Missionary kids living in Asia are being used by God

A missionary mom writes: There's a loud pounding at the door, followed by several rings of the doorbell and plenty of giggles. The neighborhood children have returned home from school with only an hour to play before supper and the endless regime of homework. They want their foreign neighbors to come out and play street hockey.

Our children gobble up their supper, gather their equipment and head out the door, happy to escape the supper cleanup. Once outside, teams are quickly selected and the game begins with a face off. Sticks fly, boys and girls all chase after the ball, and then as the ball trickles out from amongst the chaos, someone swings at it. One team scores with a good solid shot. Cheering, with rosy faces grinning, the teams start the game again—running from end to end, breathless kids laughing, arguing, sulking, glowing.

Our children encourage the other participants, play hard, give out high fives to goal scorers, and keep the peace. If needed, one of the foreign parents comes out to referee things. Sometimes apologies and forgiveness are called for as a high stick results in a bloody nose. Midst the fun and games, our children give their witness through fair play, teamwork, good sportsmanship and grace—all things that undoubtedly speak for the Lord.

An Example of Patience

Elsewhere in Asia, a Christian teenager suffered bullying when she entered a new public school. Her teacher told her to simply put up with it, but her parents encouraged her and prayed for her. Two years later she asked her father for some Christian literature to share at school. Somewhat diffidently, he gave her some, and a few weeks later she asked him to meet her school friends and answer their questions. To his amazement, the friends turned out to be teachers—the leaders of the school, in fact. They had noticed her patience and faithfulness under pressure and wanted to know her secret. Next, they asked her mother to present parenting seminars at the school; other teachers began asking questions, and now a "fellowship group" is meeting there.