Last time I wrote I was frustrated with a lot of things--mainly with people at work, including my boss, co-workers, and even the janitor who works in my building. It was a week where I was faced with just a few too many ethical decisions that I was hoping would only confront me in my ethics classes at Calvin. That said, I am very grateful that I had those classes--it didn't make it any easier, but it wasn't the first time I had thought about those issues.
Anyway, that frustration was changed into sheer joy and praise last night, when Dan and I were able to talk with Bing and Zhou Li ("Joe Lee") about Christianity for close to two hours (over ice cream!). Bing is a post-doc in my lab, and Zhou Li is his wife. They were at our wedding, so maybe some of you remember them. Bing's contract is almost done here in my lab, but he has not had a great time here, mainly because of his relationship with my boss. My boss is a great advisor, and a really brilliant man, but has very little patience with non-English speakers. Anyway, he hasn't been very helpful in getting Bing another position as a post-doc, etc., because of his letters of 'recommendation.' Anyway, Bing has been working himself into the ground lately (3 hours of sleep every night), and Zhou Li was really worried about him. So last night Dan and I went back to the lab (their second home) and took them out for ice cream. Zhou Li has recently (as of yesterday afternoon) accepted Christ, and of course, she was bubbling over with excitement about that. She wouldn't stop talking about it, and both of them kept asking questions about forgiveness, acceptance of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, etc. We were able to share our own stories of God's grace (we have a lot of them) in our lives, and afterwards we prayed with them. I am so happy that Zhou Li has accepted Christ, and I think Bing is just a hair away from it as well. As for the two of us, well, it was one of the best dates we've had in a while! Not that we don't have fun going to the movies or playing volleyball together, but sharing the gospel with your husband/boyfriend/friend (whatever stage you are at) is an amazing experience. I am so glad we can do that together, and that as Christians we have that 'firm foundation' and common goal to aspire to.
I hope you all keep Bing and Zhou Li in your prayers, they really need it now. Pray that Bing will get a good position where he will be challenged but encouraged as well. Pray that wherever they end up, they will have a good church family to join (this could be tricky in China). And most of all, thank God for Zhou Li's acceptance, and pray that Bing will soon accept Christ as well.
God is good, all the time!