Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

First and foremost, thanks to your prayers, every child that was sick had recovered by Christmas, and this was a tremendous relief to all of us here at the Children Village.

I hope you were able to enjoy a lovely Christmas and New Years with your friends and loved ones, and that life has been off to a great start in 2010. Christmas at the Children Village was a truly festive and blessed experience; with the generosity of a brother in Christ, the children received wonderful gifts for Christmas. For many children, this was the first time in their life in which they were able to celebrate Christmas, and not to mention receive brand new gifts (toy train sets).

As the fall semester is coming to an end, the children are getting ready for their exams that are coming up in just a couple of weeks, right before Chinese New Years. This is a very stressful time for the children, because despite having to prepare for their imminent exams, they also have to deal with a steady wave of homework everyday. However, the children will have something to look forward to after the exams, as afterwards they will all go on a month long vacation back home. I ask that you will pray for the children during this period; pray that the Lord will give them endurance and knowledge to excel in their homework assignments and examinations.

Like the children, I too, have been busy during this period of time. Aside from my usual duties as a 愛心哥哥, I have recently begun teaching a new English class catered towards the 1st and 2nd graders of the Children Village. Although initially I had doubts whether I would be able to teach the younger children effectively, with the help of God, the English class has been a great success, and the children are learning at an unbelievable pace. I am thankful that I have been given this new responsibility here at the Village, as the younger children are just in need in terms of English education, and I on the other hand, greatly enjoy the time I spend with them.

It only feels like yesterday when I had arrived at the Children Village, waiting to greet the children for the first time. In fact I have already been here for about 4 and a half months, and I must say, thanks to your support and prayers, everyday has been a true and unique blessing. It is here at the Village, that I feel as though God’s words are coming alive for all to witness during every moment. I feel that verses 22-23 from the 3rd chapter of Lamentations resonate especially well with our Lord’s works here:

“His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness”

Through thick and thin, God has watched over and taken care of each and everyone of the children here, and it is great comfort to know that he will continue to do so for all eternity.

In Christ’s Never-Failing Love,

君軒 Chris Jan, 2010.