With the Chinese New Year, anticipation of welcoming home Linda, prospective plans for a short term mission trip back to Beijing this coming year, sweet little Joy's birthday and impending surgeries, the "lucky" bamboo reminder-gift from my sister that sits on our nightstand, and earnest prayers lifted high for the many Chinese orphan children (and one very dear to our hearts this day in particular), this past week...we have been praying for China.
It's funny how God works, moves, whispers, sometimes SHOUTS!
China.
China!
CHINA!!!
The world would call it "coincidence". We call it confirmation from the Holy Spirit. Nudges, proddings, guidance...it seems that everywhere we turn there are references to China and some very specific illuminations, all of which knit our hearts even more intimately to this country and people we already love.
So, this week we've been praying for China. I've shared it before, but I'll share it again here, a video clip from Operation World which encourages us to understand the people of China and the challenges that believers there face. With our freedoms here in America, it's hard for us to really understand the kind of persecution others contend with in countries without the same privileges of worship.
But, we can expose ourselves and our children so that we might gain compassion. We can learn about, watch, and read about things that take place just an airplane flight away. And, we can pray for those who suffer, hide, are beaten, tortured, and imprisoned for the things we here take for granted...the blessing of freedom of religion.
Today, we're remembering, we're giving thanks for what we've been given, and we're praying for the people of China.
Will you join us?
(Click the photo above to watch the video from Aida and Brodie's first trip to China, September 2011.)
"Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth."
Psalm 67:4
