Tidbits from Macau

Posted May 11, 2001

About 80 students attended the first term of classes on Taipa, which started in March 6. "We are rejoicing for all the opportunities to share the Gospel," says Jana. The first term concluded in April, and a second term began on May 3. Jana says, "We'd like to begin an English Bible Study and also make more evangelistic materials available to our students."

The chapel programs are called "Impact." They used the Wordless Book to present the Gospel.

About 50 people attended the first outreach event on Taipa on April 21. Macau Mission Director Jana Hoobler had previously reported that 24 adults and 16 children were planning to attend, along with Living Water Church members and the missionaries. We'll be singing, playing games, having a short message, and eating together. Pray that God will lead to meaningful conversations with our ELP students and that they'll have a positive impression of our programs for the future."

Jennifer Blandin teaching in the Taipa ELP.

The event went well. Says Jana: "Several students in the English Language Program brought their children, which helped make a great family atmosphere. I was so proud of our church members from Living Water as they took responsibility for many of the details of the program and were very intentional in talking to our students. It was a great first event!"

Says Jana: "I have been so burdened this week for my many unsaved friends in Macau. Especially with all of our new friends on Taipa, it feels like we're so far from even having them barely understand the Gospel. Most of them still feel that Christianity is for Western people and Buddhism is for Chinese. I know only God can change their hearts."

The Living Water and Living Word churches held a combined Children's Fellowship on the last Saturday of April. Living Water Church is starting children's ministries this year.

Jennifer Blandin and Jana Hoobler finished teaching at Ricci Middle School on May 2. Says Jana, "Our goal for this year was to establish positive relationships with the school administration, and that has been accomplished. They seem happy that we'd like to teach there again next year. Praise the Lord for this new ministry opportunity for our team."

On May 4, Jennifer and Jana chose a new apartment to move into on Taipa. They hope to move by the end of the month.

Jana writes, "We're working now on scheduling summer classes. Since Jen and I will be the only ones here during July and August, we're asking missionaries from other missions to teach with us. Pray that God will provide the teachers we need."

Byrdena Shuneman, a volunteer, with some of her students.

Paul Coy reported in March, "Classes at Pui Ching school are going well. This has been a great year. I have been able to build very strong relationships with the students. Last week, I started a Bible Study at Pui Ching. Only one student showed up, but I praise God for the opportunity to share with this student."

Ada (in the middle, white shirt) became a Christian through the ELP at Living Water Church. She is now on the Standing Committee (church board). Ada is bringing her niece (Esther)and nephew to attend the new children's Sunday school class. The person on the right of the picture is Ida. She became a Christian through the testimony of Eve Tang (Eve is a Living Water Church Member who is in her second year at Singapore Bible College). Ida and Ada were baptized around four years ago. Ida has been bringing her sister (in the pink shirt) to Living Water Church.

In March, Paul invited his Level 2 class from Living Word to his house, and cooked for them. "I had mashed potatoes, chicken wings, and sweet corn. I also made Chinese soup for the first time. The lady in the market that I always go to near my apartment suggested that I make ëpork bone with a little meat on it and Chinese vegetables" soup. I decided to make it even though it is very risky making Chinese food for Chinese people. They are very honest about how much you weigh and how the food tastes. I felt good when my students' only suggestion was it needed a little more salt.

"It is sometimes difficult to know what to make for dessert because they do not like things that are too sweet. What did we have for dessert? You guessed it. An apple pie. My students wanted to eat an apple pie because their only conception of an apple pie is from McDonalds. It has been a long time since I baked an apple pie. I enjoyed having the apple pie smell in my apartment. My students thought my apple pie was better than McDonalds' apple pie."

Pastor Connie Sung gives
a blood pressure test
to Byrdena Shuneman.

On March 7-9 (Wednesday--Friday), Living Word Church sponsored a Women's Outreach. March 8 is International Women's Day for most of the world except America. Around 40 women attended. Praise the Lord for the opportunities to welcome these women into our church and help break through some of their suspicion toward Christianity. Pastor Connie Sung gives free blood pressure checks as an outreach opportunity.

Women's Day also happened to be Paul Coy's birthday. A few church members took him to Pizza Hut, where he borrowed the delivery scooter for a photo op.

On March 5, Paul Coy held a "Da Bin Lo" party (below). He explains, "I believe the English would be Chinese Hotpot. Where they put everything in the boiling water until it is cooked. It is pretty good. The only thing I do not like is that after an hour I am full, believe it or not, but usually the meal goes on for 2-3 hours. I have been to one that lasted 4 hours. Now that I can follow most of the conversation around the table, I enjoy the meal a lot more. Here are the names from left to right: Cecilia, Melody, Patricia, Simon, Me, Brian, Steven, Geoffrey, and Kane. Steven and Kane are studying in Taiwan. Geoffrey is studying in Australia. Everybody else lives in Macau."

Paul Coy will leave Macau at the end of May to move on to seminary training.