HAVE A JOYFUL NEW YEAR

Deb and I would like to wish each of you a new year filled with spiritual growth, and that you and your family would be in good health and peace. We would also like to thank you for your financial support and prayers throughout 2011. Without you we would not be able to reach people with the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ.

My prayer for us this year is what Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus, Ephesians 3:16-19. That God would grant us, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. Unto God be glory in the churches by Christ Jesus throughout all the world. Amen.

I’m believing that this year will be a year of spiritual growth in the body of Christ such as we have not seen before. Love and unity will be the goals and not pride and control.

THE YEAR 2011
This past year has been a year of change and challenges. A year of many rewards.

The school, NDLC, experienced a substantial drop in student enrollment throughout 2011. Teachers and staff had to be laid off. Yet, this year we saw more conversions and more interest in the Bible and Christian living than in previous years. I worked in the administrative area for the second part of 2011 as the past administration left. We have had a very good working relationship between the Chinese and American staff. We finished out the year very strong.

Students in my Humanitarian English Class went to the homes of needy villagers with food and fellowship. They also visited the foster home and interacted with orphans.

These experiences have a profound effect on the students as they see firsthand a part of China they normal don’t see. What is even better is they are working alongside Christians doing what God has called us to do.

Relationships: One of our former students (Mr. E) who has worked at the school for the past year came into the family three months ago. He attended during 2009/2010. While in school he would attend bible studies, he had many questions, but just could not make a decision. During this school year, three months ago, he made his decision to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This scenario has repeated itself many times in the past five years. 

We also have eight former student studying in the US and many in other countries like; Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Egypt.

I was ask by a former student to talk with his girl friend. He (Mr. W) was concerned for her and knew she needed the Lord. Deb and I invited them over to our apartment when she was visiting him. I was able to talk to her about the  Lord using Genesis Chapters one and two and then the gospel of John. She received the Lord that night.  This former student is now a lawyer working in a law firm in north central China. He was a former student who became a Christian while working for the school.

The foster children, as many of you know we support the Forever Home. This part of NDFH takes in older children that are past the age of adapting. These children have either had surgeries or are still having surgeries. The Forever Home had four girls at the beginning of last year. These girls were full of fear and would not talk to anyone. As the year progressed we were able to see one of the greatest miracles you could ever hope to see. These girls one by one started to respond to the love given to them by their caregivers. Now, we hear these same girls singing, playing and talking to everyone they meet. God’s love was at work as these girls responded; “perfect love casts out fear.” Now at the end of the year three of these girls are matched with families that want to adapt them. Isn’t that what God is all about? We at AROM will continue to support NDFH with our time and finances. We will also continue to support the milk project. You are a part of changing orphan’s lives!

There is nothing that God’s love cannot change, just look at your own life. God took you where you were at and He accepted you. His love changed you and is still at work today; perfect love accepts people, not their sin, but the person.

Proclaim the Word: The ministry of the word of God to the Chinese people is the basis of all we do. If we cannot proclaim in word. Then we will proclaim with our life and actions. At present we have home bible studies, counseling sessions and minister to local ministers and church workers.

NEW DOORS OPENING
There will be some changes in the ministry in China this year. We are going to start doing less teaching at NDLC and start some new ministry areas as the doors open.

The three new open doors of ministry
First - Ministering to the needs of Migrant workers and their families. We are going to be working with a couple who have a desire to help these people who have no real home. We are going to use a curriculum based on morals and the fruit of the spirit.

Second - We will be working with a young Chinese couple. The wife works with young children, preschool and up. Deb and her are going to be working in developing this area of ministry. Her husband is an Evangelist; I will be working with him on starting a bible school to teach new converts and local church leaders.

Third - We will be working with the same couple that want to work with migrants in starting a new fellowship for foreigner - this will be a new branch off the International church in Beijing (BICF). 

Our Need: As you can see, these new areas of ministry and the changes along with the other areas we presently are engaged in is going to demand more prayer and financial support. God will meet the need He is your source and He is our source. Thank you for your faithful prayer support and continued financial support as we partner with each other to do our part in reaching people with the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ in China and throughout the world.

Blessings,
Allan R Opperud
James1:16, 17