Things you didn't know were happening in Alabama...

On Saturday the 27th I got to attend a welcome party for incoming Chinese students, hosted by all three Chinese churches in Madison County. (Huntsville Chinese Christian Church, Chinese Christian Church of Madison, and Chinese Bible Church in Huntsville)
All of the students I talked to were from mainland China, and most were going to UAH, although I met a high school student whose parents had moved to Huntsville from China as well. My guess would be that the Chinese population of the Greater Huntsville Area will continue to increase rapidly in the near future, providing more opportunities to reach Chinese students who might never have a chance for this kind of gospel exposure in China.

Not only do we go out to the mission field, but sometimes the mission field comes to us.

We started off with introductions of the three Chinese churches in the area

This lady sang very beautifully in Mandarin

I would estimate about 120 people in total were attending, including a few dozen Chinese students.

A team from an Atlanta Chinese church came to lead some worship songs.
The gospel was presented as well; hopefully some students were impacted by
their first chance to participate in Christian fellowship with Chinese believers.

Of course you can't have a Chinese gathering without Chinese food!
(This pic is borrowed from HCCC's photo album of the event)

Hey, who's this white guy handing out prayer cards?
(This pic is borrowed from HCCC's photo album of the event)

I didn't get to stay for the whole event, but was there until right before the topical speakers were supposed to start, speaking on things like practical advice for settling in, for the students, and a scriptural message for the attending church members.

It was a blessing to see the local Chinese churches coming together for this event. Just two years ago I had no idea any of these churches were here, even after going to school and working in Huntsville for several years. Now one of them is a support partner, and I preached at another earlier this month. Just more evidence that God's plans and work are bigger and more widespread than we ever know. I'm incredibly blessed to have had this unexpected chance to get involved in a Chinese Christian community right here in North Alabama.