Update on the Zheng Family

Last Thursday, Philip, Wendy and Deborah moved into the Greymere Apartments in Columbia, TN.   The Greymere church had some furniture in their warehouse that had been donated so they were blessed to get a few nice things that saved some money.  We took them to Walmart and bought a lot of household items and then to Kroger and Audi to stock up on food.    Ron and I stayed in a motel Thursday night as things needed to be completed on Friday.    Ron took them to get the internet service connected and to the bank.  They have to wait for a S.S. number before they can open a bank account but their cards should be arriving soon.    Ron and I returned home to Georgia last Friday night.   

Deborah has been asked to come to Columbia Christian Academy in July for a short test so we are confident she will be accepted in that school this fall.    

The apartment at Greymere is nice and they are within walking distance of Dollar General, Big Lots, Kroger, CVS, the bank and the Greymere church of Christ.   

Wendy wrote that she met a lady yesterday at church who lives close to them and she volunteered to give them a ride to church services and to the grocery whenever she goes for her own groceries.  This will be a big help until they can get driver training and their driver licenses.

The Zheng family is happy to be settled and have this opportunity to start their new life in America. They can freely go to church each week without fear of the police.   Religious persecution in China continues to increase with each passing day.   They are happy to enjoy the fellowship of Christians.

Although Wendy will help me with my computer work, I have many things to catch up that only I can handle at this point.   I will not overwhelm her with the difficult things for a while but I am pleased that she is willing to be my assistant.   

Please continue to pray for Ron and me, Ronald and Gigi, Leigh Ann and Tatum, as the years are rapidly approaching and our health problems increase.   Pray for our workers in Asia, the girls in our care and for the Zheng family in their adjustment to a new home in Columbia, Tennessee.     

A Busy 30 Days!

We have anticipated the arrival of Philip, Wendy and Deborah Zheng from Shanghai, China for some time.  Once their VISA was approved for them to come to the U.S. and work with SAS to assure the future of this work, they were in lockdown in their apartment due to Covid-19.   For three months, they were not allowed to leave the building.   They could make a grocery list but it would take up to five days for delivery and then many things were different from what they ordered.   Philip said many people in their building came the closest to starvation that they have ever experienced in their lives.   They had two days to get vaccinations and to the airport before sections of Shanghai were shut down again.    

They arrived at our house about midnight on Wednesday night, June 8th.    They endured jet lag for the next four days and came awake long enough to eat and go back to sleep.   Jet lag is terrible but to reduce the symptoms quickly, a person has to get outside for some sunlight and not sleep in the afternoon.   I know it is unbearable to stay awake until bedtime but that is the only way to reset the body's clock.  Their bodies stayed on China time for four days!   Gradually, they began to stay up a little more and this week they are doing well.

Originally, Philip thought they would live in Houston where they know some people but he said they could live anywhere.   Ron contacted the attorney in TX that plans to work with us in the future and he said he could report to all of the churches in TX next year.  

We all had a great interest in finding a good school for Deborah (their 12-year-old daughter).  With the many problems we hear of happening in some public school systems, this became a critical  consideration.    The decision was made to see if we could get her enrolled in the Columbia Christian Academy in Columbia, Tennessee.   We have learned that grades 9-12 are full but after submitting an application, they have responded by setting a date for Deborah to take a 7th grade test in July.   That is a hopeful sign that there are openings and she will be accepted as a student there.

Neither Philip nor Wendy can drive.    Wendy had a little driver training while they were at the Memphis School of Preaching so she plans to take driver's ed first and get her license ASAP.   Chuck Jordan, a deacon at the Red Boiling Spring church of Christ, has a used car lot in Lafayette, TN so he will locate a dependable used car and take it to them when she is ready for it.  Living in a small town will be to their advantage as they are learning to drive.    We also expected rent and cost of living to be cheaper there than living in a larger city such as Nashville.   

Last week, Ron and Philip searched the internet and tried to reach apartment complexes in Columbia. but most did not answer the phone or call back.    We all went to Columbia on Thursday and visited one complex after the other, checking them off because there were no vacancies.    We checked on houses for rent and the decent one already had a contract.  We did not expect to find a severe housing shortage there.  The last complex we visited as we were running out of time about 3 p.m. was the Greymere Apartments and they had two 2-bedroom apartments available.   We got to see one and it was very nice but more expensive than they were planning.   But, they are within l/2 mile of Greymere church of Christ, across the street.   The apartment complex is next to a nice country club and golf course so it is a very safe and beautiful area.   I guess it was available because they had higher rent. It is also about 2 miles from the Christian school where we hope Deborah will attend school. 

The application for the apartment had to be done on-line.   Since SAS will guarantee the rent, the form was not set up for this and they had trouble submitting it.   Proof of their legal status had to be sent and since they will have no way of checking any of their contacts in Shanghai, they will have to check out SAS's stability.   We are waiting for an approval.  

If they are accepted as renters for one of the available apartments, we will take them back to Columbia and spend a couple of days purchasing the basic furniture and having it delivered.   I have enough basic kitchen stuff we used in the RV to give them until they have time to shop.  We may have to stay in a motel overnight to accomplish this and get them some groceries and settled into the apartment.    They can walk to church and have groceries delivered in the future.   Wendy will have to get her license to drive soon (before Deborah starts to school or find a ride for her).   

Philip and Ron are going over all the operation of SAS and he is learning the ropes about managing this mission work.   Ron does not intend to retire but continue on as long as the Lord wills.   We need to have men fully trained to step in and keep the work afloat whenever Ron is unable to continue.   Wendy is leaning my work so she can be my back-up.    There are times when I am overwhelmed with too much work so she will be a great relief to assist me and be able to either take over my job or train someone else when the time comes.

I will post again when they have settled into an apartment.   We pray that this will be a successful and happy relocation for them and a successful future for SAS under Philip's leadership.

Back home in Georgia

We completed the reporting and returned home to Georgia on Monday, May 23rd.   We are so thankful for a safe trip, our good health and the successful visit to all the congregations and individuals we wanted to see.    We had wonderful hosts in Lafayette, TN and Mayfield, KY.    They made us feel at home and we enjoyed beautiful and comfortable accommodations with the sponsors who gave us a place to stay.    We were also blessed to be able to stay in one of the beautiful apartments they use for unwed mothers at Potter's Children's Home in Bowling Green, KY.   We were there four days/nights.   The trip was not terribly expensive because of these accommodations that saved us paying for about three weeks of hotel charges.    

I left the house totally straight and clean when we began our trip north.   It was an easy homecoming to unpack and wash clothing.  But, our Save Asian Souls' computer work is behind due to lack of time to work while traveling, weak internet connections and the heavy workload of things we need to handle.  It will take time for us to catch up again.

We expect the last three weeks of June to be busy as Philip, Wendy and Deborah Zheng will be coming to our home from Shanghai, China.    They have been locked down in their apartment in Shanghai, China for about two months due to Covid.  We have purchased their airline tickets and hope nothing will prevent them from coming to Atlanta on June 9th.    Philip will be training with Ron as he will be joining the SAS team to take over some of the work and be prepared to help Ron.     Ron is not retiring but he is training Philip so the work will continue on in years ahead as we become unable to do the work.   

The last I heard, they plan to live in Houston, TX so they will be leaving here in a few weeks to find an apartment, purchase furniture, appliances and other household items so they can get settled before school starts.   Deborah should be enrolled in school this fall semester.

Philip graduated from the Memphis School of Preaching a few years ago so they lived in Memphis for two years and all of them are fluent in English/  

I will keep everyone updated concerning their arrival and our visit with them.

Thank you to all our friends and sponsors who keep up with our travels.    We are happy to be back home safely for a while and we appreciate your encouragement and keeping in touch with us.  Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.   

On the road again!

We left Woodstock on April 19th and first arrived in Columbia, Tennessee.     Ron scheduled appointments along the way as we traveled.  We will continue the trip until May 22nd and hopefully arrive back home safely on the 23rd.   We have been able to stay with two wonderful supporters and enjoyed our time in their homes.   

He has given reports about our work to the following congregations so far:

New Lasea - Columbia, TN

Bethlehem - Lebanon, TN

Westvue - Lewisburg, TN

McCoinsville - Gainesboro, TN

Celina - Celina, TN

Scottsboro - Scottsboro, KY

Mars Hill - Bowling Green, KY

Shady Land - Bowling Green, KY

Pottsville - Mayfield, KY

New Concord - Murray, KY

We have the following visits still ahead:

Poplar Log - Glasglow, KY

Highland Heights - Smyrna, TN

Bethel - Dunlap, TN

April brings warmer weather but lots of rain too!

Where does the time go?    We stay very busy and the weeks go by too quickly.   We have not had anything particularly interesting to post.   We are busy with computer work until early afternoon each day.  

All of our girls in the various safe houses are going to school and doing fine.    The girls are taking final exams and when school is out for the summer break, some of them will relocate to other safe houses because of school changes as they advance in their grades.    Schools in most countries are open again after having several lockdowns due to Covid-19 and Omicron.   Quite a few of the girls are being baptized but they are receiving a lot of biblical teaching and this is the result of their hearts being pricked to become followers of Christ.   

We have had friends visit for a few days and it was a delightful break from our routine.   It was good to share special food and conversation.    I cook simple but healthy meals for Ron and me but when I have company, I still love to entertain and do the best I can.

Monday night when guests arrived, I had already prepared spring rolls and hot and sour soup.   I decorated the breakfast table in "Chinese" colors, dishes, and place mats.   While they enjoyed these appetizers, I completed the cooking.   Chinese cooking has to be done at the last minute.  

When the food was ready, we moved to the dining room to enjoy roasted salmon and asparagus, chicken stir fry with mushrooms, snow peas, red peppers with yellow saffron rice.   We had ginger hot tea or iced tea.  Our dessert was pound cake with strawberries and blueberries, topped with whipped cream.     We had enough leftovers for lunch on Tuesday.   Our friends left on Wednesday and we miss them a lot.

Spring has brought a lot of rain and some very cool days, but when the weather is warm and nice, we work in the yard in the afternoons to get some exercise.  

This is Ronald and Gigi's house where we live in Woodstock, GA (north of Atlanta).  

We are doing the best we can to keep it until they decide to sell it.   During the winter, we close off about 3/4 of the house as it is too large for us and we don't want to heat all of it.    It is a beautiful house but a big yard and house.  It is a very safe and quiet location.  Neighbors are wonderful and looked out for me really well while Ron was away in Thailand.    

A week ago, Ron pulled a muscle in his back.  He had some very painful days until it finally healed.  We are careful not to do work too heavy or difficult but sometimes we can have this happen without doing very much.  I have actually pulled a muscle in my back by just reaching for something in the closet or on the floor.   Anyway, Ron is much better now and I am trying to protect him from doing too much.

We will begin traveling soon to report to churches in TN and KY.    We are driving the car now as the large RV has been turned over to a man on a lease/purchase agreement.     We still have the RV that was donated to SAS and we may take it south for the winter months unless Ron has to return to Thailand this fall.

We are waiting for Philip, Wendy and Deborah Zhang to come to work with SAS from China.   Their VISA has been approved but they can't leave Shanghai to fly to the U.S. as Shanghai is shut down due to a surge in COVID.    We hope to bring them here to our house first for a few weeks for Ron to train Philip in the SAS work as he will begin to take a leadership role to relieve Ron of the heavy load.   I hope Wendy will be interested in learning my job so she can take a portion of my work.   They may reside in Houston, TX but they will need to find a place to live and get Deborah enrolled in school by August.   They may be pushed for time by the time they can leave China. 

We hope Philip will get to go with Ron to some of the churches so he can be introduced to the way Ron gives the presentations about the SAS work. 

We will visit churches in TX, the Lord willing, in October.

It is a busy schedule for old folks but maybe the fast pace and the demand of the work is what is keeping us alive and active.  We are very thankful for our many blessings and that includes YOU...my friends, family and supporters who take time to read my blog and check up on us.   

May God bless you with good health and a wonderful spring/summer season.   

Mini-Vacation Trip to Florida

Last Tuesday, our nurse friend, Ellen Mao, flew to Atlanta from her home in San Jose, CA.   She drove us to Clearwater, Florida on Thursday and we returned home on Monday.     We spent three days with our daughter, Leigh Ann in her condo.    She had good meals for us and we had fun seeing the beautiful area that she is now enjoying.   It was great to see her condo and know how happy she is living there.  We saw our granddaughter, Tatum, two nights.    We all had dinner on Sunday night together with Tatum and her friend.     

On Saturday, we went to the St. Petersburg Pier and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon.  We went to Leigh Ann's congregation on Sunday.   

Ellen and Leigh Ann roomed together at one medical mission we conducted in China.  They also went to China to one of the orphanages some years ago so they have been friends for about 15 years.  

Ellen went to nursing school at Harding and upon graduation and obtaining her nursing license, her first job was at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.   Ron had just started the work in China and she came by to help with the secretarial work each afternoon before going to Baptist for her night shift.   She also had a stretch of work in Atlanta when we live in Sharpsburg, GA (Maybe 2006-2008) or around that time.   We got to see her during that time.

Three years ago, Ellen went to Nepal, Laos and Thailand with another nurse friend and they visited all of our safe houses, teaching the girls about hygiene and health.    

Ellen's parents escaped China into Viet Nam before immigrating to the U.S.    They have lived in the Los Angeles area and raised 11 or 12 children there.   Ellen is their youngest.

Ellen has always supported some of the kids and girls we care for and has a passion for helping others.  She has blessed our lives in so many ways with the latest blessing being our trip to Florida to visit Leigh Ann and Tatum.     She teases us that we are her "white" parents.     We consider her as a daughter too because she has been so good to us.

Spring is here and we are happy that winter is over.     

Pray for our brothers and sister in Ukraine.    We are so sad about this war.    

Ron is home!

Ron left home October 30, 2021 and arrived home February 11, 2022.    It seems even longer than that to both of us.  He got in at 11:00 p.m. last night.  It was so late, he took an Uber taxi home rather than stay in a hotel.   He arrived home about 12:30 p.m. and went to bed right away.    

He slept until about 6:30 a.m.   I prepared a blueberry breakfast casserole yesterday so I went to bake it.  We had bacon and banana slices with the casserole (which has lots of eggs) and it was very delicious.   I have not had a good breakfast like this since he left.    

He has been unpacking and putting things away.   I have started a load of laundry as coming home always means there's a suitcase full of dirty clothes.

I have prepared enough food for the weekend so we will have some time to relax and he can rest all he needs to.   It will take a few days to get adjusted to the time change and the climate.

I cut camellia blooms and daffodils this morning and prepared a beautiful bouquet for the bathroom to remind us that spring is nearly here.

The past week has been warm and nice (nights down in the 30's but days in the 60's.    We have another weekend cold front arriving Sunday afternoon and cold air lingering through Tuesday.   Then we have rain toward the end of this coming week.

Our friend, Ellen Mao, from San Jose, California will arrive for a visit on February 22nd.   More later about our plans for her visit.

We are so thankful Ron was able to make the trip to Thailand and accomplish all he set out to do.  He was disappointed he could not go to Nepal, Laos or the Philippines on this trip.   He is about exhausted and really needed to come back home.    He will feel rested again soon.

Thanks to everyone who kept Ron and me in your prayers during this time.

Have a happy Valentine's Day everyone.    We love you all.