March 2006 E-Newsletter Ministry Update: O'Russey Market Area Church Planting Dear Ministry Partners, An exciting thing happened last Thursday evening in the O'Russey Market area. John Reiser, a fellow missionary, and I were following up on a Chinese family that was visited by some of the Taiwan team members back in February. This family seemed very open to them and to the gospel. This was the second time I had a chance to meet this family of four - father, mother and two grown children living at home, with an elder son estranged due to family issues. The first time we had met them they complained of a number of nagging health issues. The father has diabetes and the mother has been suffering with shortness of breath, swollen adenoids and pressure in her chest. These conditions have persisted and just one week ago she went to a local health clinic because the symptoms were so severe. God revealed to me that their health issues were directly related to spiritual bondage, so I began sharing with them about God and his power to deliver. At first there was hesitancy. The mother thought that we were wanting them to "go to church." I clarified that I was offering them the power of God to deliver her right then and there and to heal her in Jesus' name. She said, "Oh, that's not necessary, ever since you entered our house the symptoms have disappeared!" At that I responded, "Then, we must pray!" explaining that she's already been healed by the power of God and unless she puts her faith in God alone, the symptoms are sure to return and may even be magnified. So, I asked her, "Do you believe that God is real and that he has sent me to you?" Without hesitation she said, "Oh, yes! In fact, the first time I saw you I knew you were from God!" I was stunned. I realized that this is the way God works, with so little of our gifts and abilities and so much of His! We literally carry the presence of God wherever we go. I encouraged the mother to test God and see if he is faithful, then, if He is, to place her faith entirely on Him and He would not just heal her body, He would forgive her sin and give her new life. So, deciding to test God in this, she called the entire family together and we prayed for God to continue to touch and protect this family, then I commanded, "Be delivered in Jesus' name!" As we were about to leave the mother asked if we could pray for one more item. "Of course!" I told her. She asked if we could pray for her son who has left home and whom they haven't seen for months. I answered, "Sure, but I want you to pray and we will all agree with your prayer." So, this beautiful Chinese mother gathered her entire family together again and offered her first prayer to God, asking that he would restore their son to them. What a poignant moment as we heard a mother, as yet a non-believer, offer a pure, non-religious and unpretentious prayer to our loving Father in heaven! We left this Chinese family rejoicing and praising God, promising to return soon to check on them and see how God has been faithful. Please pray that God would continue to reveal himself to this family and that His Spirit would draw them to himself. Thank you for joining us in prayer from the beginning until now. Prayer is making a difference in this Chinese family's life and in the O'Russey Market area! In Christ, Dale and Cathleen Jones |
