This year I led a group of 29 students into China’s interior provinces.  We experienced hiking on cliffs, white-water rafting, and strolling through an ancient town, but the most beautiful thing we saw were the affected hearts of the students. Throughout the trip, they became less and less interested in sights and outdoor activities, as they grew increasingly eager to participate in the “sharing time” we held each night at a crowded hostel. I believe the Holy Spirit worked deeply among the hearts of the students, as tears were shed and pent-up thoughts spoken.  Some highlights: 

1) One night, Rachel got the opportunity to prompt her roommate who then decided to make Jesus her Lord(!) 

2) Another student, in her own words:  ‘From 9th grade, I was cold and resistant to the things of Christ, but on this trip I saw that Jesus receives me just as I am.  Now I don’t want to resist Jesus any longer.’ 

3) After the trip, another student came to me in private and told me that he is ready to follow Jesus and had decided to start going to church with his mom that week.

So much happened at one time… it reminded me of harvest time. When planting a garden we wait and wait — watching and not seeing any progress.  But all at once the fruit [of God’s work] suddenly appears!  Obviously this season has been extremely exciting; for me to see God at work in so many students around me at the same time.  I have a growing sense that this is a ‘turning point’ and that the year ahead will reveal as many, and more instances of the Holy Spirit changing the hearts of the young people here.   I’m also sobered that ‘the Lord of the Harvest’ is always planting seed and I should be just as excited about planting them, as I am about the fruit.

“Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into His harvest.” Matt 9:38