Deep Discussions With Chen

What a challenging, enjoyable, and fulfilling connection the Holy Spirit created for me with Chen.

This was Chen's second summer to read with LST.  He had completed the Luke book which meant he was going through the Acts books this summer.  His English was surprisingly very top-notch.

I found out that Chen was a musical prodigy.  He is an expert in the talent of playing piano and piano as well as writing his own music.  However, he was not allowed to pursue music because his parents wanted him to study computer technology at college--so thats' what he did.  (This is the norm in China.  Parents make all the decisions throughout the lifetime for their children.)

After we worked through a few lessons in Acts I could tell that Chen was brilliant and was understanding all the messages the book was sharing him.  But there was something deeper he wouldn't share with me.  Finally, during the end of our second session he dropped the bomb.  He closed the book and said:  "I can't believe in this fairy tale."

Throughout the rest of my time there I had 5 more sessions with Chen.  All we did was talk about evolution and whether God existed or not.  I have never been more challenged about my faith; I have never had deeper conversations; I have never felt the presence of the Holy Spirit like that before; and I have gained a strong friend because of it.

It got to the point where I looked forward to sharing my fierce passion for Christ with Chen and I looked forward to him challenging me.  He enjoyed talking to me he said and was sad that I couldn't stay longer.  I had him eat dinner with us one night and he had a blast hanging out with me and the team.  

By the time my time was done with Chen I not only found a fellow friend filled with passion--but Chen was allowing himself to finally learn about God with an open heart.  He has a long way to go before he'll be baptized.  He did pledge to me, however, that he would read the Bible and search for God without being skeptical.  He said:  "I want God to be real.  Thank you for sharing with me and telling me how I can find Him.  I need faith in my life."