It’s a cool, crisp morning in Beijing.  I’m sipping warm milk tea at a street cafe watching a sleepy parade of mostly college students since Jana and I are staying in one of the university districts.  I woke up thinking about a 22 year old girl we met yesterday.  She is nearly finished with her Masters Degree in Accounting.  She doesn’t like  accounting, would like to be a teacher to help the poor, but agreed to this path to please her parents who chided her, “You need to stop thinking so much of others and think more about yourself.”

As we talked “Jewel” told us how she became a Christian only three months ago when the CTEN missionary we are visiting shared the gospel with her.  “I would not be a Christian if not for (our CTEN missionary)”.  Her father is a member of the Communist party and an atheist.  She is afraid to tell her parents about her faith but in her three short months with the Lord she has read the entire New Testament and the first five books of the Old Testament. All of that amidst a rigorous college schedule and attending church two days a week in this busy city.  Her parents are happy when she tells them she is going to “meet with friends” but would likely not be so happy if they knew what kind of friends she was making.

As Jana and I talked to her, I couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in her eyes and think of what a treasure of grace this young woman is – a genuine pearl of great price that the merchant gave His all to purchase.
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Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.