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China vision trip report
06/09/2007 3:14 pm Will Hunter Smith <chinaSPAMFILTER@omf.org.uk>
As our bus hurtled along the twisting mountain road with a sheer drop barely a metre to our right, Jesus’ words, ‘Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?, were very much in my mind – though I admit I didn’t exactly pass the journey in a relaxed and worry-free state!
I was part of a 10-day vision trip: 12 people from around the globe seeing the work of OMF among the mountain tribes in Southern China. Some – like myself – were OMF council members; others were considering long-term work in China for themselves.
We were on our way to a town in Sichuan where early CIM missionaries had established a hospital, and where there is now a large team engaged in a wide range of community and health projects – from animal husbandry to training mid-wives!
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‘Establish the work of our hands for us… establish the work of our hands’. |
Many of these projects have the enthusiastic support of the Chinese authorities who recognise and encourage the contribution that Christian professionals make to China.
What we discovered in the town, and in the many others we visited, is that there is no such thing as a typical Christian professional!
Those we met were accountants, teachers, doctors, farmers, social workers, etc – some on short-term programmes, others committed to the long haul; all using their skills (and acquiring new ones in the process) as they sought to serve the Chinese through their work and witness.
As we were leaving, a doctor from Scotland was arriving – he had gone out as part of a summer team the previous year, and was now returning for six months.
The other verse that came to mind was Psalm 90:17. Faced with the brevity of his life, the Psalmist prays that what he does would be of lasting value, ‘Establish the work of our hands for us… establish the work of our hands’.
It was a privilege to see ordinary Christians using their lives to do something of eternal value: sharing the knowledge and love of Christ as they used their hands and gave their lives in service to Chinese people. Yes, Lord – establish the work of their hands!
Will Hunter Smart
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