Thankful in Beijing

Happy Thanksgiving,                                                                    November 2016

We have much to thank the Lord for as we serve Him in Beijing! We’ve just enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner with 160 people from 45 nations. For more than half of them it was their first Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks to Dayna’s hard work we DID have pumpkin pies – 200 tart-sized tasty ones!

A number of our guests are not yet believers in Jesus, Buddhists from Southeast Asia, Muslims from Pakistan and India, and Atheists from China. I had the privilege of sharing a brief Thanksgiving Gospel message, some were hearing His Great News for the first time!

This month we followed September’s well-attended “Go for the Gold” day to challenge incoming students with “Giving Away the Gold,” an evangelism seminar. It is so encouraging to see believers who are eager to share the love they have received from Jesus Christ! That’s what we’re all supposed to do!!

On November 13 we baptized 20 people in our Mandarin, Indonesian, and English congregations. Two from the English congregation were Buddhists who recently put their trust in Jesus for salvation – a brother from Thailand in a Master’s program and a sister from Sri Lanka who is doing her PhD. The Lord used “horn of Africa” brothers, one from Ethiopia and another from Eritrea to bring them into the family of faith. What a privilege we have to have a front row seat to see so many glorious ways our Lord is advancing His Kingdom right here in a land that does not admit He even exists!

One young lady our members reached out to is from South America. I had the privilege of baptizing her on Easter. Here we were in August on her last day with us before leaving to study in Europe, she just wrote…“One year ago I decided to follow Jesus, and it has been a great year…  of growth and non-stop blessing.  I want to thank you for the great work you are doing in Beijing where you are reaching a lot of people and transforming their lives. I'm currently in Denmark…studying for my degree…I've found a family in Christ here too…I really like it here, I'm happy and peace and joy is in my heart, all this comes from Him…I always remember BICF with great joy!”

We had the privilege of hosting Tedd and Margy Tripp the first weekend of November. Their excellent books on parenting “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” and “Instructing a Child’s Heart” are translated into Mandarin and very popular here. They taught our parents and led a meeting with our single young adults. The meetings were packed with eager learners!

What comes into your mind when you think “Sister’s Fellowship?” Paintball? That’s what Dayna and her troops were doing on October 30. Looks like they had fun, in war and peace!

We made our second visit to “Sun Village” – a home for children whose parents are in prison on the outskirts of Beijing. There was lots of joy and fun as we shared the Good News, played games, and gave them Christmas gifts…

Last weekend we had our annual Global Leadership Summit here in Beijing. We rebroadcast the program held in Chicago at Willow Creek Church. About 30 leaders from our congregation joined with more than 500 people from our region of China. As always, it was an encouraging time to think about how to serve Him more faithfully and fruitfully.

Monday morning (November 28) we are scheduled to land in Honolulu. We’ll gladly exchange our winter coats and face masks (the pollution has been bad here!) for shorts and slippers. We would love to talk to you during our Home Assignment. Please email us your phone number and we’ll gladly call! Here is our schedule of sharing, Lord willing…

            December 4 Hawaii Kai UCC, Honolulu, Hawaii

            December 11 Kalihi Union Church, Honolulu, Hawaii

            December 18 Haili Congregational Church, Hilo, Hawaii

            December 25 Puna Covenant Church, Keaau, Hawaii

            January 1 Living Waters Assembly of God, Hilo

            January 8 Hilo Missionary Church / Opihikao Congregational Church, Puna, Hawaii

            January 15 Mokuaikaua Church, Kailua-Kona

            January 22 Kalahikiola Congregational Church, Kohala, Hawaii

            January 28 Kalihi Union Church Men’s Retreat

            January 29 First Chinese Church of Christ, Honolulu

            February 5 City Church Honolulu (PCA)

            February 16 Women’s Board of Missions, Honolulu

            February 10 & 12 Waipuna Chapel, Kula, Maui / PM - Door of Faith, Wailuku, Maui

            February 19 North Shore Christian Church, Kilauea, Kauai

            February 26 Kawaiaha’o Congregational Church, Honolulu

            March 1 – Back to Beijing

We very much realize we are here because of your faithful prayers and generous support. Hope we can see you! We are very excited our kids and grandkids plan to visit us in Hawaii.

Mele Kalikimaka!!  Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Mission  Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Dr - Orlando, FL 32832 USA  

Checks should be made out to ‘Pioneers’ – with a separate note attached saying: ‘Mark and Dayna Blair, Beijing.’                  Electronic transfers can be sent to: http://www.pioneers.org/Give/AutomatedGiving.aspx

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com  Or blairstan@psmail.net  (secure)

Our Blog  www.blairstan.blogspot.com  /  Skype  blairstan

Our Ministry Beijing International Christian Fellowship www.bicf.org/zgc

http://bicf.org/sermons/latest-sermons/messages/speaker/mark-blair

BICF Sermon App for Apple or Android: www.bicf.org/#app   (ZGC sermon tab)

Bar Ministry in Beijing

Autumn Greetings from Beijing,                                                                October 2016

We have been busy the last several weeks receiving dozens of new students from around the world into our congregation. We are wonderfully reminded that we are indeed ONE family in Christ as we meet brothers and sisters from distant lands that soon become dear “longtime friends”!

 

51 New Students (left) spent one of the first Saturdays of the term learning how to “Go for the Gold” by following Jesus. Several were considering the claims of the Gospel for the first time.

The student/leaders on the right are having fun in one of the most popular bars in Wudaokou. This establishment asked us to host a brunch Saturday morning of their “Rush Week” --- a week of drinking and partying. Their flyer contained the tag line they wrote “come to the BICF Brunch and let them talk some sense into your drunk a%%es!” We did our best!

94 Indonesian students here in Beijing joined the annual Autumn Camp of our Indonesian congregation at a retreat center outside the city during China’s “Golden Week” holiday. (The first week of October.)  Dayna and I had fun joining them for the last 2 days. We heard an Evangelist from Indonesia preach the Gospel on the final night of camp. There was a great response! Eight people traveled from the church our new Indonesian pastor served in Indonesia to serve these campers. Pray for our Indonesian leaders as they follow up on these campers during this new academic year. 

We were in Indonesia for 10 days in August. We were very happy our son Josiah (on right) was able to join us. We visited three cities and met with leaders of the Kalam Kudus (Holy Word) church. Here we are at one of their 50 schools, this one has 2000 students from K to 12^th grade. We really enjoyed meeting Pastor Teddy and his wife Tabitha (next to Josiah) and even found a friend from China (in blue) teaching Mandarin there who came to attend the service where Mark preached.

It was a privilege to meet with the leaders of this vibrant, growing, “Kalam Kudus” denomination in their offices in Jakarta. Yes, Indonesia is the nation with the greatest number of Muslims. But we found thriving churches, Christian schools, and universities too. It was a very encouraging visit. It was a privilege to speak for several days from the strange book of Ecclesiastes (their request!), pointing them to our Lord Jesus, the Hope of the Searcher.

As a part of our “Sisters 2 Sisters” fellowship, Dayna taught these young ladies to make several tasty dishes! Being an excellent planner, I walked in the door from our Men’s Breakfast just as lunch was served! Can’t wait till their November class!

As the weather turns cooler, we asked our church members to bring warm clothes they could spare for the many students coming from warm, tropical climates and who are about to get slammed by their first harsh winter! The mountain of clothes they freely gave showed our members, like the Macedonians of old, displayed “their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part” (2 Corinthians 8.2). This group of Samoans has learned to “rug up” during their years of study here. We enjoyed having a BBQ on our roof before it gets too cold.

 

It has been 3 years since we have been home to Hawaii. And, we are grateful for the opportunity we have to come for a visit in a few weeks. We are eager to see family and friends again. Here is our schedule of sharing so far, Lord willing…

            December 4 Hawaii Kai UCC, Honolulu, Hawaii

            December 11 Kalihi Union Church, Honolulu, Hawaii

            December 25 Puna Covenant Church, Keaau, Hawaii

            January 8 Hilo Missionary Church

            January 15 Mokuaikaua Church, Kailua-Kona

            January 28 Kalihi Union Church Men’s Retreat

            January 29 First Chinese Church of Christ, Honolulu

            February 16 Women’s Board of Missions, Honolulu

            February 19 North Shore Christian Church, Kilauea, Kauai

            February 26 Kawaiaha’o Congregational Church, Honolulu

            March 1 – Back to Beijing

With so many young adults in our church, we have weddings! The bride is from USA and has served in China for 10 years. Her husband, from China, “just happened” to go to her home town to do his PhD. and became a believer. Her parents introduced them!

During October all 20 congregations of the Beijing International Christian Fellowship are focusing on Unity. One of our leaders has written a Study Guide for Small Groups called “One” which dozens of our groups are now using. To demonstrate and celebrate our Unity the pastors within the BICF are doing pulpit exchanges. It has been fun to preach in different BICF locations the past couple weeks. Our members have been treated to pastors from Nigeria, USA, and Japan who have brought wonderful messages to ZGC. 

Our work visa has been renewed for one more year of serving here! In our wildest imaginations we would never dream of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Beijing for 8 years…and counting.

We very much realize we are here because of your faithful prayers and generous support. Hope we can see you!

We really look forward to seeing our family. We’re very grateful for God’s good providence, all three sons are together in Oregon this week – Nathan and Kekoa (now 21 months old), Aaron, and Josiah. Nathan and Heather are expecting # 2 this Spring! Thanks for praying for them all too! 

Yours in the Lord of the Harvest, Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Mission  Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Dr - Orlando, FL 32832 USA   

Checks should be made out to ‘Pioneers’ – with a separate note attached saying: ‘Mark and Dayna Blair, Beijing.’                  Electronic transfers can be sent to: http://www.pioneers.org/Give/AutomatedGiving.aspx

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com  Or blairstan@psmail.net    

(secure)

Our Blog  www.blairstan.blogspot.com  /  Skype  blairstan

Our Ministry Beijing International Christian Fellowship www.bicf.org/zgc

http://bicf.org/sermons/latest-sermons/messages/speaker/mark-blair         

BICF Sermon App for Apple or Android: www.bicf.org/#app   (ZGC sermon tab)

August 2016

Warm…very warm…Summer Greetings from Beijing!                    August 2016

     We have just concluded the saddest part of our “Gathering, Growing, and Going” ministry here, saying good-bye to dozens of students going back to their homelands around the world. Yes, we praise the Lord that so many Biblically grounded, gifted, and well educated young adults will give their hearts and souls to make Jesus known in their nations and congregations! And, we have had a small part in helping them grow more like Him! But having grown to love them, it is hard to say good-bye. Pray for them as they settle – often the ‘shock’ of going back home can be surprising and serious! – and seek the next steps of their lives and ministries. 

In the next couple weeks we will say hello to hundreds of new students who will Gather in our congregations and small groups! Pray that we will be ready! And that the Lord will bring many to Himself this coming academic year.

In June we had a great trip “next door” to Almaty, Kazakhstan. It was a special joy to see our son Josiah and granddaughter Maylee.

Please continue to pray for the Church in Central Asia. There is great opposition to Gospel from governments and Islam. It has now been 7 years since we moved to China, from living 11 years in Almaty. Sadly, Bible schools there have been ordered shut down. Opportunities for training leaders are few. Facilities of Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary are still open but usage is limited. (One of our friends led a conference for “Post-Abortion” recovery there the week we were in Almaty.) Local churches grow slowly but believers are growing in maturity. One “M” org had the largest number of Kazakhstani believers ever on mission trips throughout Central Asia and China this summer. Nearly 100 local believers were sent - and their churches have paid all costs! This is a sign of a maturing Church. For one week Mark taught a night course on “Biblical Interpretation” for an evening seminary program. Here were some of the students…

  

In July we had a Beijing International Christian Fellowship Staff Retreat. We bused a couple of hours to Beidaihe – where the Great Wall meets the Pacific Ocean. It was a great time – team building, growing in the Word, relaxing, and encouraging one another in the Lord. 

Our Green Team won Third Place…see why!?

Dayna is doing a great job keeping Hawaiian traditions going in our church here. Terry, our faithful Church Administrator turned 30 a couple weeks ago. So Dayna and his wife, Joy, made 30 leis which 30 of our members presented to him at the close of our morning service. These leis were filled with lots of goodies, including some of Terry’s favorite snacks like Tea Boiled Eggs, Chicken Feet, Pumpkin seeds, and assorted pickled vegetables in foil packets…anybody hungry!? Lots of good eats here in Beijing! 

 

Later this month we plan to travel to Indonesia for the Synod of the Holy Word Christian Church in Jakarta. They have graciously sent and support a wonderful pastor and his family to serve our Indonesian congregation here in Beijing. They have asked Mark to share with their pastors on “The Life of Believers in the view of the Book of Ecclesiastes” and preach in one of their congregations there.

We hope to return to Beijing refreshed and ready for a busy Fall season of ministry. We will start the “new year” preaching thru the Letter to Titus, a great blueprint for the life and faith of the local church. We are planning some new ways to expand our ministry, more small groups on campuses, and Sunday “Lunch Time Talks” at a nearby restaurant following our morning services. We’re also working on “Welcome to Beijing” flash drive that we’re loading with information to help people land well – from medical care, great shops, tourist sites, how to get a driver’s license and where to buy plants to help clean the air in one’s apartment! We want our new coming neighbors to feel loved!  

Thank you so much for your prayers and support that enables us to touch the nations from here in the Capital of the world’s most populous nation!

Yours in Him who has all authority in heaven and earth, Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Mission  Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Dr - Orlando, FL 32832 USA        

(Checks should be made out to ‘Pioneers’ – with a separate note attached saying: ‘Mark and Dayna Blair, Beijing.’                         Electronic transfers can be sent to: http://www.pioneers.org/Give/AutomatedGiving.aspx )

Our Email blairstan@hotmail.com or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)

Our Blog  www.blairstan.blogspot.com  /  Skype  blairstan

Our Ministry Beijing International Christian Fellowship www.bicf.org/zgc

Mark just finished preaching thru the Gospel of Matthew:

http://bicf.org/sermons/latest-sermons/messages/series/the-king-we-follow-matthew

BICF Sermon App for Apple or Android: www.bicf.org/#app   (ZGC sermon tab)