Travel Journal 13

February 18, 2013  -  Monday

Our friend, Lena, arranged for us to have breakfast at 7:30 AM.  We reunited with our team-mate, Rie, and met many of the other foreigners teaching English across China.  Then we went back to our room (after a walk to 7/11), where I began to catch up my journal while Deb read.  Lunch was also provided.  After reading and napping, it was time for the evening barbecue – steak!!!!  Wow!  [One of the great things about the annual conference is that we get to eat American food all week!]  Then the whole evening was worship and instruction.  

I'm not going to write much about the conference, although it is a highlight of the year for all of our teachers!  I will, however, include one vignette:  (February 20)

VISITING SAMUEL LAMB

We were ushered to a small room on the second floor where we met Pastor Samuel.  He insisted that we sit close to him around a small table.  He greeted us and gave us gifts:  his testimony and about six of his sermons in pamphlet form.  He is a very gentle man, yet quite proud of his accomplishments.  He repeatedly reminded us that his church includes over 4,000 people, who meet in groups of 1,000 at four different times.  He walked us through some of the pictures in his book of testimony. 

He speaks English quite well, but at times didn’t seem to understand questions (it may have been a hearing problem).  One of our teachers translated some of our questions for him and that seemed to help.  He was curious to know where we were all from and asked about our home states.  His father had been a Baptist preacher in Detroit for many years.  He seemed surprised that several of our group could speak Chinese and that over half of us lived in China!

He talked about his years in prison briefly.  He was held in a prison in the extreme western province and was forced to work eight hours a day in the coal mines.  He was fed well because they needed the men to stay healthy to be able to do the work.  When he was released, his church had grown significantly!  He is proud of those who have been baptized under his ministry!

Today he preaches the first week of every month;  his associates take care of the other Sundays and train the people!  He is presently 88 years old and assumes he will be going to Heaven soon [he died August 3, that year].  He told us that the police used to bother him quite a bit.  One particular officer would come to his services every Sunday and insist that he join the Three-Self Patriotic Church.  Each time Pastor Lamb refused to do so.  Finally the officer insisted that he join!  Pastor Lamb looked at him and said, “Arrest me!”  The officer left and didn’t come back until four years later. 

Today, local police often direct foreigners to Pastor lamb’s church.  It is the only reason that foreigners come to this particular part of Guanzhou!  J  The government hasn’t bothered him since 1999.

He spoke with pride of having Billy Graham preach in his church; he translated for him!  He has been interviewed by 180 news organizations and 80 heads of state.  This now has become a barrier of protection for him and his church because if he was to be arrested again, it would become an international news item!

We toured his building at the courtesy of his young assistant.  We sang some hymns in his upstairs sanctuary.  He is an accomplished pianist and wrote forty hymns (he gave us a copy).  He reports that they have no difficulty getting Bibles now that they are being printed in China!  A few of our members brought Bibles and presented them to him.  Debbie and l left a gift in his hands as we said our good-byes!  Others may have done so, too. 

         

Glenn Teal and Samuel Lamb – 2^nd floor meeting room.    

Third floor sanctuary where the preaching originates.

              

A bench slides out when as the room fills to capacity!       

Outdoor seating behind the 3^rd floor sanctuary.

         

The 1^st floor sanctuary.                                                        

The church’s foyer – notice the tree.

          

  

             

Front of the church – looking one way……………………………and the other way.

Some thoughts on visiting a Chinese mega-church!

I remember the first time I visited a friends' large church in central Ohio.  I was so impressed!  It blew me away!  The building looks like a mall with 360 degree parking.  It has a café and children’s departments with play areas that equaled anything you’ve seen at MacDonald’s.  The youth area was cavernous and was set up like a night club with refreshments and pool tables and fooz-ball tables!  The sanctuary was a massive double gymnasium with a platform that is bigger than most churches.  Everything about the place impresses you!  It is home to close to 4,000 worshipers.

Now I’ve visited Samuel Lamb’s church.  It is tiny.  It is inconceivable that 4,000 worshipers gather here at four services every week!  Most sit on floors where they only get a video feed of the message and worship!  The restrooms are tiny and crude and accommodate one person at a time.  The stairways are narrow and steep!  The building is old and the rooms are small.  There is no parking at all!  You could easily walk by the building and not recognize that it is a church!  The whole building would fit inside the Ohio church at least 100 times! 

How did buildings become so important when the New Testament Church went for its first 400 years without any????

Travel Journal 9

February 14, 2013  -  Thursday  Valentine’s Day!

We rose for a 7:00 AM breakfast and then left for Guanzhou.  Our host took the kids in his car along with roses that they are going to sell.  His wife took the rest of us on a long walk to the bus stop.  [Deb and Jessica found a store nearby that had some towels, so we should be able to shower tonight!]

It was a long bus ride to the subway station.  Then it was a long subway ride to downtown.  Eventually we met up with her husband and the kids in an underground mall.  We have discovered that our host and his wife tend to make decisions and then unmake them in a very short time.  Gradually this became annoying to all of us.  Although they are a lovely couple, there seems to be some passive-aggressive stuff going on between them. 

A flowering tree at the bus stop!  

                 Debbie made friends with a young couple on the subway!

While the children attempted to sell roses, his wife took us on a tour around the plaza area which was decorated for the Chinese New Year!  We saw many shops, crafts, arts, displays, and shows.  It was delightful!

  

    We saw this tall skyscraper when we emerged from the subway!  

                             Beautiful flowers and tall buildings were everywhere!        

                          It was 8 degrees in Changchun today!  Glad we’re here!  J

            

 This was at the entrance to the plaza!       

After a while, we took a short subway ride to another area where we toured the Museum of Natural Science.  It was very well done and quite impressive!  We saw dinosaur bones and many other interesting things there.  We were probably inside for a couple of hours!

 

       A row of display areas like this on each side of the plaza. 

                                        An interesting looking artisan!

       

These trees drop tentacles that also take root!          



                                                                                   
                                                                       
This is the tallest building I have ever seen!  AMAZING!

The Guanzhou public library!  Incredibly beautiful!  

                           A by-passer offered to take our picture!

                                             The lights came on at dusk!

      

                            The darker it got, the prettier the displays became!

      

Children began flying kites as evening approached.                      

While we were waiting for the dark to come, we went shopping in the underground maul.  I got Debbie a nice crystal ring and earrings for Valentine’s Day!  Then we had a nice American meal at MacDonald’s.  Then we rejoined the group to view the lights!  Then came the long trip home via subways and bus.  Unfortunately, the children didn’t sell any of the roses!  So we had to haul them all home with us! 

While on the long subway ride I decided to entertain two sweet little girls sitting next to me.  I took out a balloon and blew it up.  That got their attention!  Then I pinched the neck and started making that squeaking noise.  Suddenly, everyone on the subway car was watching me – and their faces were all smiles!  Debbie was really glad that she wasn’t sitting near me!  It got a lot of laughter;  and then I gave each of the girls a balloon!  You should have seen them trying to do the same thing!  It was pretty funny!

When we got home we took showers!  Yay!  Feels so good to be clean again!  We sat and talked with Randy and Jessica a bit.  Then Deb read while I worked on this journal.  Bed at 11:30 PM.  

Travel Journal 7

February 9, 2013  -  Saturday  -  Chinese New Year’s Eve!

Friday was a day of walking!  R’s husband took Randy, Jessica, Hannah, Deb and I down the street where we caught a bus.  We rode it a good ways to a National Park on the outskirts of San men xia.  We walked into the park and saw a couple of famous sites.

         

This tower is over 1,000 years old!

Then we walked a long way and dropped down to the Yellow River again.  While there, a man brought some horses to near where we were.  Jessica and Hannah rode one and Debbie rode the other!  

          

Then we walked on to an area where there was a large flock of swans – much closer than we had seen days before! 

         

 Then, to our surprise, we walked home!  It was a long, long walk.  At one point, we crossed the river again to walk up the other side.  Then at the Rainbow Bridge we crossed back over and completed the walk.

R had dinner ready when we arrived home.  It was boiled pork ribs and what I thought were potatoes, but were actually something else (again, as before, the ribs were bony cuts of meat – delicious, but not much of it).  Also a cauliflower dish, sugared fresh-sliced tomatoes (which we LOVE!), and a cucumber and dofu noodle cold salad. 

We played some Monopoly Cards with Randy and then ‘Up-the-River-Down-the-River' with Randy, Jessica, R, and Samson.  After trying (unsuccessfully) to call Tracie, Deb and I did some reading and went to bed.

SATURDAY

This morning, we stayed in our room reading.  We skyped with Tracie and the kids from 8:30 – 9:00 AM.  They are in the middle of a blizzard, but are comfy and cozy.  It was so good to see and hear them.

We joined breakfast a little late.  They served a bowl with little doughballs in water.  They were filled with ground peanuts and sesame seeds.  They had a very soft texture and were sweet!  I ate one and chose a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!  Pickled garlic were also on the table (R’s pickled garlics are almost raw and I’m not as fond of them as my own).  Occasionally raw garlic is served with a meal – that’s a bit of a challenge for me.

After breakfast Debbie had a nice long conversation with Cindy Marchese.  Then, we washed some clothes out by hand – boy the water is cold!  We seem to be in an e-mail lull right now.  The family went out for a walk together (minus Randy).  They’re back now.  It’s apparently a spring like day again!   Debbie and I took a walk and bought pastries, fruit and candy.  Jessica made some popcorn today! 

CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Today is a very special day in China;  it’s New Year’s Eve!  Fireworks have been going off for several days, however, they’re going off a lot today!  Many small stores are already closed.  There were not many people on the streets.  Many stores will be closed for a whole week;  others will only be open for limited hours. 

I’m told that today is the big celebration day (the biggest of the whole year!).  Then tomorrow is more of a laid-back kind of day.  The following Spring Festival Days are for the enjoyment of one’s family!  Spring is beginning in the southern provinces, but it is still two or three months away for Changchun!

I understand that some gifts are given today, especially to children.  Grandparents typically give their grandchildren a red envelope today with money in it.  Although we’re not her grandparents, we’re giving Hannah a red envelope tonight with 500 yuan in it!  I’m certain that Randy and Jessica will help her to spend it wisely;  I’m betting a huge amount will be put away as savings!  J I also bought R a Dove candy bar and a pack of gum that I saw her eyeing up at the store the other day.  We bought everyone else some special pastry tarts that they seem to be quite fond of! 

In a short while we’ll be eating the big holiday meal with R and her family!  It’s been such a privilege and honor for us to spend these weeks actually living with a Chinese family! 

The meal included many dishes that have previously been described, but included a fish as the centerpiece.  It was served head to tail and was delicious.  The only other new dish was a plate of chicken wings – very similar to what we would eat in the US.

Debbie and I took a walk this evening across the river and back.  Fireworks are constantly going off! It was a beautiful evening!  Once back home, everyone is just enjoying themselves doing different things.  At 8:00 PM a national, government special program will be on and I’m told that almost everyone watches it.  We watched something similar on New Year’s Eve, December 31^st. 

At 8:00 PM the national program came on and almost all of the fireworks stopped.  At 9:30 PM R brought out the makings for jiausa or dumplings.  R, Lao, Randy, Jessica, and Debbie all jumped in to help with the project.  

At 11:30 PM we ate some.  We’ll eat them again for breakfast!  Fireworks got really loud at midnight!  I’ve never heard anything like it!  It’s 12:30 AM and I’m going to bed!  Just sent Happy New Year’s greetings to my kids and siblings!  Good night!

Eating Among the Chinese

Having lived with a Chinese family for several weeks and having mingled with Chinese for nearly half-a-year, I will share some observations.

Meals are a community experience.  Tables are always small so that everyone can reach every entrée.  In our present situation, where there are ten people eating together in a home, two tables have been pushed together.  Every entrée is placed (on two plates) one on each end of the table so that everyone is able to reach it.  In many restaurants the table will include a round glass that can be turned.  The entrees are placed on this rotating table which is turned continually throughout the meal to accommodate everyone! 

You will usually only be given a bowl of sticky rice and chopsticks.  Occasionally if a soup is involved, a ceramic spoon is provided.  In some case you will also be provided a small plate.

It is acceptable to reach across the table as often as you like.  It is acceptable to eat or sip from your bowl.  Most Chinese people actually hold the bowl in their hand as they eat.  It is common to bring the bowl to your mouth and use your chopsticks to sweep food into your mouth.  You may sip liquids from your bowl.  In restaurants, a bowl of hot water may be served;  this is your beverage – feel free to drink from it.  It may even be slightly flavored as a broth. 

Beverages beyond water are rare.  If alcoholic drinks are included in the meal, it is common for Chinese people to offer toasts and to want to touch glasses before drinking.    

If you come across bones or other waste, simply put it on the table near your bowl.  As the meal draws to a finish, you may scrape the final ingredients from an entrée plate into your rice bowl.  I find this to be a great treat with many meals for the sauces are loaded with favor and are delicious with rice! 

Conversation flows freely during the meal and often becomes loud and animated!  It is acceptable to get up and go to the rice cooker and serve yourself more rice! 

Do not expect dessert!  Occasionally a sweet entrée will be included, but ending a meal with something sweet is not a Chinese value.  

Travel Journal 6

 February 7, 2013  -  Thursday

It was a fasting day for me.  I took a loooong prayer-walk down the other side of the river and back on this side!  The other side of the river has a much wider park area that goes on-and-on.  It was very enjoyable and spring-like with sunshine.  I got back after noon.  When lunch was over we left for another long walk, then caught a bus that took us to a large, long bridge that crosses the Yellow River into the next province.  

We walked across the bridge and then down under the opposite side to put our hands in the river.   Then after crossing the bridge again, the group had lunch in a noodle shop.  We caught a bus back to town and then went through the market again before another long walk home. 

We played some cards in the evening and then R’s son (Samson) and his wife (Evalene) arrived with their one-and-a-half-year-old, Peter Pan (Pan is the family name - yes, they were aware of the humor!). [Samson, Evalene and Peter are, of course, adopted English names]  After meeting them, we headed off to bed.

I rose early on Thursday and then had to stay in our room since R and her husband are now sleeping in the living room.  Eventually I came out and joined Hannah to read.  Soon, breakfast was served;  Deb, Randy, Jessica and I ate at the coffee table.  We had a rice dish, a plate of cucumbers, celery, carrots, and beans in a vinegar and sesame oil mix;  also some sections of corn and steamed bread.  It was a wonderful breakfast – topped off with some eyeball fruit, a banana, and a few Oreos.  J

I went to our room to check email and catch up on this journal.  I discovered that Ray Diddle had died, so sent a note of condolences to Jeff.  I had also sent sympathies to Rick and Joan regarding the death of Martha Anderson;  and Janice Kelly regarding the death of Margie Mitchell;  and Bob Cowsert regarding the death of Louise Cowsert.  Jennifer Barrett led me to believe that my note may have been shared at Martha’s funeral.  It’s especially hard to be so far away when so many of our family and friends are suffering these losses! 

Debbie and I had thought that we would move to a hotel when R’s son and family arrived.  However, Jessica implored us to continue to stay, explaining that it would be more awkward if we left and then returned just for meals.  I consider this another lesson and an opportunity to learn.  Living in a Chinese home for two weeks is most interesting.  We’re getting a feel for the way they eat and interact.  R and her husband have been gracious hosts and will hardly let us do anything.  We find ways to help:

o   I insisted on paying for groceries the other day.

o   Debbie is making donuts today (using lard – no shortening available in this city).

o   We sweep the floor from time to time.

o   I provide Oreos for everyone at least twice-a-day!

But essentially we are experiencing unmerited grace!  R insists that we are family!  We are accepted as an aunt and uncle would be.  Although our privacy is compromised during this time, we are becoming increasingly comfortable with the arrangements.  I have recorded the food we eat for educational purposes and also so that I can refer back and try to make some of these dishes in the future! 

Deb made her donuts;  38 donuts and holes were gone by 6:00 PM!  I think they liked them!

Deuteronomy 3:26 (ESV)

[Moses speaking]  But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me.  And the LORD said to me, “Enough from you;  do not speak to Me of this matter again…”

I remember being young and having my father say to me, “That’s enough!”  I knew better than to push any farther!  He had reached his limit with me and this warning meant it was time for me to back off! 

It may be surprising to us to learn that there are times when God deals with us in the same way.  Notice that God stopped listening to Moses’ prayers!  Hmmm.  Are there times when God also stops listening to my prayers.  Moses had persistently asked for something that God had clearly denied;  Moses wanted to go into the Promised Land.  But God had already ruled on that and the answer was “No!”.  So, Moses kept asking, but God stopped listening.

Then, in His grace, God spoke to Moses and essentially said, “Quit wasting your breath!  I said no and I meant no!  You are not going to set foot in the new land!  Don’t bring it up again!”

Sounds harsh, huh?

Yet in the next verse God instructs Moses to go to the top of Mount Pisgah and gaze on the beauty of the Promised Land!  Moses is permitted to view what he cannot inherit!  The grace of God is always a source of comfort to those who yield to His will and His way!

Yesterday while we were walking we saw forsythia beginning to bloom.  We wore light jackets.  Now, it’s snowing!  Typical of late winter/early spring in central China.  

Travel Journal 5

February 5, 2013  -  Tuesday

Breakfast was pan-toasted toast;  R had purchased peanut butter and jelly for us.  It was good.  Finished off with some boiled fermented rice. 

After clean-up, we all headed out to a market nearby that reminded me of the Roger’s Sale!  It was a huge market with venders selling clothing, vegetables, fruit, meat, dofu, and prepared foods.  It was a massive area, partly under roof and partly out in the open.  It was very crowded.  Shopping this week in China is like shopping on the night before Thanksgiving Day in America.  People are supplying up because most stores will be closed for a week to allow workers to travel and celebrate the Spring Festival!

We came home and had a wonderful lunch:  rice, a pork and pepper dish, broccoli, and a zucchini-ginger-onion-garlic dish!  It was all wonderful. 

After a brief rest, Jessica and R took Deb shopping and I tagged along.  I’m so glad I did!  It was fun.  We walked about a mile away to a large, large store.  Along the way, we stopped in a number of small clothing stores.  At one point, we entered a doorway that opened to a huge department store of many private vendors.  Deb stopped repeatedly to look at new coats.  I would find a place to stand as out-of-the-way as I could.  Invariably, I would become a focus of attention as people would stop and stare at me.  Some would wave and say, “Hallo!”  A few younger people tried out their English on me;  several asked if they could take their picture with me;  once this starts, it’s hard to get it stopped!  Hahaha

Deb also stopped and bought an apron and some gifts for friends at home.  Then we walked on and crossed a huge public area that was already being decorated for the Chinese New Year!  On the far side we descended some long steps and entered another massive shopping area that was under the public area!  After finding a locker to stash our backpack and bags, we entered a huge store that would compare to a WalMart.  It was jammed with people!  We picked up food and supplies – including Oreos and Coke – and then headed for checkout.  On the way, I found a 20 ounce bag of Lays potato chips!  That’s the largest bag I’ve seen in China – so, of course, I bought it!  J  I miss my popcorn on this trip, so it’ll give me a salty option!

While we were out both times today, I was reminded just how many motorcycles there are over here!  It’s mind-boggling!  Everywhere you look, you see them!  I’ve seen families of four on them many times.  I frequently see three people riding one.  Girls are adept at riding them side-saddle!  You rarely see helmets! 

                                      (Left pic) This line goes on forever in both directions!                         

(Right pic)  A different spot where they go on forever!

We got home and Randy, Hannah, and I watched the movie Babe.  Then supper was served:  a large, vegetable wrap that had been steamed before serving.  It included onions, Chinese chives, dofu, cucumbers and other assorted goodies.  I broke out some Oreos for dessert!  J 

Hannah headed off to bed.  Deb is reading.  I’m journaling.  We played some cards.  Then, at 8:00 PM, R announced that the building would have hot water for two hours.  We didn’t realize it before, but there is an open shower in the bathroom, so we all took quick showers!  Then I watched two Monk episodes with Randy and Jessica.  Heading to bed now – 11:00 PM.

Travel Journal 4

February 3, 2013  -  Sunday

Today we plan to view Xi’an’s famous wall (which happens to be one block from our hotel!).

                                                                                                                    

John Dwyer in High Road To Tibet, writes of it:

“I wanted to walk on the grand walls that surround the city.  Xi’an’s ramparts are rare as most city walls were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.  I accessed the walls via some stairs near the South Gate.  From the top, the wall was as wide as the main streets below, and people used bicycles and motorized buggies to navigate its length.  Xi’an’s city walls are over thirteen kilometers long and a marathon is run on it every year. 

The (restored) walls were over seven hundred years old and had been started when Xi’an rivaled Rome as the greatest city on earth.  Each ancient watchtower along the way had been thoroughly converted into a souvenir shop or calligraphy store.  It was a novel experience to be walking on the mighty walls of an ancient city but after thirty minutes, it just got monotonous and boring.  Much of old Xia’an had been torn down by now so, as the writer Colin Thobrun noted, the walls were like the armor casting for a soldier who has long since passed away.” 

We all got together and had rice crispy treats while Randy went out and bought umbrellas!  We left our hotel in a steady drizzle and walked across the street and through a park, then across the moat and up into the old part of the city.  We eventually located an access to the wall, paid our fee and climbed many stairs to its top (Deb, Hannah, and me).  We walked along the top of the wall for over an hour gazing at the old city to our right and the new city to our left!  It was an amazing contrast. 

Some places on the old-city side are obviously expensive apartments and homes!  We saw a number of roof-top restaurants and gardens.  Some homes were quite opulent!  The outside of the wall features a moat with a city park between the moat and the wall.  It was beautifully kept and cared for and featured exercise equipment and ping pong tables.  In nice weather this would obviously be a wonderful area for walking and leisure.

The wall is massive!  It’s top is like a huge highway!  It was obviously prepared to be a defensive stronghold!  It is immaculately kept.  We were almost alone on the wall due to the rain.  At certain points, massive arches release city traffic to the outside of the wall.  These areas tend to be metropolitan areas with shops and restaurants and parks.

     

The moat continues the whole way around the city. The upcoming Spring Festival Days - anticipated.

           Every so often there are buildings on the wall.   You could drive five trucks side-by-side up here!

The old city side…                                                           The new city side… 

Capitalism at work on the wall – rent a bike? 

We met up with Randy and Jessica again and they took us down an interesting street in the old-city section.

         

Arch at the entrance to the street-mall.  A historical tower in the same area.

         

Debbie found a fan shop and – with Jessica’s help – bartered the woman from 95 yuan to 30 yuan per fan!  Gifts for her sisters and sisters-in-law are now in the bag!

Next, we walked about ten blocks in hopes of seeing a famous bell tower, but it was closed for repairs.  I was disappointed.   [The picture is from the internet.]  It’s in the center of a very busy traffic circle!  There are three levels of shopping beneath this intersection!  All pedestrian traffic is routed underground to reduce congestion on the busy intersection.

It was built in 1384 during the Ming Dynasty and is constructed of timber and brick.  It includes several large bronze-cast bells from the Tang Dynasty! 

NOTE:

China is adept at handling pedestrian traffic.  We often see pedestrian bridges in center-city areas.  Several times we have seen massive round pedestrian bridges that cover an entire traffic circle, thereby keeping traffic flowing. 

Crossing intersections is very dangerous here.  Motorcycles and bicycles and motorbikes and carts and three-wheel-taxis along with buses, trucks, and cars are all fighting for space!  Often, pedestrians will clump together for safety and then just cross the street with horns blaring their anger for this intrusion! 

Then we bought subway tickets to take us back to the train station.  We had a long wait and enjoyed some KFC French fries and Dunkin Donut treats while we waited.  Hannah and I took a walk.  While we were gone, Randy, Jessica and Debbie moved to another seat and enjoyed watching our reaction.  It went on a little too long for Hannah;  when we finally located them, she was overcome with tears.  L

Finally, we boarded our bullet train and enjoyed a warm, fast trip back to R’s city.

Sanmenxia had received several inches of wet, slushy snow!  Two bus rides delivered us back to her apartment where she had been working hard on our supper of jiaozi (dumplings).  Today is a mini-holiday that precedes the big Spring Festival.  It is traditional to eat dumplings on this day!  They were delicious – as always! 

         

This dear lady has treated us like royalty and she doesn’t even know us.  Unfortunately, we can’t speak with her without Jessica’s help!  She and her husband have given us a place to stay and are feeding us all of our meals.  They are not Christians yet, but we hope that through Randy and Jessica’s ongoing interventions, they will someday come to know the Lord.  Randy prays before every meal;  they sit quietly as we do so.  It’s amusing to me because Randy prays right out for their salvation!  Of course, they can’t understand, so they have no idea what is being said!  J

 I spent the evening working on the day’s journal entries.  Deb, Randy, Jessica and R played games.  

[Footnote:  A little over a year later, Jessica led her sister and niece to the Lord!!!!]