francis chan

My friend Farshid is currently in prison in Iran because of his faith in Jesus.  I was touched by a letter he sent a few days ago…

To the fathers and mothers who lost their precious children in the Connecticut tragedy,

I really don’t know what word in the world could comfort you, what relief could be helpful for your broken heart, and which hand could clean the tears which fall from your cheeks. I just want to say: I am so sorry and you are in my prayers.

I am sure these high walls cannot stop my prayers for you. Before this tragedy happened, I was thinking about my suffering that I’m going through because of my Lord Jesus Christ, especially being far from my lovely kids. But when I imagine how hard your pain is I forget my sufferings. Because I know by God’s grace I will see my kids at the latest in 2017 when I come out from prison. But unfortunately you have to wait a bit longer. So I would like to express my deepest sorrow for your loss.

I believe we will have enough time in heaven with our lovely children forever. There is no gun there, there is no prison, and there is no pain.

In the hope of that glorious day.

Your Brother in Christ from prison in Iran,

Farshid Fathi

17 December 2012

Josh is a 20 year old guy that I serve with on Sunday afternoons. This past Sunday, he asked me to pray for an elderly, homeless woman he had befriended. She was attacked and beat up badly the night before. I saw a picture and couldn’t believe anyone would do that to a defenseless old lady! It’s disgusting! It is hard not to get angry when you see this kind of wickedness.

Josh went back to her that night to see if she would be willing to stay at his friend’s house. She didn’t feel comfortable going anywhere. So Josh decided to sleep on the sidewalk near her, to protect her. He has spent the past three nights sleeping on the streets to make sure nothing happens to her.

I get emotional when I imagine this scene. I am honored to serve alongside guys like him, whose lives paint a beautiful picture of Christianity, and Christmas.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7

I’m so excited about this weekend.  At this point, we have about 100,000 people from 99 different countries who will be joining the live Multiply simulcast! We sensed that The Lord was stirring people towards actual disciple-making. This confirmed it. I’m looking forward to being encouraged by other believers who are trying to overcome their fears and tell the world of the greatest news on earth.

Pray that this time would be real and not contrived, Spirit-led and not based on human wisdom.  

Almost two years ago, my family and I were in Asia trying to figure out where the Lord wanted us to live and minister. While apartment hunting in Hong Kong, I had a strong sense that God wanted me to return to the US. There was more I was supposed to do in convincing Christians to make disciples.

It was all a bit overwhelming as I couldn’t fathom how I could change the mindset of the millions who believe that being “fishers of men” and making “disciples” is the pastor’s job. At the same time, I was excited about pursuing a vision that was too difficult for me. I told the Lord that I could not do this on my own, but also that I would not “recruit” anyone. I trusted that if He wanted me to do this, then He would bring people my way.

Right after I returned to the States, I spoke at the Passion conference. It was there that I met David Platt for the first time. We immediately hit it off, and when I asked him what he felt the Lord was leading him to do, I was shocked by his answer.

He spoke about how he believed that every believer needed to be a disciple maker. He shared about his desire to create material to train believers to disciple others. He wondered about ways to spread this message through books, videos, gatherings, etc. He considered new expressions of church where disciple making was central and every member understood their responsibility. In short, he expressed everything the Lord had been laying on my heart.

After several conversations and prayer, we decided there was no reason for us to do this separately. It made more sense to pursue this as a team. So after a year and a half of prayer, planning, and work, we are ready to launch “Multiply”.

You can learn more at our temporary website:

www.multiplymovement.com

Consider joining us at one of our free gatherings on Nov 9 or 10!

Many of you have heard the story of what happened a year ago when we decided to do a conference here in San Francisco…  In short, we were going to have hundreds of people show up in the inner city to pass out thousands of meals to the poor and homeless.  A few days before the conference, the rescue mission staff had a meeting where the leader expressed concern because they had no meat and no money.  Two hours after the meeting, Trader Joe’s (the local market) called to tell us that their refrigerators had just shut down and they needed to give us all of their meat!  Shortly after, truckloads of meat came to our front door!

Well…  We are having our conference again this Friday.  We just had a staff meeting this morning and our kitchen manager expressed concern that we might not have enough food because of the amount of people coming this year.  Guess who called half an hour after our meeting.  Yes, you guessed it!  Trader Joe’s just had a power outage!!!  Are you kidding me???!!!

We are all here shaking our heads in disbelief, celebrating, and laughing!  So I just wanted to share it with the world…

Shortly after writing my previous blog post, the Lord blessed me with a great opportunity to share with someone who actually loved hearing about Jesus.  15 minutes into the conversation, my friend Christian was so intrigued by it all that he began filming us. 

There are so many people like my friend Ricky who have heard the name “Jesus” but have no idea who He is.  This video is for those of you who don’t talk about Jesus because you feel like you don’t know enough about the Bible.  There are so many who just need someone to tell them the basics.

http://youtu.be/h6iom5JlSs8

It has been a long time since I have written anything.  I have spent most of my days developing new friendships and trying to explain to them their need for Jesus.  I wish I could tell you a bunch of stories of lives that have changed as a result.  I wish I could tell you that hundreds have repented and are now serving the Lord faithfully.  Instead, I’m pretty sad as very few of my new friends are ready to ditch their lives to follow Jesus.  Some are not convinced they need to repent.  Others are not convinced He is worth it.

The good news is that I regularly see God do supernatural things (too many stories to write out).  I expected these miracles to result in conversions, but now I understand what Jesus meant when He said, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31). 

Jesus never promised revival; in fact, He told us to expect the opposite (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  Even when people saw the supernatural, it usually didn’t lead to repentance (Luke 10:13).  What Jesus did promise was that we would have His presence with us as we made disciples (Matthew 28:20).  This I have definitely witnessed.  Supernatural answers to prayer never get old.

Like most speakers/pastors, I like to share about conversions and victories!  But by only sharing those stories, it may make people think that something is wrong if they don’t see a lot of fruit in their efforts.  Maybe this post is a strange word of encouragement for those who have been sharing Jesus and not seeing much result.  We may not often see repentance, but we do experience God being with us; and we do enjoy the peace knowing we tried.  And that makes it all worth it.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58

Please pray for the Merrick family.  For those who don’t know Britt, he is one of the most effective Christian leaders in our nation and a dear friend.  

http://prayfordaisy.com/

My friend, Matt Redman, just released a song “Twenty Seven Million” where the hope is to shine as much light as possible on the problem of human trafficking.

I encourage you to download the song. Twenty Seven Million people in modern day slavery is an outrage! Be a voice for the voiceless.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/twenty-seven-million/id500399945?i=500399948

So much has happened over the past few weeks, but I never know when to update and when to keep silent…  I’m still trying to understand the balance between leading by example and serving in private.  

At any rate, I wanted you all to know of a new ministry that I’ve been working with in starting a school to train people to reach the unreached people groups around the world.

Check it out if you get a chance- we start our first semester this Fall!

www.radiusinternational.org

This is really sad…  Many years ago I was deeply convicted while preaching through the book of Luke.  When I got to Luke 14:12-14, I knew what I was supposed to do.  I planned on doing it.  I just never got around it.  Sound familiar?

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to the man who was hosting Him for a banquet…

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” 

It seems like Jesus is saying we should literally have banquets for those who could never repay us.  It seems like it is good to have feasts for those who are rejected by others.  Yet I have spent my life taking friends out to dinner who often pay me back, inviting them to my house for dinner and letting them return the favor. Sure, I gave money to rescue missions to feed the poor for me.  But I had no idea the blessing that would come from doing it myself!

On Sunday night, some friends and I are throwing an elaborate banquet for people we have met in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.  The banquet hasn’t even happened yet, and I’m already overwhelmed by the blessings I have received.

1.  The excitement I see in the faces of people when I tell them I want them to come to a banquet.  The shock when I tell them I’m bringing in chefs who will cook WHATEVER they would like to eat.  Steak?  Fish?  Lobster?  Anything.

2.  The women blushing and teary-eyed when I tell them my wife will take them shopping (Lisa’s spiritual gift) before the banquet.  “I haven’t gone shopping in years!” is a typical response.

3.  The fun of going the extra mile in making this memorable- getting photographers, decorations, live entertainment, expensive gifts…  We do this for donors, why not the least of these?

4.  The opportunity to tell them that this is a tiny glimpse of the riches He has in store for us in Heaven.

5.  The joy of resembling God as I offer grace to people who may reject it.  I have worried way too much about giving to people who may not appreciate my gifts or may squander them like a prodigal.  There’s certainly a time for prudence, but don’t miss out on opportunities to pour out undeserved favor.

The biggest thrill came yesterday as I was explaining the upcoming event.  I was giddy as I spoke about how these people have no idea what they are walking into.  I want to have so many surprises waiting for them when they arrive.  Then it hit me:  Is this how God feels about the banquet He is preparing for me?  Is He thinking, “Francis has no idea what I have in store for Him!”  I have always struggled with understanding and deeply believing His grace towards me.  God is using this event to put me in His shoes for a moment.  I can taste a bit of the thrill of being a grace giver.

Who knows?  Maybe those invited will get busy and decide not to come.  Then we’ll have to pull others off the street, clean them up, and bring them in.  That might end up being a blessing as well (Luke 14:15-24).

After a great time of searching, learning, experimenting…  I’m excited to begin a new phase in my life.  While I’ve been ministering in a lot of different places and will continue to do so, I am now helping to launch a new local ministry here in San Francisco.  I have throughly enjoyed the past couple of weeks, participating in a ministry that makes me feel alive and at peace.  The risk and unknown has caused me to depend deeply on Him!

We are launching on November 6th, and I would love your prayers.  You can get a glimpse of it at http://sfcityimpact.com/#/volunteer-center/adopt-a-building 

I spent the past couple of days participating and speaking at the City Impact conference in San Francisco.  700 of us (sorry to the hundreds turned away- we ran out of space) walked around the streets of the Tenderloin district passing out hot meals, clothes, groceries, cutting hair, visiting apartments, washing feet, and various other acts of love.  Mainly, we sat and listened to the stories about their lives, told them about the love of Christ and prayed for them.  Some will now be discipled.

Hard to say what the greatest blessing was…  Maybe it was watching my 15 year old washing and massaging the feet of homeless people for hours while telling them about Jesus.  Maybe it was seeing my 11 year old pass out meals or walk the streets sharing her faith.  Maybe it was watching my wife lead worship in a room full of passionate worshippers.  Maybe it was the opportunity to preach to a gathering of believers who spent the day living out what they believed.  Maybe it was listening to the stories of lost people and being able to speak truth into their lives..  Ultimately, it was a great time watching my family join with other believers who were willing be uncomfortable.  I’m used to seeing this on mission trips, but not so much in our own backyard.  

And yes, Rachel is safely home from  Thailand.  Thanks for your prayers.  Now comes the task of trying to live the Spirit-filled life right here, amidst our comfort-driven culture.  Something the whole family is trying to do.  It was nice that we were able to do it for a weekend, but now we’re trying to make it the norm.

FYI- I don’t facebook or twitter, so any Francis Chan tweets or facebook pages didn’t come from me.  I’ll be sure to let everyone know from this website when I choose to do so. 

I have nothing against those who make pages or tweets in my name, but just want you to know that none of them are from me.

Over the years, I’ve been convicted by passages that describe the unity Christ wants in His church (John 17, 1 John 4, 1 Corinthians 12, Philippians 2, Acts 2…).  But whenever I’ve made efforts toward bringing believers together, I run into seemingly insurmountable barriers.  I don’t know how to overcome the differences in theology, convictions, and personalities.  So I gave up long ago.

But once again, His Word is bothering me.  This time around, it’s the second half of Ephesians 2 that is convicting me.  I confess, I had never taken a real close look at this passage. Until this recent study, I hadn’t noticed the deep connection between the cross and unity.  Our oneness is far more than a “nice idea” we should pursue if we can find the time.  It was a motivation for the cross. 

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I don’t know how this will play out in my life this time.  I don’t have a brilliant master plan to unite His children.  I just figured I would start by getting you to stare at His Word again, and by praying that His Spirit would bring unity to His church.  I certainly don’t have the answer, but I care again and more than I ever have.  Our Father wants His children tightly connected, and our Savior died to make it possible.  Shouldn’t we be working and praying harder about this?

It was a pretty emotional morning for me. My wife and I dropped off our oldest daughter at the airport this morning. She’s 15 and flying to Thailand by herself to work at a rescue home for the next month. It’s something she has begged me to let her do since our visit to Thailand last fall.

All of the expected fears filled my mind occasionally, but they were overcome by other positive emotions…

Thanksgiving: I am so grateful that Jesus saved Rachel and gave her this desire to serve those in need. It was only a couple of years ago that she seemed so far from the Lord. I can never thank Him enough! My little girl is in love with Jesus and loves serving Him! Thank you Father.

Peace: The Spirit calmed my heart and assured me that this is right. I am able to rest in His sovereignty. There is tremendous peace living in uncertainty. It seems so much more biblical to have our family split apart at times in order to serve Him. It reminds me of why we are here.

Expectancy: I anticipate the Lord teaching Rachel so much during this time. I spent much of my childhood without a dad, and it caused me to depend on God more. I expect this time apart from us will help her walk with the Lord develop. Lisa and I prayed she would grow much during this time, and that the Lord would bless her with some tougher times so that she would grow.

Good Pain: I’m grateful that I will miss one of my best friends. How sad it would be if I didn’t. Working through the fears allowed Lisa and I to surrender Rachel to our Lord once again. It was a great reminder that she is not really our daughter. She belongs to her heavenly Father and needs to go wherever He calls her.

I share some of this because I know there are other parents who get nervous when their children want to take a step of faith. It’s never easy to let go, and there are certainly times when the Lord gives us the wisdom to keep them from careless choices. But there are times like these when it’s not the safest decision, but it seems best to let them go. The pain and uncertainty will force us to trust Him more. The discomfort will remind us that this world is not our home. At the end of it all, I believe we will be more like Christ and more in love with Him.

What could be better?

This seems to be the first question everyone asks when they see me, so I’m posting the ministries I am currently involved with…

1)   I’m working with my friends David Platt and Mark Beuving in developing a discipleship tool that will help equip believers to make disciples.  I am very excited about this, as I believe the greatest need in the American church is for all who call themselves “Christian” to be out baptizing and making disciples.

2)   I’m helping my friend Chris Huang develop a conference on August 26-27.  Much of the conference involves walking around San Francisco and actually doing ministry rather than just talking about it.  You can find out more about it at www.cityimpactconference.com

3)   I’m helping my brother Paul launch a new service that ministers to people who attend English services in Chinese churches.  By combining worship services, it frees up the pastors to focus on discipleship throughout the week.  We had our first service last Sunday and it was a great time.

4)   I’m involved with my friend Brad Buser in establishing a new school that will train people to reach unreached people groups.  We’re hoping to launch in about a year.  The Lord has increased my burden for reaching those who have never heard the gospel.

5)   I’m working with my friend Dave Lomas in figuring out how to implement discipleship at his church in SF.  I’ll be team teaching and helping develop leadership this fall in hopes of launching a discipleship movement.

6)   I’m teaching a preaching class for inner city ministers.  We recently had our first class, and I was pretty blown away by their testimonies.  I believe God is going to do significant things through these individuals.

7)   Lisa and I decided to write a book over a year ago, but we haven’t gotten very far.  Now that our baby is sleeping through the night, we should have some more time to write.

8)   I have been spending a lot of time meeting pastors in the area and trying to support them in any way.  I have met a lot of great leaders.  I’ve learned a lot from them and hopefully I have been of help to some of them.

I still travel and speak almost every week.  I tried to cut back significantly, but the calendar gets full somehow.  No complaints though.  I am enjoying ministry a lot.  I love the new friends we have made in San Francisco.  It’s beginning to feel like family, but we miss our friends at Cornerstone a ton.  I still go back to preach there every 6-8 weeks or so. 

Most importantly, I have really been enjoying my time alone with God.  I read Desiring God by John Piper again last week.  It still tops my list of books everyone needs to read.  Besides the Bible, no other book has had as much impact on my life. 

Had an amazing time this morning memorizing Ephesians 2:1-10.  I was in tears as I meditated on the words of verse 4 “but God, rich in mercy…”

So much I want to say about this passage.  I wish I could preach it right now, but rather than writing a sermon for you to read, I encourage you to meditate on it yourself.  God is the Hero, the Saviour, and all attention should be given to Him.  Deflect all the attention given to you today.  

Meditate on Ephesians 2 and thank God.  

I’ve been convicted about my lack of scripture memorization over the past few years, so I decided to make it a competition.  That always seems to motivate me…  I’m racing my oldest daughter to see who can memorize Ephesians first.  It has been SO GOOD to be so focused on scripture throughout the day. 
 
One section of chapter 1 stands out above the rest at this point of my life.  It’s when Paul prays for the Ephesians- that “the eyes of your heart” would be enlightened so they would know “what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might which He worked when He raised Christ from the dead and placed Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion…” 
 
I want to know this immeasurably great power toward me.  I believe I’m only scratching the surface in my understanding of His great might.  Don’t believe Satan’s lies.  You who know Christ possess immeasurable power through Him.  Let’s live like it.

Our family welcomed our newest addition, Claire Love Chan, at 7:44 pm last night (5/30/11) weighing in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 19 inches long. Lisa and baby are doing great!

Our baby should be born any day now.  Pray for Lisa.  I love her so much. Sometimes I get so caught up in my “mission” that I forget about the pressures placed on her.  Not easy being a mother of four and moving to a new place while carrying a baby in your belly!

Crazy and wonderful times for the Chan family.  

(Post from April 12, 2011)

Do Not Forget Them

I woke up today at 3am, burdened for our brothers and sisters imprisoned in Iran.  Please continue praying for them.  If you go to www.elam.com, there are good thoughts on what to pray.  Let’s pray for them the way we would want others to pray for us if the tables were turned.

God’s Prompting

I don’t know how to explain it, but I believe strongly that the Lord wants me to get more aggressive about ministry in the San Francisco area.  I have been meeting with people in the area to pray and dream about how His church could look.  I want to spend ample time praying.  This seems like something God is stirring.  I want to be led by His Spirit and not my own desires.  So for now, there are very few plans but many prayers.  Pray that God would bring more glory to His name in San Francisco.  

Personally

Things continue to go well for my family and me.  We look forward to the arrival of our baby girl next month.  We recently purchased a house in Daly City.  It is halfway between downtown San Francisco and the airport.  Unfortunately, we can’t move in yet because the city inspector came by and imposed some pretty crazy regulations on us.  (ie:  refusing to let us rebuild a deck that rotted out- concluding that it would be better to have a sliding glass door off the second story that leads to a free fall.)  Believe it or not, I’m actually thankful for the problems.  God has used different trials to humble me and reveal the impatience and anger that is still in me.  I’m praying that I would put it all to death.  (My sin, not the city inspector…)

A passage that has been helpful for me is Colossians 3.  It is a great chapter reminding us to lose ourselves in Christ.  In verse 2, it says “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.” 

I have a tendency to get distracted by earthly things and take my mind off things that are above.  We have to fight for our minds.  We cannot allow ourselves to lose sight of our mission here on earth!  How are you doing?  Have you been focused on eternal things?

The End is Near?

I’m sure we have all looked at the current events and wondered if this is it.  Whatever your thoughts on the matter, let’s just make sure we don’t panic or worry like the rest of the world.  I’ll end with one of my favorite passages.

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:25-28

(Post from March 14, 2011)

Our friends in Iran are still in prison, so please keep praying for them…  Some have been released but others are still suffering.  Much of their time is spent in solitary confinement.  Please Pray.  Here’s a link to read more:  

http://www.elam.com 

As far as my life, things continue to go supernaturally well.  God has been showing me His grace and love constantly.  Lisa’s pregnancy is healthy and we are expecting our baby girl in May.  We continue to get more settled in San Francisco, however, I have been traveling so much that I still don’t feel like I have “moved” yet. 

In regards to our adoption, some things have changed.  We are still in the process of adoption, but we have decided to pursue a sibling set through the foster system.  We found out that Isaac, the child from China, was also sought after by a wonderful Christian family.  Rather than “competing” for the same child, we thought it best to pursue other children that no one wanted.  We found out that around 500 children in California are in need of adoption every month!  You can be praying for us as we pursue this.  You can also be praying for yourself, as God may be calling you to do the same.

I am very excited about some writing projects I am currently working on.  One in particular is a discipleship project I am creating with David Platt.  We have both been deeply concerned with the fact that so few who attend church services are obeying the great commission and making disciples.  We are working on creating a free resource that would equip all lay people to make disciples.  I believe deeply that the future of the church in America depends largely in all believers doing the work of discipleship and placing less of a burden on paid staff.  I believe our best days are ahead.

One thing that I have been thanking God for lately is how much enjoyment I am finding in prayer, study of His Word, and telling others about Christ.  It has been little about discipline and work, and more about desire.  It is great to be in a season like this.  

(Post from February of 2011)

Please take the time to read and pray about the following articles.  We need to be outspoken about these events and encourage everyone to be praying.  

http://www.elam.com/articles/70-Christians-Arrested/ 

http://www.elam.com/articles/202-arrests,-33-still-in-prison/

I have plenty going on in my life, but until my brothers and sisters are released, I feel silly writing about my life.  These are the kind of people that we should be praying diligently for.  These are the men and women that we should hold up as examples of Christian faith.  I have only met one of them (that I know of) but I still remember his joy, testimony, and the life in his eyes.  Pray as though it were you in prison.

Let’s pray for:

1. Their release
2. Their ministry while in prison
3. Boldness to hold onto their faith.

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.  Hebrews 13:3

(Post from January of 2012)

Well, we moved to San Francisco last week…  I believe this is where God wants my family and me at this time.  We will spend the next few weeks learning about the various ministries in this area.  I want to be an encouragement to the different ministers out here.  Sometimes, we can too quickly start ministries and hurt existing ministries.  Due to our consumer mindset, people are prone to jump from church to church which weakens the church overall.  In a place where there is so little church presence, we can’t afford to harm her overall health.  

The other big news that Lisa is pregnant and due in May!  We find out on Friday whether we’ll have our fourth girl or second boy!  Right now, we are in a two-bedroom apartment with the six of us.  We’re praying about the next step as it may get a little crazy with a newborn too.  We are also in the process of adopting Isaac (the boy from China I mentioned in an earlier update).  We doubt they will approve our living situation, so pray that God leads us in the right direction.  

The family is doing really well.  God continues to bless us and lead us.  I am working on some projects that I believe can help the overall health of the church in America.  It’s too soon to talk about it now, but I would appreciate your prayers.  

There is still a lot of unknown, but I love the peace of following Him in uncertainty!

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”  Isaiah 26:3-4

(Post from December of 2010)

It has been an amazing couple of months as you probably saw from Lisa’s updates.  I don’t even know where to start.  Once again, God far exceeded my expectations.  He has a way of doing that…

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…   Ephesians 3:20

There is far too much to say.  I won’t even attempt to write down all of my thoughts, as that would take too long to read.  I prefer you spend that time in scripture.  So let me just throw out a few thoughts.  

GOD is the love of my life.  While I enjoyed experiencing different cultures and meeting new people, I most enjoyed my time communing with God.  It doesn’t matter where I am or what I am doing.  Nothing beats conversing with the living God and watching Him answer prayer.  

My family was able to experience exactly what I had hoped and more.  One of my goals as a parent is to show my kids how to live for eternity (Matt. 6:18-20).  I don’t want them to live for the things of this earth.  This was the first time they were able to enjoy not having a home and finding security in Christ.  While I tried to teach that our house was not our home, it is much easier to grasp that concept while homeless.

We have always been a pretty happy family, but we have never been this happy.  Our time at a children’s home in Thailand was probably our family favorite.  The typical day was wake up, have breakfast, serve and play with the kids during the day, and then worship with them in the evening.  Most nights Lisa and I would then stay up late with our oldest two talking, laughing, and praying.  I doubt they will ever forget this trip.

The church overseas was pretty much what I expected:  devoted and passionate.  Leaders in India explained that it makes no sense for a person to make a casual commitment to Jesus in a place where there is persecution.  Only a person who genuinely believes would endure the suffering that goes into being a Christian.  I was blessed for the chance to talk to people who were beaten for their faith.  Especially memorable were a couple women I met who were kicked out of their villages for following Christ.  Pregnant at the time, they gave birth in the jungle with only their husbands by their sides.  As they shared about the struggle to find food for their children, I realized I had nothing to ever complain about.

Speaking to underground church leaders in China was equally enlightening.  Most surprising to me was their response when I told them about “church” in America.  I did not expect the response I got when I explained how common it is for people to switch churches if they find another with better child-care, better music, or a more gifted speaker.  They laughed really hard.  It was weird.  It was like they thought I was joking.  It opened my eyes to the uniqueness of our situation.  Remember that India and China combined represent almost 40% of the world’s population.  The U.S. represents about 4%.  Too often I have looked at other cultures as being strange.  I forget that we are the minority.  

Don’t get me wrong, not every “Christian” I met overseas was committed.  There were pockets of people who casually called themselves “Christian” in places where Jesus had become more socially acceptable.  For the most part, however, I loved the fellowship with believers who had experienced and endured far more than I have.  

The future is still unclear at this point, but I am at total peace.  I am looking into a couple possible places to plant my family for the next few months.  While I am unsure of where I will be located, I am fairly certain of what God has called me to work on over the next few months.  It is both overwhelming and exciting.  I will wait for the next update to explain all of that.  

Thank you to those who prayed for my family.  I believe we are all closer to Jesus and more like Him as a result of the past few months.  I hope the same is true for you.

(Post from November of 2010)

Obviously…I am not meant to blog. I allow far too much time to pass, and too many things happen in the space of that time! I cannot believe December is here and we have been gone for six weeks now. 

Our time with the children at Life Impact and in Thailand in general has been a true trip favorite for the whole family. Watching my older girls work so hard to help with the playground, and watching them love on the children, just made my heart want to burst. I learned a lot about them and from them. They were truly selfless and poured out their joy and their love and their hugs and kisses freely. 

Some of the most stirring moments came from our worship times together. Gathered around in the “upper room” at the children’s new home, the kids began singing worship songs in Thai. If only you could have seen them with their eyes closed with their hands raised to heaven and their faces expressing their love and gratitude to Jesus. It was so beautiful, not only because they were children, but because you sensed that they knew God had rescued them and brought them to this place. It was a holy moment, and it happened every time we worshipped together. 

During one of these times, with children curled up in our laps, singing their hearts out, I noticed Ellie was crying. I was a little impatient with her, thinking she was scared of a bug or something (there are lots of bugs in Thailand!). I whisper, “What’s the matter, baby?” It sounds like she answers back, “I don’t like this song.” “You don’t like this song?” I ask her incredulously. “No, mommy. I like the song…It’s BEAUTIFUL!” At this, she is just a puddle of tears. It was hard not to break down myself, as a six year old was so moved by the worship (in another language!) that she began to cry. I tell her… “that is the Spirit in you that recognizes how much these children love Jesus. It really is beautiful, baby.”

Matt 18 “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Another amazing highlight was the day we went to the dumps to pass out fruit to the residents. Yes, I said residents. There are hundreds of families that live in the dumps, sorting through piles of trash for recyclables and plastic bags that they can turn in for a little change. When our van first stopped, we were right in front of a family’s home. A few wooden boards nailed together with a plastic tarp covering one wall. Out came the mama with a baby in her arms. The whole family came out dirty and smelly, but so happy to see us. It honestly took my breath away. Not because of the stench but because I didn’t even know how to process it. I still don’t. I really had to fight not to cry. How do you wake up every day in mounds and mounds of trash and raise your family in a dump? They say they are here because it is a better life for them than in Burma (most are Burmese refugees). We pass out our oranges and apples, and I can’t help but feel silly. Is this the best I have to offer? “Here’s an orange that cost me five cents and by the way, sorry you’re living in trash.” As we walk from one end to the other, Ali Hall was behind me singing “You’re the God of this city. You’re the God of these people…” I didn’t even know what to do with those lyrics. You don’t want your people living like this God, I thought to myself.

We also sing the lyrics of another great song, “Break my heart for what breaks Yours…” But I’ve decided that it is a heavy thing to have your heart broken. It leaves me at an impass. Can I go on doing life the way I always have? Or do I have to live differently because of what God has allowed me to see? Of who He has allowed me to love? And saying I “HAVE to” is kind of dumb… because I “WANT to.” 

Sorry to leave you on a heavier note… but I am feeling kind of heavy tonight. Thank you for your faithful prayers. We are in Hong Kong now, will update you about this busy city next time. 

(Post in November of 2010)

We have been here at the children’s home now for 5 or 6 days (I’m losing track) and we are just LOVING it. What a blessing to love and serve these kids! Each child has a unique and tragic story, but to see them giggle and run around, you would never know it. Some were rescued moments before their mothers sold them to sex traffickers from Bangkok, some were child slaves, some were just abandoned to the streets. It is heart-breaking to imagine what many of them have endured. 

One little boy was born in prison to the most infamous female drug dealer in town. In Thailand they allow you to keep your baby for two years in prison, after which they are turned out to the streets. This little guy had never seen the outside of a prison until Life Impact (www.lifeimpactintl.org) rescued him and gave him a home. He and Mercy have really bonded. When she starts to walk away, he will call out, “Ma!” until she scoops him up and takes him with her. What a precious little guy.

Rachel made a lasting connection with another little boy named David on our very first introduction to the children’s home. He’s 2 ,  and when he saw her he immediately held out his hands to her and would not let her go. Apparently Rachel looks like his “heart mama” (the woman who primarily cares for him) and he is the cutest cross-eyed guy you have ever seen!  He was found in a hospital by a missionary doctor, very malnourished and neglected because the nurses thought he was ugly. They would tape a bottle to his mouth and leave him lying alone. This doctor realized he had a severe heart problem, and David has undergone one major surgery, and is waiting for his second. He is very small for his age, but he is a fighter! We all just love him.

Francis has been hard at work with a brand new missionary here (Al Farrar). So far they have created a zip-line for the kids running from two of the most gorgeous trees on the property, a tire swing, a tetherball pole, bars, and are working on an obstacle course. I wish you could have seen the faces of  the kids when the zip-line first “opened”. It is a dream come true for Lana, because she wants so much for these kids to play and have the childhood that was stolen from them. Of course, this is for the older kids to enjoy. 

The kids and I have been in charge of painting and decorating the outdoor baby/toddler play area. Do you believe that someone put ME in charge of decorative painting? Most of my attempts at artistry end up looking like something Rachel drew in Kindergarten… so you must have been praying for me.  Over two days, we created a mini jungle scene complete with an elephant, palm tree, monkey, butterfly, and flowers. The kids were loving it! Thank you goes out to Google… “how to draw a monkey”. 

Yesterday Mercy said, “Mom, it sure feels good to actually be a blessing to someone instead of wasting time on ourselves.” I had to agree. Although I was high on paint fumes, the overwhelming satisfaction of giving to others was…. well…overwhelming. It solidifies in my mind our decision to leave Simi Valley. I am confident that God is leading us away from a place where we have given what we could… to a place of greater need. I guess I see it as this: Our cup was full as we started ministry in Simi, and God allowed and enabled us to slowly be poured out on the people around us. It feels like a fruitful season of 16 years (Praise Jesus!) And now God has filled our cup again, with a different ministry, that we are to go… and slowly pour out on the people God entrusts to us next.

Thank you again for praying for us. I have watched many of you pour out your lives for others, and I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight! When we finish the race we will have the most victorious party ever, don’t you think? 

Francis got us all pumped up at church on Sunday (via the Holy Spirit) about living for what matters. There is a finish line that we cannot forget about. Do whatever it takes to fix your eyes on it, because the reward is GREAT, and how it grieves the Spirit of God when we are torn down and distracted by foolish things. I am praying for all of you tonight, that God would give you a fresh sense of purpose and ministry. 

(Post from October of 2010)

I guess I should write something every day so I don’t feel like I need to write a novel to fill you all in. But alas, that does not seem feasible so I will try to hit the “highlights”.  First off, you can be praying for Francis and Rachel and Mercy. They left at 3:00 this morning for a LONG journey to the persecuted believers gathering (they are expecting 10,000 people).  It requires 4-5 hours in the car, a couple hours on a plane, 8 hours at a hotel waiting for the last leg… an 8 hour train ride. I’m tired just thinking about it.  The little ones and I are staying at the seminary campus, which is actually a very beautiful place. Very green and tropical feeling. Praise God that I am not struggling with fear the way I was expecting… but I know that is because many of you are specifically praying for me in that regard. THANK YOU!!

When we were in Mumbai (the city where Slumdog Millionaire was filmed) we had the humbling opportunity to visit a slum church. It was around 7:30pm. We were dropped off by car at a crowded, dirty “marketplace” of sorts… and made our way down the alleys amidst a lot of stares. Once again, they stared in unbelief at little white boy.  It was kind of later in the evening, but it seems everyone was in the streets and alleys, probably escaping the small confines of their rickety, despairing little homes. We peeked in at a few doorways (which are not graced with a door…maybe a curtain at best) and you could see the older people sitting on the hard cement floor, the look of defeat somehow showing in their body language. I found myself whispering to Mercy, “Do you see inside honey? Do you see how they live every day?”  We finally wound around to a small room that does have a door, and from it we could hear the sound of worshipping. Inside the dimly lit room, probably no bigger than my bedroom, was the Church, about 50 precious people singing to Jesus in the thick humidity and unsanitary conditions. Mostly women and children, who looked up at us with shy but happy smiles as we filed in the back. I was struck with just how beautiful Jesus must be to these people… people who have nothing. Sometimes I have to work at finding Jesus really beautiful and someone to treasure…because I am surrounded by beauty and treasures every day.  What true joy and hope it must give these believers… to know that their time here is temporary. What comfort it must give them to know that Jesus will come for them, and truly the last shall be first. The hope of Heaven must be something to cling to in this place.

I can’t help but think that the Light coming from this room must be a draw to the people living outside its walls. There’s no promise of immediate comfort, no earthly riches being offered… but Jesus is preached, and He is a living God! …”You shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” Phil 2. 

Francis spoke a great message of encouragement to this little body of Christ hidden away in a slum in India . “100 years from now we will be worshipping together. We will look each other in the eye and KNOW that it was worth it.” 

Please pray for these believers. They have to work so hard just to survive, pray that the joy of the Lord would be their strength.  I was going to share one other “thought” but I am worn out! I will try again later or tomorrow. One of the pastor’s wives is taking me and the little ones to Chicken Burger tonight for dinner.  It should be an experience. No diet coke with ice and a straw… but maybe something vaguely familiar.

Oh, yes, today Zeke was asking why we always have to take our shoes off before going inside somewhere. I said, “I don’t really know, but it is part of Indian culture.” He said, “Wow… I didn’t know things were going to be so different here.”  He’s so cute. He has also told me he wishes he could live here… so it can’t be too bad in his mind.  Love and hugs!

(Post from October of 2010)

This is just a short update to let you all know we are alive and well. I can’t thank God enough for the journey over here… it was SO much easier than I expected. The little kids were awesome, traveling for well over thirty hours (lay-overs included). 

The people of India are so happy to have visitors, especially little children. Zeke and Ellie are a spectacle, when people want pictures, they want it with them!  At first Zeke wasn’t too keen on the ladies squeezing his cheeks… but he is “suffering for Jesus” now. Ellie asks me, “Mom, why are they so happy to see us?”    She has also asked me, “Mom, why are there people lying in the street?” This is heart breaking to see and explain to a child. The overwhelming amount of poverty has once again cut my heart. 

Today as I was shifting clothes from one suitcase, I was a little sickened by the big pile it made. It was embarrassing to think that so many here would be lucky to have one change of clothes, let alone a change of clothes for every day. Yesterday a Brother here was sharing how the members of his church, who are poor by our standards, care for the neediest. He says in India, the people eat twice a day. Rice is a staple food for them. So as they take out a handful of rice, they also take out a handful and put it in a bag. They do this twice a day for one month at a time, and at the end of the month they bring the bag of rice to church, which is then given to the poor.  It made me think, there is always a way to give. And I was a little ashamed of how many people I’ve heard say, “I wish I could give to the poor, but I just don’t have anything to give after my bills are paid”. Really?

Three days ago we visited a new “Jesus Well.” It was probably one of the most impactful moments so far, surprisingly. Women and children who live in a slum have no access to clean water. A Jesus Well is a ministry of GFA, where they bring running water to these people who have nothing. Francis got to be the first to pump the water as the whole little crowd looked on. All four kids took a turn pumping water into the ladies jars, and I couldn’t help but think, “Is there anything else I would want my children doing right now?”  This is one way to meet a physical thirst and need… but it is a tool to point people to the One who can quench their spiritual thirst forever… so beautiful.

Well, the adventure has only just begun, and I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to know that many of you are holding us up in prayer. Thank you!  Please pray today for the believers here in India. They have a rough life in many ways, and are daily confronted with so much need. Pray that the Spirit of God would fill them with strength and vision and love. 

Please pray also for Francis as he hurt his back again, and has a lot of traveling to accomplish in the next two weeks. 

(Post from Sept. of 2010)

I woke up this morning realizing that I am living the dream!  In other words, I do not know how my life could be any better. I am leaving for Asia with my family of six.  We love God, love each other, and are excited to minister to people in need.  We are free to go anywhere His Spirit leads and for as long as His Spirit leads.  What more can a guy ask for?  I know it doesn’t sound like the American dream.  It’s far better.

It has been an emotional week for the Chans as we said good-bye to our close friends and family. Though we are excited, it is hard to leave those we love.

This will probably be my last update for the year, but my wife may decide to update this website regularly.  I have decided to disconnect from the public for a couple of months.  I have even ditched my cell phone and email.  Most of you are probably too young to remember the pre-internet days.  Believe it or not, we survived just fine without being accessible to thousands of people 24 hours a day.  So I’m off the grid for a while, but feel free to continue dialoging amongst yourselves about whether or not I am doing the right thing.  Many of you are pretty confident that you know God’s will for my life, pray that He would tell me also.  (Like my sarcasm?)

Seriously though, I really would love your prayers.  I want to believe that I have surrendered my life to the will of God, allowing Him to lead my family and me to any place on the earth.  I pray He shows me any areas of my life that I have not truly surrendered.  I pray that I would know Him more deeply, experience His power more fully, and minister more effectively than ever.  

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might