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September 2000
Dear Friends,
In September we began our eleventh year in China. We’ve
lived in five cities here, our most recent assignments being one
year in Suzhou, three in Hangzhou, and we’ve now started
our second year in northeast China in the city of Changchun. It’s
been a rewarding period, and together we’ve taught over 1500
students from all over China. We’ve been able to form lasting
relationships with many students and colleagues. For example,
this summer we enjoyed a visit with a woman who was Susan’s
teaching assistant in Hangzhou. She has made a quiet acceptance
of Christ. When she left, she wrote this message: "I know
now why you always give me what I most desire and need. I know
now why you love me." Just this last week one of our graduate
students shared in her journal, "I want so much for God to
be real. Tell me, does God really exist?" It’s because
of people like these that we are here—to answer those wonderful
questions and to witness to Christ’s love.
Our main purpose in writing now is to inform you that we will
be in the United States on "interpretation assignment"
from September 1, 2001 until August 2002. We’ve been very
grateful for your support and prayers during our last six years
in China and have enjoyed getting to know some of you via letters
and e-mail. We’d love to come for a visit if you would consider
inviting us. If you are interested in allowing us to share with
you, would you please let us know as soon as possible? Scheduling
is sometimes difficult, and we’d like to make our plans early.
The best way to contact us is by e-mail at the address below.
We will be receiving e-mail here in Changchun through June 2001.
Beginning in September 2001, we can be reached at Jay’s mother’s
home near Dothan, Alabama. Towards the middle of November 2001,
we’ll be on the west coast in the Berkeley Presbyterian Mission
Homes. Our plan is to go back to the east coast from February
through May 2002, and we’ll end our time in the United States
back in Berkeley during June and July. We’ll be keeping you
informed of exact addresses, phone numbers, and a U.S. e-mail
address as time passes.
We’ll arrange our schedule on a "first come, first
served" basis. When you write us with a date, please let
us know how you’d like us to share. We are able to speak
about our work during a meeting or conference focusing on mission,
teach Sunday school, lead Bible studies, give sermons, attend
mission committee meetings, speak at women’s meetings or
women’s retreats, and men’s prayer breakfasts.
The PC(USA) pays our salary while we are on interpretation assignment,
but our travel expenses are not covered. So we’d like to
divide the cost of travel among the churches we’re visiting
in an area and ask each church to pay a share. If you would like
to invite us but can’t afford to pay for our travel, that’s
okay too, but please let us know ahead of time.
Finally, we would like to say what an honor and a privilege it
has been for us to serve the Lord in China. It’s exciting
to see how He is still working in His world. Thank you very much
for all that you have done for us. We can’t express to you
how much we appreciate your prayers, letters, and financial support.
In His Name,
Susan and Jay Boone
The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 162
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