October 23, 2016

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 12th 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   
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