How We Three Came to Believe!
Photo above: a hike at a state park with some international friends and English students. NOTE about PHOTOS: To protect the identities of our international friends from areas with persecution, you may notice that often our photos don't match the stories. This is also the case with this photo, and is intentional.
A SEASON OF HARVEST! - Our International Fellowship team in Madison has been encouraged by several professions of faith and baptisms in the last several weeks! It’s been a time of reaping faster than anything we’ve experienced yet in ministry! Here are some of the stories…
HOW WE CAME TO BELIEVE – About three years ago, 'Jao' and 'Ying' (names changed to protect identities) came to Madison for his PhD studies. We became good friends through English and culture classes at the International Friendship Center (IFC). Through that relationship, they began attending our International Fellowship Tuesday Bible discussions at their apartment complex. They also played soccer with us at our ‘football’ outreach with their children. They went back to their home country after a time in the USA, but God caused Gospel seeds to germinate as they and one of their children recently trusted in Jesus and were baptized! Here are excerpts from their testimonies in their own words:
YING: “…I’m also blessed that God had arranged his people around me when we were in Madison, Wisconsin. I attended several free English classes and Bible study which are provided by Christian volunteers. They devote themselves to God. I see the merits of God’s people, so true, so passionate, and so faithful. They’re humble to be God’s servants. … I know God’s calling me and he’s revealing his plan to me layer by layer. I’m willing to be a believer and keep deepening my faith.” … “Tuesday's Bible discussion group is one of our favorites in Madison. It surely helped us get to know Jesus more.” … “The Holy Spirit inspired us and keeps working on us. Thanks for all the blessings in our lives, especially those friends in Madison.”
JAO: “…Three years ago, I had a chance to study in Madison, Wisconsin. I met some faithful Christian people. They are role models, always willing to care and give help. I can see the Christ shining through them. … I hope I can also have a faithful life and have Christ in me. People can see the Christ shining through me in the future. In addition, my wife also influenced me. I didn’t expect that she will love to join the Bible study and invite me to join a lot of Christian events.”