Casey here! I love thinking back to see how God was at work. I recently shared with you how Matt Feng decided to put on Jesus in baptism. But how did we get to this point? Let's take a look back. 

It actually started in the fall of 2019 when we first moved here. Our apprentice that fall was Renee. She began meeting weekly with a Chinese PhD student and mom, Grace, for English conversations. By November when we hosted students at our house, Grace and her daughter Josie (who is super cute!) needed a ride and I was the one who could pick them up. I remember Grace saying something then about her husband Matt, who couldn't join because he was in Philadelphia. We kept up with Grace all throughout 2020 even online as we went through Covid. I'm sure Matt came to a few events here and there. I know last fall, the whole family was starting to come on Tuesday nights and to our events like the Harvest and Christmas parties. 

In December 2020 right before Christmas I texted Matt and we agreed to start meeting in the new year. We started meeting Wednesday January 6th, 2021 and have met almost every week the last 7 months. I wish I could remember a lot of details but we discussed the gospel of Mark primarily. I remember Matt would ask good questions that told me he was comprehending not just grammar but spiritual things. He talked about reading the Bible and praying with Josie at night. Matt also prepared some delicious food for our Chinese new year celebration. We celebrated with them when Josie was accepted into their school of choice. We shared who our pediatrician was when they asked. I was able to give Matt a little guidance when he had a car accident that wasn't his fault. Matt and Grace expressed interest in our Princeton prayer walk in February but were unable to join. However, they did join us in July when we went to Rowan University. This summer Matt prepared a wonderful meal for our Tuesday night dinner. He even prepared a meal for our family earlier in the summer after Tracey's surgery. What a blessing! All of this made me think of that great verse in 1 Thessalonians 2:8--"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." It is beautiful to see how sharing the gospel and sharing our lives has been woven together especially these last 7 months. 

Then as we prepared to meet in August, Matt's work schedule changed and we weren't able to meet for a few weeks. I got a little anxious fearing we would lose momentum in our meetings but I kept praying. Then Matt surprised me with this text two Fridays ago--"Dear Casey, I would like to ask you when I can be baptized?" Talk about God at work even when I was not! We talked that night then met a week later (after my vacation) and had a great meeting sharing stories of changed lives in the book of Acts. He had counted the cost and was ready. He was baptized into Jesus on Sunday, August 22nd. I can see Matt being a leader in Blue Hens for Christ and in the church someday soon! It's also exciting to hear Matt talk about a colleague who "admires" us for getting together every week. I wonder what God is up to next!

In addition to the emails, we send out a physical newsletter to our supporters twice a year. If you do not get this and would like to please send us a note at rusty.jordan@reflectmissions.org

Things to be lifting up in Prayer:

• The start of the school year at UD and elsewhere.
• For the international population as they have a hard time adjusting to the culture here.
• For God to open our eyes so we can see where He is already working so we can make the most of opportunities.