AMITY PRESS PRINTS 40 MILLION BIBLES!

Forty Million Bibles! In the land that was once tightly controlled by the Communist Government, it is a miracle that any Bibles can be printed at all! Beginning in 1987, Amity Press which is the only government-approved printing press for Bibles in China, started on a historic mission in cooperation with the United Bible Societies. Rev. Cao Shengjie, chair person for the China Christian Council said at a news conference in Beijing on April 18, 2006 that Amity Press had completed the printing of 40 million Bibles in January 2006- 37 million for China and 3 million for export. A second miracle is the preparation underway to build an even larger press at a new location!

It sounds impressive, and for every Bible printed in China we give praise to God, but it should be remembered that there are approximately 80-100 million believers in the country and the number continues to explode! On the surface 40 million Bibles sounds good, but this is the work of forty years! Rev. Cao went on to say that some "American Christians don't realize that there are 70 approved distributions centers nationwide and that last year alone, 5.2 million Bibles were printed! Bibles are available to anyone at Three Self Patriotic Churches," she stated.. However, the fact is that even with the increased production of Bibles, there are not enough to meet the huge demand, and furthermore that house churches do not have access to those Bibles in their churches. Another factor is that house churches make up approximately 80% of the Christian population of the country!  

Rev. Cao also stated that the Chinese church enjoys religious freedom within the framework of the government regulations. She elaborated on that by stating that evangelism had to be confined to within the church, although people were free to share their faith privately. The need to be registered and observe all regulations was also reported. One thing of special note was her statement that Christianity continues to spread despite the limits and the state-backed churches' role. We rejoice that the church continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, and neither government regulations or imprisonment and persecution can contain the church!

DEVELOPING CROSS-CULTURAL MESSENGERS OF THE GOSPEL

SUPPORT THE TRAINING OF CHINESE CROSS-CULTURAL WORKERS

The first group of students in one Bible School graduated from an intensive two-year course in cross-cultural ministry. Their next step is to prepare themselves with special vocational training during the summer months that will enable them to survive in their appointed limited access countries. Pray for the people who provide the training, and for the students to quickly learn a trade while at the same time maintaining their passion for their life’s work as “tentmakers.” That term is derived from the Apostle Paul’s example of supporting himself while he spread the gospel and established churches and groups of Christians in highly resistant lands. These young workers will be moving into highly sensitive areas by Fall, and consequently, they need your earnest prayer support. The training centers where these young people are preparing for a life of sacrifice and most likely persecution, urgently needs your prayer and financial support. Because of the sensitive nature and secrecy of this work, those interested in praying for or supporting this ministry should write to me at Kahu@juno.com for more specific information and the way you can be involved with the Chinese church in its desire to reach all of the lands of the 10/40 Window. (See a full description of the 10/40 Window on the side bar of www.ChurchInChina.info.

AFGHANISTAN, A 10/40 WINDOW COUNTRY

Although a building boom is underway in Kabul, the capitol, reports the Associated Press, and a five star hotel was opened there last November, the city is full of crippled men and ragged street children begging for change outside of the hotel. About 300 yards away is the Murad Khani slum where thousands live in shacks next to open sewers. Electricity is available only a few hours a day, and most have to draw water from wells that are sometimes polluted with cholera. In addition, the country is radically opposed to Christianity. As we heard recently in the Rahman case, anyone converting to Christianity faces the death penalty. This is a country where Chinese workers will one day seek to penetrate the fortress of darkness and build Christ's Kingdom. Earnestly pray for strength, fortitude, resourcefulness and wisdom for those who enter this land.  

THE MIGHTY MOVEMENT OF GOD       

China is poised to become a major missionary sending force in the next few decades in spite of the tragedies that have occurred in the past and at the present time. Many people say that because of these seeming tragedies and persecution the church is exploding and doing great exploits for God.

• In 1900, the year of the infamous Boxer Rebellion, almost 300 missionaries were killed along with 30,000 Chinese believers. That seeming tragedy was turned into great blessing as one year later more than 500,000 Chinese had turned to Christ.
• The Communist takeover in 1949, likewise seemed to spell the end of Christianity in China, and for a couple of decades, little was heard about the state of the church. Then, suddenly the door creaked open once again, and to the amazement of the world, the church was discovered to be alive and well. Forced to close their church doors, the believers went underground and clandestine house churches sprung up everywhere. Today, it is estimated that 7% of the population is Christian and growing so rapidly that some have predicted that in a couple of decades, 30% of the population could be Christian.
• More than 50,000 Chinese migrate to the USA every year, and more than 25,000 children are born to naturalized Chinese Americans annually. Thousands are finding Christ here in the USA and Canada and becoming a major force in providing Christian workers and funds for the church in China.
• A respected Chinese leader has suggested a rather simple way for everyone to be involved:

• In addition,  volunteer to help a Chinese church in the USA or Canada as they seek assistance from English-speaking people to come on staff or assist with teaching an English Sunday School class for children and young people. 
• Support reliable organizations that are providing Chinese Bibles and literature. .
• Join a group going to China to teach English either for a year or short term. 
• Support Christian radio programs to China where one fourth of the world's population resides.
• Reach some of the 500,000 Chinese students in USA colleges and universities.

This heading was used last month for a report from a "tentmaker" acquaintance seeking to establish a school for Chinese students. He reported at that time that he received an unexpected visit from the police one night and some veiled threats. In answer to prayer, no further visits have been made during the past month. Pray that all obstructions to his goal will be removed. A new problem has arisen, however. Security guards have forbidden the school from handing out brochures advertising the school. The reason is that this "tentmaker" refuses to pay any bribes. Intercede on half of this venture and pray for an increased enrollment in spite of the restrictions. . 

GANSU, INC.  FACES DIFFICULTIES

The medical teams of Gansu, Inc in Turpan, Xinjiang-Uygar Autonomous Region on the Tibetan border were forced to curtail cataract surgeries to five a day. Soon they had to cancel a whole day's work because the supplies which arrived six weeks before the team were being held up by customs. Even though these supplies were clearly labelled "Humanitarian Supplies," these donated medicines, intraocular implants and other badly needed supplies were detained for many weeks. Thank the Lord, finally the boxes were released and ten surgeries a day were scheduled for the next three days. Before the summer is over, the teams of volunteer Christian doctors and nurses expect to perform 3-400 surgeries that will restore sight to the blind. Pray that their lives and testimonies will impact many people including local Chinese medical personnel.  

PERSECUTION PERSISTS IN MANY PLACES

Dr. Bob Fu of China Aid Association reported on April 18, 2006 that at least 1,317 confirmed arrests of pastors, leaders and believers had taken place between February and December of 2005! A UN official confirmed that various inhumane methods of torture had been used to elicit forced confessions that resulted in long prison terms. Some forms of torture used included being handcuffed for weeks or months at a time, prolonged solitary confinement, denial of medical treatment, submersion in water or sewage, sitting, squatting or standing for long periods of time, electric shock treatment with shock batons in ways that cannot be printed here, deprivation of sleep or food, and suspension from overhead fixtures by handcuffs. According to Bob Fu, all of the above tortures can be corroborated. Incidentally, many of these tortures are recorded in my two books, Red Runs the River and Exiles of Hope in the triumphant story of Anching and Meiling who chose to suffer persecution rather than renounce their faith in Christ.  

MK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO REQUEST BOOKS 

The list of MK School libraries requesting my offer of free books continues to grow. In addition to the last month's list, schools in Germany, Honduras and Brazil have been added. The amazing thing is that the MK School Library Fund has sufficient funds for every request thus far! Because this is a God-inspired project that is reaching these schools with almost 1,000 students in them, I believe there will be sufficient funds for every request. To date, 150 books have been mailed to these schools and that is cause for great rejoicing. Pray that the children who read the books will be challenged to live their lives for Jesus. That is the objective of this project.

A DEAR FRIEND RECOMMENDS THE JACK AND JENNY MYSTERY BOOKS

My dear friend and colleague in Hong Kong for many years, Dr. Philip Teng, former president of the Hong Kong Chinese Church Union and former professor of Chinese Studies at Alliance Theological Seminary says of The Jack and Jenny Mystery Series for children, "The author of this fascinating and Christian-character forming series of books was a highly respected, admired and beloved missionary to Hong Kong with a deep love for the Chinese people there. He also has an in-depth understanding of the Chinese culture and the background of that famous city. Readers will be captivated by the content and Christian concepts of this series."

There are now five books in print with Book #2 being reprinted. Check out my web site: www.bollback.com for the full description and prices of these challenging books, and make sure your church library has a set as well as your children and grandchildren. This is an investment in the lives of children that will have eternal results.