ODDS:
Halloween: Ok, so we know it is not popular among Christian circles to celebrate Halloween. We know all of the horrific, pagan things that can be associated with this holiday. Yet, for Susan and I, this has always been one of our favorite holidays. Not because we love witchcraft and wizardry, but because we loved how much fun we had as kids, dressing up in fun (not scary or deranged) costumes and going door-to-door for candy. I mean what kid wouldn’t love that?!? So, we were a bit bummed that Nash was going to have to miss out on the festivities this year since Halloween is barely recognized much less celebrated here. However, we did take Nash trick-or-treating to Katherine Gould's and Gary and Danita Jackson's apartments. Also Gary and Danita told us about a Fall Festival (aka Halloween Party) that a local church for foreigners was hosting. We took Nash and he had a great time. He especially loved the fishing game. He could have stayed there all night. We dressed him up in a Garfield “hoodie” because that is all we could find in the way of a costume. We are so thankful for the River of Grace Church for hosting this event!
Snow: It started snowing early Sunday morning, November 1st and we got to enjoy the white stuff for almost a full day before it stopped falling and eventually melted. Growing up in West Texas, Susan and I saw a few early snows, but thought it was really neat we were able to experience one here in Beijing. Of course, after a couple of days, we were ready and thankful for the warmer temperatures.
(Photo by Katherine Gould)
ENDS:
Language Class: Can it really be possible that we have been in China long enough to have completed our first twenty lessons and first lesson book? On Thursday we began the second book in a two-book series called “301”. After 20 more lessons, we should have learned (or at least practiced) 301 phrases in Chinese. Please continue to pray that we can pick up the language and comprehend what we are studying.
Andrew’s Virus: Our friend and teammate, Andrew Hill, has struggled for about a week now with a virus and other related complications. Please pray that this will soon come to an end and that Andrew can be back to full health serving at the Jinsong Church. He and his wife, Jaime, planted the Jinsong church along with several Chinese believers a few months ago.
Wang Chao Qun: My friend, Wang Chao Qun, sent me a text the other day asking if he could see me because he was leaving Beijing. Tonight, he is going to see his family for a month before heading to South Korea to study international trade for the next three years. Chao Qun helped us to find our apartment and was someone that Susan and I have been praying for and reaching out to ever since we met him. There is just something special about his gentle spirit and we want him to know the Lord. He and I had studied Luke and prayed together before and he had also attended several Bible studies, including our Monday night group, for seekers. Today, when I met him for lunch, I told him to keep searching for God and I pray he will. We gave him a Bible and prayed for him before saying goodbye. We pray that seeds that have been planted will receive nourishment and eventually produce fruit in his life. We ask for you to join us in praying for our friend.
(Wang Chao Qun, Photo by Katherine Gould)
Well, that is about all for now. Please let us know what is new with you. We always love to hear from our friends and family back home.
Love,
John, Susan, and Nash Cooper
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