Campus Target » Firefly

Amy and Answered Prayer

Jodi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:34:14 +0000

The cold evening air nipped at my nose as I strolled down the
street on my way to meet my friend Amy for dinner. Tucking my
hands into my pockets I whispered a prayer that God would show me
if her heart was open to the gospel. Amy had been my language
tutor for a few months the year before. Although I had gotten
along with her really well, we had never gotten into any deep
conversations. She had been on my mind since I came back. Lo and
behold I ran in to her at the school that I take classes at. She
was now a teacher there. I asked if she wanted to have dinner
together sometime which she eagerly responded yes to.

Amy, her friend Jo, and my roommate Dove were waiting for me at our
designated meeting spot. We all agreed that eating hot pot would
be a great way to stay warm. We sat around the bubbling pot of
spicy broth filled with meat and vegetables. As I watched Amy I
found myself delighting in her smile and friendliness. A longing
rose up in my heart for her to know Jesus. Amy suddenly asked if
Dove and I were both Christians. We replied that we were. She
went on to say that she had gone to church with one of her foreign
friends! She said she really liked it and felt something in her
heart. I asked if it was hope and she said yes. She and her
family are from Shangri-la near Tibet. Her mother is Buddhist.
Amy said she respects her beliefs but does not believe the same
thing. Amy’s friend Jo piped up and said that even though she does
not go to church, she has read the Bible and believes in Jesus!

As I walked back to my apartment that evening my heart was filled
with such joy. God had answered my prayer! He showed me that He
has indeed been drawing her to Himself and that there is an
openness in her heart. As I prayed for her the next morning, my
heart was filled with such love for her and such excitement to see
how God will continue drawing her to Himself.

In Him, Firefly

It’s Worth It

Jodi — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:53:07 +0000

As the plane trembled and bounced at 30,000 feet in the sky I grabbed on to my sister Jens hand with tears in my eyes. The
turbulence just seemed to go on and on. The last few times I had flown it had really gotten to me. Jen and I had made a decision
just the week before to return home for our sisters wedding. The Lord really impressed upon both our hearts that we needed to be
there and He would provide for us. He did indeed provide for both of us and we were on our way.

I pulled out my Bible and opened to Matthew chapter 8 where Jesus and the disciples are on a boat and a huge storm comes up. I
always wondered how on earth Jesus could sleep through something like that as the disciples feared for their lives. How I craved
the peace that Jesus had at that moment. All of a sudden the words came to my mind, “It’s worth it.” Everything Jesus went through
was so worth it to Him because He saw the joy that had been set before Him. I thought of my sister who was getting married. She
was worth it. It was so worth the cost of buying the ticket, the 30 hours of travel time, experiencing jet lag again, the awful
turbulence on the plane. It was so worth it to be at my sister’s wedding and see her happiness. So I decided to fix my eyes on the
joy set before me too. I started to calm down and eventually felt at peace even though the turbulence continued a while longer.

At times I question whether this is worth it. Is being here in China worth it? I am missing out on being with my family, friends,
holidays, seasons, comforts of home. I go through tests and trials here that I wouldn’t otherwise experience. And then I see the joy
that is set before me. Yes, it’s worth it.

In Him, Firefly

Love Them

daniellew — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:28:59 +0000

I'm not exactly sure when it started to sink in. It didn't happen right away. But all of a sudden I realized I love being here. This place is beginning to feel like a second home to me. I love the people and the culture. Coming here has put faces to a place that for me had only been a name on a map. And now those faces are beginning to infiltrate my heart.

Although it has been a slow process for Joy and I in connecting with the friends we have made here, we are beginning to see fruit from our time spent with them. While having dinner with our friend Julia we asked her if we could pray for our meal before we ate. She had seen us do this before and very eagerly asked if she could repeat the prayer after us. After we thanked God for the food, instead of repeating “in Jesus name” Julia enthusiastically prayed “in Julia’s name”. I smiled with amusement and tried to stifle a laugh at this innocent mistake but was touched by her eagerness to want to pray. And the realization hit me that she had probably never heard anyone pray to God before. Joy and I asked if she would be interested in studying the Bible and learning more about what we believe. She expressed an eager interest in learning more.

The following day Joy and I took our friend Cherry to one of our favorite western restaurants. I began to see the impact our friendship has had on her as she said with tears in her eyes, “I am thinking of when it is July and how you will not be here any longer.” After I had finished thanking God for our food and being able to spend time with Cherry, Cherry spontaneously prayed, “And thank you God for my friends Firefly and Joy and I pray that we could be friends forever.” I noticed that she was trying somewhat unsuccessfully to hold back the tears that threatened to stream down her face. And I realized then that it was not my “job” to convert her. I was here to love her no matter if she chose to believe what I believed or not. I pray that I will identify with the needs of my friends and truly love them more with the love of Christ.

An Early Christmas Present

daniellew — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:24:02 +0000

I sat in my room contemplating what had just happened that evening. I shivered as I pulled the blanket tighter around me. The three layers of clothing and hat I was wearing kept me almost warm. It had been a chilly 55 degrees at night inside our apartment for the past week. Apartments in this area of Asia don’t have heat. How thankful I was to receive a care package that included long underwear, a hot water bottle, and hot chocolate from home. It came just in time!

Anyways, back to my ponderings. Grey, Joy, and I had just met our friend Cherry for dinner. I was sick and feeling completely out of it so wasn’t expecting to have any meaningful conversation. After eating dinner we sat outside on the campus to talk. The week before when we had met with Cherry, Joy had shared the message of the Gospel with her and asked if she believed it was true. Cherry expressed hesitancy and doubt and it was clear that she didn’t quite believe what we had shared. This time we discussed what the purpose of life was and what Cherry thought it was. She said that sometimes she felt so depressed about the meaninglessness of life that she didn’t want to live. I immediately began to share how I had used to feel the same way and how that changed when I chose to trust God. She listened intently as I shared my story.

After I was done sharing, Grey asked Cherry if she believed in what we had told her. She said yes. Grey then asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus into her life that night. She immediately replied yes. We prayed with her and then asked her how she was. She was trying not to cry and said she felt energy going through her. She had to leave quickly because she had class. As I watched her walk away, I sat there stunned by what had just happened. This precious friend who I had been praying for since first meeting her had chosen to believe in the truth of Jesus! A week earlier as I had been praying, I told God that for Christmas I wanted to see my friend Cherry come to know Him. I guess this year he decided to give me my present early! He is so good!

The mall adventure

daniellew — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:19:59 +0000

My teammate Joy and I were very much looking forward to going to the mall. Joy really needed a winter coat so our friend Cherry volunteered to take us. As we got off the bus and began to walk we noticed a large department store looming in front of us. Joy excitedly exclaimed “Oh! Is that where we’re going?” Cherry said no because it was too expensive. Soon thereafter we arrived at the “mall”. My nose was assaulted by a putrid smell. Instead of Cinnabon and Orange Julius for some mall browsing snacks, we could choose between stinky tofu and octopus on a stick. I decided to pass. If you ever get the chance to eat stinky tofu-don’t. It is the stinkiest thing I have ever smelled hence the name.

Now I would not call myself a shopaholic by any means but I must admit, I have seriously been missing the GAP and my beloved Target. As we walked up the dingy stairs to the mall I realized there was probably no GAP there. Instead we found 3 floors of crowded, nameless booths piled with over-manufactured clothes, purses, shoes, etc. There were no dressing rooms but some people did take the liberty of changing right out in the open to try on clothes. All of a sudden I didn’t much feel like shopping but we were on a mission. We had to find Joy a coat. On and on we went through booth after booth and floor after floor. And then, there it was. A beautiful gray coat that fit her perfectly! Our friend Cherry was able to barter to a reasonable price and Joy was ecstatic that the Lord had blessed her with such a great coat. God even cares about the little things!

As we rode the bus home I asked how Cherry was feeling as she had been very sick the last time we had seen her. Joy and I had prayed for her and had asked God that she would be healed. She told us that she was feeling fine and she said she started feeling better after we prayed. She believed she got better because we prayed! I smiled as I thought of how God brought her into our lives for a reason. I am looking forward to the day she comes to know Him!

Buddha and butter tea

daniellew — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:08:59 +0000

It was a cool and rainy day. Joy, our friend Cherry, and I were sitting under a covering in front of a Buddhist temple seeking warmth and refuge from the rain while drinking yak butter tea. Well, Joy decided not to drink hers after one sip and I was more choking mine down to be polite. It has a “unique” flavor. Kind of like a combination of tea, butter, and, uh, yak.

We were at a place outside our city where there are replicas of villages of the many different minority groups found in our province. Our last stop was the Zang minority village which is located in Tibet. We went into the Tibetan Buddhist temple. As soon as I walked in I felt an oppressive heaviness. I saw the huge golden statue of Buddha and all kinds of idols surrounding it and incense burning. There were murals painted on the walls of various hideous looking deities standing on top of humans and other frightening depictions. It was then that Gods Word became so much more real to me. Reading in the Bible while back home in the U.S. about people worshiping idols seemed so far-fetched. I wasn't able to identify. But it has become so much more of a reality to me here. Even though most people in Asia are atheist, the province where we are is home to many people in minorities that practice Buddhism, ancestor worship, animism, and other religions.

While standing in the temple I realized how incredibly grateful I am to know the Truth and be in relationship with a God who loves me. As we got up to leave, the young Buddhist monk who served us our tea excitedly said goodbye in English. After I said goodbye back I felt a pang in my heart for him and whispered a prayer that he would one day come to know the Truth about the God who truly loves him.

Firefly takes on The Giant

daniellew — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:29:48 +0000

I had just awakened after a refreshing nights sleep on my teammates couch. My partner Joy and I had been sleeping in Mcphee and Smileys living room for 10 days while waiting to move into our apartment. I went into the kitchen and that's when I saw it: a giant cockroach heading straight for my bananas. This thing was about 2 inches long. I'll give you a moment to measure it out. Horrified, I jumped up and down and started screaming. Even though my scream is quite delicate, Joy heard me and came to my aid by bringing me a shoe. I quickly pounced on the roach as it tried to scurry away. Mission accomplished. Apparently though word had not gotten out in the roach community that I was not one to be messed with. Alas two other times, one of which was this evening, I have found myself yet again faced with giant roaches. None of my other teammates have had this experience. Why is it always me?

Good news! I have finally moved into an apartment with my teammates Grey and Joy. We moved in a week ago and really enjoy our new home. We live on the 2nd floor (no more walking up to the 7th floor!) right next to a wooded area. We have a separate dining room and laundry area and even a microwave! Good things come to those who wait. I also have a bike now. It is quite an adventure to ride on the streets here. Buses and taxis seem to have the right of way instead of bikers and pedestrians. I have witnessed many close calls!

We will be inviting some of our Chinese friends over for a party this week. I’m really looking forward to that. I have also begun studying Chinese at a school. After quite a while of not being in school my brain is definitely being stretched. I know that God's grace is sufficient in every area though, including learning Chinese!

This isn’t your neighborhood Kentucky Fried Chicken

daniellew — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:06:23 +0000

As my teammates and I sat on wooden stools in the small restaurant on the street corner our server came up to us and communicated that we would have to wait a little longer as they did
not have enough chicken. We said that would be fine as we were not in a rush. Well, my team leader communicated this as she speaksdecent Chinese of which I am very thankful for! I try to go out to eat with her as much as possible After a while my teammate Smiley says, “Oh, there’s our chicken.” I turned around expecting to see our dish coming out of the kitchen. Instead, I see them plucking our freshly killed bird on the table right behind us. Now my teammate Smiley was raised on a farm and this did not phase her one bit. As they began to hack away at our bird, my face must have turned very pale because she asked if I was ok.

After a while longer they brought out our wonderful dish filled with….various chicken parts. Now I like to think of myself as one who is willing to try new things but somehow I could not bring myself to eat out of a dish that had chicken feet sticking out of it. When Mcphee fished out the poor chickens head I think I just about passed out. Now, if my meal is taking too long I can actually use the excuse that they must be out back killing the chicken!

My partner “Joy” and I are going over to our friend Cherry’s for dinner tonight. We seem to “randomly” run into her almost every day! Last night our friend Shirley invited us up to her dorm room to try foods she brought from home. I was very relieved to find out it was walnuts, pear, and pumpkin cake! When we opened the door to leave her room, there was our friend Cherry in the room directly across from her! We know “Dad” has brought her to us for a reason and Joy and I are excited to see what happens in her life this year!

I am getting used to the area and finding my way around. I live near many of the college campuses and many restaurants and shops. I’ve begun to pick out my favorite restaurants and cafe’s. I’m excited as I feel I’ve begun to get the Lord’s heart for this city and am enjoying being here.

Many more adventures await!

“Pardon me but my pants are outside your window”

daniellew — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:53:55 +0000

So there we were looking out our teammates 7th story window. My teammate “Mcphee” was looking forlornly at her pants hanging precariously from someones outside clothesline 3 floors below. Hanging ones clothing on the outside window clotheslines always carries a risk. Mcphee decided to take that risk and now her favorite pair of pants were dangling outside a window from the 4th floor below. My teammate “Smiley” knew how much these pants meant to Mcphee and decided to make a daring move. Grabbing another pair of her own pants she bounded down the stairs and knocked on the door 3 floors below us. I watched out our window in amazement as the pants were immediately snatched back inside. Smiley came back victorious holding the missing pair of pants. All she did was point to the pants and then point to the window. Our downstairs neighbor laughed and immediately let her in! Perhaps it’s a common occurrence here.

My partner “Joy” and I are still apartmentless and are sleeping on our teammates couch for the next week or so. We are definitely learning to be flexible. Choosing to have a good attitude happens multiple times a day. Our team mates Mcphee and Smiley are about 10 years younger than I. They keep us entertained with their stories of funny things that happen to them throughout the day. They ordered what they thought was cabbage and it turned out to be
octopus. Better them than me! However, i have eaten tongue and cricket while here. Tongue tastes like beef and the cricket tasted like a bitter potato chip.

Joy and I have made a new friend we know is a divine appointment from Dad. Her name is Cherry and we immediately connected with her. She is from a minority group and has 2 sisters and 2 brothers. We are looking forward to knowing her better and seeing how Dad leads our times together.

Thank you all so much for your prayers! There have been times where I have felt your prayers comforting and strengthening me.