Dear mission partners,
Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Knowing this gives us assurance and confidence in everyday life, especially when many things around us are changing and in motion. Not only organizationally is a lot happening right now—there is also movement in the lives of the people we serve.
We are currently grateful for several young Chinese adults with whom we have been running courses on the Christian faith for several weeks. Others have been part of a German Bible-reading group led by a German believer in Marburg for several months. They are in different stages of approaching faith—ranging from critical and questioning to very open and eager to learn. One extroverted young woman, for example, has faithfully and joyfully attended the German Bible-reading group every week from the start. She is delighted to have found Christian friends who are very kind to her and even invites friends to join the group. However, she is not yet ready to begin her own journey of personal faith. With another student in his mid-thirties, we are seeing encouraging progress. After five intensive meetings discussing the foundations of the gospel and working through many critical questions, it now seems as though many of his obstacles to faith have disappeared. Pray that God will help each of them according to their needs and that we may be his instruments in the many conversations and shared meals.
As of this month, the weekly Chinese Bible group is dividing into
- a family group that fits the needs and themes of young families with small children,
- a German Bible-reading group geared more toward singles, seekers, and language learners, and
- a Bible discussion group within the local German church.
Pray that seekers and believers will adapt well to the new structure, encounter God in their groups, and grow in faith.
From December 19–21, the Chinese Christian fellowship in Marburg will hold a church retreat. We will spend two days in a big house in a nearby village. We will cook our own meals and take time for reflection, prayer, fellowship and games. A few children will join us as well. Although we are only a small group, there’s a need for a lot of planning and coordination. Pray that the participants will be strengthened during the preparations and experience an encouraging time at the retreat.
Philipp is involved in the discussions about the second Chinese generation and preparations for the Youth Easter Camp (JOC) 2026. The missionaries and pastors involved hope that the camp’s volunteer team will grow in spiritual maturity and experience so they can increasingly take ownership of this ministry. For this reason, the question often arises of how best to guide and train the volunteers—spiritually, practically, and organizationally. The topics for leadership training and workshops are already being planned. A Chinese student at a German-language Bible school is doing an internship with the JOC this year. She is observing and supporting our preparations and will also take part in the camp itself. We are grateful for her active interest in gaining her first experience serving German-Chinese youth.
At the end of November, we will fly to China for three weeks to visit Xiaodan’s parents. We are very much looking forward to finally seeing them again in person. Philipp is eager to test the language skills he has improved over the past year. We plan to accompany Xiaodan’s parents to medical checkups and doctor’s appointments, which are often difficult for them to handle on their own. We also want to help them in their challenges with modern technology. Pray for a blessed time together. Philipp’s surgery at the end of August for sinusitis went very well. After several weeks of recovery, he no longer has pressure pain or breathing problems. He still needs to use two nasal sprays until the nasal mucosa has fully regenerated.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This makes us confident that he has much good in store for the coming months.
Thank you for your partnership,
Philipp & Xiaodan
