East Asia Insight 2011
Taking the Long View—with Hope
A First-term Worker Finds Spiritual Transformation is a Long-term Process
The first time we met Ji Wei, he made one of the strangest statements I’d ever heard. “I’m not a Christian, but I’ve caused lots of others to become Christians,” he claimed.
“Really? How so?” we asked. Ji Wei then shared about a friend of his who was deeply troubled. She was in danger of flunking out of one of China’s most prestigious universities—and in doing so, bringing much shame on herself and her family. She called Ji Wei in hysterics and mentioned that she was considering suicide.
Being a kind and thoughtful guy, Ji Wei tried to help his friend. He decided the best solution was to introduce her to one of his professors who he knew to be a Christian. The professor seemed to have a lot of peace in his life. Maybe he could help.
The professor met with Ji Wei’s friend. She soon changed from living in despair to living with a new-found joy and hope. Jesus transformed her in a radical way. She began sharing the gospel with her classmates, many who also came to profess faith in Christ. Thus Ji Wei’s assertion was true: although he did not believe, he was the catalyst to the spread of the gospel on his campus.
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Other Stories
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Stepping Up to the Challenge
What do you let get in your way?
Sadie Thibault was faced with a decision. She wanted to be involved in prayer. Not to show up when it is convenient, but faithful, regular prayer for the urgent needs of the OMF International missionaries she knew serving overseas.
It was 1968. Living in the Boston area, Sadie and her family, daughter Deb, 8, and husband Al, would drive down to South Carolina for a weekend prayer retreat. But – what about a greater prayer focus in her own city?
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God @ Work
Christmas opportunity (Shan)
“Is Christmas the American New Year?” Kham asked.
She and some other Shan students had been invited to a Christmas party. They had all heard of the holiday, but had no idea why people celebrated it.
Prisoner set free (Laos)
When three young men from a house church in Laos were put in prison, they expected to be beaten by the other prisoners - standard practice for new arrivals—to make it clear where they were in the prison pecking order. However, when they entered the compound, the chief prisoner, a notorious criminal stepped forward and told the other prisoners, “These boys are not to be touched, they are under my care.” And so no one beat them up.
An Atheist Finds God (China)
Jo, from China, was attending school in England when she met Mel, a worker with OMF International’s Diaspora team. They began meeting
for Bible study on Saturday afternoons. After a few weeks, Jo said, “I believe all you are telling me is true, but in my head it is like a tape recorder saying, ‘There is no God, there is no God!’” -
Prayer Points
- Christmas outreaches. Christmas is a strategic time of outreach for churches and missionaries in East Asia. Pray for God to use these outreaches to bring hope to East Asia’s billions and for follow up of new believers and seekers who attend these events.
- Thailand flooding. The worst flooding in more than 50 years claimed more than 600 lives and devastated much of Thailand. As the flood waters recede, ask God to use this event to humble the Thai people to turn from idols and respond in repentance and faith.
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Sadie's Keys to a Power-packed Prayer Group
As you consider this opportunity, pray! Ask the Lord to lead and guide how the group comes together.
Invite those you know who are already faithful in prayer; zero in on the mission-minded people first (this can help establish your core group). It doesn’t have to be a large group. (See Matthew 18:19.)
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