Back to Beijing!

Dear Family and Friends,

During March our family (Susan, John, and Nash) went to Beijing, China as part of the Let’s Start Talking Ministry. We spent two weeks sharing our faith and studying the Gospel of Luke with Chinese interested in improving their English reading and speaking skills. We could never have imagined the depth of impact this trip would have on us. Our team of four adults read with over eighty people, many who had never heard the Gospel. While those we read with often explained, “one of China’s greatest weaknesses is that the people have no belief”, we found many of our readers to be quite receptive to the message of Jesus and we’ve heard that some are continuing their journeys toward Christ. I (John) will never forget when Jet, a young man I read with daily, told me that he had never prayed before and asked me to teach him. After studying the Lord’s Prayer in depth, we prayed together and Jet prayed that I would be a good man, husband, and father. I thank God for such a beautiful moment!

While in Beijing, we grew to love the people and God began stirring in our hearts a desire to possibly return to share the Good News with them for an extended time period. Since returning home, God has continued to grow that love and desire. As a result, we are submitting to what we believe is His calling on our lives and are preparing to return to Beijing within the next few months (prayerfully by August 20th) to begin what will initially be a one-year missions internship. Longtime missionaries, Gary and Danita Jackson, have agreed to mentor us and we will be working closely with them. We believe there is great opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus in China and that the “fields are white unto harvest”.

As we shared with you before, we know we can’t do this alone. Thus we are coming to you again asking you to partner with us. Most importantly, we ask you to make us a regular part of your prayers as we prepare to return and throughout our time in China. Specifically, please pray that we will transition and respond to culture shock well, that God will give us a special ability to learn Chinese, and that we will have many opportunities to advance the Kingdom of God though the power of His Spirit.

Additionally, we ask you to consider making a one-time or ongoing/monthly financial contribution toward this work. As a family, we will need to raise support in the amount of $49,800. These funds would cover airfare to and from Beijing, language study, food, lodging, international health insurance, and all other living and working expenses for one year. We are more than willing to make available a complete breakdown of our budget upon request.

If you are willing to join us in this way, you can send tax-deductible donations in our name to Garden Ridge Church of Christ. The address is 102 N. Garden Ridge Blvd, Lewisville, TX 75067. The church phone number is 972.221.3561. Whether or not you are able to contribute financially, will you please pass this information on to your church’s missions committee or leadership? We would love to come visit with them about what God is doing in our lives and in China!

In Beijing, we’ll be focusing on two concepts: sharing Jesus and sharing our lives with the people we meet. We are thankful to be taking part in such an incredible opportunity. We pray that God will be honored and glorified in our partnership in China. Thanks, in advance for your prayers and support. God bless you and your family.

In His Love,
John, Susan, and Nash Cooper