Dearest Family (ALL of you!)
I know you are all gathering at our beautiful Sun Valley family reunion this week! Save an empty chair for me at the table and know that I am feeling so much love for you even though I'm 1/2 a world away. If Aubrey is able to come this year, tell her she needs to eat plenty of peanut butter fudge for herself AND even more for the baby :)
This week, I again feel so humbled by the opportunity to be a missionary. Miao JM and I are working very hard and the Lord is richly blessing our investigators here in JiLong. I've often found myself pondering over the truth that God has called me to this corner of the world. I think: who am I to help these dear people? I am a young and inexperienced foreigner - am I truly qualified to help the Taiwanese face their overwhelming challenges? I've often thought of the prophet Enoch's words in Moses, Chapter 6. Like Enoch, I have felt times where I have "bowed ..before the Lord..saying...I am but a lad (YW ;)), and all the people hate me, for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?" I testify that the Lord's answer in verse 34 is extended to all those He has called. The Lord tells Enoch "my spirit is upon you, therefore all thy words will I justify... therefore walk with me".
I am particularly taken by that last phrase. This is the Lord's work, He is already working in every element of missionary service, in every process of building His kingdom. We just need to walk with Him having humility toward ourselves and perfect confidence in Him.
This week really has been extraordinary. I remember one day, despite extra training in the morning and a member dinner apointment, we had 7 lessons in one day! God truly makes anything possible.
I want to share about one of our beloved investigators: Tang Nai Nai. She is in her sixties and full of humor! A few weeks ago she had a baptismal date scheduled. Alas, the day before, she told her son of the event and he was adamently against her dicision. We've been continually visiting her. We take a long bus ride to her home and have a lesson out in the dark as she waits for the garbage truck. We sit on a quiet, car-packed street under the stark illumination of bright white lights. Somehow it seems very much like a scene at Privet Drive in a Harry Potter novel. We love Tan Nai nai and continue to pray for her. She's started coming to church again! Pray for her!
I can scarcely believe it is August. I feel tender but confident in the power of the Lord. I feel very changed for the better. I know that the more I forget myself and love these people fiercely, openly, unconditionally; the more God blesses me, the more I understand of His work and the small role I play in it.
"Share the Gospel everywhere, and if necessary, use words" - St. Francis of Assisi
So. profoundly. true. Try speaking Chinese ;)
Love you All!
Sister Barden
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