Looking for more? View the 2003 archives.
December 20
What is a Minister?
The seasoned China worker was headed to an airport in a rented van when he noticed a Bible on the dashboard. He asked the Chinese driver if he was a Christian. The driver responded that he most certainly was, and enthusiastically shared that he visited a specific area each week to tell people about Christ. However, when the sole passenger asked the driver if he was a minister, it was clear that there was some confusion. "What is that?", the driver asked. The passenger explained that a minister is one called by God to tell others about Christ and to disciple them. No longer confused, the driver responded, "Oh, that's what all Christians do."
Prayers Answered for Person of Peace
Heading to their adopted people group after getting out of language class on Friday, two Christian workers were thankful that the bus ride that they had thought would be dangerous, bumpy, and last five hours turned out to be a smooth three-hour trip. They were relieved that only two people had vomited out the bus window during the mountainous ride. Since their language ability was limited, they had prayed specifically to find someone at their destination who spoke English. But with the weekend now quickly coming to a close, they had met only one such person. Desperately wanting to make a meaningful contact before they departed, one of the workers said to the other, "Let's just stand here outside our hotel and maybe an English speaker will find us." He had barely uttered the sentence when someone appeared! Their new acquaintance was a middle school English teacher who wanted to know if they had free time so they could "exchange some ideas." After a few hours of conversation, the teacher invited the visitors to return for a later visit so that he could take them around to some local villages.
December 10
Year-old Conversation Leads to New Life
When the American lady climbed off the bus after arriving in the China mountain village, a Chinese man came running toward her. "I am your brother now! I am your brother now," he exclaimed. She immediately recognized him as one whom she had met on a bus more than one year ago. She had witnessed to him that day, but he had resisted the gospel, telling her that his family was not Christian. She had responded by telling him that someday he would stand before God alone and answer for his life. Although they hadn't met since then, the conversation had so impacted him that shortly afterward he had sought out a Chinese Christian and asked how to pray to receive Christ.
Transformed From the Inside Out
Because of her sad countenance in days past, people used to refer to her as "prune face". But since the public transport driver met Jesus, people have been asking her about the reason for her radiant smile. As she has responded, she has already led several friends to Christ. Now she prays for the passengers that she transports in her three-wheel vehicle. She also keeps a supply of gospel tracts on hand to share with those who are interested. But often the tracts are superfluous as she bubbles over with enthusiasm, telling others how their sadness can be replaced with joy.
November 18
Missed Flight Gives Open Door
The small group of U.S. college students had missed their flight inside China and had found themselves stranded for two extra days, waiting for the right flight. As they sought to focus totally on the Father, they agreed that the delay was not without purpose. They decided to accompany their host on a visit to an outlying area where previous evangelistic efforts had not born fruit. There they met a young ethnic-minority Chinese man who was eager to hear about Jesus. Immediately after hearing the Good News, he received Christ. On the next day they hiked up a mountain and gathered around a pond to witness his baptism.
Sharing Christ in the Midst of Crisis
The young husband had only stepped out for a few minutes, but when he returned to the hospital emergency room, he discovered that his pregnant wife had been whisked away to another nearby hospital where an ultrasound could be performed to determine the condition of the baby that she was carrying. When he finally located his wife at the second hospital, he found her seated beside a Chinese nurse, calmly sharing the four spiritual laws. Faced with the possibility of an imminent miscarriage, she was telling the nurse about God's sovereignty and how He can be trusted in all circumstances.
October 26
A Truly Fulfilling Career
When she was in college, her friends encouraged her to pursue a career in opera. But, as the young American woman said, the thought just never "captured her." She loved to sing, but she knew that she wanted more in life. As she was trying to figure out what the future would hold, she visited China on some short-term trips. "The Lord captured my heart with these people and made me love them so much that I couldn’t stand to be away," she said. Now in the middle of a two-year stint sharing Christ in China, she reflected, "I’ve never found anything more fulfilling, more exciting, more ‘rad’ fun that hanging out with Chinese people, hanging with the Lord, and letting Him be my provision."
Passing Truth to the Next Generation
The Chinese lady had wanted to study the Bible for 20 years; so when she heard about her new neighbors who were having weekly “parties” in their home, she asked them if she could attend. Shortly after she began studying the Word with the small group of believers, she accepted Christ. As she began to understand the importance of sharing Christ with others, she asked if it would be okay to tell her elementary school-aged twin boys about Christ. Assured by the group that it would be more than okay, she told her sons about Jesus. Now when she tucks them into bed at night, they say, “Mommy, will you pray with us?”
October 11
Opening the Door to Jesus
"Why do you understand the Bible and I can’t understand it?" asked her Chinese friend. "It’s because I have Jesus in my heart," the young American woman replied. She continued, "He's waiting to enter your heart. He's knocking at the door." With a puzzled look on her face, the young Chinese woman asked, "Well does He have a key or do I have to open the door?" As her friend responded gently with words of truth, the Chinese lady opened her heart to welcome the Savior.
Meeting a Person of Peace
After a harrowing bus ride and communication problems with officials en route, the Christian worker finally arrived at his destination. He was very much hoping that this long journey would result in gospel inroads to the "T" people, an unreached ethnic-minority group. As he was checking into his hotel room, an employee there was summoned to help with translation. It had just dawned on the weary and linguistically-challenged traveler that the translator was possibly a member of the "T" ethnic minority group when she said to him, "I'm here teaching English to a bunch of 'T' students. If you would like, you can teach them tomorrow night." He realized that within moments of his arrival in the city, he had already met a very special person of peace who had been prepared for him by the Father.
September 6
Five Years, 6,000 Believers.
Five years ago there were no known Christians in a particular ethnic-minority group in China. Then the gospel was shared and several members of the people group accepted Christ. On that very day, the new believers led another family to the Lord. Two weeks later they crossed into another community to lead yet another family from their people group to salvation in Christ. As new believers have continued to tell others about Christ, many churches have been started. Each successive generation of believers has told others about salvation through Christ. Now among that ethnic-minority group there are 6000 known Christians.
"I Want To Be Just Like You..."
"I want to be just like you, Doris*," said the young Chinese lady. "But I am nothing." Doris replied, "The love that you see in me is God. It's not me. You need to be a follower of Jesus." The conversation ended and several months passed before they met again. During that time Doris had a dream about her young friend dying without Christ. She woke up crying. The next time they met, Doris was faithful to share the gospel one more time. This time the young lady responded, "Yes, I want to believe." Through the winsome testimony of a faithful follower, the Chinese lady had found new life in Christ.
August 24
Telling Three Friends Isn't Enough
Although the Chinese believer had known the Lord for five years, he had rarely shared his faith with others. But when an overseas friend talked with him about the importance of witnessing to those around him, he was very receptive. At the end of one training session, he was challenged to share Christ with three friends that week. "Three friends?" he questioned. "I’m telling five friends!"
Inroads to the Factory
Burdened for the salvation of factory workers, the Christian workers had asked their stateside prayer supporters to pray specifically for an inroad into a neighboring factory. One week later, they were entertaining a Chinese Christian couple in their home when the factory was mentioned in passing. The woman guest turned to her husband and said, "We know somebody in that factory, don’t we?" Her husband pulled a business card out of his wallet, handed it to his host, and said, "This man is a manager and he is a believer." They knew that their prayer had been answered.
August 2
If You Hadn't Told Me...
"If you hadn’t told me, I never would have heard," he said. They looked at the young Chinese man standing before them, reflected on his lostness only a few months earlier, thought of the tremendous spiritual growth that he had experienced since then, and thanked the Lord that He had given them the opportunity to lead the young man to Christ. Then they thought of all those who still need someone to tell them.
Waiting On God for Twenty Years
Twenty years ago they committed to overseas missions. But as doors closed in their faces, they sensed that God was telling them that the time was not right. Now their children are grown and as they have expressed it, "Senior moments come way too often." Yet the couple has recently moved to an unreached China megacity to make good on their earlier commitment. What do they hear God telling them now? "It’s about me. It’s about my timing. Trust me."
July 19
A Grandmother Makes Her Mark
The American teacher has endeared herself to her Chinese students, in part because of her age. Many have been drawn to the senior lady who brims with enthusiasm. Her home has been a magnet for students and a launching pad for new believers to reach their own people. Last Christmas she hosted 20 Birthday parties for Jesus, all of them well-attended. This sweet and sometimes sassy grandmother recently offered some advice for others her age who want to impact the world for Christ. "Get out of that rocking chair, turn the TV off, and get over here and help us. There are people dying without Jesus because there are not enough of us to reach them."
Balloon Bouquet From Above
The U.S. seminary professor had just finished up some early morning e-mail and other last minute preparations for his upcoming trip to China. He left his office just after sunrise and walked toward the seminary chapel. As he prayed about the day that was unfolding, he looked up and saw of bouquet of helium-filled balloons drifting downward from the sky. He sensed that God had sent the bouquet to him. He rushed over to the projected landing spot. As the balloons floated toward him, he took hold of the strings that held them together. Two of the balloons had messages written on them. One said "Congratulations" and the other said "We'll Miss You." He felt as if God had smiled on him and his China journey that was about to begin. Glorying in the presence of the Lord, he held on to the balloons and laughed as he headed home.
July 8
From Malls to Mountains
Sheila* thinks of herself as a mall shopper rather than a mountain climber. But for the sake of the gospel, she recently found herself hiking up and down mountains in order to find a concentration of a particular unreached people group. Shortly after Sheila and her ministry partner arrived in one village, they received an invitation to eat supper and spend the night in a home there. They breathed a prayer of thanksgiving, knowing that without a hotel or other public facility anywhere nearby, the night might otherwise be long and uncomfortable. Their hosts -- the village doctor and his wife -- told them about their two daughters who live in a nearby city. Since then, Sheila has led one of those daughters to Christ. She rejoices that the doctor's daughter is now able to take the gospel back to her own village. As for the self-described mall shopper, she is now headed to other remote villages that have no one to tell them about Jesus.
Hungry to Share
The American couple had not been in China long when one of their acquaintances received Christ. One week later the wife cautioned the new Chinese believer to use discernment in sharing with others, and warned her that not everyone is receptive to the gospel. "Oh I know," replied the week-old Christian. "So far I have only talked about Jesus to eight girls in my dormitory, two boys at school, and all of my family on the phone." Thankfully, the warning was issued too late to curb the enthusiasm of one so eager to tell others about Jesus.
June 7
Not Allowed to Believe
"I know that the Bible is true. I want to believe in Jesus. But I have a problem. I am a communist, and the party doesn't allow us to become Christians." The young man had just shared his quandary with a small Bible study group. Although the group took his concerns very seriously, they rejoiced inwardly, knowing that he would probably soon join the ranks of Christian believers who had chosen to put Christ above all else. They thought of others like him who had come to the Bible study with questions, found the answers that they needed in the Word of God, and had been baptized shortly afterward into new life in Christ.
Reaching the Masses
The Chinese Christian doctor stood with a small group of Chinese believers on the 20th floor of a hotel overlooking their city. He asked them to take a good look at the city below. "There are 400,000 people out there who have never heard the gospel," he said. "Unless we do something about it, they are going to die and go to hell." Deeply moved, the believers responded with commitment. Six months later the group of eight Christians had grown to 96, and is still growing. One man boldly shared his burden, and now others are boldly sharing the gospel.
May 24
Language Lessons
The middle-aged western man had arrived in China confident that he would soon master the Chinese language. But nearing the end of his first semester of study, he found himself still floundering with the language. His self confidence was slipping away and his pride was plummeting. One day he left his language class discouraged and -- by his own admission -- wallowed in pity most of the way to the school gate. But as he neared the gate, God's voice broke through to his hurting heart to remind him, “It's not about you.” Still he continued to wrestle with his feelings of inadequacy as he rode the bus home. But as he stepped off the bus, he looked up and suddenly realized that for the first time he was able to read the Chinese characters on the road sign in front of him. He knew deep within that it truly was “about God” who had first allowed him to be humbled, and had then granted him the ability to read that which would have otherwise been impossible.
An Unexpected Opportunity
Cindy* was inwardly aggravated when one of her Chinese Christian students brought an unbeliever to the training session. “The whole point”, she was thinking to herself, “is to get them to take the gospel to others; not to bring the lost to me.” Then she heard the young visitor say that she had come from the very county that Cindy had often visited to reach her people group. Because of government restrictions, Cindy had been unable to live there, but had made many long and grueling trips in and out of the location. Now God had brought a member of her adopted ethnic-minority group right to her doorstep! Before the end of the evening, the young woman prayed for Christ to enter her heart. Cindy's aggravation had long since turned into a spirit of celebration as she realized that her visitor was the first known Christian in the ethnic-minority group that she had tried so hard to reach. Cindy realized once again that the salvation of that group was not dependent on her strategies, but on the Father's workings. It's not always about going; sometimes it's just about being where God wants us to be.
May 10
Unequaled Passion
He had gone to the gathering to train Chinese house church leaders to be more effective in their witness. After teaching for several hours, the church planting trainer called for a 30-minute break. But as he pulled aside to rest, he realized that no one else seemed to want to relax. Driven by a sense of urgency, the Chinese brothers and sisters used the time instead to stand and quote all of the scriptures that they had memorized during the training sessions. The western trainer reflected once again on how much he was still learning from the dedication and diligence of the Chinese believers. The teacher became the learner as he prayed that his passion for sharing the gospel might equal theirs.
April 26
Meaning of the Cross
She had lived in China for three months and had not seen much spiritual fruit. But that very morning she had prayed again for opportunities of witness. As she conversed with the Chinese lady seated behind her on the bus, she noticed the necklace that the woman was wearing. "I like your cross," she said. "Do you know what it means?" The Chinese lady responded haltingly that she thought it meant something about "Christianity." But she was unsure what that really entailed. The Christian offered to teach her. "If you can get some friends together," she said, "I will tell you what God's Word says about the cross." To the delight of both ladies, an agreement was reached. The Chinese lady gathered a few friends for six weeks of study, and the American lady told them about the Savior who died on the cross. From those times of sharing, four new believers have emerged, each of whom has the potential of leading many other Chinese people to salvation.
No Hesitation
When the Chinese university student stood before his classmates to introduce himself, he said, "My name is Roy* and I drink like a fish." His Christian English teacher inhaled sharply as she thought of the challenge ahead. After class, she told Roy that she was concerned about his alcohol consumption. Rather than be affronted, he took time to share a bit about his past. A few weeks later, Roy was a guest in the home of the teacher and her husband. She was deliberate in sharing the gospel with him that day. When she asked if he was interested in receiving Christ, he responded "Of course." Seated on their couch, he prayed to receive Christ. Some weeks later, as Roy continued to mature in Christ, he explained to the teacher his rapid response on that day of salvation. "I was in the military. You don't hesitate when you know it's a right decision. The enemy could come at any moment and overtake you. When you told me about Jesus, I knew it was the truth."
April 9
Smashing Idols
The Chinese woman asked her Christian friends to pray fervently for the salvation of her Buddhist mother. During the three months that she had been a Christian, she had tried repeatedly to lead her mother to the Lord. But her mother was unwilling to abandon the idols that she had worshipped for 60 years. A few days after the group's intercession, the daughter delivered some medicine to her mother, and said, "In Jesus' name, I brought this medicine to you. But if you trust in your idols, then all will be useless." The wall of resistance crumbled as the mother admitted that idol worship had never given her peace or joy. That very day she asked Jesus to enter her heart. Then she smashed to pieces the idols that she had worshipped. The gods in her home had been replaced by the One and Only True God living in her heart.
Committed to the Word
As he was teaching the Bible to committed Chinese Christians, the house church trainer noticed that one lady kept leaning over to read from the Bible of someone seated next to her. Then as the group began studying another portion of scripture, the lady began to look over the shoulder of someone else. Gradually the teacher realized that some of the people in the room didn't own a Bible at all, and that others possessed only portions of God's Word. Yet they were joyfully sharing what they had. Some of them -- believing that they might never own a copy of God's Word -- were willing to commit large portions to memory. The trainer realized that the commitment of these believers to God's Word exceeded anything that he personally had ever been challenged to consider. He thought of the various Bibles that sat on his bookshelf back home, and prayed that he would never take the Word of God for granted.
March 29
Crying Out For the Lost
One of the key reasons that the church in China is growing at a phenomenal rate is prayer. A Christian worker serving in China observed that the Chinese believers in her realm of ministry don't focus on praying for themselves and their personal needs when they meet together for worship. They focus on praying for the lost . . . praying for the workers in the fields . . . praying for other Christians around the world. And as they pray, they cry out to God with their voices and with the tears that run down their cheeks. Many of the Chinese Christians fast as well, spending two hours at a time kneeling on concrete floors as they pray earnestly for God's kingdom to come on earth. The worker said, "It is my heart's desire for people back home to really pray with this intensity, to really cry out to God on behalf of the lost." Lord, teach us to pray.
Willing Workers
When the young American couple first arrived on the Chinese university campus where they would teach, they were unable to find any Christian believers. But over a short period of time, they were able to lead various Bible studies attended by 120 students. Before the conclusion of each study, they gave gifts of Christian music discs and Jesus films to each of their students. Now there is Christian music resounding through dormitory rooms and echoing down the halls of most of the residential facilities on campus. Now there are an estimated 11,000 students on that campus who have seen the Jesus film. Now there are new believers on the campus who are leading others in the study of God's Holy Word. What does it take to reach a university campus in China for Christ? Willing workers: men and women ready to be used by Him.
March 19
Mailbox Blessing
When Lance* picked up his mail at the post office after returning from an out-of-state trip, he was a bit surprised to see one letter with a Taiwan postmark. His initial thought was that perhaps he had forgotten to pay a bill during his recent volunteer trip to Taiwan. But his momentary concern turned to overwhelming joy when he opened the envelope and read the note that said, “Thanks for sending the Chinese Bible. I have been baptized as a born again Christian.” Standing there a half a world away from the Chinese man whom he had so strongly impacted for Christ, Lance realized that the same God who had used him to minister to specific individuals in Taiwan was continuing to work out His purposes in the lives of those very people.
The Easiest Thing He Had Ever Done
Jason* told his Christian friends that leading two Chinese university students to Christ was “the easiest thing he had ever done.” Jason had been invited by some college students to visit their campus and tell them about the Bible. He showed up at the appointed time, and after eating a meal with a few students, was taken to a classroom where a larger group of students was waiting to hear the presentation. Jason talked for a while about God’s Holy Word and ended with a very clear and simple gospel presentation. Then he suggested that anyone who was interested in having a relationship with God should stay for a while afterward to talk with him. Two students remained behind and prayed to receive Christ into their hearts. Jason’s part wasn’t hard at all. God was the one who prepared their hearts, revealed Himself to them, and gave them the gift of salvation.
March 1
Christmas Tears
Seated on the floor with 25 Chinese high school girls on Christmas Day, the young American woman began to weep. It wasn't spending her first Christmas in China thousands of miles away from her family that made her cry. Nor was it that she missed celebrating Christmas in America. She was simply overwhelmed by a sense of God's goodness in allowing her to share Christ in China. She explained to those present that she was crying because she possessed within herself the most amazing gift of all, and longed for them to have it as well. That night one of the students accepted Christ into her heart. Others who were hearing about Jesus for the first time asked many questions and indicated a continued interest in hearing more. Later on as the American teacher reflected on the evening, she realized that God had answered her prayer to allow her emotions to be a true reflection of the depth of her gratitude for salvation and the intensity of her concern for the lost people around her. She hadn't realized that He would respond by sending rivers of tears right in the middle of the party that she was hosting! But through those tears, He poured out His life giving grace to at least one new believer.
Anniversary Present
When an American couple celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary in China by hosting their friends at a banquet, God gave them a very special gift. After hearing the Christian couple renew their marriage vows, two Chinese ladies prayed to receive Christ! The anniversary couple was amazed, especially since they had tried not to conduct the celebration in an overtly evangelistic way. But the love of God so shone through them that others saw His glory and accepted Christ into their hearts. They agreed that seeing others enter the Kingdom was the best gift they could have received that day.
Reaching New Villages
The young American couple traveled into the countryside with a Chinese friend who was a new believer. Knowing of Ai Ling's* eagerness to witness, they had helped her prepare a Bible story that could be shared orally. Arriving at their destination, they were invited to eat with some of the local people. Ai Ling could hardly wait until the end of the meal to announce that she wanted to tell a story. She had barely begun her recitation, however, when a group of neighbors showed up and interrupted the proceedings. As is the custom in some countryside settings, they had come to entertain the visitors with music. After the musical interlude, Ai Ling began telling the story once again, this time to a larger audience. Beginning with the account of creation, she went on to share the gospel of salvation with 20 people who had never heard about Jesus. Then, as best she could, she responded to their many questions. Before leaving, she gave a Bible to one lady who had asked to know more. The lady promised to read it to the village.
February 16
I've Waited My Whole Life
There were about forty people crammed into the small room when the 80-year old Chinese lady arrived. She walked to the front row, sat down on a small stool that she had brought, pulled out a Bible, a notebook, and a pen and looked eagerly toward the instructor. The curious teacher asked the lady about her purpose in attending the church planting course. Mrs. Ma* began to tell her story. She had survived wars, the Cultural Revolution, the internment of her husband in a labor camp, and many other hardships. Now she was rejoicing to see God move mightily in her province. As she concluded the brief summary of her life, she looked straight into the eyes of the teacher and said, "Young man, if you have got a word from God, you teach me. Because now is the time for China, and I have waited for this my whole life. I am ready to do whatever it takes to see that my people know the good news."
God With Us
The first time she heard the Christian visitors from America pray before eating, the Chinese student made light of their expressions of gratitude to God. But after a few days of interacting with them, she took their faith more seriously. Reading the Christmas story with them in a hotel room on Christmas Eve, she couldn't quite get past the phrase in Matthew 1:23 "Immanuel which means God with us." She repeated it over and over and over. This was no laughing matter. The light of salvation had dawned in her heart. Truth had come into her life in the person of Jesus Christ.
Pressing On Through Hardships
It had been a year since the Christian couple had last seen Jeff*, a Chinese teenager with whom they had shared Christ. When they ran into him on a street in their Chinese city, they sensed instantly that life had treated him harshly in the interim. He told them that lack of money had caused him to leave high school, and that for months he had been performing backbreaking manual labor in a factory nearby. The clothes that he was wearing were shabby, and his once confident demeanor had seemingly dissolved into embarrassment and shame. Knowing that this was not a chance encounter, they insisted that he return home with them for the evening. That night he accepted Christ as Savior. A few mornings later, the young man helped lead his cousin and his uncle to salvation in Christ. Then on the following day he led a classmate to Jesus. Despite the hardships of his life, Jeff's heart is now filled with joy, and his days with purpose as he continues to grow in Christ, and is busy bringing others into the Kingdom.
Reopening Closed Doors
After not hearing from a group of students for several months, the Christian worker in China removed them from his daily prayer list of prospective Christians. Shortly after that, one of the students called and asked if he would be free to speak to them about Christmas. He accepted the invitation to the private school where they studied, and then agreed to a follow-up visit as well. On his second visit he gave his testimony and a clear presentation of the gospel. Then he boldly asked all who wanted to receive Christ to stand on the right of the room, those who had further questions to stand on the left, and anyone who had no interest in Christ to go ahead and leave. He assumed that most of the students would quickly depart. But although some did slip out, fourteen students moved immediately to the right of the room, and a few others moved to the left of the room. He thought that perhaps they had misunderstood and so he reiterated that he wanted only those who were ready to accept Christ to stand on the right of the room. The students stood firm. Then four more students who had left only moments ago returned to the room to stand with them. All told there were eighteen Chinese students in that room that night who entered the Kingdom through salvation in Christ. The speaker departed praising God that even though his faith had wavered and he had given up on these students, God had claimed them for His own.
Feb ruary 6
A Free Gift
Having been asked to loan money to a young woman in an abusive marriage, the Christian couple really had to pray for God's guidance. After having considered all of the possible negative ramifications, they were instructed by the Holy Spirit not to loan the money, but to give it outright to the needy woman. When they presented the monetary gift, they explained that it was freely given and was not to be repaid. To clarify their intent, they shared with her passages from the Bible that speak of God's free gift of salvation. She was so moved that she knelt before them to express her gratitude. That made them uncomfortable. But they had no problem whatsoever with seeing her kneel in prayer to accept Jesus into her heart a short time later. Much to their joy, they have since seen clear evidence that the woman's salvation experience was genuine as she now continues to share Christ with others.
Mealtime Prayer
Saying a prayer before eating a meal can be a real testimony in China. It is one of the most obvious marks of a Christian. But Maury*, a young Christian worker from the U.S., was dismayed when his Chinese friend asked others present at a banquet not to eat until his American friend had prayed aloud over the food. Maury's dismay was caused in no small part by the realization that the other guests were all government officials in the atheistic Communist nation. Nevertheless they waited politely for him to pray, not fully aware that he had invited the God of salvation to be present in their midst.
January 15:
Overcoming Obstacles
After a brief sojourn in the U.S., the Christian couple headed back into China to share the good news of Christ. Their transition was fraught with distractions: first the marriage crisis of a sibling and then some of their own parenting issues. That was topped by the news that one of their sons had been injured in another country and that one of their parents was going through some unique challenges. This was all compounded by the inevitable normal frustrations of an international move. In the middle of the night they cried out to the Lord for peace and enabling. He responded with an abundant provision of comfort and encouragement. As they rely on His provision, they are once again focusing their attentions on the new believers and new churches that are being born all around them. Many important things continue to challenge them, but they are determined that they will not be deterred from the "main thing" of sharing Christ with those who haven't heard.
He Will Not Yield His Glory
Even In the midst of a Buddhist funeral in Taiwan, God was glorified. Although the recently deceased elderly lady had accepted Christ into her heart some weeks before she died, her non-Christian children decided to commemorate her death with a traditional Buddhist funeral. They had ignored the suggestions and pleas of the one other family member who was also a Christian. Then just as the funeral began, a curious thing happened. A spray of flowers shaped into a cross was delivered to the front of the room. Due to the lateness of its arrival, it was given a prominent place in front of the other floral arrangements and Buddhist trappings. There the floral cross stood as a fragrant reminder that God will not give His glory to another.
Perfect Timing
A lot can take place on a short walk across a university campus, especially when God's Spirit is leading the way. Two Christian workers were returning to their apartment with a Li Ching* to whom they had been witnessing for three years. She had just told them that culturally, she just wasn't able to accept Jesus. But then they ran into Ning Ning*, a Chinese friend who had recently accepted Christ. They asked Ning Ning to join them. As soon as the four of them had arrived at the apartment, Ning Ning began sharing her testimony of salvation with Li Ching. The cultural barriers fell away as Li Ching prayed to receive Christ into her heart.
January 5:
Filled With An Urgency
A little more than one year ago, Penny* asked Christ to come into her heart. Now the American woman is living in China, leading others to the Lord. Shortly after her arrival in China, she made contact with a Chinese Christian and they agreed to study the Bible together. To her delight, the new friend brought four other acquaintances to the first Bible study session. Two of them accepted the Lord that night. In ensuing weeks, the friend brought ten more lost individuals, six of whom have since accepted Christ. So how did Penny go from being spiritually lost in America to being an evangelist in China in such a short span of time? "Right when I was saved, I became burdened for the lost. Now I was finally in the light and could see the truth. I was really filled with joy and was also filled with an urgency to let other people know about this truth. I read a lot in the Bible about the lost, and He started revealing to me about the nations: that there are actually not just lost people, but entire people groups that have never heard." This new believer with a willing heart is now being used mightily to reach one of those people groups for Christ.
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