Global Chinese Ministries Newsletter - September 2008

BRINGING RELIEF TO THE EARTHQUAKE ZONE

More than 69,000 people were killed in the huge earthquake that devastated large parts of northern Sichuan province on May 12. More than 18,000 people are still missing and nearly 370,000 were injured. (SCMP, 20 and 24 June) Nearly 180 dams have been dangerously weakened and 34 new lakes formed, threatening towns and villages downstream. More than 10 million people’s lives are threatened.

According to church sources, several hundred Christians are known to have died or are still missing. More than 100,000 Christians in Sichuan have been affected to varying degrees. At least 19 churches have been badly damaged—some need major repairs, others will need to be completely rebuilt.

Four days after the earthquake, a truck loaded with relief supplies worth 20,000 RMB sent from the Shunqing District church in Nanchong and the Sino-American Educational Training Center in Chengdu, set off for the stricken city of Jiangyou.

Jiangyou is 130 km north of Chengdu and has a population of 600,000. Many buildings collapsed and most were damaged so severely they are too dangerous to live in. For several days, water, electricity and gas were completely cut off. The nearly century old church in the city center was destroyed. The citizens not only engaged in earthquake relief for their own city, but also for the many refugees sent by the government from Beichuan County 60 miles away. The city’s Christians also took part.

We arrived in the city and went to the square where the Jiangyou Christian Disaster Relief Office had been set up. We found Pastor Li, who told us that in the hours after the earthquake the Christians had removed all the chairs from the ruins and set up a disaster relief area in the square, resettling about 100 neighborhood households. The Christians were on duty day and night. There were many aftershocks; most homes were damaged, and the people could not live in them.

We asked: “How has the people’s need to be fed been met?” The pastor said: “Mainly bringing food from their homes. But the brothers and sisters are also bringing them food.” Some of the relocated townsfolk told us: “The Christians have solved some of our major problems. Although we are not Christians, we want to thank your God!” The pastor told us: “The Bible teaches us ‘to weep with those who weep’. Although our own church has been destroyed, we cannot just sit by waiting for others to help us. We must take positive action ourselves to help people in their need.”

We hurried to unload the truck for the refugees who were encamped in waterproof tents on both sides of a main highway. The refugees lined up to receive drinking water, bread, biscuits, sausage etc. The pastor from Nanchong personally gave out portions to each of them. All the provisions had been purchased by the Christians in Nanchong.

We took part in food and water distribution at three different places. We felt their fear, but also their gratitude that complete strangers would care for them. Many people did not know what Christianity was, but when they saw people bringing practical help and showing their love, they knew this was Christianity.

We also visited the hospital whose corridors were full of the injured constantly being brought in by the militia. We gave out food and water to those lying on their beds. One old man had lost a leg—a tiny baby not two months old had lost some skin from his head. We shared their pain. Their groans pierced us to the heart. Our hearts were crying out. Our church workers were silently praying for them. We felt that every bottle of water and piece of bread was bringing them some comfort and that we were able to help a little.

(Translated from the report in the June edition of Tianfeng.)

CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT CHINA RALLY ROUND BEIJING

The Chongwenmen church prayed for the earthquake victims, the soldiers, officials and medical personnel rushing to help. The Gangwashi church had a collection on Sunday, May 18 for the earthquake zone. The Haidian church raised 33,000 RMB for the disaster zone.

SHANGHAI

The earthquake moved the hearts of Shanghai Christians. All 127 Shanghai churches and meeting-points were mobilized to pray for and donate to the victims. Until going to press, Shanghai churches raised 4,160,000 RMB, a historic record.

HANGZHOU

On May 13 the Hangzhou Christian Council held a meeting that called on the Christians in all 43 churches and meeting-points in Hangzhou City to help. On Sunday, May 18 special prayers and collections were made. They raised more than 1 million RMB that was sent to the sufferers with the love and blessing of the Christians in Hangzhou.

LUZHOU (SICHUAN)

Pastor Liao reports: “Earthquake tremors hit Luzhou, but not seriously. The church took to prayer and to raising money for post-quake relief. On the evening of May 14 a special ‘Prayer and Contribution for Earthquake Relief’ service was held. We prayed for the precious lives of those in the earthquake zone and gave donations. The believers responded enthusiastically. The church was filled with the sound of weeping and of prayer. Many young people were willing to go to the front-line of the relief work to give blood. That evening we raised nearly 6,000 RMB for the Red Cross to hand over to the victims. We held prayer meetings every evening for the victims. The theme for the sermon on May 18 was ‘ Faith, Hope and Love in the Midst of Suffering,’ encouraging the brothers and sisters to look on the disaster in the right way, full of faith. That evening we held a candlelight service for the victims. Rescue work at the time is urgent, but reconstruction and relief after the disaster are long term. In our thoughts and planning we are not only focusing on the material needs of the victims, but on their spiritual needs. So many injured need to be comforted, so many orphans need help. Our church social services department has set up a relief action team and is organizing a volunteer service brigade to go to the disaster area and undertake a survey of the churches needing help and to understand the needs of the widows, orphans and elderly; we are also setting up a team of volunteers to rebuild roads and bridges.”

(The above reports are just a small selection of those published in Tianfeng of churches all over China rallying to pray and bring practical support to the stricken area. Many house-churches are also quietly bringing aid.)

CHRISTIAN PROFESSIONALS RESPOND

As reported last month, MSI has redeployed long-term workers and sent several short-term teams to work with earthquake survivors both young and old.

A colleague visited the earthquake-hit area in early July and reports:

“Although their pain is palpable, it is marvellous to see colleagues with hearts full of love serving the suffering. We sat in a dormitory tent with 20 students from Beichuan, one of the worst hit areas. Some had lost loved ones; others, classmates and friends. The heat was almost unbearable. In such catastrophic upheaval of life, they now face their college entrance exams! What a privilege MSI has to be able to send teams of Mandarin speaking teachers, counselors and doctors to share God’s love with these wonderful students during this difficult time. Please remember leaders of MSI and the teams serving in these critically needy areas. There is urgent need for more long-term, Mandarin-speaking doctors, nurses, counselors, teachers and administrators.”

PRAYER POINTS

1. Pray for the bereaved families of the more than 69,000 people who lost their lives in the Sichuan earthquake on May 12. Pray for the ongoing long-term program of relief to devastated towns and remote mountain villages.
2. Pray for the families of the hundreds of Christians who have died in Sichuan. May their faith be an anchor in difficult times and a witness to their communities.
3. Pray for the necessary funding to be found to rebuild demolished or damaged churches in Sichuan.
4. Pray for Christian professionals active in Sichuan to bring aid to those needing urgent help.
5. Pray the Lord will touch the hearts of suitable Christians worldwide to join government approved teams working in Sichuan to help alleviate the suffering and to share God’s love.
6. Overseas Christian workers in many places in China report difficulties in renewing work visas amid tighter restrictions. Pray that after the Olympics the situation will be relaxed.
7. “In my grandma’s home village there were more than 20 Christians. But due to lack of spiritual leaders, heresies crept in. Some stopped going to church and now worship idols. The number of believers has dwindled.” Pray for Miss Wei and this struggling church in Anhui. (FEBC report) Not every church in China is growing!
8. More than 100 tourists from Mainland China arrived in Taiwan on the first scheduled direct flight for nearly 60 years. (Daily Telegraph, July 5, 2008) Pray for even further relaxation of tension leading to a permanent and just resolution of Taiwan’s future.
9. Miss Zhen in Shandong wrote to FEBC: “Whenever I want to pursue a spiritual life, temptation to sin intensifies. How can I be victorious? Will I dishonor God’s name if I serve him full time?” Pray for her!
10. There are more than 350 Chinese churches in Canada; pray for their effective outreach to the Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwanese communities—each very different culturally.
11. There are about 90,000 Oirat people living mainly in Qinghai, Gansu and Xinjiang. Most are Lama Buddhists. Percy Mather of the China Inland Mission worked among them in 1914 and compiled a dictionary. Today there are no known Christians. (Operation China) Pray for spiritual breakthrough.
12. Many migrant workers from the countryside do not feel at home in urban churches. Pray both Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and house-churches will make them welcome and minister to their particular needs.
13. Some church leaders are building large, expensive churches in China. ”With large amounts of money spent on new churches, ministries have been undermined and resources for gospel outreach lacking.” (Christian Communications, Ltd., Hong Kong) Pray that churches will have wisdom and clear guidance from the Lord before embarking on costly building projects.
14. There are 23 million ‘left-behind’ children in villages—separated from their parents seeking work in the cities. Many fail to attend school and turn to crime. (Wen Wei Po, 21 Oct 07) Pray that rural churches and believers will seek them out and care for them.
15. Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi province, has a thriving Christian community of more than 50,000 believers meeting in 150 registered churches and meeting-points (although only two are in the city center). Pray for growth in grace and effective outreach to this growing city of more than 2 million souls.
16. “We lack a teaching pastor so we taped all the Bible expositions from FEBC gospel radio. All the preachers got a copy. We gathered all the preachers from nearby towns and villages—50 attended, two of them handicapped.” Pray for Sister Xue and this outgoing church in Inner Mongolia.
17. There are about 2 million Koreans in (mainly northeast) China, of whom about 120,000 are believed to be Protestants. Pray for the flourishing Korean congregations in many cities such as Beijing, Shenyang etc.
18. Mary Wang, the Director of the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission who do outreach to Chinese in the UK and Europe, has recently retired after 40 years dedicated service. Pray for her as she is in poor health, and for Henry Lu the new director.
19. Many rural house churches are still threatened by the cult Eastern Lightning (which preaches a female Messiah). Pray for godly, theologically trained leaders to be raised up.
20. The Ministry of Education reports that 1,211,700 students from China have studied abroad over the last 30 years. The number of those who have returned and started a business is 320,000. (Ming Pao, April 13, 2008) Pray for all those overseas (including many OMF International workers) engaged in outreach to Chinese students, and especially for overseas Christians with business experience.
21. The top four temptations for Communist Party and Chinese government officials are: 1) sex; 2) bribes; 3) wine and entertainment; 4) illegal profit. More than 200,000 officials have been charged in the last five years for bribery, corruption and embezzlement. (Wen Wei Po, March 10,19, 2008) Pray for God to raise up godly rulers in China and for restrictions against religious believers in the Party to be relaxed.
22. Christian Communications, Ltd (CCL) reports that there is a pressing need for Christian counseling on the Mainland but a shortage of trained workers; some Mainland workers attend short-term counseling courses in Hong Kong and then return with relevant experience and books. Pray for counseling ministries in Hong Kong and for more to be set up in the Mainland.
23. An Old Testament lecturer at a Mainland seminary reports a severe shortage of reference books on the Old Testament. (Christian Communications, Ltd.) Some teachers rely on the same notes for years. Pray for CCL’s program to publish quality Old Testament material for the Mainland church.
24. Pray for N., a Vietnamese, led to Christ by OMF International workers in Macau recently. Pray for outreach to the growing Vietnamese and Malaysian working population in Macau—many employed in hotels and casinos.
25. Two Tibetan monks are known to have come to Christ but now face fierce persecution locally from their families. Pray for them as they seek God’s guidance for future service for the gospel.
26. In September last year 800 Christians attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a huge new church in Guangzhou (formerly Canton). This new church will seat 3,000 people and will be the largest in the city. (ANS Dec. 2007) Pray for vigorous gospel witness in Guangzhou.
27. When missionaries left China by 1952, they left behind more than 70 denominations. Today the China Christian Council presides over a united State-registered church. However, in recent years in both registered churches and unregistered house-churches all kinds of different teachings have flooded in from overseas causing division. Pray for the unity of all true believers in China.
28. A Christian worker in East China reported to Christian Communications, Ltd (CCL): “Our church gives each single preacher a monthly wage of 500RMB (US$65) and married couples get 900 RMB (120 US$). This is hardly enough because of inflation. Recently prices of food have nearly doubled.” Pray for hard-pressed church workers across China.
29. Liu Huiwen is serving 18 months in prison for distributing Christian tracts to Muslims in Gansu. He is said to be suffering bullying from mostly Muslim prisoners. Pray for him and his wife, now under police surveillance. (Release International, Aug. 2008)
30. As life returns to normal after the excitement of the Olympics, pray for those whose lives have been touched by the witness of Christian athletes and local Christians during the games. Pray also for lasting openness after the Olympics, which will lead to even more freedoms for the Chinese church and for greater liberty to witness for Christ across this great nation.