many of the children have special needs and may remain at this orphanage for the long term.
Later in the day we visited a home in Munkacs that was established 10 years ago. This home is also supported by the Reform Church. Here, 16 foster children are being raised by a woman and helpers. The youngest child is now 12 years old and these children have had an opportunity to learn life skills in order to be independent someday. All the children attend church and bible studay and some have received Jesus as Lord.
Then we met a wonderful man, Pastor Lyosh, who is 83 years old and still going strong. The brother was imprisoned in the gulag during the 1950's. He says, "I was arrested for preaching Christ to the youth and sent to prison. Now I am still preaching to the youth but the people who condemned me are nowhere around." He has planted a church among the gypsy people and is looking for donations to build a bathing facility at the church.
The next day we attended the Reform Church in Beregszasz and after met three of the men who established the Samuel Foundation. Linda and I both felt a heart connection with these men and feel they are doing much to end the suffering of the orphans in Ukraine. We had a 2 hour meeting with them and are excited to share their ministry with you when we return home.
The Director of the Samuel Foundation was able to arrange a tour of a State-run Orphanage nearby. The conditions were inhumane and bordered on cruelty. The children there have no personal space or possessions. We saw no clothing except for what they were wearing. The sewer seems to be permanently broken and the stench is awful. How can the human spirit survive this kind of treatment?
We are back at the Greathouses now writing down our thoughts and what we've seen and experienced so we can share more with you. Please continue to pray that God will reveal His will for the Ukraine.
We visited and received a tour of the farm orphanage in Nagydobrony. This Christian orphanage is supported by the Reform Church from the Netherlands and is a self-supporting facility. The children here are well cared for by a staff that is employed by the church. Many of the children have special needs and may remain at this orphanage for the long term.
Later in the day we visited a home in Munkacs that was established 10 years ago. This home is also supported by the Reform Church. Here, 16 foster children are being raised by a woman and helpers. The youngest child is now 12 years old and these children have had an opportunity to learn life skills in order to be independent someday. All the children attend church and bible studay and some have received Jesus as Lord.
Then we met a wonderful man, Pastor Lyosh, who is 83 years old and still going strong. The brother was imprisoned in the gulag during the 1950's. He says, "I was arrested for preaching Christ to the youth and sent to prison. Now I am still preaching to the youth but the people who condemned me are nowhere around." He has planted a church among the gypsy people and is looking for donations to build a bathing facility at the church.
The next day we attended the Reform Church in Beregszasz and after met three of the men who established the Samuel Foundation. Linda and I both felt a heart connection with these men and feel they are doing much to end the suffering of the orphans in Ukraine. We had a 2 hour meeting with them and are excited to share their ministry with you when we return home.
The Director of the Samuel Foundation was able to arrange a tour of a State-run Orphanage nearby. The conditions were inhumane and bordered on cruelty. The children there have no personal space or possessions. We saw no clothing except for what they were wearing. The sewer seems to be permanently broken and the stench is awful. How can the human spirit survive this kind of treatment?
We are back at the Greathouses now writing down our thoughts and what we've seen and experienced so we can share more with you. Please continue to pray that God will reveal His will for the Ukraine.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Debrecen with Rob and Carol
We arrived in Debrecen on Tuesday, Sept 4th with Carol Porter and Linda Marsic. This is a large city in Hungary near the Romanian border. The next morning we met with Pastor Bodi to discuss some of our questions regarding the Ukraine. It was an enlightening conversation but more was to come as Bodi arranged for us to meet Marti that evening at the coffeeshop.
Marti is a young woman who lived at the Dutch supported farm orphanage for a year and has intimate knowledge of the life of the orphan in the Ukraine. Marti is well acquainted with the history of the Ukraine because for 25 years her parents smuggled bibles and food through the border to the people there. As children, Marti and her sister, would pretend to be asleep in the backseat using their bodies to hide the contraband. She is a passionate young woman who shared her heart with us and gave us a lot of information to help in getting a clearer picture of the conditions and all the various social issues that continue to put young children in harms way.
Soon, we will travel to the Ukraine with Marti's mother, Kati. Kati will introduce us to many contacts she knows personally and who can further open our eyes to the plight of the orphans and possible ways to minister to them.
Our hearts are heavy after meeting with Marti. Some of what Marti shared with us are unspeakable abuses that are committed against the children in the Ukraine. Please pray God will direct our path and give us a vision for what He wants to do in the Ukraine.
Marti is a young woman who lived at the Dutch supported farm orphanage for a year and has intimate knowledge of the life of the orphan in the Ukraine. Marti is well acquainted with the history of the Ukraine because for 25 years her parents smuggled bibles and food through the border to the people there. As children, Marti and her sister, would pretend to be asleep in the backseat using their bodies to hide the contraband. She is a passionate young woman who shared her heart with us and gave us a lot of information to help in getting a clearer picture of the conditions and all the various social issues that continue to put young children in harms way.
Soon, we will travel to the Ukraine with Marti's mother, Kati. Kati will introduce us to many contacts she knows personally and who can further open our eyes to the plight of the orphans and possible ways to minister to them.
Our hearts are heavy after meeting with Marti. Some of what Marti shared with us are unspeakable abuses that are committed against the children in the Ukraine. Please pray God will direct our path and give us a vision for what He wants to do in the Ukraine.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Budapest
We have had a wonderful time in Budapest. The city is large but the transportation system is convenient and efficient. There are 3 Metro lines (underground subway), tram (like our trolley), and buses. No matter where you are in the city you are near one of these modes of transportation and the same ticket works for all three.
Our hotel is just what we needed to rest and recover from jet lag before we begin the work we came to do here. The hotel is near the Great Market Hall where you can get all types of meat, fish, produce, and souveniers. The cost of food is high. A 16ounce bottle of water is 300 forint (Hungarian currency). There is 183 forint to one dollar USD so that comes to $1.64.
They say you can poke a hole anywhere in the ground here and find hot water. The thermal baths are very popular. We went to the baths in City Park where young and old Hungarians enjoy taking the waters. There was also a sauna which we checked out. To our surprise 2 mature gentlemen were playing chess in the sauna!
Today we will meet Carol Porter and Linda Marsic and travel to Debrecen together with Carol Greathouse. Tonight we will meet with Pastor Bodi to begin the discussions and detail our schedule for the trip to Ukraine and remaining time in Hungary. We will keep you updated as often as possible.
God bless you,
Chris and Linda
Our hotel is just what we needed to rest and recover from jet lag before we begin the work we came to do here. The hotel is near the Great Market Hall where you can get all types of meat, fish, produce, and souveniers. The cost of food is high. A 16ounce bottle of water is 300 forint (Hungarian currency). There is 183 forint to one dollar USD so that comes to $1.64.
They say you can poke a hole anywhere in the ground here and find hot water. The thermal baths are very popular. We went to the baths in City Park where young and old Hungarians enjoy taking the waters. There was also a sauna which we checked out. To our surprise 2 mature gentlemen were playing chess in the sauna!
Today we will meet Carol Porter and Linda Marsic and travel to Debrecen together with Carol Greathouse. Tonight we will meet with Pastor Bodi to begin the discussions and detail our schedule for the trip to Ukraine and remaining time in Hungary. We will keep you updated as often as possible.
God bless you,
Chris and Linda
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
We Leave Tomorrow!
This is our blog that we are going to be updating throughout our trip around the world. We head to Hungary tomorrow and then we are off to Ukraine, China, and Korea. Keep Linda and I in your prayers! Thank you!
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