I am really excited about this new season of my life. Even nine months ago, I was fairly certain that I was going to return to China to help facilitate kingdom work in the Middle Kingdom. I felt that God was calling me to use my past business experience, ministry skills and recently acquired theological education to return to the place I had called home for almost half of my life, with a view to setting up a new business that would facilitate workers going to the country.

As much as I tried to bring things together and make things happen myself, the doors always seemed to shut. I was really blessed to have help from a few brothers at seminary, including a couple of Chinese brothers. But no matter how much I tried, the road was just not opening up.

Sometime around March of this past year, a Canadian classmate along with a professor and a visiting scholar organised a gathering of Canadian students studying at the seminary. We got together to talk about ministry opportunities in Canada, with a view to networking and preparing ourselves for future ministry after graduation. At this point, I was still sure that I was going back to China, but thought that it would be fun to join anyway. During this gathering however, the Lord really touched my heart and sparked the first sincere thought of returning to Canada that I had had in the 20 years I had been away.

I continued to pray about China, but the more that I asked, the more God seemed to be directing me to return to Canada. By the time the group met again in April, I had become fairly certain that I was going to return to Canada. I didn’t know where I would go or what I would do, but I knew that God was in control.

After graduation, I returned to Canada to stay with my father and to figure out my options. When I considered the cities in Canada that would be real options, I came up with Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. I decided to check them all out and see what discernment God would give me.

The fact that I was unable to book a flight to Vancouver seemed like a sign that perhaps that was not where he wanted me to be. I was able to book a flight and visit Calgary. I had never been there before, but I had heard some very good things about the city and it lived up to its reputation. I was hosted by some wonderful people and I had an opportunity to look around the city, which is booming. By the time I left I thought that it would be a real option.

That was until I returned to Toronto. I have not lived in Toronto for over 20 years, so I thought it would be a good idea to take a look around before making any decisions. I was scheduled to meet the Lead Catalyst for the area from the North American Mission Board to discuss opportunities. Before meeting with him however, I decided to do a prayer walk around the downtown core. I walked all the streets in the financial district for about an hour, praying, and asking God for his direction. I increasingly felt him burdening my heart for the people of this city. It didn’t take long before I truly felt they God was calling me back here.

I am just about to move into a new apartment downtown and I am settling in to two new ministries, while continuing my education. In my next posting, I will talk about where God has me now and where I think he is taking me in the future. Praise be to God.