I had the opportunity to speak on three campuses
“So, are you a Christian?”, Joey asked as we sat down over our quarter pounder with cheese and the ever present fries in the McDonalds just two blocks away from campus. His tone was not one of accusation, rather of wonderment. This scene might easily have taken place two blocks from any university in the states. However, on this afternoon Gwen and I just happened to be a half a world away on our visit to Northern Asia. “You are only the third Christian I have ever met. Can you answer some of my questions?” Joey began to share from his personal life and the longing he had to find a deeper meaning to his life than just money, education and success. He wanted to experience truth. I sat with Joey that afternoon for 3 hours as we talked about God’s nature, His love, His sacrifice and His purpose for us all. Joey had many excellent questions and he took in each word and weighed it against his own understanding. Like all of us, Joey is on a journey of discovery. I wish I could tell you Joey made a decision to become a follower of Christ that afternoon. That wasn’t the case, but he did, however, take several steps down the road to faith. I am confident the seeds of God’s love are planted deep and are germinating even as I write this letter.
Reunion with Melissa and her family
Gwen and I had the joy of visiting five returned students to this nation of over a billion people whom we had met while they had studied here in Southern California. It was truly an amazing experience. We would sit in restaurants, parks and hotel rooms and share truth with them. We would become the learners of culture as they shared their world with us just as we had done with them while they visited our campuses here in the United States.
A different kind of buffet
On several occasions, we got to share meals with new friends, relational connections from our Asian friends here. In one instance, as we sat down to eat, my host asked me, “Since you are a Christian, can you tell me about the Bible? Could you explain its message in 10 minutes? I would very much like to know.” It seemed we arrived at the restaurant hungry for more than just the spicy cuisine. Our friends came hungry for truth. Thank you for investing in these students and others from around the world! Together, we are sharing more than a meal.