Early in the semester she received
a call from our son informing her of her mother’s death.
It was quite unexpected and she had to make hurried arrangements
to fly back to Florida to take care of her mother’s affairs.
It was a long and exhausting time both physically and emotionally,
so God’s plan for fewer hours of teaching is so helpful.
Her mother’s homegoing was a blessing in many ways but Susan
still feels the loss of her mom.
When we first agreed to come to our current university in Wuhan,
it was with the understanding that we would stay for two years.
We still have that understanding and so are still planning to
be in Wuhan for the next academic year. That means that we will
not have to move this summer and also that we can continue to
build relationships with some of our students and colleagues.
This year we seem to be making friends mostly with colleagues,
such as the teachers Susan teaches as well as the teachers in
Jay ’s department. One of Susan’s teachers recently
shared that her mother was involved with some sort of cult. She
was worried since that cult is illegal in China. Susan was able
to share the true message of Christ with her as well as a promise
to pray for her mother. We are attending weddings and purchasing
baby gifts this year, which is a new activity for us. Lucy is
Jay’s assistant teacher. We attended her wedding and now
we are talking about her expected child with her. It’s exciting
to be in on these special life events with our Chinese friends.
We are attending the Chinese services and the foreign fellowship
in the Chinese Church. This last Christmas it was such a blessing
to watch the children perform their program. That is something
that is somewhat normal now, but at this service there were also
programs by two youth groups. They were teenagers and that is
unusual here. Also, the Chinese church we attend has started a
youth group, which meets in the church building on Sunday afternoons,
and that group already has over 300 in attendance!
This summer we will be in the United States for a short time.
Jay has been asked to be a Missionary Advisory Delegate to the
PC(USA) General Assembly, which will be held in late June in Richmond
Virginia. Perhaps we can see some of you there.
Please do keep us in your prayers as we finish out this semester.
Pray for open hearts and minds and for the Spirit to move in Wuhan.
We would love to hear from you and to hear how we may pray for
you. Please do take note that our email address has been changed.
Thank you so much for your support and care.
Blessings,
Susan and Jay Boone
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
86
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