June 2006
It is our 12th week and third year (for Sue) forth year (for David) in China. We are having a study with 15 students 3 evenings a week and are excited to see their hunger and eagerness to learn. One young woman informed David she wanted to be Baptized. That was a big step for her. David will make arrangements for that to happen.
David's brother, Frank, visited us last week, living our daily life here at the university and visiting the orphanage and disabled center. One Sunday, avid, Sue, Frank, and 4 students drove an hour and a half to visit the SANCS Orphanage. David played his guitar and everyone sang songs together. David and Sue shared their family photo, gave gifts to the children and played. With your help 10 orphans are now being supported. The support takes care of their clothing, food and educational needs.
Frank was also invited to give two lectures on finance during his visit primarily to students majoring in accounting, finance and business management. The title was “World of Finance”. His talks were well received by the students, faculty, and administration. Frank emphasized during the presentations the importance of internal control and business ethics. The Chinese students had many questions, one of which was "How do I get a get a job in America?"
We are continuing to teach the 5 blind students, They used their Mp3 players during the holidays while we were in the States and practiced their English. It was a pleasant surprise to see that they remembered all that we had taught them during the last semester. China has a National Handicapped day this month. We will be honoring this day by visiting the students with some other Western teachers and university students. It should be an action packed day as the news media may be with us.
Last month we facilitated an abstinence seminar on campus. We hosted two Chinese counselors from Beijing. Four sessions were held on the campus with at least 300 in attendance for each of the sessions. This has been a major undertaking but has been worth while. Our plan is to bring two Chinese counselors here to live on campus next year. This is a concern for prayer. Please pray with us.
This is the point in our semester that we start to get cabin fever and long for the good old U. S. of A. Our energy was renewed with a visit from friends, Jay and Veronica Widdows from Florida. We enjoyed some of our time together cruising down the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges Dam project. It was spectacular, no question, but it will have to take a back seat to spending time with old friends!
Again, because of your financial generosity the tuition for 4 senior students was paid. Without this payment they would have had to leave school and not graduate from the University this month. Thank you for all that you do for us to serve the people of China. We will arrive in Florida on June 1 and will return to China at the end of September. We hope that we have the opportunity to see many of you while we are home.