Our History
GOD'S CALLING
In 2001 when God first called me out of the practice of law and set me on a course which led to China, I was a middle-aged attorney who had never been to Bible school, had no background in Chinese culture, didn’t speak a word of the language, and had no support in place whatsoever.
I didn’t seem a very likely candidate to be one of His representatives to the people of China, but I went in faith, remembering that God called an old Bedouin to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and a shepherd boy to be King of Israel. He called a fisherman to be his apostle to the Jews and a Pharisee to go to the Gentiles.
I was unqualified by every measurable standard. It didn’t matter—God had called me. “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant….” (2 Cor. 3:5-6)
HARMONY OUTREACH FOUNDED
The result of answering that call is that I became the Founder and Executive Director of Harmony Outreach, a ministry to orphans, poor and vulnerable people in China and Ethiopia. The cornerstone of our ministry is our work with vulnerable children. In China Harmony has a home for orphans near Beijing called Harmony House. Additionally, we support another orphanage and the Kaifeng Deaf School. Harmony orphans have been adopted all over the United States and the world. Harmony also provides surgeries for poor people in China. In early 2011, Harmony began supporting three orphan homes in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Harmony will soon be opening a new work rescuing girls and children from the sex trafficking in Cambodia.
THE BATTLE
Little did I realize back then how intense the battle would be and how hotly Satan would contest me. I knew God could be trusted to meet our financial needs because He is the One who provides manna from heaven and streams of water from a rock. What I did not know—and could not foresee—was all of you. You came so quietly, one by one or in small groups, to meet us in the gap.
Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will go in and come out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:9-10)
ABUNDANT LIFE
There is no doubt that this work is difficult—but it is also abundant life! And one of the things that makes it so beautiful and intense is the joy and courage we feel staring down our formidable enemy knowing that you have taken your stand with us—on our right and left—and our Captain is before us!
