Global Health Engagement 2018 – Team China CHS Update #4
Qinhuangdao— A good friend from home told me, “God’s time is all the time.” Even with some changes to the ending of our trip, we are thankful for the time we had, to play with God’s children and be invited into the lives of others. Though we aren’t sure who will ‘sow’ or when it’ll happen it is comforting to know that God is reaping ALL THE TIME! His time is not bound by governments, peoples, or anything at all. All glory to God!
For the past two days we’ve explored various parts of the Great Wall, shared homemade peanut brittle, and told stories with funny uncle, strange cousin, sweet nama, little gracie and hannah; Our time in Qinhuangdao felt like time with family. It was wonderful and the church showered their love over us in the form of home-cooked dumplings, a plethora of Chinese snacks, and a hot pot dinner in their own restaurant. The church is not a building, WE are the church!!
One teammate said “Joy is a universal language” (Flor). This could not be more true. We have shared so many moments with locals whom we cannot use English to communicate with, but we communicate nonetheless, through food, smiles, and a mutual appreciation for one another. This has been beautiful to see.
After sweating up The Great Wall “ladder” today and savoring another delicious dumpling-centered meal, we were sent off to Beijing with authentic chopsticks and fans, also courtesy of the church.
We almost had a bathroom mishap on the bus ride over seeing that it took an extra two hours and we weren’t able to fully communicate with the driver, but fortunately none of us had to use the bucket 😉
Even if I am POURED OUT, emptied, robbed of my possessions— for preaching the good news of salvation, still, I rejoice and welcome all to share in my joy! For NOTHING compares to the heavenly glory that is revealed through us, to the honor of being used as a vessel, nor to the suffrage the Lord already took upon himself for these gifts!
“For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!”
ROMANS 8:18 AMP
From Riley Phillips