Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Beijing, China


Week of Prayer:
His heart, His hands, His voice -
I am Southern Baptist missions Qualities of a Beijing, China 


When Steve Hamilton* was diagnosed with prostate cancer just before he and his wife, Lisa,* were to go as Christian workers to Beijing, China, some friends took it as a sign.

“Of course people [said], ‘I guess you are not supposed to be going overseas,’” Steve recalls. “And I said, ‘No, I think I am just getting a tune-up here.’” The illness caused a year’s delay, but it didn’t deter the middle-aged couple from going where God wanted them to serve.

While most of those in their generation were deciding where to travel or settle for their golden years, Steve and Lisa saw a golden opportunity. During an overseas visit with friends who serve among a people group in another part of China, the Hamiltons opened their hearts to the idea of sharing Jesus Christ in China as well. “Every day we just saw the Lord doing things. So halfway through the trip we said we ought to check this out,” Steve says.

And God has used them from the start. Before they even acquired language skills, God brought young people into their paths. All of these had come to Beijing from other provinces looking for employment opportunities yet finding Christ through the Hamiltons’ desire to be His hands, His heart and His voice in Beijing.

Thank God for Steve and Lisa and other workers like them who obediently go despite illness, delays and discouragement.

Pray for divine appointments, good health and acquisition of the Mandarin language for Steve and Lisa.

Scripture to Claim:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.   Acts 1:8

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