Developing Christ-Centered Leaders in the Emerging World to Reach the Unreached

In the last two days, God has used many resources to have me read 1 Corinthians 13, “The Love Chapter”.  Yesterday I was listening to a sermon that referenced the chapter, this morning I felt I needed to read it again during my devotion and then today I started following a “read through the bible” program and today’s reading was …. 1 Corinthians 13.  So I must ask myself, what is God trying to say to me?

First, it is a reminder for the Clark Family.  With the tension mounting over the move, love is not being shown at times.  We are irritable with each other and not very compassionate.  This chapter reminds me that we can still give up our house, cars, office and the comforts of North Dallas and still not produce fruit unless we have love as the center of my life. 

Second, the reminder is for me and dealing with people.  Over the last few days, we have faced people who are not being very nice to us as we are trying to close our ties to the US as far as phones, etc.  Again, God is reminding me unless I have love for these people I will never be the light I desire in Asia.  Unless I am kind, forgiving and constant with my love, I will not be the person I want to be.  Even if I have the faith to take my family across the world and start a business venture that will not matter if I do not have love.

Ok, I get the reminders.  It is a very hard lesson.  You want to be angry and strike out at people who treat you unfairly, but that is not love.  What is love then? Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 13 and Jesus modeled it on the cross.  It is a love that trusts, hopes and endures for God’s glory. 

Please Father, may your grace abound in me that I love as you have commanded us.

Blessings,   Jay

Dear Friends and Family,
For those of you who received our last newsletter, we are still in America. We are now set to depart on May 3^rd at 7:50pm for Hong Kong. Yes, we are still heading to China, but now the city will be Hong Kong. Due to some recent laws and restrictions for foreign investment in mainland China, God has shown us that Hong Kong is the place He wants us to move to first.
 

During Jay’s recent trip to China, there were no apartment arrangements that worked for us due to the length of lease or pricing.  The next hurdle was his meetings with attorneys in Shanghai showed that the cost of establishing a representative office has become very expensive due to new laws that are trying to slow foreign investment.  It would take 3-4 months and lots of money and there is no assurance we would even receive the registration after all of that.
 

We know that God directs our paths in various ways.  One way is that He places hurdles in front of us and wants us to have the endurance and faith to make it through by His Grace.  Another way comes from barriers like the one Paul received as he attempted to go into Bithynia. 
Acts 16:7-8 When they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
As we have been praying and doing more research on possible alternatives in the Asia region, we believe God is using barriers to change our location.  Even though China took over control of Hong Kong in 1997, the laws are still based on the British System which is very favorable to foreign investment.  We can have a Private Limited Liability company established in 11 days and the costs are around 75% lower than starting the business in Shanghai. This location will offer us freedom to travel around the region and to expand our ministry in places like Cambodia, but it is a test to our faith because it will be our first time traveling to Hong Kong.  We need your prayers as we make these final preparations of logistics and of our hearts. 
 

God is definitely leading us as He is working in mighty waves before us.  March was a very difficult month as Anne’s grandfather passed away on March 21^st and Jay’s grandmother passed away on March 26^th.  Even with all of this, He has produced rejoicing in our hearts.  God is so amazing because of His love for us.  “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
Blessings,
 

Jay, Anne, Sarah Grace, and Hannah Clark