|
For a number of years we attended the annual OMF Prayer Conference. It was a great time of fellowship, getting to know many missionaries and praying for them.
Here we met Alex, a Chinese student at the University, who had accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour. He shared his testimony there and when I was talking to him later, he expressed the desire to visit a farm and see how a Christian family functioned, before returning to China. Well we could expose him to both, so invited him over.
He came shortly and of course we asked our children for best behavior, as we wanted to be a good example. They really tried and were very quiet at first, but as he and his friends stayed a few days, they soon were acting quite normal; these ten youngsters.
Arnold had some projects which involved the boys and Alex expressed surprise how they all had things to do to help. The older girls really helped with the meals.
I wondered how good a Christian witness we had been, but Alex wanted to come again - perhaps for Christmas, as they had no where to go to get away from the University.
Yes, we would have them come. I got busy and prepared a gift for each one as well. They were most surprised that there would be a gift for them.
This was enjoyed so much, that each Christmas, for about six to eight years, they asked to bring more friends and so our Chinese family grew and with it our prayer list.
One Christmas they came in two cars. We got to know our present family doctor, then only a student and his girl friend. Now we know his family as well. They love the Lord!
Also there was an older gentleman, who had come to study and couldn't afford to go back to his family in five years. He surely would be lonesome for his loved ones, for Christmas is the loneliest day on Campus. He gave us a small carved turtle, representing long life, which he wished us. This was a very special gift and we treasured and kept it in a special place in our china cabinet, (however we lost it when our home burnt in 1986).
- Helena Stobbe
|
