Sunday, December 16, 2012

We Must Fight For Our Children

We Must Fight For Our Children

We are more than conquerors   Rom 8:37

I write to you young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.  I John 2:13

Have faith in God. Whoever says to this mountain, 'be removed and be cast into the sea' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Mark 11:22-24

If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.  Matthew 17:20

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devils walks about like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. Resist him    I Peter 5:8-9

I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  Luke 10:19


All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Matthew 28:18

....you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you   Acts 1:8


Friday, December 7, 2012

Dancing On The Edge


DANCING ON THE EDGE

How many of you remember that scene in “It’s a Wonderful Life” where Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed are dancing at a high school prom?  A jealous friend flips the switch to open the gym floor covering the swimming pool underneath. They just keep dancing along unaware they are about to fall with a big splash.  Funny thing is that after everyone gets a big laugh, they start jumping in while Jimmy and Donna keep dancing!

LeRoy and I returned to the US in April of 2010 to celebrate our 25 years in missions and to figure out where to live and how to continue our work in Asia. After 20 months we finally leased a home in Spokane Valley, WA very near Tim, Marianne, Kaitlyn, Kyra and Micah.

Now we are based in the US and travel back and forth between here and Asia. We’ve returned 3 times so far for a total of 6 months.  Another trip is planned for the spring of 2013.

Not long after we returned, a person unknown to us told us that we were ‘on the precipice’.  Our interpretation was that we were at a point in our lives where God was about to do something big and/or different. 

Since nothing earth-shaking has happened, I am assuming that we are still ‘dancing on the edge’.  We continue to be involved with our former students, international students, Deaf ministry, hospitality, mentoring, writing and relief work. 

So we continue to dance and wait to see if we fall or jump off the edge!


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Latest book - First Novel




Latest Book - First Novel

Awaiting you at many locations this time. We're even digital with this one - yeah, modern, high tech age for me.
  • Amazon.com-Kindle
  • Barnes & Noble - Nook
  • Google eBooks
 Xulon is negotiating with Sony and Apple and expect to start uploading eBooks to those sites shortly.

If you like to hold a real book in your hand then you can get one from your local Christian bookstore or order through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Actually you should be able to get one through any book store. Just ask them.

Back Cover 

As Hubie made his way deliberately down the rows of butter beans and squash, he turned to look back at the house, then looked toward where John Thomas continued his slow walk across the hayfield; still hatless, still with his head down, still with his shoulders drooping; then Hubie looked back to the house.

“It was not meant for such,” he remarked out loud.  “This house was not built for such a time as this.”

His few words explained much about the house and about those who lived in and around it.


LeRoy Ramsey has also written Backing In The Front Door and co-authored Baby In A Box with his wife, Jane. In addition, he has written Will You Go?, a booklet about missions and available to churches and fellowships interested in promoting mission outreaches.

He was born in Palestine and left Paris to move his family to China. 
A career in journalism led him to such exotic places like Commerce, Fort Hood, Sulphur Springs, Arlington, Gatesville and Paris. (All in Texas)
In 1985 LeRoy and Jane picked up their family (the children were 15, 9 and 5) and moved to Wuhan, Hubei in the People’s Republic of China. That was just the beginning of a Great God Adventure with the Chinese people. They have spent almost three decades working in China. They have now added two granddaughters, one grandson and one son-in-law to the clan.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Difference Between Religion and The Gospel


The Difference Between Religion and The Gospel

Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. 
Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.

Religion has good people & bad people. 
Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.

Religion values a birth family. 
Gospel values a new birth.

Religion depends on what I do. 
Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.

Religion has the goal to get stuff from God. 
Gospel has the goal to get God.

Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin. 
Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.

Religion is about me. 
Gospel is about Jesus.

Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key. 
Gospel believes that being honest is the key.

Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God. 
Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus' work.

Religion ends in pride or despair. 
Gospel ends in humble joy.

--edited from Mark Driscoll, on the difference between Religion and the Gospel
@The Timothy Report - use this link to subscribe http://www.timothyreport.com

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Watch Your Language


Watch Your Language!


Ot Yet?

I did my nurse's training at a hospital in Liverpool,
England. My fellow students and I had little money for
meals, so we ate the awful food provided at the hospital
complex.

We often took our breaks in the kitchen and sometimes kindly
visitors would give us some of the treats they had brought
for patients who had not wanted to eat them.

One night a woman brought a pie to the kitchen and said to
me, "Would you eat this up, love?"

Another student and I devoured every delicious crumb!

Soon our benefactor returned, however, and asked, "Is me
'usband's pie 'ot yet, dearie?" (hot yet?)

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Again, thanks to all who responded to my query about the switch from reviling military people to honoring them.
A couple of more came in after the original posting, so including those below.



Hoosierland
  I think there is another thing that might play into the present day honoring of vets.  Our country likes get all hyped up about whatever is the latest craze.... tons of flowers at the site of a shooting, vigils on anniversaries, gatherings for causes, etc, etc.  With the media 24/7 and social media bringing instant gatherings, I think a combination of:    a) a determination not to repeat the poor treatment of the Vietnam vets .  Because the war was so hated by the young, the treatment of the men fighting was part of the disdain b) an environment of loving to show caring and appreciation for whatever...  c) a politically correct environment that says our military should be honored even if we don't agree with the war  d) politicians over the past 10 years touting their service even if it was minimal...    It has become the politically correct thing to do and when that is the case, stand aside......


Colorado Vet
   My 2 cents worth.  I believe a strong contributing factor was the Vietnam vets, and perhaps their children, who saw the troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.  They said to themselves: "Even though no one said 'Thanks for serving' when we came home, we're going to make sure that doesn't happen to these men and women."  Sort of a "Do unto others as you wish they had done unto you."  It began in small ways in various places and caught on because people saw it was a good thing to do, the right thing to do.
       By the way, you and I both went through Basic Training at Ft. Ord.  Sun and sand on the rifle range!  And rain, lots of rain.






Wednesday, November 14, 2012


Below are the responses from my question concerning the change in attitude toward military personnel in The US of A. Again, thanks so much for your input. I greatly appreciate it. LeRam


From OK City Sweet Niece

It's actually because of the treatment of Vietnam vets right after the war that people have changed the way they treat vets. Many men were coming home from Vietnam being shunned for fighting in what they(the public) considered to be such a senseless war. In comparison WWII vets were welcomed home with parades and kisses in the streets from nurses. Our country saw a decline in not only voluntary enlistment into the armed forces but also an overall lack of support for it altogether. There were many vets from Vietnam that were treated for PPD and other issues. The public shed a light on it and we've responded. Same issues came up with Iraq war that people disagreed with but the public for the most part never blamed it on the military personnel as they had before. I know I'm proud of the vets that I know and love like you and my dad! 

From Chicago Brain

Don't consider myself as being among the "smart people", but I can tell you that in Chicago they had a parade to honor (literally to welcome them home) Vietnam veterans in either '82 or '83 (mid year).  Long overdue!  I remember seeing many of them in tears and several who had been permanently disabled from wounds suffered during that war.  
I can only guess that a very biased media and an unknown number of corporate executives (who sent their sons to Canada AND then built factories up there with US dollars so they'd have work;  GM is one in particular) that helped create the unpopular image.  Should have been directed at our politicians (and France) in my opinion, NOT at our veterans.  
They simply answered the call (the lottery draft) for the most part.  Do you remember who was President in the '82 ?  Was it Reagan?  Maybe he, or G Bush, his VP, that helped change the attitude.



Dr. Phil in Paris [The TX one]

About 1975...it was when I was in Derm training at Walter Reed, I attended a medical meeting in NYC. We were about to leave and catch the train back to DC and had a little time to kill At least back then, we had to be in uniform at least one day of the meeting and when we traveled. So, I was in the "dress green," of course it has the Medical Corps insignia. D and I were walking through Time's Square and someone behind us screamed. We got to the stoplight and looked at each other and said, "What was that? What did he scream?" A man came up to us and said,"He didn't like you, did he?" We asked what he had screamed and he said,"MURDERER!!!"

Well, that was during Vietnam time. We don't have Jane Fonda going over to see the Taliban and giving us sad stories of their plight from the vicious Americans now either. We didn't have a "9-1-1" to rally around either. 

Otherwise, we have always loved our vets, haven't we?

LeTourneau Univ Lady of Renown 

I have seen a gradual turn towards loving our military men whether from WWI, or WWII or Viet Nam or whatever.  I like it.  I think there were 15 or more chain restaurants giving free meals to vets yesterday and today!

A Hollywood Oasis

I don't know what brought about the switch but am thankful for it also. Especially for young people to appreciate this country and the high price that has been paid to keep it free.

Insuring E. Texas Lady

I do not know why attitudes changed, but I am glad.  I guess some things about America are better than they used to be....( I’m looking for positives to hang on to!)….

Spokane Deaf Dear

We should all be thankful - it's a free country. We should also remember those families who lost loved ones in the wars. We can all remember them in our hearts as Jesus takes care of them in Heaven. My dad and two uncles fought in WWII.  When they saw wounded soldiers coming home on the trains, it hit them hard. They were scared to see them. 
I give thanks for our country because we are free. Bless the soldiers who serve our country.




Salem Sister

Every good and perfect gift comes from God - some are waking up to the fact that our men and women who protect us with their lives are worthy of many thanks and much gratitude.



Dalhart Doc

I believe a lot of the change was brought about by CNN during the First
Gulf War.  When I went to the Navy's Officer Indoctrination School in
Newport Rhode Island in 1990 some of the college kids down from Boston for
the weekends still threw beer bottles at us on the streets and shouted
"baby killers!"
After CNN showed every moment of Operation Desert Storm and Americans had
seen the sacrifice and professionalism of the servicemen, it was
different.  People secretly paid for our meals at restaurants.  People
gave up their first class seats on planes for servicemen.
I think the way CNN used embedded reporters and satellites link-ups to
show the unfiltered behavior and unscripted heroism of servicemen did a
lot to open people's eyes to the character of our servicemen, especially
when contrasted right there on the television screen with atrocities being
committed at the same time around the world by other militaries in Bosnia
and Somalia and the Middle East.


From Pittsburgh [not TX] Robosmart Person

Then there was the draft. 
Now it's all volunteer.

Then it was a new time of realizing that one had the ability to 
choose against the rules of the Establishment. Many did not 
accept the reasons for the war in southeast Asia and felt that 
those who participated chose to be immoral.

Now many recognize that there may be legitimate reasons, but
nevertheless, it is not the fault of those serving.  Those serving
need support while they are deployed, and when they come home.

The big shift is separating the blame of war so that it rests on the 
leaders and not also on the soldiers.

I'm glad your service is now being respectfully recognized.


Albuquerque Smart People

As two of your "smart friends" , the change occurred gradually when people finally realized that blaming the vets for the Vietnam War was not right. Vietnam has been widely regarded as a mistake, but it certainly wasn't the vets' mistake. They were not responsible for the decisions that led to our involvement. The whole country sort of felt guilty for how returning vets had been treated.
   So as the memories of the Vietnam War era faded, when new wars arose, people were determined not to blame the soldiers. To some extent it was a conscious decision. I remember reading articles saying as much. Now people bend over backwards to honor vets, and when atrocities are committed by our soldiers, we carefully avoid painting the whole army with that brush.
   Getting rid of the draft is part of the change too. For better or worse, people don't get nearly as upset about war as they used to because wars now are fought by volunteers.
   So that is our two cents worth. Give our love to your family.


Dallas Dude

The reason why the army has changed in perception is because criminals are not 'given a second' chance anymore by going into the military so in my view it is somehow more of an august profession although after reading about pat tillman's time there I don't know. Also Vietnam was a war that really had nothing connected to the states except theory. And then there were no major conflicts for so long. Persian gulf war was clean and tidy and the Iraq war was based on a misguided theory but America wanted revenge so it was more palatable.
 I believe that most veterans are treated better now but it's mainly just window dressing. When they return they are not given much help except to be tossed handfuls of anti depressants. The suicide rate is way too high. My buddy I worked with in Chicago had been on two tours in Iraq by 2006 and he had seen and done a lot of stuff but mainly kept it to himself. I think he was able to disassociate himself so that was good and he had strong family, friends and got right into a job. Oh and bombs went off around him but he never was close enough to get brain injury so that probably helped a lot. Now if we can get back to being on ships instead of land I think most guys will be better off. 


Bright Star Answer Lady

To answer your question I think the change has been slow but because of the way the vets were treated in the Viet Nam era people have begun to re-think where they would be without them. There was a low military force because men did not want to be treated as they saw the vets treated. 
Dessert Storm was a success story  and things turned with that war as well and then when the trade tower were attacked and our USA got hit PERSONALLY that really helped. It was not longer "their war- over there" it had arrived on our soil.

Whatcom County First Lady

 I have to tell you a story that happen during Jacks first 4 years (2002-2005)as Mayor of Lynden.
The local Lynden Chamber of Commerce hosted a Veterans Dinner, during a Memorial Day weekend for those who had served.

In all my years as being the Mayor's wife, this is one of my most memorable events. The dinner was well attended and we heard many stories of service in Vietnam. The one that really stood out in my mind was from a man who was a helicopter gunner. An intense position to serve. He didn’t say much about being the gunner, just said he was a gunner…I didn’t need to ask what that meant. This man was an acquaintance, I knew his family, I never knew he was a gunner. He is a man of quiet character and we often see him and his wife out walking in Lynden.

Jacks speech to the Vets was very honest. He said how much he appreciated the opportunity to be with them and hear their stories, but how inadequate he felt to speak to them because he himself had never served. He did say that he wanted to thank them for their service and great sacrifice that they gave for our country.  He acknowledged the many who did not return home. But to them he said: THANK YOU. 

So why this day is so memorable was because Vet after Vet came up after to tell Jack that he was the first government official to say THANK YOU. We had no idea they had not been acknowledged. We were shocked.
So to answer your question: “When did the attitude switch?” I do not know when a change took place. But you made me think.

Jack thinks it’s Desert Storm and the radical 60’s & 70’s kids grew up!










Friday, June 8, 2012

Tiananmen Square incident and Christianity




Monday marked the 23rd anniversary of China’s 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. And Professor Fenggang Yang of Purdue University has an observation about that day. He says many dissidents who led that movement have become Christians. In fact, he says 1989 was a watershed year for conversions, which led to “a quiet spiritual revolution,” among many Chinese, who equated Christianity with modernity. Here & Now’s Robin Young spoke with Yang, and the interview is excerpted below.


“After [Tiananmen], I felt that I was a homeless person in terms of spirituality. I want[ed] a spiritual home… Christianity made the best sense to me.”
–Professor Fenggang Yang, a Christian

From Here and Now on Boston's WBUR radio

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Joining Book Talk


  • Presently reading Employed for Life, by Barbara Rarden. 
    Seems like a good one to read during these economic times. Whether you are struggling through a time of unemployment or not, this will is a great book for all.
    A quote: Remember, you were designed for Kingdom work, not striving for a bigger house, a shinier car, or a more impressive title. It should be the goal of every believer to leave the footprint of Christ in the places they work and live.





    A couple of responses:
    Gayle Irwin Wilson Just finished Paul by Walter Wangerin. Great.
    June 1 at 4:56pm · 

  • Diane Thornton Lawrence finishing: Abraham, friend of God by Ray Stedman; 1000 Gifts by Ann Voscamp and starting I AM by Gregg Matte, all highly recommended
    June 1 at 6:23pm · 

A J Pillai quotes

Great quotes from A J Pillai

Dog in the hunt don't know he's got fleas.
Has the church forgotten that we're in the hunt


The Church:
It's not the seating capacity but the sending capacity
When the church stops being mission-minded it will become a mission field.


Coke has done in 125 years what the church has not done in 2,000 years.  95% of the world knows about Coca Cola.

Monday, June 4, 2012

1989-June 4th Remembrance

Sunday morning, June 4, 1989, a friend rode his bicycle to our university to tell us troops had entered the square early that morning. Back then there was no internet for instant news. We got our shortwave radio searching and found the confirmation on an Australian station. It was one of those moments where you always remember where you were when a tragedy happened. 

The next 8 days were a whirlwind of confusion, anger and great sadness. The television news had been broadcasting daily accounts of the student protests on Tiananmen Square. Now the news had returned to wheat production and other farming news.  That seemed the scariest of all until a few days later the stations were reporting the atrocities the students had inflicted on the troops sent to the streets of Beijing.

The only reliable news could be found on the poster boards on campus. We would walk to the main campus and find English-speaking students that could translate the latest news from Beijing.  During the early stages of the protests, our students marched from our campus to the downtown area to gather with other students to show their support of the ones in Beijing. Our university would send buses to bring the students back. It had all seemed like a benign activity in our city.

Everything changed that Sunday.  As far as we could find out later, no students from our university were killed in Beijing.  That weekend was an exchange where the protesting students were traveling back to our city and their replacements were heading toward the capital. We were told they were given free rides on trains and buses. One student asked us what we were going to do during the revolution. I told him I hoped there was not a civil war.  There had been rumors of a renegade general that was gathering troops outside of Beijing preparing to invade the city.

After the State Department announced on Voice of America that all Americans were advised to leave China, we began packing up and getting tickets for Hong Kong. That was difficult because our city had a large population of foreign businessmen and teachers.  The Japanese were the first to leave. There was still so much animosity toward the Japanese that they knew they should leave early.  When it looked like we would not be able to fly to Hong Kong, we made a decision to stay because traveling by train would make us travel through serious hotspots. Students had blocked tracks in Wuhan, a major transportation hub. We heard later that friends there had to walk with their luggage over the train bridges to get transportation on the other side to the airport. A special plane had been sent by the State Department to evacuate the Americans. Finally our foreign affairs department were able to secure tickets. A delegation that had been coming to our city cancelled because of the protests.  We were able to secure their return tickets.

Before we left, students came to our apartment. They were shocked and told us they were the 'people of no hope'.  One young man traveled to Beijing to confirm what had happened.  He interviewed a student that had been on the square. The man told him that when the troops entered, he had pretended to be dead as they swept through the square. After the troops had moved on, he crawled over bodies to get away.

The Chinese have a saying that basically means 'tell a lie a thousand times and it becomes truth'. The propaganda agency kicked in immediately and all over China the 'events' in Beijing and across the country became distorted. When foreign teachers returned the following fall, they were told that the 'foreign element' had influenced the protests and they were warned not to discuss the situation with their students.  Our foreign affairs office hosted a farewell banquet for us before we left.  During the evening, they said it was not really necessary for us to leave because everything was under control in Beijing. 

At the airport, I could not stop the tears from flowing over the loss and the tragedy of the Tiananmen incident.  Isaiah 55 had been a chapter that spoke to us throughout our preparation and first years in China.  The last two verses came to me and I actually had joy with tears in my eyes. Good would come out of this terrible situation.

When we boarded the plane, we discovered that the crew seats had been sold. During take-off the stewardesses, went in the galley and held on to the handles of the cabinets. One passenger had to stand during the entire flight because her staff seat had to be up during the flight so the bathroom door could be opened. 

We arrived in Hong Kong with no idea what would happen next.  We called our organization's HK office and found out that the Christian community had thrown open their doors to house and feed all the teachers poring into Hong Kong. We stayed with a Canadian family that had kept an American family the week before. Our HK staff worked efficiently to not only provide for the teachers and their families but to work tirelessly to get on-going flights back to North America. 

A couple of years later when it was safe to contact former students, we learned that Tiananmen had been a turning point for them. They had been sent to the countryside for 're-education' and then returned to finish their degrees.  They matured quickly and learned that their trust was better placed in God than with their government. 

Today I still have a great sadness and felt like I finally needed to share what happened from our perspective. History needs to be told so the next generation can learn how events changed lives.





Thursday, May 31, 2012

What's In Your Library?

What's In Your Library?
While on our trip to Hong Kong and Kunming I picked up two books to read. This one was a loaner from a friend. This is very interesting as it is written by a nonbeliever. This one is banned in the Big Country.


The other book that I read on the trip was one of Philip Yancey's. Don't know why I had never read this one before, but was very glad that I did read it. I especially recommend The Jesus I Never Knew.




Counterfeit Gods

In any culture in which God is largely absent, sex, money and politics fill the vacuum for different people. This is the reason that our political discourse is increasingly ideological and polarized. Many describe the current poisonous public discourse as a lack of bi-partisanship, but the roots go back to the beginning of the world, to our alienation from God and to our frantic efforts to compensate for our feelings of cosmic nakedness and powerlessness. The only way to deal with all these things is to heal our relationship with God.
                                                    From: Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Military cemeteries on foreign soil

Just a way of remembering that 'freedom is not free'. Someone had to pay the price. Here is a very small example of so many who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. As you think about the young men who died, think also of how many others paid the price by losing their son/husband/father/uncle/friend.

Military cemeteries on foreign soil

Cemeteries


Aisne-Marne, France
Ardennes, Belgium
Brittany, France
Brookwood, England
Cambridge, England
Corozal, Panama
Epinal, France
Flanders Field, Belgium
Florence, Italy
Henri-Chapelle, Belgium
Lorraine, France
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Manila, Philippines
Meuse-Argonne, France
Mexico City, Mexico
Netherlands, Netherlands
Normandy, France
North Africa, Tunisia
Oise-Aisne, France
Rhone, France
Sicily-Rome, Italy
Somme, France
St. Mihiel, France
Suresnes, France
Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial

Count Your Many Blessings

Our good friend, and fellow Texan, in Hong Kong - Diane Lawrence - has started counting her blessings.
That blesses me and remind me that I too should be counting my blessings.  Diane has just finished her next to last dose of chemo. We are thankful to see how her brothers and sisters in Christ have reached out to help her in so many ways.  How wonderful to be a part of the Great Family of God.
Please continue to pray for Diane.
Great is His Faithfulness

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Remembering


"It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in
defense of our country in wars far away. The imagination
plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and
wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers,
grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they
died, they gave up two lives -- the one they were living and
the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up
their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers.
They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave
up everything for their county, for us. All we can do is
remember."

-- Ronald Wilson Reagan - Remarks at Veteran's Day ceremony,
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia, November
11, 1985

Thursday, May 24, 2012

'Two Flies only' per toilet

This is something that I can definitely get on board with.  Two flies or less per toilet - that's a goal worth aiming for.

Beijing sets 'two flies only' public toilet guidelines (May 23, 2012, BBC News)
Authorities in the Chinese capital have set new standards for public toilets, including a stipulation that they should contain no more than two flies. The new rules, published by the commission of city administration, also set standards on odour and cleaning litter bins. Toilets in places such as tourist spots must comply with the new standards. But it is not clear whether failing washrooms will be punished and if so, how. The new rules also cover cleaning, the use of equipment and training for attendants.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

NFL Prognosticator in Hong Kong

It looks like it's going to be another long season for the Dallas Cowboys if this prognosticator in Hong Kong is to be believed.  Dallas Owboy?

Monday, May 21, 2012

Great is His Faithfulness


Thanks so much for your ongoing prayers for Guo and Susan.  The following is the latest report that Susan sent to Jane:

Dear mama
 thank you your prayer.Guo finished his second times treatment ,this time is better than last time,he can eat more than last time ,he feel is better than last time,monday he ask doctor this time medicine is less than last time ,the doctor tell him the medicine is same ,this time God give him big bless ,God help him and give him enough bless.thank you all of pray for him,now he stay home have a rest two weeks then start third times.thank you.
 susan

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Interesting Discussion

Continuing with topic of discussion with former student and her husband:
As I shared before, one topic that they both broached during our 3-hour discussion was 'how can I be a party member and be a Christian?' That is a very serious consideration for them. She did not want to join the party but her parents, her leaders at the school, most everyone in any position of authority over her, forced her to join.
The other topic that she kept coming back to was 'homosexuality'.  I'm not real sure why that was on her mind so much, but I do know that she used to watch American movies a lot; and homosexuality is pretty much 'out there' in the majority of movies.
She really wanted to know my opinion on homosexuality. I told her that the only place I know to go to find Truth on any subject is the Bible.  The Bible is my moral standard.  Opinions wax and wan. People's emotions surge and fade, but the Word of The Lord never changes. It remains True.  As you read and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance you will be guided into all Truth.
The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is sin.  That was the Truth from the time of Sodom; that was the Truth in the time of the New Testament and that remains The Truth today.


Friday, May 18, 2012

Graduation Day

We had a great time celebrating Kali's graduation from Willamette University in Salem, OR on Sunday. We also got to celebrate mother's day with John, Lynn and Kristin Bonife and with Tim and Marianne.
Such a special day.  We rejoice in what The Lord has done. Great is His faithfulness.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Where's My Lear Jet?

After spending most of Saturday driving to Portland, OR; and most of today driving back to Spokane, WA I've decided that I like flying more than driving.  Considering the cost of petrol, looks like about the same price. Couldn't find gas below $4 a gal. in Oregon; and they don't trust me to pump my own gas in OR.
So, I figure I need a Lear jet.  Just think about how much easier it would make for us to get back and forth from here to China.  However, there is one problem, I have no pilot license, so suppose I also need a pilot.
You can see some of the problems that M's face.


Saturday, May 12, 2012

Reading The Rails

Proof again that Jane can ride the rails with the best of them.  Here she is on the mtr [subway] in Hong Kong reading a book on her i touch.  Most of the Hong Kong folks were doing the same thing.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Continuing the Newsletter story

So, as I was saying in the newsletter, we had a wonderful time of visiting/sharing/answering questions for almost 3 hours one afternoon.
The affiliation with the party kept coming up. That was a concern. We were asked 'Is it wrong to attend the party meetings?' All I've ever seen them do at those meeting is have someone in charge read a paper from Beijing while the 20-30 people in attendance drank their tea, read newspapers and visited with each other. No one paid attention. It was just something they had to do.
But the concern remained - How can I be a Christian and be a member of the communist party?
Well, The Lord in His great wisdom sent someone along within the week who was also a member of the party but alread had given their life to Jesus.  And then along came another and another.  Father God is an amazing God.
Now they have others to talk to who are walking the same road but have already given their lives into the hands of the Mighty God - King Jesus.
GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS.
Please keep praying for our young friends to open their hearts to The King of All Kings.
Thanks.
Sure enjoy having you on the team.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Guo's healing

Guo Hong Leung really struggled with his first dose of chemo.  He started the 2nd round Wednesday. Please pray for him. They administer it over 5 days in the hospital. Last time he had a bed during the day but then had to leave so someone else could have the bed at night.
Please remember to pray for he and Susan and their son Paul.
Continue to believe with us for God's mighty healing power to touch Guo and totally heal in.

Graduating - Again?

Kali Jane graduating this Sunday
The Krauss family has already made their way to Oregon to visit family and be there to shout and cheer for Kali when she receives her degree from Willamette University in Salem, OR this Sunday
Jane and I will be driving down on Saturday. We'll do some connecting with HK/China friends along the way there and back.
Great day to cheer for Kali. She is graduating with a double major - Chinese and English.  I'm impressed.
This is Kali with her roommate from S. Korea.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Jet Lag Done - Get to Work

Yo,
Praise God, jet lag is mostly behind us to time to get back to work.
More posts will be appearing shortly. We have many updates to posts about our China trip that we felt best to wait until we got back to USA.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A Little Adjusting Taking Place

Walked out of the house in Hong Kong to be greeted by hot and humid 
Almost 24 hours later we walk out the Spokane airport to be greeted by cold by mostly sunny.
Our bodies are asking some serious questions of us.

There are times when I think just maybe that slow boat to China would be best after all.
We left the house in Hong Kong at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and arrived Krauss Haus before 5 p.m. Tuesday.
That's some pretty fast travel.
It was 5:30 p.m. Monday Spokane time when we left the HK house and almost 5 p.m. Tuesday when we arrived at the Krauss Haus.  There is a 16 hour time difference. Talk about flipping your day upside down.
Good flights, good connections. Smooth ride except some medium size bumps about 2 hours out of Seoul. Thanks for your prayers.
Blessed by so many wonderful people in Hong Kong and Kunming.  Failed to make it to Shandong on this trip, which is a disappointment to me.
Father God always knows best.
Please pray for us to quickly leave jet lag behind.  Some of those 'experts' say it takes one day for every time zone before your body totally adjusts.  That's 16 time zones we're dealing with.

More news on the trip [that we thought best to not post while in China] will be arriving at this very spot within the next day or two.

Thanks again for joining us in this Great God Adventure.

Praise to the King of All Kings - Jesus

LeRoy and Jane

Monday, April 30, 2012

Strange and unusual relatives

Everyone needs a couple of strange and unusual relatives. Here I am with one of mine. Kevin Louise and I, with the help of David Lewis, used to invent some 'different' games to entertain ourselves. Stick-Tire and Blind Christian Horse Shoes were a couple of our favorites. Now we just rehash those times and are just as entertained. Takes a lot less energy.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

HK Thunderboomers

The thunderboomers Friday night were just an introduction to what was coming on Saturday night.
Lightning and rain and thunder all night long and continuing into Sunday morning.  I borrowed the picture from a website of lightning over Hong Kong island.  I was not standing out in the rain trying to capture lightning in the camera.

Moving Across Kowloon

Nice to not have to use a vpn anymore.  Friendly Hong Kong.
As we were getting ready to leave Kunming on Thursday evening, we were asking, 'what were we thinking, to fly out Thursday when we could have waited till Friday night.'
After a busy day in Hong Kong on Friday we were most happy that we decided to return to Hong Kong Thursday evening.  Good days in Yuen Long with Dan and Cassy and their little ones, Joe and Louise; and visiting with Mike and Susie Harrison and their girls who also live out there.
Now we are back to Ma On Shan on a Saturday evening.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Tired

Back in Hong Kong where we're hoping to get in some rest time before flying across the Big Pond on Tuesday.
I guess two weeks really wasn't long enough in Kunming after all.  It was a go-go time.
We only have 2 work days in Hong Kong before flying out so had places to go and faces to see on Friday.
Saturday is moving day as we're moving over to another part of town.
Jane with one of the H&H workers


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Half A World Away

Yesterday was David's birthday and we are half a world away. After Marianne graduated from International Christian School in Hong Kong in 1998, we've been empty-nesters in Asia. One of the hardest aspects of our lives is missing the milestones of our family and friends.

Now that we have family on both sides of the Pacific, we are truly divided. This past week we were able to celebrate Wesley Shorey's 15th birthday in Kunming but missed Dave's 36th birthday in Dallas. Next month we will be attending the university graduation of Kali Bonife, our goddaughter,  from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon but will miss Timothy Shorey's high school graduation from Kunming International Academy.


Happy Birthday, Dave
The Year of the Dragon



Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Hearts and Hands at Work

Hearts and Hands work: Just part of the bags being prepared for shipment. All need to be folded to about 4" by 6" and then properly packaged to be shipped and sold in the US.  

Monday, April 23, 2012

Avoiding Expensive Treatment Thru Prayer

Pray for Guo and Susan
Guo began his first chemo treatment Tuesday that is administered over a 5 day period. They have had sufficient funds to pay for the surgery and his first chemotherapy. He will need 4 to 6 treatments and the price will vary. Presently they are using Chinese medicine that is not too expensive. If he does not respond properly, they will have to use imported medicine that cost 8,000 Yuan ($1,290 USD) per treatment. They have some insurance coverage but not adequate to cover the imported medicine. Please pray that the Chinese medicine will be effective.  The deaf and disabled workers at Hearts and Hands have taken up two collections to help them. They have very little money themselves, yet they are reaching out to help. Pray that God will bless them as they give and that others will also contribute to help off-set Guo's medical expenses.
Guo is supposed to have treatments every two weeks.  He stays at the hospital during the day and goes home in the evening because he is sharing a bed with another patient that uses it at night.

Also, Susan's father [pictured] heard this past week that his elder brother died in Shandong. He was unable to return to attend his funeral as Kunming is so far away.

Pray for Diane
Our good friend, and fellow Texan in Hong Kong goes for her 6th Chemo treatment on Wednesday. She did experience fever again last week but has recovered. Keep praying for her healing.

Diane, Guo and Susan have all been faithful to share God's goodness as they have walked thru these difficult times.
We praise God for His faithfulness to help, encourage, sustain and bless them.


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Assaulting Our Emotions

This country can sure slam your emotions around.


One morning I walked by a man passed out on the sidewalk. That afternoon I encountered another on the sidewalk in another part of town.
The next day we spent 3 hours sharing about Jesus with a former student and her husband; thought they were just one step away from the Heavenly Kingdom. Seeing them again Tuesday; please pray for this young couple to join God's Great Family.

What to do with men dying on the busy sidewalk?
In the morning I came across one who looked passed out.  In the afternoon I passed another on another sidewalk.  I felt inclined to at least take him a bottle of water to have when he awoke from his stupor. I soon found out that he was dead. There were shops within 10 feet of him. There were people passing by him all day. No one did anything. I asked two guys in an open door barber shop about the man. They just shrugged. I asked them to phone someone to help him. They laughed that nervous laugh of "We shouldn't get involved in this." People continued to pass by, staring at the man. I never saw anyone do anything. I never saw any authorities come to help.  There are policeman of some type all over China.
Someones brother/husband/son dying on the sidewalk and no one lifted a hand to help. Pray for Jesus to break through this non-caring culture.

Today we met with a former student and husband for over 3 hours answering questions and encouraging them to open their hearts to Jesus. They are very close to the Kingdom of God.  Please pray that they ask Jesus into their hearts when we meet with them again on Tuesday. What great joy to be able to share with them about the King of Kings

Thanks so much for your prayers.  They mean so much to us.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A Praise God update on Guo

Guo went to the hospital Monday for tests that included blood work and EKG before beginning chemotherapy on Wednesday. He will be hospitalized for the treatment.
The new prognosis is so much better than before. His diagnosis was 'late stage' cancer but after surgery and biopsy of tumor, the doctors said it was middle stage and the cancer had not spread beyond the tumor that was removed. 
That is a huge THANK YOU JESUS
After chemo, he will have to take expensive medicine that costs 500 RMB ($80) per pill BUT a friend from their family ch happens to have the medication and is giving it to Guo.  Last night, Chen Gang gave Guo a packet of money collected from the H&H workers.  This is the second time for them to give Guo and Susan money.  These are workers that barely make enough to live on reaching out to their friends. 
Again, we see the Great Family of God in action. How great to be a part of God's Family.
Susan told us that God had given her an opportunity to share with another couple. She had seen a very sad woman and learned that the woman’s husband had throat cancer. Susan felt led to give the woman 100 Yuan (about $15) but then kept thinking how many expenses they would have in the future. After several times of seeing the couple at the hospital, she discussed it with Guo and he agreed they should give the couple the money.  The woman was very happy and Susan was able to share Jesus with her. She has not believed yet but they will have more opportunities to share.
Picture of Guo, Susan and their son Paul.
Please click on 'home' or 'older posts' to see earlier post.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Li Bing - Grown Up

One reason we've been slow bloggers is that China still blocks facebook and blogs.  It took a couple of days to get connected to a vpn so that we could get around China's Great Firewall.
Don't worry, the Beijing Boys are still looking, so smile when you talk to us.
Wow - when did this kid become a man?  This is one of the cochlear implant patients that Jane and the team from Menlo Park Presbyterian worked with 7 years ago.  He was just a kid then. He is posing with Ingrid Chen and Hai Xia.

Busily moving instead of busily blogging

Guo and Susan's son.  He is a handsome boy with two teeth.  Looks like he is a fighting Ducks fan. Quack Quack.  
Sorry that we have not posted regularly.  Been on the move:  Moved to Kunming; then been on a fast pace ever since getting here.  We've scheduled two weeks in Kunming and beginning to think that we did not allow enough time to see everyone.  It's hard to know.  We cancelled a 4-hour bus trip from here to see someone; so they are making the trip to Kunming to see us.  
Believe with us for Godly wisdom to speak forth His Words and listen with His ears.
I promise we'll get more out to you soon.
We have very good news about Guo.  Praise be to God


Thursday, April 12, 2012

On to Kunming

Hong Kong is not all tall buildings. There are many beautiful natural areas still in this city.

We travel on to Kunming today - flying out at 4 PM Friday. Please pray for safe travel and our time in Kunming. We need a few days to recuperate from our last 3-4 days in Hong Kong.  It has been a constant 'go' time here.  Thus, we have neglected posting on this blog. We hope to catch up shortly.
There has been much happening here. 

Thanks for checking in with us. This is the place where we also post our prayer requests so need your help on that for sure.

Monday, April 9, 2012

A Dim Sum Pic

This is one of our Dim Sum meals. Pictured are the fine folks who have been hosting us in Hong Kong - K.Y. and Dong. 
Heading out to Bethany today to enjoy fellowship with the staff there.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Eating Our Way Across The Pacific

We have been eating our way across and thru the Pacific


Hong Kong has some of the most amazing food around.  Last night we went to the canteen at Shatin Baptist Seminary to eat.  Uni campus? Canteen? Good Food? Bad Location. Doesn't sound like the right combination. The place was packed. The food was great.  Also great fellowship with good friends here.
The reason - they hired a great chef to get people in to help support the seminary thru the restaurant.  Pastors need to learn early about the way to put church and food together.  Great combination.

Hong Kong is known for Dim Sum.  We are about to have our 3rd meal of Dim Sum since arriving.

I was preparing my palet on the way across the Big Pond as I had two meals of Bi Bim Bop. That's one of the choices on Korean Airline. I had it flying from Seattle to Seoul and had it again flying from Seoul to Hong Kong. 

This is what all those heavy meals eventually did to me.  This was about 1 hour before I spoke to the Good Friday home gathering.  It's a good way to do a sermon prep.  Jane thinks this is a great picture.


Victory in Jesus

This is the view out our window.  The sun almost appeared the 2nd day we were here. It has been rainy, misty, cloudy all the time. We are ready for some sunshine. It really helps get over jet lag.  Actually The Lord has really blessed us with good sleep for which we give thanks.  Had a great celebration of Jesus' great victory over death.  Thanks so much for praying for that.


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Good Friday, Resurrection Day Sharing

It is Good Friday
It is good for us as Jesus was willing to pay the great sacrifice for our sins that we might have everlasting life - life to the full.
Appreciate your prayers as will be sharing at a home group Friday evening.  That's about the time my brain tells me, "What are you doing up at this hour?" [Jet lag can attack at any hour.]

Sharing with a Filipino church of 30 to 40 folks Sunday morning. Our good friend, Diane Lawrence, for whom many of you have been praying, will be leading the singing.
Thanks for your prayers for sharing God's Good Word at these meetings.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POND

Three flights, 24 hours of flying time, 4 meals plus snacks and landed on the dot of 10:30 pm at Hong Kong International airport on Wednesday night. Good friend and her nephew were waiting with their van to take us to her home in Ma On Shan area of Hong Kong.

Before we boarded our first flight, LeRoy struck up a conversation with a young Indonesian man studying in Lewiston, Idaho. He was on all the same flights we were and hadn't been home to see his family in 5 years.  Makes me so thankful that I was born American and have the time, resources and finances to travel regularly to see family and friends on both sides of the 'Big Pond".  Our seatmate on the Seattle to Seoul flight was a Microsoft employee that hadn't seen his family in South Korea in a long time.  he has to fly back to the States early Sunday morning!

Recent revelation for me is that God and I are on a first-name basis.  Intellectually I knew that God 'knows my name' but now I know His name.

Thanks for journeying with us for the next month.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

Spring Cleaning the Bookshelves


I have a few comments from the gallery. Some recommendations for other books.

From a reader in Thailand:

Polishing God's Monuments
            Pillars of Hope for Punishing Times

A pastor and Bible College Professor preaches and teaches from the Word, but when prolonged, traumatic suffering engulfs his family, he is forced wrestle with many questions related to suffering.
********************
Here's a couple of recommendations that I held over from the Christmas Reading Club.  The following comes from a former Nanchanger who hangs out in Michigan now:

If you haven't read The Help yet, I'd highly recommend it.  Lots of humor, but not a Christian book. 
I thought I'd Never See the Day! by David Jeremiah.  NOT humorous, but should be on your "must read" list.
********************

Here are more recommendations held over from the Christmas Reading Club. They come from an author living in Spokane:

 First, your call for humor is echoed by editors everywhere. We heard their pleas at every writers conference I attended over the years. I laughed most through Jan Karon's books--filled with spiritual truth in everyday people like those you know next door, at the cafeteria or at the water cooler. Funny to tears and literary excellence.
    Here's a short list: 
    In the company of Others by Jan Karon, author the The Mitford Series (this one not so funny but I couldn't put it down). A tremendous piece of fiction set in Ireland that picks up the character Timothy McCavanaugh, a retired Episicopal priest, Karon's central protagonist in her wonderful town of Mitford series. In the Company... throbs with the underlying theme of forgiveness emerging from a family mystery.  
    About A Hole in the Gospel. Yes, LeRoy, an amazing story that both inspires and breaks the heart. It's worth the read just to learn of Stearn's testimony.
    Radical, by David Platt, also a must read for every American. It has inspired my husband and I to continue our attempt to thin out belongings and scale down house-wise.
    In Search of Balance by Richard A. Swenson (author of Margin); excellent! Balance is a soapbox of mine.
    An old classic I read the 2nd time this year is Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders; the best book on leadership I've read. Seek the Moody Publishers 2007 edition. Quotes from many missionary greats; challenging; convicting.
    Oh, we also love McManus but haven't read anything of his in years. He's from around here. Did you know?





Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Could It Be Narnia?

Could it be Narnia?  It certainly has that look. This is the way our front yard looked most of last week.
Thankfully that has gone away. Had great sunshine all day Sunday.  

Friday, March 23, 2012

When you get a good pair of boots, hang on to 'em. These boots were given to me on my birthday in 1995. They were a gift from my sweet wife and lovely children. These boots have walked the streets of Hong Kong and all over China. I have walked many a mile in these. I'm going to have to finally let them go. It's like losing an old friend. They were well worth the money spent. Thank you for such a good gift.

More Book Talk
Just finished Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler.
Interesting look at the Amish community and the struggle between religion and knowing Jesus.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Book It
Good Morning. It's time for some book talk.  


In my search for humorous books [minus the rude, crude and disgusting] someone pointed out that Jan Karon has a good bit of humor in her books.  That is correct.  Sorry I left her out of the last list.


Also, I think I left James Herriot off the list.  Jane and I both have been a fan of his for years. He has some good humor in his tales.


Also, there was a former Dallas area pastor that we discovered some years ago. His stories are snorting good laughs. He is Bruce McIver. The two books we read were  Stories I Couldn't Tell While I Was A Pastor and Just As Long As I'm Riding Up Front   
Anyone, with any other suggestions, please let me know. 


From My Reading Library
I just finished reading Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit
I've decided to reread it as I moseyed through it the 1st time.


Also finished Questions of Life by Nicky Gumbel.  You should definitely have a look at this one.


Have also started The Sacred Romance; Drawing Close to the Heart of God by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge


I have been doing a lot of sampling through Kindle. A good way to find whether I want a book or not.


From The Word
Got stalled in Leviticus. That ever happen to you?
So moved on to Jeremiah. Seeing too much of modern day America in that. Gets you praying for the US of A.
Continuing with Psalms before bedtime. Into John in the NT.  Still keep going to Isaiah as The Lord seems to draw me back to it. 


Whatcha Reading?
How about you?  What are you reading that you'd like to share with the customers here.
Share here or at ramsey@solic.net


I am always glad to hear what others are reading.


Thanks for joining in - LeRoy