[In the June 2001 newsletter, I told the story of Wynn.  This is an update. Greg Steward, InterVarsity Staff]

On December 23, 2002, I received the best Christmas present I could have imagined—an email from “Wynn” (not his real name) whom I had not seen for over 16 months.

I first met Wynn at the FOCUS International Coffee House (ICH) sponsored in part by IVCF.  He came to the states to do research as a visiting scholar from China.  He had learned about the ICH from another visiting scholar. “My friend said it was not to be missed. You can meet friends and learn English.” One visit and Wynn was a regular. While our friendship deepened over the next twenty-three months, language was always a struggle especially when it came to spiritual matters. It was difficult for me to gauge where he was on his spiritual journey.

Shortly before he left, I asked Wynn about his impressions of the ICH. First, he said that he enjoyed meeting new friends and having a chance to talk to people from all over the world. “At the coffee house we get to know each other’s culture and exchange ideas. It gives us an experience other than school.” Second, he said he was impressed by the coffee house staff. He said, “You are Christians. You help people in an unconditional way.”

"Before I came [to the United States], I knew almost nothing about Christian things. I didn't know any Christians in China. If there were Christians, they didn't say. I never had a chance to talk or ask about God. In China, most people don't believe in God. We believe people can handle everything. We think we don't need God. We think we can change and make things the way we want it."

“Here I met Christians. They helped me understand from scientific evidence that the Bible is true. I had never read the Bible. At the ICH I was able to get a Bible and other books. I wanted to know more about the Bible and God. I started to go to Bible studies. These studies have helped me to understand the Bible better. I couldn't imagine getting this chance in China."

I remember one evening at the Coffee House when he couldn’t wait to talk to me. He had just read “Song of the Wanderer,” (This book, in Mandarin, is about a Chinese intellectual who comes to faith while in America and has been helpful to many Chinese.) He said, “That is my story!”

His wife, “Uma,” followed him to the US later, but they had to leave their seven year old daughter in China with grandparents when she was unable to get a visa. They continued to seek a visa for another entire year. During that time, before I knew her well, Uma made a reference to God. I asked if she had become a Christian and she said, “No. But if God lets my daughter come to me perhaps I will become one.” Many people began to pray for this favor to be granted by God, including Wynn and Uma. Uma said that she prayed, “O God, if you exist, please let my daughter come to me.” One day, Wynn called and said that their daughter had a visa. “I still didn’t realize that it was God,” she told me.

Then Wynn had another story he couldn’t wait to tell me. He was buying a used car from a Christian. The Christian had a higher blue book price than Wynn’s, so they compromised. Afterward, the Christian discovered that he had mistakenly used last year’s Blue Book price (which would be higher). Upon realizing this, he mailed a check to Wynn with a note. Wynn exclaimed, “Who has ever heard of such a thing? I already bought the car for the agreed upon price. This man did it because he was a Christian. I want to learn more about what makes a person that way.” Uma concluded, “Christians are not normal people.”

Wynn’s research project was transferred to another university. Although I suspected that he had become a believer, I still wasn’t sure. Through the ACMI network, we were able to put them in contact with other ISM workers. Consequently they joined a Bible study the first week in their new home. At ACMI 2002, I was able to meet the ISM workers with whom Wynn and Uma were studying. This was an invaluable opportunity to share with each other regarding our interactions with Wynn.

Recently, Wynn and Uma have been fellowshipping with a house church of about twenty other Chinese. Their journey of faith took a significant turn when Wynn and Uma attended a lecture by the author of “Song of the Wanderer.” Wynn said that many Chinese became believers that night. His Chinese Christian friends said, “We know you believe in God. Why not be baptized?”

On December 23, we had seven Chinese students to our home for lunch and to watch “The Miracle Maker,” an excellent animated movie about the life of Jesus. Later that evening, as I was reading my email, I spotted this one from Wynn: “Thank God, Uma and I were baptized in October. I think it's a good time to tell you since it is Christmas. We have a new life. Also thanks to you that we got the initial push from you. This changed our whole life. Merry Christmas and happy new year!”