Christmas in China!

Hey guys!
This is the support letter I am sending out about the mission opportunity that God has given me this Christmas. Just wanted you to know about it and PRAY!
Love you guys!Angela

September 2007

Dear Family and Friends,
I pray that this letter finds you and your family well and I'm sure very busy as fall approaches. My first semester of college here at West Texas A&M has definitely been a busy one but the Lord has been teaching me so much! I have been reminded of how His plans are always so much better than mine.
Thank you again to all of you who supported me this past summer as I served in Uganda. The Lord did amazing things in many hearts. If you haven't already, you can view a blog about my time in Uganda at angelabanks.blogspot.com. Thank you for your faithfulness! As you will see from the many pictures and journal entries, there was much fruit! While in Africa again, the Lord confirmed my heart and call to those people and He is working plans together for me to return this coming summer. But this semester, He has presented me with another mission opportunity that I would like to share with you here.
Many years ago, I felt a burden for the people of China. Last year I had an opportunity to serve with "Christmas In China"-a direct program through the International Mission Board. However, I felt the Lord was telling me to wait. This semester, He brought the opportunity to me once again and really spoke to my heart about it. I was very hesitant and wasn't sure if this was something I could do. But, after much prayer, God showed me that this was something that He had for me. That week it seemed that I met more Chinese students here at WT than ever before and He was constantly putting China on my heart again. Don't you love it when He makes His will so evident? Again, I'm so thankful that His plans are bigger and better than mine.
So, this Christmas, December 16-31, I will be serving with college students from all over the United States in one of the most beautiful places in China. We will be introducing Chinese students to the true meaning of Christmas-Jesus Christ! We will be doing this through Christmas skits, Christmas music, Christmas parties, English conversational groups, Texas cultural traditions (2-step dancing, etc.) and prayerwalking. God is moving in this country that is resistant to any Christian influence. Chinese Christians face severe opposition because of their faith but their faith is so much stronger than their fear! They know that there are so many people in their country that have yet to hear about Jesus Christ so they cannot be silent.
I know that when we make ourselves available to God, He will equip us with everything that we need. I am confident that He will provide in His own way and timing. I wanted to share this with you so that if you feel led to support this mission opportunity you can. If the Lord has put the people of China on your heart as well, what better time to equip others to share Jesus with them than at Christmas! The overall cost of the trip is about $2,500. I have full confidence that God will provide how He sees fit. He is ALWAYS faithful! If you would like to give, there is an enclosed form and envelope for your use. If you choose to write a check, please make it payable to Western Hills Baptist Church and designate it to Angela Banks. Your gift will go directly through my church in Wichita Falls and your gift will also be tax-deductible.
Most of all, I need your prayer support. Please pray for the people of China; that God will open their hearts to hear the Gospel this Christmas. Pray for the missionaries that live in China and invest their lives in ministry there despite opposition. Pray for our team as we receive training in order to serve the people of China. Through your prayers and financial support, you are missionaries right there beside me! Thank you for that!
I am very excited to see all that God is going to do in the coming months and I look forward to sharing it with you! I am so thankful for your friendship and love in Christ. Please continue to keep me updated on what the Lord is doing in your life so that I can pray for you as well!
Until All Peoples Know Him,
Angela Banks
For more information: http://www.thetask.org/students/Projects/christmasinchina06.asp
Angela Banks
940-782-3587
icthus07mk@yahoo.com
Western Hills Baptist Church
5107 Ridgecrest
Wichita Falls, TX 76310

Grace Expectations

September 2, 2007

Hello, friends! It has probably been awhile since I have seen most of you, so here is a blog to get you caught up...
West Texas A&M University is FABULOUS! I cannot imagine myself going to school anywhere else. For those of you going, 'Where's West Texas A&M?', look it up on the web(wtamu.edu)-it's pretty much the best school ever. You should drop by sometime.
I made it through my first week of classes and even got an A on my first trigonometry quiz! I'm taking 15 hours this semester but feel like that's not enough. I'm sure once I'm bogged down with hours of homework to do in one night I'll say that it is plenty!
So far, I have stayed pretty involved with the BSM (Baptist Student Ministry) here on campus and with First Baptist Church in Canyon. I love having a brand new mission field and people to grow in Jesus with! Next weekend, I'm going with the BSM to the FOCUS Collegiate Conference in Arlington. I am SO excited about that! It is going to be AMAZING! Also, at the conference they will be announcing all the mission opportunities for this summer. I can't wait to see what God is going to show me. I have continuously been asking the Lord every day to use me and boy, when you give Him a request like that, He fulfills it more than once over!
Jesus has been...well...messing me up. Does that make any sense? =D I have been listening for His voice as to where He wants me to serve this summer. At the same time, He has been leading me to places I didn't think I would get to go. He has given me the opportunity to work in a Kid's Klub with underprivileged children at a trailer park here in Canyon through the BSM. He has made it possible for me to take an AMAZING tour of Europe next summer. And I feel that He is also leading me to serve somewhere during Christmas break this year. All the while, I'm sitting here like 'Okay, hold on God, let me just catch my breath for a second? You want me to do what?' Isn't that awesome? We ask for something and He gives it to us in ways we definitely didn't expect.
I got to see my mom the other day! We met halfway in the big city of Childress, TX and had lunch together. It was so refreshing to get to spill my guts to her. =D I hadn't got to do that in awhile.
I wish I could be telling you all this sitting across the table from you drinking some peach tea. Please just be in prayer for me that I will be in tune to what the Lord would have me to do with the mission opportunities He has given me. I want to follow Him wherever He says to go.
Well, I love you guys and hope you are all doing good!
-Angela