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.

Bibles for China

I don't know about you, but I regularly take for granted the blessings all around me --  whether that when I turn on the facet water comes out (not only that it flows, but that it is safe for me to drink), when I'm hungry I can either go the pantry, refrigerator, or store to find something to eat, or I'm tired and I go to sleep on my soft bed filled with pillows.

If you were to look around your bookshelves, how many Bibles would you see?  Probably more than entire villages in areas of the world where the Word is restricted and not easily available. 

Last October, when in China, I was in a meeting with a pastor, a government official, and others.  The topic of a new rural church which the current church is building came up.  When we asked the government official (who usually we do not have much interaction with and who has the ability to send us out of the country if we say something incorrect about our intentions regarding faith activities) if we could help purchase Bibles for those who would be attending the new church, many of whom are poor and could not afford to buy one on their own, he said, "Sure.  No problem."

Recently a friend of mine, who is living and serving full time in China passed through town while home for a summer break.  Into the Field was able to give her money which she has now taken back with her and will go to the church where she will work with the pastor to make the purchase and get the Bibles into the hands of those who need them.  What an amazing opportunity to be able to help provide the Word to those who crave and deeply desire it!

Passion into Purpose

I had the opportunity to write a brief article for Connections magazine (printed by Sola Publishing) which scratches the surface in telling my story and thoughts about "Passion into Purpose: God's Gifts Becoming His Impact."

If you'd like to read it, click here.

Do you have thoughts or your own story to share? I'd love to hear it!

Caution Re-Entry!

Before moving to serve full time in Haiti, Pastor Dave Mann used to meet with mission teams as they were preparing to depart and shared with them a message he titled, "Caution Re-Entry!".  He warned these good hearted servants that while out in the field they would have life altering experiences and when they returned, at the first opportunity, they would want to explode on and share every minute detail with anyone who would inquire about their trip.

"Be prepared, " he would caution, "to give 30 second, 1 minute, 5 minute, or longer responses depending on the engagement of the listener to what you are sharing."

Well...I've just returned from another incredible trip to China and I wonder how I can do anything less than share about each of the precious children that I met at Shepherd's Field Village.  How can I not want everyone to know about:

The always smiling Elizabeth who I don't think realizes that some people would try to put limits on what she can do.  She has no use of her legs, but that doesn't stop her from jumping up and climbing the jungle gym only to summons me for a photo; or from racing across the sandbox on her hands so that she can get dizzy with the other kids on the spinner.

Or what about Josiah who is ALL BOY and reminds me of my nephews.  He loves to run and wrestle and play in the dirt, but he also loves to cuddle, hold hands, and has a smile that could melt even the most frozen of hearts.  Whenever I would enter the dining room at lunch time he would come, take my hand, and escort me to a seat at his table.  He is a tender-hearted warrior who is on the look-out for the good of others.

And sweet Cody who is smiley and sweet and loves to put on a show.  I have a great video of Cody singing "the wheels on the bus" to me.  He is holding a wheelbarrow in his hands while singing it.  When he comes to his favorite verse, he drops the wheelbarrow so that he can use his hands to mimic the "beep beep beep" that the horn on the bus makes.  Open your arms and he will run full speed to jump into them.

Don't let the sunglasses and silk dress fool you, Joy is more than a pretty face - she has a plan and she will make it happen.  Her friends eating too slow, no problem, she'll pick up their bowl and feed them.  Someone on the playground not being nice, she'll karate-chop them.  A little one with a tear in their eye, she'll give them a big hug.

And to be able to play "secret agent" for the families of Perry and Haley who are anxiously waiting for them to come to their forever families...not so stealthily taking pictures and videos and sharing them with those who long to have them home.  While I have been told that I was a gift to them, it is really I who received the blessing.  To be able to hug, play with, pray for, and "talk" (I put in quotes because neither of us truly spoke the other's language) with these special kids and to know how much they are already loved and missed, was precious to me. 

I can't wait to hear about more of these little ones who are going home with their families.  Until they do, I rest in the knowledge that those who serve and lead Shepherd's Field Village are doing so with a love for them that is exceeded only by that of their Heavenly Father.  It was with tears in my eyes that I left, and eagerness in my heart that I will return.

This Morning at Church in China...

"O Lord, my God, may your gospel be spread freely across China...We pray for those in the midst of crisis and disaster, may they turn to you for peace, grace, comfort, and strength."

This is how the pastor at Beijing Chongwenment Christian Church began her prayer this morning.  The topic of her sermon, "Being a Good Server of Jesus Christ."  One of the key scriptures, Matthew 28: 16-20:

"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Quick look around, I'm in China, right?

The sermon which she preached this morning was fantastic.  She was on a roll and definitely putting forth a call-to-action to her congregation.  Following are some excerpts (I had my notebook out and was writting quickly as the translator spoke through my headset) that I want to share:

"Surely we know that Jesus is the head of the Church.  The greater the position, the great the leader, the great the servant one should be.

This makes some uncomfortable because many want to be a leader, be the head, because they want more to serve them.  this is contrary to God's will.  If you have a realtionship

We do this not because the Lord needs us, He is all powerful and can do it without us, but as His children and a part of his family, we must participate in family affairs and care for one another.

We are not to be capable at all things.  If this was the case, we would not need the family, we could be independent.  We all have role to play.  You should participate; youshould be engaged; you should be welcoming to others and make them feel welcome in the family.

Wherever you are, you are part of this family.  We should take the active role of going out and serving others.

In Matthew it says that when you have shared food or clothing or shelter with another, you have done it for Him.  It is easy to forget somethimes that serving others is serving God.  In 1 john, the scripture says that if you cannot love your brothers and sisters who you can see, how can you love God who yuou cannot see?  Therefore there is a direct relationship between loving God and loving others; serving God and serving others.

Love people based on your love of God.  If God is in your heart, there is room for others.  We are all created in the image of God.  Therefore, we are called to love all - not just those we deem credible.

Jesus is the example for us to follow.  We may not be able to do all of the same things as Jesus - we may not be able to open the eyes of a blind man - but he should be our motivation, our example to follow.

The purpose of Jesus' life can be summarized in 2 words: 1) serve; and 2) salvation.

Serve with humility - he entered with humility (born in a stable); served in humility (washed feet and loved the unlovable); and died in humility on the cross.  

Right now he is seated at the right hand of God pleading on our behalf until his return.

Some think that they must do something big to be for God, but anything done with the love and intention of God - even if we thing it is insignificant - is good, beautiful, and significant in the eyes of the Lord.

We should serve with our hears and our souls.  We should follow the Holy Spirit.  he will show how and where He directs.

God is God.  Man is man.  We need to remember that.  He is not our servant.  We are to serve Him." 

We attended the 2nd of 4 services being held today.  Here is a photo of some of those lining up to enter the 3rd service through the back door as we came out the front.

 
May her prayer and call-to-action come to be!

On Their Time

Nobody likes to be rejected.  We all want to be accepted each and every time that we reach out in an effort to connect with another person.  Unfortunately that desire for connection is not always reciprocated.  We then have two choices: 1) give up; or 2) continue to make ourselves available so that when the individual is ready, we are there and waiting.

Meet my friend Noel.  Noel has CP and gets around either in her wheel chair or by dragging her body awkwardly behind her when on the floor in her home.  When we first met she wouldn't look at me or have anything to do with me.  Slowly she played legos with me.  Then, another day, we sat next to each other outside under a tree.  Today we started playing a tickle game.  She just laughed and laughed and laughed.  All I have to do now is wiggle my fingers and she starts to giggle and scrunches up in a ball.  Earlier, I was probably 30 feet away and I looked over to see her looking at me.  I waved and she waved back with a big smile.  I have broken through and now have a special friend.  On her time.

Are there other people with whom you have tried unsuccessfully to connect?  If your heart is right, you are patient and persistent, you may eventually have the result you desire.  Jesus has that desire to connect with you.  He is willing to be persistent in His pursuit of you.  Are you willing to allow Him to break through and be your friend?  He is willing.  On your time.

What's your story?

Everyone has a story...it tells where they've come from and helps to give insight into why they are the way they are.

For those of us who grew up in happy, healthy families, our stories are known and shared by those who love us.  There is continuity to our story.  There are people who help us remember them when we forget.

For those who have been abandoned by their families, their stories must be uncovered bit by bit.  Some pieces may never known. 

Brent was stolen as a baby.  And then he was abandoned.  Nobody knows who or where his family is.  However, because he does have a family, somewhere, who might someday come looking for him, he is not able to be adopted and will likely live out his life at Shepherd's Field Village (SFV).  He has joy, he has spunk, and a twinkle in his eye. More than 24 hours after creating his "Prince's Crown", he is still wearing it everywhere he goes.

Grady is 16, has scoliosis, and is physically bound by his wheelchair.  He has been at SFV for 4 years.  There is a family who wanted to adopt him and began the process.  Unfortunately, because of a paperwork hangup (not at SFV), he turned 14 before it was finalized.  According to China law, once a child is 14, he is no longer eligible to be adopted.  Period.  His would-be adoptive family (as well as Grady) was heart broken, and continues to assert that they have 5 kids - but 1 lives in China.  Grady has amazing English skills, a great sense of humor, a love of magic, refers to himself as Grady Houdini and has the dream of being an interpreter.   He has a generous heart and he is often seen sharing his candy and other special treasures with friends new and old.  His story has taken some twists and turns, has had some dark chapters, but we know that it will have a remarkable ending and can't wait to see what it will be.

The story that is often forgotten in the midst of human struggle, but is the most important one, is that there was this man named Jesus who was God's son, and who came to earth just for us.  His was a story that had twists and turns, happy and sad days.  But one that ended in victory.  Because of him and his life that he gave up on the cross, if we love and accept him, we have the ability to be a part of HIS forever family.  One where love knows no bounds, where everyone has brothers and sisters, and a Father who loves unconditionally. 

The the initial chapters of your story have already been written, but its ending is yet to be created.  Regardless of what has already happened, how will you bring it to closure?    What will your story be?

Princes & Princesses of The King

If I was in church at home this Sunday, I would be hearing Pastor Eric preach about Acts 2 and the work of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.  Knowing that that was the text that he was going to be preaching on while I was gone, I spent some time reading it yesterday morning so that while I'm not there, I would still stay connected.

Today is my first full day at Shepherd's Field Children's Village in China.  It is an amazing place led by some amazing people, who have a heart for the Lord and for serving orphaned children who have a wide (and in come cases serious) array of physical and developmental challenges.

If you've ever spent time doing cross-cultural missions and ministry, you know that sometimes communication can be challenging...you use words, you use smiles, you use gestures, and sometimes, as a last resort (which really should be the first resort) you put it in God's hands to help the message get across.

This morning had the potential for chaos - and briefly it was.  I went to one of the children's houses (here at "the village", the children live in 5 different houses) armed with foam crowns and stick-on jewels (some of which, as would be expected, ended up not on the crowns but stuck to their faces).  My message to the kids was that because they are God's children, and He is the King of Kings, that they are Princes and Princesses.  Once everyone got the color they wanted and the jewels which had been flung into the air by one of my very excited little friends had come to rest, I felt it was like in Acts 2:7-8, "Utterly amazed, they asked: 'Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it  that each of us hears them in his own native language?'"  My Chinese language skills are nominal at best.  Some of the kids have a few English words in their vocabulary.  Yet somehow we were able to connect, communicate, and share some special time together.

I guess that when your heart and intentions are right, and you've placed your work in God's hands, the message that you're desiring to share can be heard regardless of the language that you speak. 

Here are a few of the Princes and Princesses:

Through Their Eyes

One of the things that I love about international and cross-cultural ministry is the opportunity to see life and faith through the eyes of those with which I'm spending time.

Sometimes it is a look of confusion when a common-to-us term is used and I have to try and translate or explain it; sometimes it is a twinkle in an eye when there is understanding; or a grin of success when a joke or a tease is done in a second language.

I frequently have Chinese students join me at church.   Some have faith, others don't.  I'm always curious as to what they think, what they understood, what they "take away" from their time there.

For Easter my parents and I had four students join us at church and then go back to Mom & Dad's for brunch.  As is typical, Dad made jokes that earned him some courtesy laughs - "the girls" didn't really "get" some of what he was trying to say, but being respectful they smiled anyways.  When asked what they thought about the service, one answered, "I really liked it.  I liked how the pastor shared the whole story.  I had never heard it before."  (If you want to hear the sermon by Pastor Eric Waters, you can click here.)

As we spoke more about it, they shared that they are starting to hear more and more from their friends (who are still in China and attending university there) about their faith and becoming Christians.  They have been emailing and chatting and having their beliefs opened to new things.

Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to another country to experience another culture firsthand, but everyone does have the opportunity to find someone from another country living here, and experience it firsthand with them.  You might be surprised what you see when you look through their eyes!

Life as a Recovering A-Type Personality

"The greater truth is that when God disrupts our plans, He maybe trying to accomplish His plans that are far better. They are far more fulfilling plans in which He calls us to become participants and not mere observers."

I jotted this down a couple of months ago (and forgot, unfortunately, to also write down where I heard/read it...so my apologies to the original source!) because it really resonated with me. 

Anyone who has spent more than a couple of minutes with me knows that I usually have already formed a plan in my mind as to how I'd like to do something/see something done, where I'd like to go, etc.  I love to collaborate with others, but I usually have a sense for what I'd like to see happen. 

God likes to remind me, however, that I'm not the one in control.  That it is His plan, not mine, which will come to pass.  This can be frustrating.  I, like most Americans, want it my way, and I want it when I want it.  I'm doing better than in the past.  I'm more flexible than I once was.  I am better able to adjust to spontaneous change of plans (like having a truck driver delivering pallet of toys to my office tell me that not only will the pallet not fit through our door, but he can't get his super-sized truck in our parking lot, is parked with blinkers on busy Bethel Rd, and results in us re-routing the delivery to my garage where we by hand unloaded and stacked the pallet in my a-typically empty space).

He and I are in the middle of a tug-of-war right now regarding my June trip to China.  I have a plan.  He does, too, and they're not completely in-sync.  I'm sure that at the end of June, when I look back at how this trip and team came together and served, that I will see a plan and result far superior to what I could have orchestrated on my own.  In the meantime, I'll do what I usually do and dig my heels in, pretend I'm in charge, and then let go and let it happen as He intended the entire time.

Mission and Ministry vs. Legacy and Ego

One of the things which drives me crazy is people who say that they're doing something in the name of their faith, but really, they're doing it so that people will remember them and their name.

Don't get me wrong.  I don't think that there is anything wrong with wanting to leave a legacy, to making an impact.  To me, the wrong comes with the motivation.  I hope that when I get to heaven that I will hear God say, "well done my good and faithful servant."

I was once involved with an organization that had an amazing story.  It's rich history, heritage, impact, and initial motivation was fantastic.  But then things started to change.  Discussions around the table went from being about "how are the lives of the people that we're serving better because we're here", to "how can we capture the history of how we've served so that people will know that we were here".  The focus - in my opinion - shifted from an impact on many individual lives, to a monument of specific lives.  From mission and ministry to legacy and ego.

If you believe, as I do, that we're called to serve and strive to make an eternal impact on the lives of others, then you know it isn't at all about you or me.  That to really serve, to really humble yourself, you can't do it by yourself.  But when you keep your eyes on the mission and ministry, and the One who you are serving, anything is possible.  It isn't about applying human metrics (which in many cases are important to track), but rather remembering God's metrics which are beyond our measurement.  It isn't about who gets the credit, creating something new, or doing it "our way".  It should be about why and for whom we're doing it.

I recently started receiving daily email messages from John Maxwell called his "A Minute with Maxwell" (you can sign up to receive these FREE!).  In these video messages, he spends one minute giving his thoughts on a particular word, ranging from wisdom to hope to success and everything in between.  Today's message was on legacy.  You can listen to it here.  He says a couple of things that I want you to consider:

• We can decide today what we want people to say about us tomorrow.
• Start today to create your legacy.
• Visualize your legacy tomorrow, value it today.

What kind of legacy do you want to leave?  Do you want it to be one built of brick and mortar?  One with a plaque on the wall?  Or do you want it to be one of lives touched and blessed and written on the hearts of those who tell of it?

Go! Bless! Be Blessed!

Walking down the street I realized that suddenly all around me had gotten eerily quiet – a strange sensation when on a major street with hundreds of people within eyesight... But that’s sometimes what happens when you travel to another country, where you look – and sound - nothing like those whom you have come to serve. That first trip to rural China was filled with many unexpected experiences, curious looks, special smiles from new little friends, and a pull on my heart which hasn’t stopped and will take me back for my 5th trip this June.

Each time I go and return again, I am reminded how incredibly blessed we are; we have freedoms to live where we want to live; pursue the jobs we want to pursue; have brothers, sisters, and families of all sizes and shapes; go to the schools we want to attend; worship where, how, when, and with whom we desire. While each of us has changes we’d like to see in our lives, our jobs, our government – few (if any) places and people on earth are as blessed as we are.

June 9-21, I will lead a team for chinaconnect to a special place – a Christian orphanage which cares for the most special of orphans: those who, because of their special needs have been abandoned by their families and are not able to be cared for by other “regular” orphanages. We will hold, love on, care for, and serve these children and those who care for them.

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” It is a long way to go, but will you join me as we go to them and share some of His and our blessings? For more information, or to say, “Count me in!” contact me.

Loving and Serving the Least

January is a time when many people pause, take stock of their lives, and make adjustments to get them heading down the right (or a different) track. February is close on January’s heels. For my family, February mean’s birthdays. My sister’s and I flip years on the 1st, 4th, and 5th (yes, I’ll be joining those in the “Fabulous 40” club this year). Growing up, the first week of February was always a time of family, fun, and celebration. Many look forward to the 14th – to Valentine’s Day and the celebration of love (personally, I’ve always wondered why people have to wait until a designated day to let those they love know it). In China, February brings their New Year - a time when people leave the far corners of the country to return to their families.

In June (9-21), I will be leading a team for chinaconnect to a special place. Shepherd’s Field Village (SFV) in China welcomes those orphans whose special needs (physical and developmental) can’t be handled by other orphanages. They provide the love and care to help these kids live and grow to the best of their abilities; SFV surrounds them with the brothers and sisters that they never had and provides them with a family they never knew. They celebrate when any of their children leave from SFV to find “forever families” in the US and around the world.

I have found that often those whom the world deems to be worth the least have the most to give (and to teach). I was reminded by several young orphans in Ukraine that in the midst of darkness joy can be found in simple things – like an orange balloon.

My church is spending the first 10 weeks of 2011 studying Matthew and the Great Commission. This past Sunday, Pastor Eric (click here to listen) spent time talking about Matthew 25, “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’ And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’” (v 37-40). He continues in vs. 45 “Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’”

We know that Christ had a special place in His heart for children. Will you join me as I go to help care for some of the least? For more info (or to say YES!), please email me.