This blog entry is one of a series of reflections from the CBFVA Mission Immersion Experience to Macau, China with CBF field personnel Larry and Sarah Ballew. The following reflection was written by Laura Quintero, deacon at Hulls Memorial Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, VA.

While driving home from dropping Jess off at school, I was having my morning conversation with God.  I lifted up the usual suspects and then the conversation turned to, “What in the world am I going to write for this blog? And oh, by the way Lord, you will need to help me with this one”…and He did.

We started chatting about the fine people I met in China and I realized how much I longed for their company.  Recalling how I had shed tears sitting in the Macau Baptist Church sanctuary listening to Alice, knowing our time there was coming to an end.  I freely admit I didn’t want to leave.  I had fallen in love with Macau and her people.  I wanted to stay and continue building these relationships.  I felt like I was deserting them.

We as Christ followers have the ultimate example of a relationship in our Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit.  Such a mystery to us of three persons in One. Each in relationship with the other, each wanting a relationship with us.  Two of my favorite scriptures come from Ecclesiastes.  The first, “He has made everything appropriate in its time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, without which man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Ecc.3:11   The second is Ecc.4:9-12, “Two are better than one…good return for their labor…one lifts up his companion…two lie together they keep warm…two can resist a foe….A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”

While in Macau, a young man shared his story with us and it moved me.  He stated unashamedly he was nervous, but he plunged right in.  He thought there was no God and thought people who did were ridiculous.  He was exposed to God by someone and started going to church, reading the bible.  He told of a lot of ups and downs, different people came and went all leading him closer to God.  Going to church, reading and studying the bible continued…he didn’t want to be baptized.  Then he met someone who changed everything.  She didn’t believe in God.  He brought her to church where she was told about God and she was baptized!!  His testimony emphasizes the power of relationships.  What a blessing!

Relationships – investing your time and energies into someone’s life.  That’s how people learn of Jesus.  That’s how they satisfy the inbred desire for eternity and the wonders of God.  That’s exactly how Jesus fulfilled his mission.  That’s why I was saddened and heavy laden to leave Macau.  That’s why Larry and Sarah Ballew have been building relationships for 17 years!  All for His glory and good purpose!