What's New: Tomorrow is the Chinese Lunar New Year's Day!

Perhaps you don't know any Chinese friends, so you might not be aware of this. In our church we have a large group of Chinese, (some are Christians, some are not yet).

About 25 years ago a few couples from China arrived and one Canadian couple decided to start an ESL (English as a second language) class for them. Those same couples are now leaders in the ESL ministry with two levels of classes and many of us have been drawn in as "helpers." We sit around tables with our students. I was drawn in too when I first started attending Erindale Alliance in 2008, and I've been a "helper" ever since. Many of my best personal friends are among these Chinese people. (...which numbers about 60-100 people.)

I recall the first time we tried a pot-luck supper to invite other Chinese out to celebrate their New Year. About 200 showed up! It has become a big event each year, and in the last two years we have filled the Gym, and the Chinese have prepared small singing groups, including their little kids, and also some groups prepared skits.

Always, the leaders (who have worked in the church kitchen since dawn!) come around to hand each of us helpers a take- home package of left-over foods before the evening is over. (I've enjoy 3 meals from my package this week!)

It sure feels great to walk into the gym, and have one or two of "my students" come running up to throw their arms around me!

This year, I noticed that a lot of other church people had been persuaded to come who had never experienced this before. I haven't had a chance to ask any of those what they thought, but I'm sure they must have been impressed.

I ended up at a table with about 4 couples like that, and talking with a business man beside me (with 3 businesses!) I sensed that he was truly impressed!

I don't know how, or why one would celebrate the lunar New Year tomorrow if you have no Chinese friends to celebrate with, but if you have such a contact, try greeting them with a New Year's blessing or a question. They will open up to you and rarely ever forget you after that!

Believe me, if you ever get a Chinese Christian friend - or two or three - you will likely have them the rest of your life!

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Pray for Pray for YOUR Missionaries/Friends More Often

I do have a missionary prayer list for my devotional time. But there are times when I think of them, and my mind goes blank; what was their last big request again?

At Christmas they sent mostly postcards and some small folders. I have put them in the bathroom, and I can cycle through them, remember to lift a prayer for them, and then be gone in a few minutes.

I'm finding this way I remember to pray for them more often, and seeing their cards/mail again, means that I recall their special requests more quickly now, and a short prayer for the same request every few days cannot hurt at all - only help!

This can work for special friends too.

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