Please pray for the team as they arrive back into Heathrow this evening, that they would get good rest at home after a demanding trip. Pray too for the decisions in the coming days and weeks concerning BMS' future in China - that God would open doors and bring people forward to serve, pray and give. Keep checking the website for further updates about BMS and China.
David McLellan reports again
from China. "We were in Yantai on Monday and had a very positive 24
hours with Jack Liu. Jack is head of Sinoteach, an organisation that
places volunteers to teach English in Chinese schools around Yantai
city."
"The oldest part of the city was once known as Chefoo, the site of the first-ever base for BMS work in China in 1861."
"It's now a very dynamic city with lots of new commercial development but in a very pleasant situation between the mountains and the oceans. We were able to visit one of the schools affiliated with Sinoteach and chatted with one of their current volunteers from the US. There are certainly good potential prospects for BMS sending volunteers in this way."
"Our exploratory visit here is almost at an end. We're moving on to Xian for a day off before starting the long return journey."
"We are grateful for your prayer support. The team has kept well and we've been surprised and encouraged by the doors that have been opened for us. The visit has exceeded our expectations and we believe great things lie ahead."
21/09/2009
"Another great couple of days here in Shandong", says David McLellan. "We have again dipped into some BMS history, this time in Jinan where much of our early missionary and education work was centred.
Cindy McKenzie, herself formerly a nurse, chatting with some of the student nurses on the steps of Yidu Medical School.
"The Union Medical College was established in 1914 with the original objects 'to relieve suffering, train Chinese students and spread the knowledge of Jesus Christ'. It is now part of Shandong Medical University and contains the tombstone of Dr James Russell Watson, the BMS medical mission pioneer of Qingzhou.
"Back in Qingzhou, we were greatly encouraged and blessed to spend part of Sunday morning with some local believers, before seeing some of the other local treasures of the city in its fascinating and well-resourced museum.
"Looking to possibilities for future 'treasure', we have reached a provisional agreement with the Yidu Medical School, which would mean our starting to recruit English teachers to work with their trainee nurses.
"We have been overwhelmed at the kind hospitality shown to us here by the staff and students of the Medical School, and we have been given many signs that there are greater blessings and a "bright future" ahead for this place."
A hand-drawn script of Yidu Medical School's motto is gifted to BMS by the school. The banner is held by Prof Zheng Shuping, President of the school, David McLellan, Margaret Gibbs and the artist, Yang Ping, one of the school's staff.
18/09/2009
David McLellan reports from China: "We've just had a remarkable couple of days in Qingzhou, the city in Shandong province where the Yidu Medical School is located. We have walked where BMS workers walked over 120 years ago as they began to treat the sick and needy. We've climbed the stairs of the house where Dr James Russell Watson, founder of the school, lived.
"We've seen the building that in the late 1880s was the local theological college and we've toured the exhibition of the Medical School's past, that proudly declares its origin in the work established by BMS. We've celebrated the past with the School as we shared in unveiling bronze busts of Dr Watson and Margaret Logan, who initiated nursing education here in 1909.
David McLellan and Margaret Gibbs with the bronze busts
of BMS mission workers Dr James Russell Watson (who founded the school
in 1885) and Margaret Falconer Logan (who initiated nurse training in
1909).
The school created the busts from photographs and they were unveiled by Cindy McKenzie (member of Wishaw Baptist Church, which was
Watson's home church) and by John Howes, together with Mr Ren Xiang,
Deputy Mayor of Chingzhou, and Mr Zhang Benshui, Director of Health
Bureau for Weifang District.
"We've also seen much of the present, being shown around the well-equipped Medical School and the adjacent large hospital. We've been quizzed by bright young nursing students as to the differences between China and UK medical systems.
"We've met with city and district officials, been interviewed by local TV and newspapers, and we've munched our way through four Chinese 15-course banquets in the past two days: very important in this culture for building relationships!
"But importantly we've also been looking to the future, with the potential for a new chapter in the story of BMS and China. We have signed an 'amicable agreement' with the Medical School, based on mutual respect, understanding, trust and support, which will be the foundation for ongoing friendly contact.
"The school's main need is to improve the English language skills of its students and, over the next few months, we will be considering how best BMS and the British Baptist churches can help with that. We have received an incredibly warm welcome here and look forward to what our God will do next. I'll send our next update through on Monday."
