COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING

 

Amazing! Unbelievable! Unprecedented! What else can one say about China’s preparations for an extraordinary and spectacular opening in Beijing on August 8, 2008 at exactly 8:08 p.m. The emphasis on the numeral “8” is not a coincidence, but a planned and precise anticipation of China’s Communist government. The number “8” in Chinese thinking symbolizes hope and prosperity for one fourth of the world’s population, and it expresses not so subtly, China’s aspiration at world leadership and supremacy. The theme “One World, One Dream” summarizes the century’s old concept of China as the middle kingdom and center of world influence.

 

In less than 250 days, the elaborate preparations being made will expose China to the world as never before in China’s 5,000 year old history. Even Beijing is surprised at the wave of enthusiasm and national pride that is sweeping the nation.

• Interest in the Olympics has risen to fever pitch as 4.9 million Chinese vie for only 2.7 million tickets available to residents of China.
• 90,000 taxi drivers in Beijing are learning rudimentary English to deal with the expected arrival of thousands of visitors.
• More than 2 million trees have been planted in Beijing to beautify the city.
• An unprecedented campaign to curb public spitting, loud talking and the national characteristic of unceremoniously elbowing one’s way on to a bus or train is underway.
• New skyscrapers are changing Beijing’s skyline almost overnight in this city of 15 million people.

CHRISTIAN IMPACT ALSO AMAZING

 

Chinese Christians are also naturally filled with national pride, but more importantly, they sense that this is a moment in time to proclaim the Good News as never before. The government is alarmed at the prospects of believers taking advantage of this event to further propagate Christianity. Over 70,000 “volunteers” are being trained to keep watch at the game sites to prevent disturbances of any kind including possible gatherings of believers thought to want to demonstrate.

 

Xinhua News reports that Liu Bainan, vice-president of the China Patriotic Catholic Association (Registered Catholic Church) strongly urged the government to place Bibles in all hotel rooms in Beijing for the influx of foreigners. He said, “A large number of foreign athletes and tourists will swarm into Beijing for the Games, a majority of whom have religious belief, and providing Bibles in hotels will meet their religious needs.” He repeated his plea by saying, “The Bible is a must in hotel rooms as it will clear up misunderstandings of China in the area of religion.” Many organizations are seeking ways to carry Bibles in during the Games. This could possibly produce some kind of a showdown and stiff inspection rules. Without a doubt, the Jesus Film on DVDs as well as DVDs of the Bible will be among the baggage of thousands of foreign tourists seeking to make an impact. Prayer is needed for wisdom, courage to witness, and the overshadowing of the Lord on the Chinese believers and Christian tourists.

 

“BACK TO JERUSALEM’ VISION EXPANDING

 

“Back To Jerusalem” has now become a general term used throughout China and the West that refers to the phenomenal movement within the Church in China and particularly house churches. Thousands of believers are hearing about this vision that originated in miserable prison cells years ago but today is actually coming to fruition. DVDs and seminars have opened up the vision to the church at large with an unusual response. One group reports that Chinese Christians are now operating in eight different countries in the 10/40 Window. Another group doing the same outreach of training Chinese workers to be cross-cultural missionaries in limited access countries report that visas have been approved for several workers who will soon leave for their new fields of endeavor. Thank the Lord that leaders who have been traveling throughout the region searching out places to start ministry, have been building relationships with local believers or people interested in the Good News in these nations. This is painstaking and sometimes dangerous work that needs to be covered by prayer.

 

One group reports that they are working on completing a teaching series in Mandarin Chinese which deals with every aspect of equipping believers for missionary service. This series is being made with house church representatives inside China overseeing the entire project. There is great joy and much anticipation about this series being mightily used by God to teach a broad spectrum of believers the basics of this vision. Prayer is needed for excellence in their work, for strength for the task, and for funds to complete the project.

 

Another group reports that new classes for trainees has begun the phase 1 training of intense Bible preparation while other groups move on to phase 2 with practical preparation in language and job training. Prayer is needed for stamina, wisdom, inspiration and funds. Anyone interested in assisting, please request specific information that cannot be printed here. Praise God that some trainees have returned from a mission field trip where they have been putting into practice the things learned in the classroom.

 

UNUSUAL MOVING OF GOD IN HONG KONG

 

In a report dated December 3rd from Hong Kong comes the exciting news that 423,335 people met in seven locations for six events during four days of the Hong Kong Franklin Graham Festival. 800 churches were represented at this festival. The Festival was conducted in Cantonese (Local Hong Kong dialect) and English. The crowd exceeded the capacity of the Hong Kong Stadium so that four overflow locations were necessary with huge jumbo screens. Thousands more participated in Macau and in the New Territories’ Yuen Long Stadium via live remote broadcast. More than 33,000 people responded to the invitation while on Saturday, 38,000 children and some 40,000 teens heard the message of redemption and forgiveness in their own specially geared services. While in Hong Kong, Franklin Graham received an official invitation from the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the China Christian Counsel (registered church) to meet with local church leaders in the People’s Republic of China in 2008 with a view to Festivals in China proper in the future! In addition, a Festival is scheduled for Taiwan in 2008. It is time to saturate these ministries with powerful prayer at this time of unprecedented interest in Christianity among Chinese.

 

INSIDE CHINA A 77 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER GOES TO JAIL

 

Shuang Shuying, 77, is considered a threat to the Chinese government. In June, she and her pastor son were arrested for so-called illegal activities in their house church. During her defense at the police station, as she was waving her cane for emphasis she hit an information machine. She was sentenced to two years in prison for “willfully damaging public property!” Her daughter-in-law visited her in prison in August and found Grandma Shuang extremely sick. When arrested she weighed 121 pounds but after two months in prison she weighed only 88 pounds!  Government officials privately told her pastor son that they were holding his mother until he revealed the names and information about the members of his church. Recent reports state Mrs. Shuang has been beaten and denied medical help. This precious grandmother and her family desperately need your prayer support at this time of such intense suffering for the cause of Jesus.

 

 GIVE A BOOK THIS CHRISTMAS

 

Some of the most significant gifts I received as a child and young person were Christian books that changed my life. I am anxious to get my two books, “Red Runs the River” and “Exiles of Hope” into the hands of young people, and others of course, who will be impacted by this story of the persecuted church in China.  For this Christmas, these books are available at the reduced price of only $10.00 each plus $3.50 postage. Purchased together and sent to the same address, the total cost is $23.50 a savings of $7.50 over normal price. Please send your check to 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746 along with the mailing address you wish to use. Order immediately and they will be available for a Christmas gift that will challenge anyone to a new commitment to Jesus and His work.

 

A few full sets of the Jack & Jenny Mystery Series are still available. Each book costs $2.00 or $12.00 per set of 6 plus $4.00 postage for a total of $16.00. Two sets @ $24.00 plus $5.50 postage for a total of $29.50. More than 2 sets, please write for postage quote. Send e-mail to AGBollback@cfl.rr.com