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A
SURPRISE FROM
HAWAII
Everyone is receiving CHINA
CLIPPINGS in the old format because we are
unexpectedly serving a 10 week interim at
Kapahulu
Bible
Church
of the C&MA in
Honolulu
. One day a few weeks ago we received an invitation
from the church to come back and help them for this
period as they seek for a pastor for KBC as it is
affectionately called. It has always been a most
special place where we have served. It didn’t take
us but a few minutes to respond positively and inform
the church that we could be there within two weeks. We
arrived on July 30 and have experienced the mighty
moving of God in our midst. Your earnest prayers are
needed for wisdom at this time as I guide the church
through calling a pastor.
THE
DIFFERENT FORMAT
Because we are not at our regular computer, we are
using the old format and that means everyone’s
addresses appears at the top of the page. Sorry, but
the November issue should be back to the new format
that hides all addresses. Our computer capabilities
here are limited, but it is important to keep praying
for
China
, and so I am making use of what I have.
THE
GOAT PROJECT
The Goat Project for church
planting in
China
was announced in the last issue. Already I can report
that we have funds in hand for 5 1/2 pairs of goats!
Praise the Lord. More is on the way and before long I
hope we can inform Dick and Edna Williams that we have
enough for 10 pairs of goats to help them open up a
new, rural area with the gospel in cooperation with
the local Chinese church. As a reminder, a pair of
goats costs $60 delivered to the church. Make checks
payable to First Alliance Church Orlando and send them
to my address at
1622 Calvin Circle
,
Kissimmee
,
FL
34746
. God uses the weak and foolish things of this world
to confound the mighty. Watch what He will do with a
few pairs of goats!
THE
WUHAN
CHURCH
In this report I can only share with you that the
Wuhan
church and seminary staff are in need of our
intercessory prayer. Satan is attacking God’s work,
but He cannot triumph. This church needs special
prayer as they are completing the building of the
eight story church that will provide seating for 1,000
people and a short term
Bible
School
with capacity for 120 students. This facility is
urgently needed to prepare workers for the region, not
just the city of
Wuhan
. The elevator so many of you contributed to has been
installed and will soon be used. The Lord willing, the
building will be dedicated in September.
KOWLOON
TONG
INTERNATIONAL
ENGLISH
CHURCH
R
ev. James Bollback, our eldest son, pastors the
International
English
Church
in
Hong Kong
. He and his wife, Alice, had a brief visit to the
States to see their newest grandson and for the grand
reunion with our family in June. Now, back in
Hong Kong
, the church continues to thrive and grow. Pray for
this ministry which is primarily to the Chinese
English speaking population, but also includes about
100 Filipino women who work as maids. The church
called a Filipino pastor as an associate pastor which
will increase the effectiveness of their outreach.
There are no restrictions to ministry in
Hong Kong
and all churches have full freedom to carry on and
plant churches. The agreement with
China
is being honored and no changes are being made that
affect the freedom to worship and carry on the work of
the church and Christian schools.
SOME
SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES
China
is in the throes of developing and attempting to
become part of the World Trade Organization. Having
been awarded the bid for the Olympics, they have a
huge task before them to get ready. While these
preparations are in full swing, the country is dealing
with horrendous financial and population problems. The
one child per family edict has slowed the birth rate
but at a tremendous cost to the people. Forced
abortions are difficult for everyone, but particularly
difficult for the Christian population. Reports
indicate that this is a serious problem and causing
unrest and fear. It may be easy to point fingers at
people at such times, but what they all need is our
prayer support.
PRAY FOR
TENT MAKERS
There are many people who work
inside
China
with many different companies and schools. They serve
there at great personal sacrifice in the heat of
summer and the cold of winter. They do so with joy at
the privilege of living their lives in this land with
millions of needy people. During the summer, the Gansu
Project has been underway with teams of eye
specialists serving in the
Gansu
area and providing medical service to the people of
the province. The government has recently honored the
doctors who have served so efficiently and who are
responsible for many having eye sight restored. While
there, these doctors and medical technicians attend
the various churches and encourage the people, and in
turn they return greatly encouraged by the fervor of
their commitment to Christ. Reports state that all of
the churches are full and the word is being proclaimed
faithfully. Some congregations have more than 1,000 in
attendance.
PRAY FOR
THE PERSECUTED
Many people suffer for various
reasons inside
China
, but many are imprisoned or restricted for their
faith. Pray for those imprisoned or in labor camps
that they will be faithful under extreme pressure.
Pray for their soon release. Pray that freedom will
prevail and the gospel will go forth unhindered.
PRAY FOR
THE BIBLE SOCIETIES
The United Bible Societies
provides all the paper that Amity Press in
China
uses for the printing of thousands of Bible each year.
The Canadian Bible Society is raising funds at this
time for Bible publication as all of our efforts are
hard pressed too provide enough Bibles for the hungry
seekers. A word of caution is needed here. Give to
reputable organizations like the Bible Societies and
your church missionary programs rather than to
individuals or groups who exploit the situation for
personal gain. If in question about an organization,
please write to me or some other reliable source for
information. Those I recommend insure that 100% of
your contribution actually reaches
China
without any deductions.
PAUL BARTEL
MEMORIAL
Our dear missionary colleague,
Paul Bartel, went to be with the Lord on
June 25, 2001
.. His was an abundant entrance into the presence of
the Lord. His children have designated the church
building at Lungtan,
Szechuan
(
Sichuan
new spelling) as a memorial. Gifts may be designated
‘Bartel Memorial’ and sent direct to The Christian
and Missionary Alliance, Box 35000, Colorado Springs,
CO 80935-3500. His biography is in the final stages of
proof reading. I have called it “Giants Walked Among
Us.” It will be published in the spring of 2002 by
Christian Publications, Inc. Pray for this process of
proof reading and then for great blessing on all who
read it.
AMERICAN
FAMILY ASSOCIATION INTERVIEW
Thursday morning at
5 a.m.
Honolulu
time, Tim Wildmon of American Family Association
called and interviewed me on their program about my
children’s books THE JACK AND JENNY MYSTERY SERIES.
I am grateful that they believe that these books are
having an impact for God on families and that they
wanted to advertise them to their listeners.. My
appreciation to AFA and Tim Wildmon for the interview.
The books are available through Toccoa Falls College
Book Store at
Toccoa Falls
,
GA.
Your local book store may be able to order them for
you . You may also e-mail me with your orders. My
newest book for children is our true story of ministry
in
Japan
. It is called JAPAN- LAND OF GREAT SURPRISES. This
was published a few months ago by Beacon Press, the
Church of the Nazarene publishing house. It is an
excellent story for VBS,
Sunday
Schools
and home use. As Tim Wildmon announced, “Our
children need books like these that promote Christian
values and clearly point young people to the Lord
Jesus Christ.”
ALOHA FROM
HAWAII
Now until the next letter,
we’ll try to keep focused in this beautiful state
where the palm tress sway gently in the breeze, and
daily we look at
Diamond Head
just two blocks away from our home. Thanks for your
prayers and your help in proclaiming the gospel.
Yours on behalf of the millions of
Chinese in the world,
ANTHONY
BOLLBACK
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