Unexpected blessings and a Rainbow Gathering...

Friends in China 

I love China! Absolutely love it. It took a couple months to get acclimated. I didn't love it at first with the language barrier and getting lost everywhere I went and the extreme differences in cuisine. But the Lord is good and always faithful and He brought me a close community of friends. Although the term "friends" isn't strong enough a word, family far better describes these guys! Sam from Iran, Dex from Macedonia, Samy from Egypt & Luisa from Florida, USA. 💜💚💙

A quick update... I got a new job! Still teaching & still in China, just with a different company. I'll now be working once again for Disney. Yep, Disney has English language schools all over China and I'll be teaching in one (still) in Guangzhou. 

But because of my job change I had to return to the USA to update my Chinese work visa. I sadly left Guangzhou in November for "just a couple weeks" on a 3 hour bus ride to Hong Kong and then a 30 hour flight to Tampa, Florida and then an hour long drive home to Bradenton. I quoted "just a couple weeks" because it's now January and Disney expects my new visa to be ready for an end of February return to China.

While I seriously miss my Chinese family I have been blessed beyond measure to spend this time with my Florida family. Initially I was thrilled to be here to celebrate Thanksgiving and then I was here for Christmas and then my 40th birthday and New Years! All holidays not celebrated in China, though the city does display Christmas trees and plays Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas non-stop.

With an end of February return to Guangzhou the Lord has sent me yet another little kiss from heaven. I'll still be in Florida and able to serve alongside an amazing team of fellow missionaries at my 6th Rainbow Gathering over the week of Valentine's Day! Our mission trips to Rainbow Gatherings always prove to be full of signs and wonders and unexpected blessings. I'm asking for loads of prayer as I kick off my fundraising campaign for this mission trip.

Rainbow Gatherings are off-the-grid, wilderness gatherings of thousands of hippies communing together deep in the forest to pray for world peace. Each year a group of Christians join up and dwell with our seeking brothers and sisters (because they're all seeking a higher power) for weeks to shower them with the Love of Jesus. It's not at all a cram-it-down-your-throat kind of ministry, but rather the simplicity of Love and Truth shared around the campfire, over a meal, or in the midst of the Trade Circle (where any exchange of goods is done by barter). Our camp, called Jesus Kitchen, offers free meals, prayer, and a safe place for gatherers to come and connect with nature through the Creator of the universe.

Jesus Kitchen team at Ocala Rainbow Gathering

These gatherings always bless me by stretching me beyond my comfort zone and growing me closer to the heart of our Father in mighty, unexpected ways. There's a saying at Rainbow that "anything can happen," and I always go expecting the unexpected.

Please pray for me as I venture out on this journey (with NO toilets or running water, Lol). Pray for boldness, supernatural strategies and divine appointments. Pray for my safety & health. Also prayers for my Mom and Jodi are always appreciated.

Thank you dearly for taking the time to listen to my heart. May the Love of God rain down upon you and bless you beyond measure. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If you're interested in donating towards my mission trip you may do so at PayPal.me/JulieESykes