Candice's Christmas

My thoughts of being away for Christmas were few in my mind. It didn’t bother me that I would not have my traditional Christmas time with presents and family, though I’m sure my parents felt differently. I was completely sold out to the chance to share with others in another part of the world the true meaning of Christmas during the Christmas holidays.

There were 4 people on my team and our purpose of the trip was to teach English in classrooms to Chinese high school age students. We were also allowed to share about what Christmas means to us since they do not celebrate Christmas. We had a big task at hand and knew that God's will would prevail in it all and trusted that He would open up the ears and hearts of all who would hear!

Besides spending many hours going from here to there in all types of transportation imaginable, much valuable time was spent meeting students and teachers, having lunches and dinners with teachers and head masters (aka. principals), teaching and sharing in classrooms, and celebrating Christmas. We took part in two Christmas parties. These were some of the best times in which I was able to see God at work and see Him use broken and imperfect people like me to share the love of Jesus with others. Not only that, but God revealed things to me during these times which drew me closer to Him.

There is much poverty where we were. I’m sure many of you have seen and know what poverty is but it becomes incredibly real when the only bathroom available is a hole in the ground outside in freezing weather. God totally humbled me and made me realize all that I have to be thankful for—and not only that but also that I need to share all of the blessings He has given me with others. I have so much and not just material things but I have the love of Jesus inside me that others are dying to receive!

I met a Christian woman loves the Lord dearly. She is someone who has so little according to the world's standards, but she showed me what it means to be rich in the Lord! She may not have much here on earth but she has great riches stored up in heaven.

Another couple that didn’t have much at all invited us to their home for dinner! I was amazed that they that so graciously took us in (after having known us only a few hours) and shared their home and what little food they. We were able to share with her who our God really is and what He has to offer her! This woman was a teacher at the local high school. I had the chance to share with her class and read to them from the Bible. I was moved to tears to think that I was able to share with them the birth of Jesus Christ in a communist country!

For once I was able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. In the past years it has always been about shopping, presents, Santa Claus, and food … but this year it was ALL about HIM! I was able to stop and thank Him for all that I had been given in life!

Please pray for those still over there, that God would direct them, protect them and provide for their every need! I hope that you can share in some of what God is doing in China!

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