Easter

Did you know that on Wikipedia they list a various different histories of where the Easter Egg originated. One of which made me laugh out loud. Click here. The idea was that Mary Magdalene brought hard boiled eggs as a early morning snack to the tomb and when she met with the Resurrected Son her eggs turned bright red. This legend reminded me of the month after a Chinese woman gives birth to a child-the tradition is that they must eat hard boiled eggs from their home town. But what made me want to blog about this is the second legend on the Wikipedia page. Within the Family there is a tradition to greet each other on Easter with "The Son has Risen" and the appropriate response to this greeting is "He is Risen Indeed." What I love about this Wikipedia page is that the second story is that after Mary Magdalene had seen the Resurrected Son return to His home she wanted to help spread the good news and so she traveled to Rome and met with the Emperor and she greeted him with "The Son has Risen" and his non-typical response was "He has no more risen than that egg is red." and promptly it turned red.

This kinda absurd and funny story reminded me of the great comfort we have because He has risen. He is not dead. He is alive. PTL!! Many people trust in things not worthy of their trust. Items of gods that have no Real power. But we trust in One who has victory over death. His power saves us when all else fail.

He is Risen!!

He is Risen INDEED!!!

Future Assignment

I am happily back on Chinese ground. It has taken a little bit of effort to get back into the swing of things. I suffered a clinging cold and soar throat for about two weeks. I had a weekend of food poisoning and now I think I am finally back to normal.

As I have been getting acclimated to China and reacquainted with school and future plans things have been topsy turvy. As I told many of you while I was home my initial plans when I came to China have changed.

Leprosy work in China is still needed but the great thing that is happening in Yunnan is that many national believers have taken it as part of their service to Father to shoulder some of this ministry. The clinic and workers have been raised to a level of independence. My foreign assistance is not needed there.

This is a cause for joy and excitement but it has caused a complication. I now have no specific goal or purpose. However, I know that my heavenly Father has a purpose for me. Ephesians 2: 10 says: "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." I just need to be shown what that plan is.

In the meantime I am exploring some opportunities that have presented themselves. I would like to share them with you. 1. There is a doctor that goes to a different area of Yunnan and brings patients back to Kunming. He has offered to let me go on rounds with him. At this point I do not have a clear understanding of what He does or how I could be helpful. 2. There is another doctor who runs a clinic in the north of Yunnan. He has offered to let me come and see the work that is done up there. 3. There is a ministry in Kunming that works with prostitutes and mafia members who needs someone to work on a AIDS and moral education program. 4. The reconstructive surgery clinic sometimes does village visits. 5. There is a HIV research team down south in Yunnan. 6. The team that I went on a water dig with in 2010 has a new medical team member and he does village assessments both pre and post well placement.

So these are the projects that you may be hearing about in the future. This past week I have been going to the workshop where the ex-prostitutes make the jewelry. I have learned how to make two different kinds of knots and have been learning how to use tiny pliers to attach metal to make chain links for a silver and turquoise necklace.

At this point I am really enjoying forming relationships with the girls and hearing their stories. I know that there is a soft spot in my heart for this ministry but am unsure if it is the future Father has planned for me. I have been asking Him to shut doors.

Please continue to lift up these situations and ask Father to enlighten me as to the path I should be on.

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