Wednesday in the Smoky Mountains

Its Wednesday morning in the Smokey Mountains; rain is falling and the air is cool. I had expected a bit more warmth, so didn't bring heavier clothing. Brrrrrr. But the meetings are inside and it isn't really necessary to go outdoors. Yesterday was beautiful--just right in every way. So, as the song we learned as kids goes,

As a rule man's a fool,
When its hot he wants it cool;
When its cool he wants it hot,
Always wanting what is not!

I have met several of my Facebook "friends" in person this week. Nice to put a person to their picture. By the way, I haven't figured out yet how to put a picture in my FB profile! Need to talk to a teenager!

A number of younger men are preaching during the morning messages and it is a joy to see them doing such outstanding jobs. There has certainly developed a good "down line" of men coming along behind us older guys who are taking up the baton and carrying it with vigor.

One thing David does that is rather unique is to have a Grace School of the Bible Day. The school is featured during the day, especially by having different students and grads give testimonies as to its impact on their lives and ministries. One special thing this year has been reports on what is going on in China.

Bob Barlow was able to attend this conference and he has been explaining some things happening in China. He originally went there to teach in a university as a means to share the gospel with students. Interestingly, students cannot attend university in China unless they speak English! So they are a great mission field.

After seeing a number of student trust Christ and also meeting many Chinese Christians in the "underground" church, Bob has had the opportunity to introduce the message of grace to an eager audience. It has caught on like wild-fire and now there are mid-Acts grace believing assemblies in every Provence of China--even the Muslim areas!

One of the things they have done is take the GSB classes (we provided Bob with the whole school curriculum) and duplicate them. Some 7,000 copies of the Romans DVDs have been distributed! Now they are working on the Ephesians class DVDs. We can't even imaging what the outcome of such an effort will possible be.

Bob has largely spent his time teaching the English speaking teachers and leaders, who in turn teach the other leaders and so forth on down the "house church" network. They have been translating the school classes, too! Bob, by the way, is originally from south Georgia....imagine learning/listening to south Georgian English and south Alabama lingo and putting that into Chinese! You have to have a real hunger for the Word just to get that far!

If you would like to have a part in helping with the financial needs of this effort, let me know and I can give you the details. There is a need to maintain a low profile due to the Chinese government's many restrictions and constant monitoring.

As the conference hits mid-week folks begin to go home. Some have actually stayed longer than really convenient due to job and life obligations. We had a tearful parting with several last evening, but we carry on! He that endureth to the end gets all the blessings!

Maranatha!