From Candy Canes to Christ - An Update

 - Chinese Christians in Missions Series - 

In June, 2019 we published a 2-part story about a Chinese University student called Jan.

Invited to a Thanksgiving celebration hosted by a CCSM Mission Team, Jan heard not only the story behind Thanksgiving but the meaning of Christmas as well!  Before this all she knew about Christmas was Santa Claus and candy canes.

Not long after, she became an enthusiastic follower of Christ and was soon leading Bible studies and introducing others to the Lord. (It seems new Christians mature quickly in China perhaps because there are so few leaders that someone has to step up!)

Later, Jan was invited to work at a Christian Holiday Camp in America where she was offered a scholarship to study at a Canadian Bible College. Our 2019 story ended with an excited Jan, fund-raising for her living costs in Canada, and worrying that the China Government would not approve her study programme.

CCSM recently caught up with Jan and heard how things have unfolded for her...

She need not have worried about living costs or Government approval.

In her words, she learnt the meaning of “my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

A friend who had lived in China offered her free accommodation whilst in Canada and her many foreign brothers and sisters provided for all her living costs.

On her return to China she was puzzled that she seemed to be making friends with a number of Koreans. Some were students and some were missionaries involved in church planting. It was the start of a love affair with the Korean people. She is now a fluent Korean speaker and has done several youth camps including one with North Korean teenagers who had defected across the border.

As of 1 October, she is currently in Korea and looking at options for full time ministry.

She writes:

“This trip has been awesome. We had a group of kids in camp for three weeks and most of them have never heard of Jesus. So we have had amazing opportunity to tell them about who He is and teach them.

I’m heading back to China soon and I’m praying every single day for opportunity to get back to Korea. God has touched my heart for this nation and I feel so happy when I’m here and speaking their language. I feel this is where my heart belongs – I just feel joyful and on fire for mission here.”

After she wrote this she has been invited to meet with an international youth ministry who have a base in Korea. This looks like a very promising opportunity. Of course there will be living costs – but God has always met Jan’s needs and she’s confident He will do so again. We will keep you updated.

Prayer points.

Praise God that Joy is one of the new breed of young Chinese cross -cultural missionaries. Pray Jan will be one of countless more to obey the Great Commission.

Pray that Jan’s application will be successful and her heart’s desire to serve in Korea full time will become a reality.

Pray she will impact many young lives with the life - saving gift of salvation through Christ.