Greetings in the name of Jesus

I returned home from China on December 17, 2009. During the 13 weeks my interaction with graduates and students was the best yet.  As well, I had greater communication and fellowship with the foreign teacher community.

 I just returned from China after ministering for three months. It was a great adventure. I want to share with you what you are a part of.

 During the last 6 weeks of my stay, a rumor of the Chinese Secret Police watching cell church leaders made everyone nervous. Police activity also seemed to increase due to the 10th year anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. The year 2009 didn’t help the mood. The Chinese believe bad things happen in years ending in 9. Then there was Swine Flu concerns that swept the county. Because of this concern, SIAS University significantly limited their end of the year festivities which was to be a grand celebration with many foreign dignitaries. The Chinese government limited the number of westerners entering the country because of the epidemic fears and made traveling difficult. All air travel passengers in China had their temperatures checked prior to disembarking any aircraft.

David’s stay in China this past semester (Fall 08) was for only 2 months due to visa restrictions. However, though the time was shorter, the effect seemed to be more powerful and productive.

Much success and progress were made with the students both in regards to spiritual maturity and Bible study. The focus was on a survey of the Bible for many new believers concentrating on Genesis - evolution vs. Creation, arguments for the existence of God and the reliability of the Bible. We swept through the Bible very quickly from Genesis to the Exodus through the Babylonian captivity pointing to the priesthood and sacrificial system and the desert experience of the Israelites. We continued with looking up, reading and discussing the fulfilled Messianic prophecies to confirm that the Bible is indeed different from all of the other book s written by other religious leaders. Lastly we reviewed the scriptures regarding the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ “which is nearer than when we first believed” and the coming judgment of the world and establishment of the Kingdom of God forever. This is one message that is forbidden to teach in the public church.

I (Frank) recently returned from a six-week missionary trip to China.

David and I arrived in China at the end of October. CMP donated books to an outreach and a school in Beijing.

I had the opportunity to witness a wedding of a couple who attend David’s Bible studies.

I taught at the Disciple Training School (DTS) in Zhengzhou (ZZ) the Capital City of Henen Province. I taught on Hearing the Father’s Voice. I had the privilege of water baptizing a student and praying for 4 students to receive the Holy Spirit. During our Morning Prayer, God stirred the group through repentance. Below is an entry from my Journal.

 • It has been a year of prayer and fasting for direction and effectiveness • 7 student were baptized this semester • Increase in Bible study students - 20 students are attending weekly • 10 – 22 attending the Sunday matinee (inspirational movie viewing) • Steady increase in the Sunday student English church service (Power Hour). Approx. 250 students attending. • Students prepare to evangelize their hometowns -God’s Story training • New CMP-Varella, Inc. website will be complete this summer • Brother Frank visits and gives a business seminar • Daughter Deborah visits, sings at an opera performance, and helps with the ministry. • Counseling center and bookstore is moving ahead.

 200 university students are attending church service (Three years ago less than 65 were regular attendees)

Before returning to China in September, David participated in the Kairos event at Martin County Correctional Institutional (MTCI) facility. MTCI is a maximum security prison. Forty men from various denominations met once a week for 9 weeks to prepare for the 4 day event 36 inmates attended. Men received Christ, others were renewed, and for others the Seed was planted.
 

 It is our 12th week and third year (for Sue) forth year (for David) in China. We are having a study with 15 students 3 evenings a week and are excited to see their hunger and eagerness to learn. One young woman informed David she wanted to be Baptized. That was a big step for her. David will make arrangements for that to happen.

 David's brother, Frank, visited us last week, living our daily life here at the university and visiting the orphanage and disabled center. One Sunday, avid, Sue, Frank, and 4 students drove an hour and a half to visit the SANCS Orphanage. David played his guitar and everyone sang songs together. David and Sue shared their family photo, gave gifts to the children and played. With your help 10 orphans are now being supported. The support takes care of their clothing, food and educational needs.

 Arrival in the States

We arrived in West Palm on December 24th. We celebrated Christmas with our children. We thank God that we are able to return home twice during the times that the university is closed. It is so good to be in the states and to receive the refreshing we need to prepare us to show God’s love to the Chinese.


Thank you all

Thank you for all your prayers and financial support which will allow us to continue with our missionary efforts and ministry in China. Your generosity has been overwhelming. Our health, living and business expenses are being met. This confirms for us that God continues to want us in China serving Him.

 We need your help. Many of you have been moved by the letters from our students in the past. You may remember that we had attached notes from our students to a few of our previous newsletters. We would like to continue to receive letters from students like those and the one attached, but without your encouragement, prayers and financial support it will not be possible. We hope that you will take time to read the enclosed letter. There are others like Edwin that China Mission Project sponsors.

We have seen God do amazing things in the short three years that they have been overseas. Students we have grown to know and love at the University and all over China are hungry for the truth and hungry for the real answers to life. Young people at the University continue to seek to know the Bible and hear the message of the grace and salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bible studies have increased; students are receiving Christ and being baptized. The students are desperate for moral guidelines and unconditional love. Even if we are unable to return, China still needs missionaries.