Happy 2013 from
Beijing!
We made history here last week that
we’d rather not have made. The worst smog! It was the ‘perfect storm’ or really
‘perfect soup’ – a mix of exhaust from Beijing’s 5 million cars, coal burning
for heat during this coldest Beijing winter in 30 years, factory emissions,
dust from constant construction (Beijing city limits exceed the size of Connecticut),
and a thick blanket of fog. Perfecto! So on the chart where 500 is
‘death by breathing’ we reached 800! Right now it’s down to 166, just
‘Unhealthy’! That’s a good day here. Is there anything good about this recent
catastrophe? Yes!
When the U.S. Embassy here in Beijing
began issuing daily air quality reports in 2007 the insulted Chinese government
cried “Foul” at this embarrassing meddling in their affairs. The Americans
countered that since they were assigned to live here it was their business too
and offered the information on the web for their citizens. As Chinese netizens
found this shocking site diplomatic hostility grew. But now, China is leading
the way in issuing the bad air news. Monitors are in every major city. Health
warnings are sounded on bad days. And factories are closed in times of crisis.
This recent ‘soup’ choked many millions in dozens of China’s eastern cities. It
could be seen from space! As people who live here and love the people, we’re
glad their government has set their sights on the massive task of cleaning
their air.
The leaders here are finding it ever
harder to be God. Since they say there is no God, someone has to make the world
spin here. And it is a big job! Sometimes they ‘make it rain’ and then ask
citizens to hail them for the clean air. So who can we send this soup back to?
Bottom line, as in all things in life, this is a chance to advance the Gospel.
As millions are afraid of even breathing, zealous Chinese Christian seize the
chance to tell what happens when we stop breathing. Even better, to declare Him
who gives us breath – now, abundant, and eternal – Jesus Christ.
It was a Merry Christmas
here….
Thanks for praying for the
International Christmas concert the various congregations of our Beijing
International Christian Fellowship presented. More than 1200 people heard the
gospel in songs, skits, and preached in English, Mandarin, Russian, Korean, and
Hawaiian!
Dayna joined in song and dance with
our Pacific Fellowship. And I was able to preach the Gospel and have it
translated into Mandarin.
It is thrilling to see the child-like
wonder so many have here have about the message of Christmas. God came into the
world as a helpless babe --- really!!?? Decades of schooling in atheism makes
many scoff at such an absurd notion. But the evident emptiness of that atheism
has made many hopefully wonder if it just might be true.
We also had the joy of having our son
Josiah (on right) here with us from Kazakhstan for Christmas.
Our son Nathan and Heather (on left)
are expecting their first child in the late summer! Unfortunately our youngest
son, Aaron, was not with us.
Nathan and Heather have now lived in
Beijing for over one year. Both of them have good jobs in their field of interest.
Heather teaches Biology in a Chinese High School (in English) and Nathan does
product design in a Chinese firm. They’re learning Mandarin as they share with
their Chinese colleagues. They have been stretched through their adventures
here. It has been great to have them in our church and enjoying their new
Christian community here.
Looking to Spring
February 10 is Lunar New Year, the
beginning of “Spring Festival” here. Kind of a strange name considering it is
still freezing cold! During this holiday hundreds of millions of people in this
most populous nation will travel to their home town. We will stay right here.
As millions in Beijing are not from here, the city becomes significantly less
busy. Hundreds of millions trek to their homelands. This is also a
wonderful “Gospel Migration” too. Trains cars are squeezed beyond capacity.
“Standing” tickets are even sold! There are many “bullet trains” where people
ride in speedy comfort. But most ride standard trains that can take more than
24 hours to reach their distant homeland (China is roughly the size of the
USA). Millions of faith-sharing Chinese Christians pepper the trains. We hear
wonderful stories about how the Good News goes out – in Word and deeds of
kindness – during those long rides with not much to do. Pray for God’s Kingdom
to advance here.
During three weekends in March Mark
will teach a New Testament Survey course for our BICF Seminary program. We have
a growing number of people joining this program and receiving graduate-level
accredited ministry training. We will have our first graduation this spring.
Mark has been asked to write the
Small-Group study guide for the BICF in 2013. Each of our 19 congregations will
go through the curriculum this fall, Lord willing. We will be looking at Jesus’
letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. You can use the materials
we have already produced in Philippians, Galatians, and the “I AM’s” of Jesus
in John in both English and Mandarin: http://bicf.org/downloads-and-resources/viewcategory/6
As we begin 2013, our 4th
year in China, our 31st year of marriage, we see no end of Gospel
opportunities for us here in Beijing. We are here because you are praying and
giving and we thank God for you! Please let us know how we can pray for you
too.
Yours in our Faithful Lord, Mark and Dayna Blair
Our Mission
Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive
- Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org
(Support checks should be made out to
‘Pioneers’ – with a separate note on the check saying: ‘Mark and Dayna Blair,
Beijing.’ Some have asked, and you can send funds through electronic transfers
too: http://www.pioneers.org/Give/AutomatedGiving.aspx
)
Our
Email blairstan2@gmail.com
or blairstan@psmail.net
(secure)
Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com
Skype
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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
Our Ministry
Beijing International Christian
Fellowship - www.bicf.org
Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service
