After spending about a week in Lanzhou, we took a two hour bus ride to the city of Linxia.  While the city only has about 300,000 people, it is considered to be the Muslim Mecca of China, where thousands of people come each year to visit the 80+ mosques and study Arabic script and Muslim law.  We had a chance to visit a few of the mosques and we were intrigued to see that many of the people we met were Middle Eastern looking, rather than our general perception of what "Chinese" people look like.  Linxia's population comprises of about 45% Han Chinese, 45% Hui (a predominantly Muslim ethnic group), and about 10% Dongxia. 

   While we were staying in Linxia, we had the chance to volunteer at a coffee shop and actually spent a bit of time sharing our baking skills and kitchen experience.  It was definitely a blessing to get to serve in that way, and we have to brag a bit and say that our cinnamon rolls were absolutely fantastic! 

     As we walked the streets of Linxia, we were astounded by the number of beggars we saw.  In some areas, it was as if we could tangibly feel a heaviness over the people and places we were visiting, and we definitely spent time kneeling against the oppression. 

     To share a sweet story that came out of our time in Linxia, one afternoon, I looked out of the coffee shop window to see a legless man trying to push himself down the street on a cart.  Something tugged at my heart, but I wrestled with myself about whether or not I should go out and talk with him.  Part of me just wanted to watch him move beyond the scope of the coffee shop window and out of my life, but the other part of me won. 

     I felt compelled to talk with him, and before I could change my mind, I found myself kneeling in front of his cart, asking the first question that popped out of my mouth: "Do you know Him?"  He replied that he did not, but he seemed curious by my question.  As I shared with him about His love, I watched his entire demeanor change.  His eyes lit up, and before I left, he said that he loved Him.  I know that only He knows his heart, but I can't describe the joy and peace that came over mine as I walked back into the coffee shop. I finally understood something I once read: "Silver and gold have I none, but what I do have, I give to you."  The crippled man I met did not rise to walk, but I have to believe that he now has a hope and a future that is priceless in the span of eternity.

      We are not sure what the next step is for us, but we know Who does, and we are going to continue to take it one step at a time, list

    

  About a week ago, we left Xi'an and headed northwest by train to the city of Lanzhou, in Gansu Province.  Lanzhou is not only known for its delicious noodles, but it is also known for the White Pagoda, another symbol of one of the many beliefs (Buddhism) that has crossed the Silk Road.

   Our time in Lanzhou has been full of amazing encounters with individuals who so obviously have His fingerprints working in their lives.  We have been blown away by testimonies of His goodness, and have been humbled by stories where only grace could have intervened.  Lives are being transformed daily, and we can only stand in awe as we observe the wonders of His work.

    We had the chance to volunteer at a school for a few days, which was definitely an eye-opening experience.  We also had the chance to sunbathe along the world-famous Huang He (Yellow River)... trust us when we say that it is really not as glamorous as it sounds.  There is more than one reason that the river is yellow, but we will let your imagination fill in the missing pieces.

     Last Sunday, we were able to hike through some of the mountains around Lanzhou with several friends and actually had the chance to zipline down.  The day was a sweet time of togetherness and ended with an amazing opportunity to hear the life story of a woman we had met in Xi'an, who also happened to be in Lanzhou at the same time.  Coincidence?  Probably not!

     We are hoping to do a little bit of traveling around this area before we continue westward, so there will certainly be more stories soon!  Definitely check out our new pictures!

A few days ago, we had the chance to hike through the Cui Hua Mountains outside of Xi'an.  At 1,400 meters (about 4,500 feet), we looked out across the gorgeous mountains and majestic trees and were suddenly overwhelmed by how miniscule we are in the midst of His vast creation.  And yet, we were even more humbled when we considered His love for us, and the vast expanse of His love and grace for all of mankind.  Grace is not getting what we deserve, and instead gaining what we don't deserve.  Because of the Ultimate Price paid for us, we can stand in awe of His magnficent love for each of us.  What a sweet thing, indeed!

As we stood on that precipice juttisoning over thousands of feet of nothingness, we couldn't contain ourselves any longer.  Shouting, singing, kneeling, and proclaiming His Truth, we cried out to the One who is victorious, and who saves by His amazing grace. 

Once again, we are compelled by His great love for us to continue this journey, to seed for Xi'an and the other destinations He will lead us to.  And until the day we have no breath left to praise Him, we will continue to stand in humbled awe of who He is and what He has done... all because of Love.

  We have started yet another awesome week in Xi'an, and our days have been filled with getting to know university students through community English Corner sessions, visiting local sites (and eating deliciously cheap meals), and meeting with different Family members who have encouraged and challenged us by their passion, vision, and dedication to press on.

   A few days ago, we volunteered to help tear out a bathroom for some people we met, and believe us when we say it was quite the cultural experience.  Our Western selves were fairly unprepared to have to use sledgehammers to pierce through not one, not two, but three thick layers of plaster and tile.  The experience was altogether rigorously demanding, but we decided to treat ourselves to a night out at the local bath house afterward. 

    At the bath house, we weren't quite sure what to expect, but we were amused to find that several services, including salt scrubs and massages, were offered for a minimal fee (3-10 kuai; or $.50 to $1.50).  We couldn't resist the temptation, and decided to try a rather intriguing Chinese pressure-relieving technique where jars cleansed with alcohol are torched and then placed onto tense parts of your body (such as your back, your calf muscles, etc).  The skin of the applied areas is literally sucked into the jars, where it turns purple under the extreme pressure.  After about 15 minutes, the jars are removed, and you are left with purplish red polka dots on your back and a supposedly stress-relieved body.  We might not try it again, as it truly felt like our backs were being eaten alive, but it was well worth the experience.

    A few interesting things we have learned from our time in Xi'an so far... Xi'an's Big Goose Pagoda has the largest watershow in Asia.  We had to check it out, of course, and by that, we mean we had to run through the fountains.  Xi'an also has delicious street meals, and we have been able to buy enough food to stuff our stomachs for less than 10 kuai ($1.50) per meal.  Another thing we learned is that Xi'an has a notorious reputation for being one of the pickpocket capitals of the world.  Needless to say, we have been trying to watch our wallets very carefully. 

     Last, but not least, we have enjoyed daily entertainment from a group of elderly women at a local park.  Often in the wee hours of the morning, you will see groups of men and women conducting Tai Chi exercises en masse.  In some parts of Beijing, it is not surprising to find couples ballroom dancing to waltzes or polkas.  But this wonderful group of one hundred plus women (that's the number of women, not their age) wows us daily by dancing their hearts out to techno music.  As ridiculous as it might seem, it is also rather endearing to watch a bunch of grandmas rock out to Cotton Eye Joe. 

     That's about it for now... more news to come soon!

   

It has been a little more than a week since we began our journey along the Silk Road.  We have spent the past 8 days in the city of Xi'an, formerly known as ancient Chang'an, the beginning of the Silk Road.  Thousands of Chinese traders and merchants once set out from this very city to cross thousands of miles of desert to sell their silks and wares.  Today, we set out, not bearing things to sell or trade, but rather, bearing the joy and the love of One who died for us.  For His love compels us to walk this journey, to bend our knees, and to follow Him. 

Our days in Xi'an have been fruitful, and we have been encouraged and challenged by those we have met in the city.  Despite difficult circumstances, they have placed their trust in Someone who is greater than every obstacle they encounter.  Their stories and testimonies have been such a sweet encouragement, and we remember their needs and their requests whenever we kneel. 

Please remember those who are faithfully serving, that they would continue to serve with diligence and perseverance, and that they would cling to the One who is never more than a cry away.  Please remember the millions in the city who have never heard the News, and please also remember those who have been called to seed along the way, that they would speak the Truth boldly. 

Lastly, we would ask that you would remember us, too, that we would be disciplined and focused in calling out to Him and seeding on behalf of others each and every day of this journey.  We are being stretched in so many ways, and we are eternally grateful for this privilege to seed along the Silk Road.

In the beginning... it started with three words: "It is finished."  We look at that Hill where those words were spoken in victory nearly two thousand years ago, and we know that our life's journey began with that day.  The past three months of preparation have been a test of learning what it means to live in that proclamation: "It Is Finished!" 

Our Silk Road journey begins today, but our true journey began long before this day, from the moment we said, "YES!" in obedience.  We desire to continue to walk in that obedience, in complete trust, and in knowing that whatever He has ahead, we can embrace wholeheartedly, because we can stand in the Victory. 

So now we begin... believing that He who began a good work in each of us will carry it on to completion because "It is finished!"