SHANGHAI DAYS:
MERRY FRIDAY BY PARRIS BAILEY:
“There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” ― J. Hudson Taylor
“Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 COR. 1:24
The nation of China has over One Billion people with the city of Shanghai at 23 million and counting. Christianity to the naked eye would appear as non- existent but we know God is always at work. Just when the walls fell down in Russia the walls are falling in China. I have been amazed at what all Jamie and Christina have accomplished in 5 years going. They have created a powerful 3 in1 punch to reach the lost. Shanghai Healing Home where presently 40 babies are being cared for. These babies will most likely end up in a Christian home and the caretakers that care for them will be presented the gospel one way or another. Most of these babies were left abandoned and or the hospital’s have given them up to die. They also started Learning Beyond Academy since they had 4 children of their own that they needed schooling for. With over 120 children coming, we can already count the souls that will be shown the love of God. Children, parents, and siblings at some point will be presented with Christ. In the end the church just becomes a “outflow” of what has happened in the workplace. Has it been easy for them? I’m sure we all know the answer to that question. Just as you have been hit with personal troubles we all have had experienced God bringing fresh supplies of Grace.
Thomas Watson said, “What upheld Daniel in the lion’s den? Jonah in the whale’s belly? The three Hebrews in the furnace? Only the power of God! Is it not strange to see a bruised reed grow and flourish? How is a weak Christian able, not only to endure affliction, but to rejoice in it? He is upheld by the arms of the Almighty “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) When I walked into the school yesterday and saw little Jena sitting there I unexpectedly started crying. (We have from our church- Joey and Emily, Jena and Janel) Knowing that nothing but the grace of God has brought them all here to experience God in a nation that knows him not.
Frank and I couldn’t help but reminisce over our past 34 years of starting schools, pastoring and now the women’s restoration center. Hudson Taylor said it well that every great work has to start out impossible and then the difficult. It makes a great Holy Ghost Gumbo for God to work with. Hudson paid a huge price when he came to China, leaving behind his precious wife Maria, his children, along with Jonathan Goforth and Aimee Simple McPherson. We all as a body of Christ want “to be helpers of their joy” (The Weidner’s) The wonderful providence of God found a Teen Challenge graduate and a home schooler to step out and do great things for God. God awaits to awaken you with the same impossibilities!