Dec. 24, 2005

Dear Friend in Christ,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

How are you and yours? During this special season, think about you. Trust that God's grace has been sufficient to you as His to me. Thank you so much for your Christmas cards, E-cards, and letters and emails. I appreciate and enjoy them all. I felt so blessed, when I read them, to know what God has done in your lives for His glory. I also felt so encouraged by your sharing and your kindly, caring words to me. Thank you for remembering me in your prayers!

Some of you have indicated that you have not heard from me for a while. I appreciate very much for your care! Yes, I have not sent a “formal” letter since the last one in Feb. when I joined East Gates Ministries International. Since then, I have been back to China with our team twice about two months in April and Sept. and had a nationwide trip with the team about another month in the US in May. I have also involved in a local Chinese ministry here in Seattle, and done a quite bit translation works from English to Chinese and vice versa. Besides many other things, my main responsibility of the ministry is for our training program. I have spent a lot of time preparing training materials through reading and writing for our use in China specifically. One day when I shared with a long-time mentor and a former professor about my feeling, I said, “the more I have learned, the less I felt I know.” He replied, “Now, there is a hope for you J.” Therefore, our goal for our training program is to equip our brothers and sisters in the church of China becoming Jesus’ disciples rather than merely theologians; servant-leaders in Christ rather than just church administrators. We desire to grow with our training participants in Christ Jesus spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. Please do pray for us!

A few days ago, I got a card from a dear friend. She wrote, “Dorcas, what are your new dreams and plans in the New Year?” Yes, I believe that 2006 will be a new chapter in my life in many ways. To enhance our ministry, I will be ordained at a local Lutheran church on Jan. 15, 2006 to complete something that should be done a long time ago. After this, I will be sent back by East Gates to Beijing, China for a long-term ministry over there (The current assignment is a three-year term).

Moving back to China makes me excited, for it has been my heart desire during these years. However, to be honest, once it happens there is also a “mixed feeling.” I have been here in the US for almost 21 years, which I have never thought I would be here for so long. In some ways, this country has become more “familiar” to me in comparison with China, my homeland. China has changed greatly since the time I left. I will be somehow like “a new comer” over there learning many things from the beginning. Trips back to China have made me realize my "foreignness" to my own homeland. I am thankful for the positive change in China, but in a deep concern about those other areas … How much my fellow Chinese in China need to know Jesus! How much we, Chinese Christians, need to be the salt and the light in the society!

I have been greatly blessed during these years by your friendship and fellowship in Christ. I thank God for my privilege of knowing you and for your loving care, support and prayers. All of them mean so much to me. God has through you let me sense His love, joy, and hope in different circumstances. God knows our needs, but He works through His people. You have been “Jonathan” and “Barnabas” to me in the times you might not even know. For all your kindness, I will be always grateful! I hope that we can keep in touch. I trust that our physical distance will not separate our friendship in Christ. I need YOUR PRAYER SUPPORT more than any other time. I know that there are many challenges and even difficulties before me. But God and your prayers are with me. Please do pray that God will grant me wisdom, patience, strength both spiritual and physical, and a good local fellowship group, so that I will be a useful vessel in His hand in my new mission field – my homeland, China. Also, please remember me in your payers as I am now preparing for this relocation. “There’s so little time and so much to do,” as the late President Kennedy said. May our God help us “to get the most out of life, make every moment count for Christ.” You all are in my prayers! God continue to bless you and make you blessings to many others as you have been to me! Please take a good care!

Love in Christ,
Dorcas