7apr，05，08
San Ming Times
Vol. #30 April 05, 2008
Greeting from the Unique City of San Ming, China
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
A Fathers Duty!
Where does a father's duty stop and where does a father's duty start? I have several boys who blatantly disobeyed my words. When I first arrived at the children's village I saw several boys playing with yogi cards. The playing of these cards "always" ended up in fighting, bad language, getting upset at the other persons etc… we proceeded to have a late night discussion with the boys regarding the evil powers behind these cards. We gave each boy an opportunity to tear up their cards, and because of the bad behaviors we band playing yogi cards. That night I felt like a great spiritual victory was won. I notice an immediate change in the atmosphere at nights instead of fighting and cursing, my boys are a lot quieter and kinder to each other.
This last couple of weeks I was discouraged to find at least four boys who have disobeyed me and tried to sneak playing yogi cards when I was not looking. I ended up confiscating their cards. I tried to communicate that we should think only on pure, true, and lovely things. I do believe there is a big spiritual battle going on for each one of my children's souls.
Today I talked to a boy about the contents of a book that is clearly satanic and promotes an anti-Godly lifestyle of lying, cheating, stealing, casting spells, and using magic as a benefit for oneself. I did not feel like I had the authority to confiscate these books, but I cautioned this boy on what he reads. I want my boys to decide for themselves what material is appropriate and which material is not at all worth the paper they are printed on. My children are borrowing these Harry Potter books from a dedicated volunteer. This volunteer claims to be a chr istian, but sometimes lifestyles can deem otherwise. I do ask for pr@yer and wisdom. I want to be a positive spiritual encouragement to everyone.
Please pray for:
1. Wisdom for my children
2. The eternal destiny of the volunteers and other house parents
3. Wisdom for me.
That brings me back my opening question: Where does a father's duty start and stop? I want my children to think for themselves but I do not want to expose them outside dirty, evil things.
Thanks,
Stephen Burkholder
PS: This last Friday all of China had a holiday. From my understanding of this holiday, it is to mourn the ancestors and visit the ancestor's tomb. I did not have the freedom to venture outside the children's village this day, but I could smell the terrible smell of incest, hear the drums, and of course the firecrackers. It makes my heart heavy for the many lost souls. For the people of China who are going to spend an eternity in a very hot place if they do not turn to the true Saviour.