Merry Christmas 2011!

Partnering to Increase Kingdom Impact

There are a lot of great people - and ministries - doing a lot of great work.  But to me, it is so exciting when they're able to link arms to serve together - in planned and unplanned ways.  When that happens, I believe that our impact not only increases, but God smiles because He sees His people working and serving together.

The terms "partner", "partnering", and "partnership" are thrown around in many different contexts and usually are thought of as being something formal and requiring of agreements, documents, and/or contracts.  But it doesn't have to be that way at all.  Really these are all different ways of saying that people are coming together.  And while many times formality is required, more times than not, it isn't.

I'd like to share one such example, and one which brings a smile to my heart and which so perfectly illustrates some of what motivates me and Into the Field.

My family is involved with a great ministry on Ohio State's campus - International Friendships - which serves the thousands of international students which come to study each year.  Our student this fall, wasn't actually supposed to be ours, but rather that of our friends who had a conflict and asked if we could help.  We have "adopted" Fei into our family.  She joins us each Sunday, asks lots of great questions, comes along with us to local ministry and service opportunities, and is experiencing many new things and family traditions (in the photo she is making mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving).

Understandably many of our conversations have revolved around the work that I do in China.  We have spent many hours looking at pictures from my trips and talking about the impact that can be made when people reach out to serve others.  I recently took her to the airport so that she could fly home to Beijing for part of her winter break.  With her went a big box of sweaters and blankets which had been knitted and made by people with a heart for orphans.  As God would have it, in all of China, she lives only 20 minutes from my dear friend, David, who works and serves with me and others through chinaconnect. 

On Tuesday, David and his daughter (who will be coming to study next year in the US), picked Fei up and together the three of them delivered the box of treasures to two special needs foster home/orphanages with which I serve and partner - Agape and Shepherd's Field Children's Village.  As you can see from the smiles on their faces, it was a meaningful time.  David's daughter has already emailed me several times with updates on their activities and thanked me for bringing Fei into their lives.

In addition to the sweaters and blankets, Fei was able to take some small gifts of US treats which David is helping to deliver to other friends who are living and serving in China.

David's daughter volunteers with an organization (which happens to be just a couple of minutes from Fei's home...are you surprised?  I'm not.).  This organization serves children of migrant workers.  On Wednesday, the two new friends went to volunteer some time there.  I look forward to hearing back their report.   

None of the above was scripted or planned out in advance by us.  But look at what has happened when those who seek to serve come together!  Seeds of love and service that get planted and nurtured grow and more lives than we will ever have the opportunity to know are impacted.

Oh...Fei has also announced to her family that when she returns to Beijing in June, she won't be with them the first week...she'll be with me...serving others...God is good...

In the Moment with Grady

One of the things that I love about Chinese Christians is their beautiful faith.  I love to worship with them.  Unlike many of us in the United States, when they sing, their focus is on who they are singing TO, not who they are singing WITH.

As you listen to Grady's rendition of "Our God is an Awesome God", pay attention to the passion in his voice.  He is in the moment and so is his Father.

Click here to read more about Grady and the stories of some of his friends.

I just learned the very exciting news that the $45,000 that was needed for his spine surgery (all options were searched...in the US it would have been in excess of $1,000,000) has been raised!  God is Good!  Please pray for the surgeon and those who will use their expertise to care for him, that a bed will open in the hospital for him, that the surgery goes smoothly, that he stays clear of infection, and his 5-7 weeks in the hospital are uneventful.  I can't wait to see the way that God is going to use this great kid!

I am thankful for the blessing of Grady in the lives of all who have the privilege of meeting him!

If you would like to learn more about Grady or travel with Into the Field to China (June 14-26, 2012!) where we will be serving him and others, send us an email!  We would love to have you join us!

The Price of a Princess

Last night I, along with about 250 of my closest girlfriends at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, had the opportunity to be blessed by the message and ministry of Jennifer Beckham.

Like most little girls, Jennifer had the dream of being a Princess.  Unlike most little girls, her dream came true.  She lived the fairytale life of a Disney Princess.  While beautiful in many ways, also held unanticipated realities.  What is the price to maintain the illusion of perfection?  Do you dare share any of your scars?  Will you ever be enough?  In a stadium, in Tokyo, she discovered the truth.

Jennifer's message is a powerful reminder that so much of life is a matter of perspective.  Our world is full of people, places, and things who want to tell us that we're not good enough, that we're not pretty enough, that we're just not enough.

Throughout our time together, she reiterated that we have to be careful because often the lies which we are told are laced with just enough truth that they are difficult to see for what they are.  We were created in the image of God and are HIS princesses.  Any "flaws" that we have are intended and put as a part of who we are for a purpose.

Who is speaking to you and changing your perspective away from that of God?  Who or what is the voice that is telling you that you are anything less than a precious child of God?  Who told you that you're not all that God intended for you to be?

Because you are.  You are His Princess.  You are His Child.  You are Enough.  You are all that God intended you to be.  No matter who is speaking lies into your life, remember that you are His.  And that is enough.