China 2011

Ministry Time in Hong Kong
July 19, 2011

While in Hong Kong Marilyn and Sarah both ministered at pastors conference sanctioned by the Chinese government. At the conference Marilyn spoke on Generational Blessings and Sarah spoke about Mary and Martha. Pastors from three self churches and from underground churches were all at this conference.

On the first day of the conference, the travelers prayed over the pastors for healing and their individual ministries. The conference organizers had the five separate rooms set up according to different ailments the pastors wanted prayer for. This system worked great. When the pastors came in the travelers know exactly what they needed prayer for. This was a a big help since they didn’t have individual interpreters. Many people were healed! The Holy Spirit did wonderful things in each pastor’s life.

One of the travelers summed up the trip with one word–JOY! It was a celebration from start to finish!

Thank you for your prayers!

More thoughts from Sarah…
July 7, 2011

While in Hong Kong I had an amazing experience – the kind that takes my breath away and pause in awestruck wonder at Gods indescribable work in our lives. I had the profound honor of getting to minister to well over 1,000 Christian leaders from all over China. For me, this honor is particularly meaningful because of having China in my heart for more than 20 years. I started coming to China as a teenager and fell in love with the people from my 1st trip. So this moment was extremely powerful – getting to minister about loving Jesus to these fantastic leaders.

Added onto this, I had some absolutely amazing fellowship with some of the highest caliber of people that I’ve ever met. As I look back, I cannot help but see God’s hand guiding and providing for me. He gives me exactly what I need, when I need it. With this confidence and assurance, it helps me know that I can trust Him to richly supply for my needs. In my better moments, I know that God is beyond good to me and today is one of those better moments (even though I miss my family LOTS). So I will remember this Independence Day especially well – for God’s astounding goodness and love to me.

Time for Ministry
July 7, 2011

The day started with wonderful praise and worship, along with powerful prayer and continued great teaching on wisdom by Marilyn.

The travelers then toured Victoria Peak, where they were able to view all of Hong Kong from there. Hong Kong’s skyline is dramatic and beautiful. Then on to some shopping and then back to the hotel to freshen up and head out to the Revival Conference (RC).

The RC was held in the local YMCA grounds. It was a perfect setting – the buildings were all painted with designs and scenery, so the complex was quite colorful.

We first went through an orientation that was informative and really gave us insight as to how organized the Chinese people are.

The main event on this day was praying for the pastors and leaders who attended, so we were asked to split up the travelers to pray for specific needs: one hall was dedicated to organs, the second was for orthopedic, the third was for head trauma, the fourth for chronic illness, and the fifth hall was for maternity issues.

For about an hour and a half the group positioned themselves in the halls and the pastors and leaders were brought in and lined up, in a very orderly fashion, and were prayed for by the travelers.
Once everyone was prayed for, we all went to the dining hall for a meal.

Then into the main hall, which has a capacity of over a thousand seats, for the evening meeting, in which Sarah and Marilyn preached. Sarah taught on generational blessings, and Marilyn taught on generational curses.

The day was full and rich, and our travelers were so excited about the mionistry they were blessed to be a part of, and llooking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Some thoughts from Sarah about Hong Kong
July 7, 2011

Sunday morning I landed and met up with our group of almost 70 travelers and mom and we had the tremendous honor of getting to minister at an amazing pastors and leaders conference. I was extremely excited to be there for lots if different reasons.

To begin, I’ve been coming to Hong Kong for more than 20 years and ministering in many different ways and settings, but this was my first time to minister with mom at a leaders conference. Furthermore, the people who ministered with us are total legends and heroes in the faith – people I’ve looked up to for years and decades. Additionally, I am forever astounded by Hong Kong, the people, history and development.

Presently, Hong Kong is considered to be a SAR (special administrative region) for China. Before 1997, it was under British rule but it has since been absorbed under the control of the PRC (People’s Republic of China). There have been many changes here since I first started coming to Hong Kong in the late 80s.

Last but not least, Hong Kong is an extremely beautiful city – here’s a picture from Victoria’s Peak.

Happy Birthday, Marilyn!
July 3, 2011

The morning started with a big birthday surprise for Marilyn with balloons and the staff and travelers singing Happy Birthday to her.

Other highlights of that morning: video clips of beloved and popular church leaders such as Dodie Osteen, Brian Houston, TD Jakes, Mark Rutland, the Lambs of Daystar, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Jerry Savelle and more wishing her their happy birthday greetings.

Gifts of a beautiful silk blouse, a 24 hour prayer commitment list, a selection of travelers who shared what Marilyn has meant to them through the years, a worship song dedicated to her and more made for a heartfelt morning. Marilyn was deeply touched!

Then off to the tours of the days the first being theTemple of Heaven in southern Beijing, which was constructed, renovated and rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This was the place where the various emperors of those two dynasties would worship their god of heaven and pray for a good harvest. This is the largest architectural complex in the world built for worship. I’m finding that Beijing has a lot of ”largest” this and that’s.

Then we visited the panda pavilion at the Beijing Zoo, and learned that pandas mostlysleep and eat. One of the ones we saw was sleeping, and one was sprawled out in a tree eating!

Then we did the Hutong (alley, courtyard) tour. The Hutong is the traditional living quarters of the Beijing population that has an over 600 year history, and it’s quite a popular attraction for tourists. We traversed this area via rickshaws, bicycles that pull a buggy that seats 2 people. The 15 min ride ended in visiting one of the resident’s houses and him and his wife explaining through an interpreter what their daily lives were like. The weather cooperated and the travelers loved it!

Then a visit to Olympic park, two structures built for the 2008 Olympics inBeijing, where we saw the “Bird’s nest” and the “Water Cube” where the events took place.

In between tours, we visited the Beijing Silk Factory, where the travelers had a chance to look at the process of making silk (different cocoon stages, etc.) and buy silk to their heart’s content.

Then back to hotel to prepare for the travel day to Hong Kong.

Great Teaching, Great Wall and More!
July 3, 2011

Today we had fantastic prayer, praise and worship, and continued teaching by Marilyn on wisdom. The travelers have been so hungry for the word of God through Marilyn, and are feasting on every word.

The first stop was a section of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall was built 2000 years ago and rebuilt several times by around 7 or 8 dynasties, the destruction and rebuilding spanning over 1000 years. The idea was for protection against invasion by the Mongolian minorities inhabiting the northern border.

The travelers then proceeded to the Ming tombs, built 600 years ago from the year 1409 to 1419, to view the tomb for most successful among the 16 emperors in that dynasty, which spanned from 1368 to 1644. This tomb is both the largest and the best preserved among the 13 tombs of that area of China.

In between tours, the travelers visited a jade factory, where you see how they carve the jade and how to distinguish between real and fake jade. Jade has been the most popular stone for over 3000 years, because according to popular beliefs, it brings good health and luck.

Then back to the hotel for dinner and the travelers are all excited about celebrating Marilyn’s 80th in the morning!

Experiencing the Wonders and Beauty of China
June 30, 2011

This day started with a great time of prayer, worship, and tours to the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen square, with a stop along the way at the Freshwater Pearl Factory where the group got to not only see the process that creates the various quality of pearls, but got to fish for oysters, crack them open, and see if they yielded pearls which they were able to keep for themselves.

Here is some interesting information about the places we are seeing.

The Summer Palace was built by the most powerful woman in Chinese history, Cixi (pronounced similar to Suzie) aka the Dragon Lady. She lived from 1835 to 1908, and for the last 48 years, she was the Empress Dowager, very powerful. The Summer Palace inhabits 700 acres, including 3 artificial lakes and 2 artificial mountains. It was built to serve as a summer resort for the Dragon Lady. Within this complex, we saw the longest painted corridor in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) full of detailed paintings depicting China’s beauty, history, etc.

The Forbidden City includes palaces for the Ming and Qing dynasties. Twenty four Emperors lived there continuously for over 500 years. This complex inhabits about 200 acres with 9,999 rooms in it. The reason it’s not 10,000 rooms because the Taoists believe there are 10,000 rooms in heaven and out of respect, did not equal this number.

Tiananmen Square is largest city center square in the world, and also the largest concrete square in the world. It is considered the political center of China, geographic center of Beijing, and the emotional center of the Chinese people. Oct 1, 1949, Chairman Mao proclaimed China as the People’s Republic of China, or the birthplace of “new” China. The Parliament, Chinese Red House (like our white house), Chinese CIA, Mao’s mausoleum, and much more are here. In 1989, a group of students backed by some political figures protested the government policies and sacrificed their lives there, which made that square popular in the US. However, nothing changed as a result of their protest.

The trip is going great. Thank you for your continued prayers.

China 2011 – The Adventure Begins
June 28, 2011

The travelers arrived late in the afternoon, all abuzz with excitement about the trip. Our group consists of 67 people while in Beijing, and 68 people when we arrive in Hong Kong. We have two New Zealanders and one Canadian, originally from Romania. It was a short day, with a couple hours to refresh from the trip, eat a scrumptious Chinese dinner at the hotel, and then all retired to our rooms. Wednesday we will tour the Summer Palace of a Chinese emperor, and the Forbidden City.

Thank you for your prayers. We look forward to all God has planned for this amazing trip.

We’re On Our Way, China!
June 27, 2011

The China Ministry trip team is on it’s way! We will be posting the exciting updates from the team as they come in. Check back here often to hear what’s happening. Please continue to pray for divine wisdom and great favor everywhere the team travels.