12 Jan Macau: Updates from Jen Blandin

Jennifer Blandin, UB missionary in Macau, sent these news updates on January 7.

• Christmas time is a wonderful time and opportunity to share about who Jesus is and have discussions concerning God. We are often busy making cookies, addressing cards, and wrapping gifts to give to people. It’s a great way to build relationships and let people know we care about them. It can open the door to more meaningful discussions later. This Christmas was no different. Parties were held, gifts were wrapped, and cookie plates were made. It was a lot of fun! But there were also a few other “new” things that happened this year. Living Stone Church held it’s first Christmas Eve service, which was followed by a church potluck. The church also participated with two other Taipa churches to go caroling around Taipa Island. These events were both neat ways to spread cheer and Jesus’ message around the community.
• During Christmas my friend Ms. Cheong and her two children came back to Macau for a visit. I’ve mentioned before that they now live in England. Ms. Cheong’s daughter is in college and her son is in high school. It was fun to have time with them and catch up on how life has been going. God’s two-part gift to me this year was to see Ms. Cheong and her kids come together to the Christmas Eve service. Always in the past, Ms. Cheong has come alone to church services! The second part of the gift was to hear Ms. Cheong say she believes in Jesus! While she is still not sure of all the nitty-gritty stuff of walking with Jesus, her acknowledging her belief and desire to build a relationship with him was wonderful! I can’t explain the deep joy I felt this Christmas, but it was special.
• During January the English Language Program will try a few new things. In addition to our regular classes, we will offer a few other meeting times: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and a Saturday class. This will be only a temporary trial, just to see if it helps meet some needs of the community and help us gauge what some other potential class times could be.
• Living Stone Church will offer its first membership class toward the middle of January. It is hard to believe that the church is still less than a year old and there are people open to a deeper commitment to the church. It has been fun to see how God continues to move and work in and through the church!
• Our secretary, Sally, will leave us at the end of January. She has found a job in the medical field and feels now is the time to take that step. Pray that a new secretary would be found soon for us.