Here in China the last Thursday of November is a normal work day (as is December 25). But our hearts pause to thank God for His many, many blessings - for a homeland that (even with its faults) still has a day to express gratitude, and for you whose prayers, gifts, and friendship have sustained us in many years of overseas Christian service.
As a pastor in an International Church, with people from over 70 nations, we’d be celebrating holidays every day if we kept all our nation’s days. But Thanksgiving (which is held on different days by different nations) has broad support in our International church. One sure reason is that we are called to be a grateful people – every day! But another is people know that Americans eat, and eat good, on this day….and hey, that is a global pleasure! So we had a Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant owned by members of our BICF Korean congregation. We had a wonderful evening with people from Angola, Panama, Vietnam, Ghana, Mexico, Uganda, Australia, South Korea, England, China, Gabon, Jamaica, Malaysia, and the USA
This Sunday Mark will preach from Acts 28, ending the sermon series through Acts we began in February. Some have wished there were more chapters to this great book! Pray that God will use our people to take the Good News to people who have still not heard, inspired and instructed by the noble example of the first century Church. We plan to study Genesis (chapters 4-11) and Galatians the first part of 2012.
Dayna got wrapped up (literally) when she attended the International Day at Renmin University just a few blocks from our church. Three members of our BICF Pacific Fellowship are here with their Mama Kahu. A young woman student from Palau, two young men from Samoa, and a Chinese friend (with red lei), joined Dayna for some island festivities. A Chinese professor who attends our church presented a drama based on her life, “The Mighty Hand” to 500 people in the auditorium of this University last month. She made a bold stand to share her faith in the mighty Lord Jesus Christ. A great curiosity has been sparked, with a significant cost to her standing among the authorities.
We count it a great privilege to be here for hundreds of young students who are far from home. Many of them are their nations brightest, here on scholarship from the China government. Even more they are bright stars in His Kingdom, with tremendous opportunities to make known the Lord Jesus Christ in word and deed. Wednesday night we attended a Small Group in a room at the International Dorm of the huge Beijing Science and Technology University. We sat close in a packed room as they asked lots of great questions about Scripture and the Christian life. Two young African students, both Deacons in our church, walked us from the big dorm across the campus to the gate where we caught a taxi home. The Tanzanian quietly asked, “Can I come to your apartment and visit? I am far from my dad. I need you to be my dad here.” Of course, I agreed, Dayna and I are happy being Mom and Dad to so many fine kids.
No we have not been in Tonga (yet!) but we were present for the Tonga National Day dinner in the Beijing Marriott. Here we are with their dancers. The King’s granddaughter, ambassador, and the Royal Band of Tonga were also present!
Here are a few dates on our horizon:
December 3 – Dayna hosts monthly Mother/Daughter craft fellowship in our apartment
December 9 – Mark speaking to Men’s Breakfast at 21st Century of BICF
December 13 – Dayna speaking to the women of the African Outreach Ministry of BICF
December 14 –Dayna speaking in assembly of International Academy of Beijing
December 16 – BICF ZGC International Christmas Concert
December 24 – Christmas Eve services/outreach
January 7 – Mark teaching course on General Epistles in Shanghai Community Theological Centre (SCTC)
January 9 – Our 30th Wedding Anniversary
January 30-February 12 – Ministry in Tonga (Pastor’s Conference, Seminary Teaching, speaking in Churches)
Thankful, Mark and Dayna Blair
Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com
or markblair@bicf.org or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)
Our Mission
Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org
Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com
Skype: blairstan
Our Ministry
Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org
Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service
Our Mailing Address
Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun
Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,
2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190
