Newsletter
July/August 2010
Dear Family and Friends,
Deb and I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful summer with your family. We returned to China on July 10th. We were greeted by a breeze, but muggy air. Two days prior the temperature was at 106, so we were happy to see it at 86.
Our son Jeremy returned with us for a twenty-five day summer vacation. It was a wonderful time having him here with us. He enjoyed himself but found it was hard for his parents to keep up with him. Jeremy loves to walk. When we would be resting he would go out on some long walks into the village. On one of his walks he met a couple who owned a restaurant. They became very close and he ate there many times. I went with him and found the food very good, so we started to go together it was a great time of one on one. I also found a new restaurant to eat at, thank you Jeremy.
The work
Deb and I will be starting work at NDLC on August 9th this year. Our positions at the school have changed. We will be working more in a staff support position. NDLC is expecting twelve new teachers, starting the fall semester.
Deb will be training new teachers, helping with lesson plans and doing consulting work with the schools elementary program at the BDA (Beijing Development Area).
I will be part time teaching in the classroom and working with NDLC to development a pastoral care department for the staff. I will also be doing some training of new teachers in adapting to life in China and with Chinese culture.
These new positions could lead to full-time, once they have been developed. During this time we will also be studying the Chinese language for one hour each day, this is part of our compensation package from the school. Please keep this transition time for Deb and myself in our prayers.
I taught at two leadership meetings in two different parts of the country. In one area we had 8 leaders present and 26-29 at the other. The meetings were very good and fruitful. The training was on rightly interpreting the manual. The fellowship was sweet and refreshing.
We are continuing to help with the foster children. At this time the Forever Home has four children. It continues to amaze me how much a little love in a child’s life can change them in such a short period of time.
Randy and Rita Rippie started and head up this home and they are doing a fabulous work.
Relationships
Deb, our son (Jeremy) with Helen and Ben
Our relationship with Helen started our first year at NDLC, she was one of our first students, five years ago. She also attended some after school classes on leadership development which I taught. After her first year Helen stayed at NDLC as the head of the student activities department. She worked very hard and was a great benefit to the school and students. During this time she became a family member. This made a change in her attitude towards life and the students. She began to help students understand what had happened to her and why she had changed. During this time she met a young Chinese Italian opera singer named Benjamin whom she later married. Today Helen has started her own English training school and still has the same passion for her people.
Message – Are we to pray for our civil leaders?
In my devotion time this month I have been reading in Romans. In chapter 13:1, Paul talks about the higher powers (Governments). When I’ve looked at this in the past I’ve always focused on the “be subject unto the higher powers”, but this time my attention was drawn to the responsible these higher powers have and that they are God given and God ordained “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Jesus said something interesting to Pilot, “You would have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above…”, John 19:11.
In verses 3-4 Paul talks about their responsibilities, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” These verses are talking about the responsibilities of civil authorities.
In looking at these verses I was reminded of 1Timothy 2: 1-8, Paul by the Holy Spirit tells us to pray for our leaders. In verse 3 he says, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;” we cannot stop there because the sentence goes on into verse 4 to say, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” In verse 8 he says,” I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
We need to pray more than ever for all men, but in verse 2, Paul says “For kings, and for all those that are in authority”, we are reminded to pray for our leaders both civic and spiritual. I think sometimes we forget this part. It is easier to criticize and get mad. It seems to me that it takes a lot of faith to pray for our civil leaders. God makes no distinction whether the leader is an unbeliever or believe, he reminds us to pray. Remember verse three, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
We have a responsibility to pray for our leaders. If we (the church) would humble ourselves and pray God would heal our land. No country becomes great, on this earth, without a God fearing people praying for it. Countries become great because the church prayed. Countries remain stronger, not because of man’s wisdom, but because men receive wisdom from God.
God will move when we pray. It is His promise.
Love and Blessings
Allan and Deb Opperud James 1:16, 17
