Sun, Feb 15th - 8:49AM

Blog update

Dear Family and Friends,

     As the New Year is unfolding many things are happening.  I was very sick for a couple of weeks.  Finally I went to see the Chinese medicine doctor who scolded me for not seeing him sooner.  As a result I slept quite a bit.  Chinese New Year was all a blurr I was so sick.  When I'm like this I cannot think straight.

     The following is a rundown on what my schedule is like.  Monday evenings I teach an Advanced English Bible Study using the Video series from Focus on the Family called "That the World May Know."  After we see the video we spend some time discussing the video and appropriate Scripture along with it. 

     Thursday evenings I teach two English Bible Studies:  Low level English with very simple Bible Stories, questions and answers, as well as pronunciation. These students are children who are around 12 years of age through Junior High School and adults mixed.  That makes for a very interesting class.

     Mid Level English Bible Study using ZonderKidz Children's Chinese and English Bible.  It covers most of the main stories from the Bible.  We read then we talk about the passage.  These students are at the High School level.  But their English is not that great.

     Starting Mid-February I'll be back at teaching at the Shepherd Covenant Church's Missionary Training School.  The students are great and eager to learn. They just came back from a missionary trip to Thailand.  I understand that they used what I taught them and they had a great experience.  I'm not sure about the results.  But when they tell me I will tell you.

     It seems like there have been many deaths these past two months.  I spoke with a friend in the mountains and he told me that he noticed many funerals in the area.  At our church there were two funerals.  We are not sure if they received Jesus as Savior and Lord.  But pastor did baptize them.  

     Talking about Baptism, this last Saturday, one of my girl's grandmother was baptized.  She's in her 90s.  She definitely was quite alert.  I think that she had a hard time concentrating because a foreigner was there.  So, I had to move out of her sight so that she could focus in on my pastor and answer the vital questions about salvation. It was very interesting.  I did have a chance to pray for her and the family.

     From Tuesday through Thursday I am taking 10 hours of Chinese classes.  They say that my Chinese is getting better everyday.  However, I feel like I'm still struggling to remember even some of the basic ideas.

     I have three discipleship classes and I hope to add one more.  However, I'm not sure when that would be.  I also need time to prepare for all of these classes.

     I did have an opportunity to visit with some people from Southern Illinois at a Filipino camp.  They were the group called Harvest.  They were teaching about worship and the foundation stones built upon a strong relationship with Jesus.  It was great.  At the camp I asked one of the girls if she would translate the discipleship manual with some discipleship seminar notes.  She said that she would.  As a result I've been working hard on revising the manual and adding pages to it. I'm going to the Philippines for most of May.  I have a discipleship training camp for one week plus some other engagements.

     Currently, I'm working on creating and/or compiling five books:  1.  Discipleship Manual - Tagalog translation and English notes.  2. Low English level Bible stories, pronunciation, and questions for the low level English Bible Study course. 3.  Compilation of 300 English Worship songs and chords. 4.  Chinese songs and Scripture in 4 languages (Chinese, English, Korean and Spanish) for Wednesday morning school prayer meetings.  5.  Revision of Discipleship Manual for Chinese.

     As you can tell this is quite a task.

     The young people from my church had a winter camp.  Many of the youth and leaders were quite refreshed.  Please continue to pray for our youth.  They have a wonderful heart for God.

     I am going the the Philippines in May.  One pastor there, Pastor Tito Clemente lives among many poor in the jungles of the island of Mindoro in the area know as MonteVerde.  They have a 4 wheel drive Jeepney (This is a jeep with an extended cab so that they can haul people and goods).  It seems like this vehicle is dying.  It seems like the vehicle likes to be in the shop more than being used.  I've seen where the youth have had to push start the vehicle expecially when it rains. They need to purchase a second hand used 4 wheel drive so that they can continue to minister. Would you consider donating money for them to have a vehicle?   If you would like to give to this ministry and help pay for a new used vehicle please contact me right away.  I would like to give them at least $4000 U.S. by May.  This way they should be able to purchase a more reliable vehicle and go up and down the mountainside and minister to many people.

     I also hope to hear from a pastor friend in the Philippines.  Last August I was asked to go to Faith Academy and maybe I could do devotions for the students and staff.  I would also like to go to many different churches and be used by them and minister to them.  I'll be there for most of May.

     I hope a team from the U.S. may come some time this summer.  Please pray that all of the details will come quickly.

     Kaohsiung City, Taiwan will host the 2009 World Games.  I hope to go to at least the opening and closing ceremonies.  I would also like to attend some of the venues.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I also would like to have the opportunity to pray with some of the athletes.  Pray for opportunities.

     At the end of August and the beginning of September I hope to go to Malaysia and be used by God there.

     I spoke with a director from OM from India and I'm praying about ministering in India.  I don't know when or how but I'm praying for that opportunity.

     As of yet the doors have not been open to go to Myanmar (Burma).  I have a friend who is a missionary there.  There is still quite a bit of persecution of the Karen people there.  Also, the health situation is still very bad there.  The bodies from the last disaster still have not been totally buried and facilities are not back to normal.  Please pray for our brothers and sisters there.  I hope to minister to the Chinese there.

     I'm hoping to go to Israel in November for my 60th Birthday.  Please pray for me as I prepare for going.  I've contacted an Assembly of God Church in the mountains of Mt. Carmel.  They have a two week teaching session during this time.  I hope to be accepted and be able to go.

Prayer Items:

Pray for safety and my health.  This last week I got into a small motor-scooter accident. I was sore for a few days.  This morning in Church I was asked to lead the church in worship dancing and my left big toe got caught in my pant dress and I twisted my tow.  Needless to say it is difficult to walk.  I saw the doctor and he said that I have a very bad bruise.  It sure does hurt and is stiff.

Pray for the people in Taiwan.  There seems to be a big outbreak of the flu.  Many people have been sick with Diahrea, vomiting, fever and many other symptoms.  There are three virulent strains causing people to be quite sick.

Pray for one of my disciplees, Judith.  She fell sick yesterday with food poisoning.  She is weak physically let alone having this happen to her.

Pray that I would have more chances to share with others about Jesus.  I've been sharing with many people lately but they have not turned to Jesus.

Scripture:  Let's ponder what the Bible has to say about blessings.  It may not be what you think about.

Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

1 Corinthians 4:11-13 

11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;  13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Matthew 5: 3-12

3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

May the Lord bless you,

Pastor Xiao Yang