“As students ask us questions ... about our lives, our marriage, our pasts, our dreams, the Good News is involved in all of those areas. So, with their questions, we are able to share.” as well. They teach classes and lead an English-language service at a local Chinese Protestant church. The couple also teaches at Haikou Welfare Center, an orphanage that is home to many children with disabilities. “When I look at these kids and their situation, it is tempting to think that there is little hope for them, no future plans, no hugs from parents, no parents at all and no place to call home but a large building with 150 other kids,” Krahwinkel said. “There are no birthday parties here, no after-school sports or activities and no Sunday school to learn about Jesus who loves them.” She said they try to instill self-respect and self-confidence in the children — many of whom are considered “unadoptable” by the Chinese staff — through activities and English classes. They also encourage the Chinese students and adults they know to serve alongside them, raising awareness of the plight of orphans with disabilities.
“A Chinese woman named Yan, who comes to our English Bible studies and has been helping at the orphanage with us for almost a year now, surprised us a few weeks ago by telling us that she wanted to adopt a girl from the orphanage,” Krahwinkel said. “We were so amazed, since this is a woman who not long ago looked at Mickael and me and explained CBF field personnel host holiday social events for college students, that Chinese people including a Christmas tree trimming. do not adopt — that it must be a foreign thing to do. She exshowing us how hearts can be changed and plained to us that after spending time with touched by love, His love, and His love for the children, she now loves them, and she these children.” began crying as she talked about adopting and becoming a mother. I praise God for By contributing writer Rob Marus
‘The most amazing moment’ Veteran missions worker finds new challenges in China
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n 1996, after almost 28 years in the field, Ed and Mary Frances Laughridge retired from full-time missions. The Laughridges spent six years in the Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; followed by more than 20 years in war-ridden Liberia planting and developing churches, teaching English in the public school system and developing relationships among the local Muslim community. After the Laughridges retired, they settled in Atlanta and began worshipping with Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, a CBF partner. But their passion for international missions never subsided.
“Fran always said that she thought it would be nice if we could work in China for awhile,” Laughridge said. “I told her China was the furthest thing from my mind. I just couldn’t see going there.” Fran passed away in 1997. Years later, in 2008, Second-Ponce de Leon pastor David Sapp approached Laughridge about accompanying church members on a short-term mission trip to China. The team ministered among the people of the Sichuan province for two weeks, worshipping with Chinese Christians at local churches and participating in workshops and discussions about developing Sunday school and small group
programs. Two weeks after they returned home, the Sichuan earthquake struck China — devastating the homes and lives of the people they had just left. “I couldn’t shake the images after the earthquake hit,” Laughridge said. “It was like my heart and mind were changing, and almost immediately I wanted to figure out a way to spend more time in China.” Through his church’s partnership with the China Christian Council, Laughridge applied for a teaching position at Peking University in Bejiing. At age 79, he believes he is the oldest person to ever apply. “When I arrived, I remember thinking, Continue on page 16 fellowship!
April/May 2012
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