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July 2001 |
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BIBLES FOR CHINA Although Amity Press in China prints Bibles at the rate of one completed Bible every second of every day, still there is a great need for Bibles for China. In some areas, people still share Bibles with one another. One pastor says he has three Bibles he rotates among hundreds of people in a rural area of the country. Praise God for China Outreach Ministries and a core of committed people who have been working for a little more than one year to put the Chinese Bible in simplified Chinese characters on the Internet! Through their efforts, in addition to putting the Bible on the Internet, they have added more than 50 Christian study books and over 1,000 sermons. You might ask, "what good will that do in a land where computers are not easily available?" Five different web sites are available through China Outreach Ministries. One of the sites dubbed "unique visitors" had 2,400 viewers who downloaded more than 150,000 articles! A "unique visitor" is someone who uses the community computer in a "web café." We used one in a restaurant last year when we visited Hong Kong. It is a special attraction to people and entices them to come in and make a food purchase. Praise God for the technical means by which we can reach a nation for Christ. PROVIDE A GOAT FOR CHINA Missionaries Dick and Edna Williams of Hong Kong have found another unique way to help rural people be touched with the gospel. As God provides the funds, they are shipping goats in China and making them available to farmers in rural areas through the Chenzhou Church in Changde Province. Chinese workers from the church are attempting to start a church in another rural area. They have experienced some great successes in these communities since the government is pleased with this kind of assistance. It creates good will with the officials, and helps provide food for the people. The acts of kindness are bearing an abundant harvest. Anyone interested in helping with the "GOAT PROJECT" may make out a check to First Alliance Church Orlando and send it to me. As funds accumulate, they will be passed on to the Williams' in Hong Kong to assist in church planting. Remember that 85% of China's vast population still lives in rural communities. My address is 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746. PAUL BARTEL WITH THE LORD The friend of China, Paul Bartel, was promoted to glory on June 25th and was ushered into the presence of the Lord with great singing and rejoicing by all the angels of heaven. At 97, he had done everything humanly possible to reach China for Christ. He was a great preacher, author of several books in Chinese, leader, director of the Alliance Press, Chairman of the Missions Department of Canadian Bible College, and considered by the Chinese Christians to be the founder of the Chinese Alliance in Canada as well as the United States. His funeral service will be held in Santa Barbara, California on Friday, July 8 and a memorial service in Wheaton, Illinois on July 15th. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that gifts be sent for building churches in China and for the publication of the Bible Magazine, projects close to Paul's heart. GANSU, INC Last month I reported on a group of doctors who have formed an organization called Gansu, Inc for the purpose of performing eye surgery in West China along the Gansu Province border and Tibet. The first team has completed their work and has now rotated with a second group who will spend two weeks in surgery for cataracts and other eye maladies. This summer the doctors and nurses on the teams expect to perform several hundred operations to restore sight to those who have impaired vision. The churches of the area are growing rapidly as more and more people hear the gospel and are attracted from outlying areas to the hospital. Pray for these teams that will continue through the hot summer months to work in the name of Jesus for the poor and suffering. A very informative article was printed on this ministry in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. This article can be read on the Gansu web site: www.Gansuinc.org MEDICAL MISSIONARY REPORTS ARSON FIRES IN TAIWAN Medical missionary Bob Long and his wife, Judy, who have served for many years as TEAM missionaries in Taiwan and Vietnam, report that a rash of church fires have been set in Taitung this year. The latest fire completely destroyed the old church and parsonage. The congregation has been working toward building a new church, but only 20% of the funds are in hand. The man who confessed to setting the fire was mentally unstable much like the man who killed Bruce Morrison in Wuhan a few months ago. Satan is using every means to thwart the advance of the gospel in Southeast Asia, and that calls for more prayer for the protection of all Christian workers and church properties. EVANGELISM EXPLOSION (EE) REPORT FROM CHINA Two EE clinics have just concluded in China. One was held in a house church and the other in a registered church. God is at work everywhere and people are seeking to be trained to share their faith. One clinic reported 82 teams of three people going out to reach 256 people. 176 were willing to listen to the gospel presentation and 174 professed faith in Christ! The next EE Clinic in the region will be held in Mongolia in early September. Materials are being translated and printed now. Pray for God's blessing on these outreach ministries to strengthen the church in China. HOW POWERFUL IS YOUR TESTIMONY? A report comes from Taiwan of some Christians who were attending the funeral of a friend's father. As is the custom there among non-believers, a medium was called in to carry away the spirit of the person. After some time, the medium was unsuccessful in her work. She stopped and asked if there were any Christians in the room. There were three present! The medium then asked all Christians to leave because the spirits did not dare to come into their presence! She added, "Your God is powerful. Jesus is bigger than our god!" Praise God for this powerful testimony, and pray that Christians throughout the land will continue to see the mighty workings of God in the land. CHOOSING LITERATURE FOR MAINLAND CHINA Since many people are able to travel to China these days, and since many have Chinese student friends here in the States, arm yourself with good Christian literature in Chinese written by Chinese people. Ambassadors for Christ, Inc has a wealth of literature written in today's Chinese for students, professors, business people and others. Bibles are greatly needed, but a timely word of testimony in the heart language of the people, makes a great impression. Write or call them at 21A Leaman Road, Box 280, Paradise, CA 17562. Toll free telephone: 1-888-462-5481. Do it today and be prepared for any opportunity that arises. WUHAN CHURCH ELEVATOR PROJECT Last month, $4,050 were sent via The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Colorado Springs to Hong Kong to be transferred to the church in Wuhan. No word has been received as yet about receipt of those funds. However, there is another urgent prayer request. For reasons I cannot mention here, the government has cracked down on Christians in the Wuhan area. They desperately need our prayers at this time. Add to that request, prayer for 7 Alliance Youth Corp workers who are in Wuhan from July 3-30 to teach English at a private school. This will be a great opportunity for them to make friends with young people there and to influence their lives. A MATCHLESS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE KINGDOM The Christian and Missionary Alliance President, Peter Nanfelt, has issued a powerful challenge to churches that could have a powerful impact on missions. He suggests that those who receive a tax-cut refund contribute it to the causes of spreading the gospel worldwide. He says, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be the means, by God's grace, to bring many more people around the Communion Table for God's glory?" He and his wife, Jerry, plan to hold their check just long enough to endorse it and commit it to the Lord's work. Millions of dollars could be consecrated toward Kingdom work. Thousands of previously unreached people could be saved. Pastors and missionaries around the world could have freedom to expand their ministries. Imagine the collective impact in our communities, our nation, and throughout the world! FORWARD THIS REPORT TO OTHERS You will encourage others to pray for China by passing this on to them or by sending names to be added to the list.
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