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August 2001 |
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WUHAN CHURCH ELEVATOR PROJECT Word from a tentmaker in Wuhan expressed deep appreciation for the funds which have made possible the installation of an elevator in the eight-story church. It is expected that September may be the month when the building can be occupied and begin serving the large area of Wuhan. This important industrial center in Central China will have an outstanding evangelical church holding forth the Word of Life. It will soon have provision for 120 short term Bible students to live in the dormitory section as they spend three to six months in study. The need for these elders and workers to be trained is most urgent as there are not enough pastors for all the new churches. Thank you, each one, who contributed funds and prayers for the completion of this church. As I have news of its progress, I will pass it on. In the meantime, continue to pray for the believers and church leadership at this time as the government has been restricting believers and church activities in many places. 2,000 INTERNET CAFES CLOSED DOWN The China reform bulletin of July 30 states that the Chinese government has shut down nearly 2,000 Internet cafes across the nation and has ordered another 6,000 to suspend operations, reports Reuters. This is the second major crackdown on the popular cafe Internet users who have taken more and more liberties of communication with other nations. Chinese Internet laws ban "socially destabilizing content," "breaches of public security," and "divulging state secrets." Many are puzzled by these recent developments especially in light of winning the Olympic Games in 2008. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLAR RELEASED The recent release from captivity of Gao Zhan, the American University professor is cause for rejoicing as she was reunited with her husband and young son. They told the congregation of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in northern Virginia that she and her husband became Christians in the late 1980s. She said, "God is the one who saved my life, who brought me back. I prayed countless times….I thank God for sustaining me through this ordeal." We rejoice that she has been released, but we know that there are very many more Christians and others who are being held because of charges of treason, breaking Chinese laws on church registrations, spying for Taiwan and other political infractions. These people also need our prayer support for their release and safety. CANADIAN BIBLE SOCIETY RAISES FUNDS FOR PRINTING BIBLES In response to the last issue of CHINA CLIPPINGS, Rev. Wayne Spriggs of Canada wrote to inform me that he now serves as the Canadian Bible Society District Director for South Alberta. He is actively engaged in raising funds for Amity Press and the printing of Bibles in China. Canadians are seeking to raise 150,000 Cdn to assist Canadian Chinese Christians in placing a Bible in the hands of every Chinese immigrant to Canada. He reported that 11 immigrants received Bibles at Foothills Alliance Church a few Sundays ago as this project gets underway. Pray that the Word of God will bear much fruit among the thousands of Chinese immigrants arriving in Canada. EE CONTINUES TO SPREAD IN CHINA A report from an EE Director for Asia states that Evangelism Explosion clinics are spreading to many parts of China as believers seek to be trained in evangelism. Preparations are underway for clinics in Beijing, Hong Kong, Fuzhou, Fuqing and Shanghai. EE will play an important part in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and will impact thousands of lives as the churches seek to raise up a great group of trained witnesses for Christ. EE began in Hong Kong in 1976 with three missionaries who had a burden to train Chinese to witness for Christ. It has grown to be a powerful force throughout all of Southeast Asia, China and Mongolia. Pray for this ministry to continue to grow and touch many lives. THE GOAT PROJECT Last month I introduced you to the Goat project that God is using to plant new churches in rural communities in the mountains of south China. A Sunday School leader asked some questions about the cost per pair that was not given in the last report. Here's the information. For $60 per pair of goats, a missionary from Hong Kong is able to assist a mother church in its desire to plant new churches in rural areas where poverty prevails. The $60.00 includes the purchase and delivery of the goats to the distribution point. Many Sunday School classes or churches could take on one pair of goats and help plant a church. The goats provide food for the farmer and his family, gets him started in a small business, and creates good will with community leaders. One chapel has been opened by this simple means. Anyone interested may make out a check to First Alliance Church Orlando and send it to me at 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746 for the paper work and transfer to Hong Kong. I would like to report next month that 30 or 40 pairs of goats will soon be on their way to rural communities in China where churches will be started. This is truly the weak and foolish things of this world confounding the mighty. CHRISTIAN RADIO OPENS DOORS Make no mistake about it. Christian radio has had a tremendous impact on China. Alliance Radio in Hong Kong is very active in preparing programs to be aired throughout China. Many other denominations and missions are engaged in radio programming and use the facilities of Trans World Radio, FEBC in Manila and HCJB in Quito, Ecuador to reach Chinese around the world. Believers gather around their radios in rural places where there are no churches and they hear the precious Word of God in their own languages. Pray for pastors and Bible teachers who prepare these programs and for the funds to keep the programs on the air. ECONOMIC CRISIS IN TAIWAN From Teyet Moy who just returned to Taiwan, he reports that Taiwan is passing through a time of economic crisis and unemployment is at an all-time high. This is driving many people to commit suicide. Only one third of those calling the suicide hotlines are able to get through due to the volume of callers. Pray that Teyet and other Christian workers in Taiwan will be used of God at this time to help people find faith in Jesus Christ. NEVER FORGET THE SUFFERING CHURCH We can only report the stories we hear from travelers in China, tentmakers and religious periodicals. There is much that is untold for safety reasons, but the picture is not always glowing in every place. Thank God for the great amount of religious freedom afforded thousands of churches and pastors. Thank God for the Bibles being printed in China for distribution throughout the country. Pray for those who languish in prison for their faith or trumped up charges. Pray for revival blessing in all the churches and groups, and for the spirit of witnessing to continue and increase. Pray that officials will be tolerant of the church and not misinterpret the law or take advantage of believers in order to advance their own standings with higher officials. Never forget that thousands suffer for Christ in many places. PASS THIS ON This month several names and churches have been added to the ever expanding mailing list. Thank you very much, and keep spreading this report and help pray China through these difficult times.
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