Volume 102: January 13, 2009

CHINA. After traveling over rain-sodden roads into the countryside, they arrived at the home of a new acquaintance. They stepped over the threshold into a central courtyard that separated the animal quarters from the family living quarters. The five men waiting there quickly turned their attention from the TV to the western guests. Soon they were listening intently to the story of God's love for humankind, beginning with His creation of the world and concluding with Christ's death and resurrection. Those sharing the Good News rejoiced as they saw the hearers begin to grasp the truths of the Gospel. Although there were no clear decisions for Christ that day, the bearers of the Good News knew that precious seeds had been planted, would later be watered, and would hopefully bear fruit.

CHINA. The husband and wife had arranged for someone to take care of their children and were looking forward to a quiet lunch together at their favorite restaurant. As they climbed into a taxi, they discovered a mobile phone on the back seat. After determining that it didn't belong to the driver, they decided that to prevent it being stolen, it would be best for them to hold on to it until the owner called. The call came during their lunch and they made an appointment to meet with the cell phone owner that evening. He brought his wife and daughter along and the two families enjoyed getting acquainted. The Christian couple, who through their actions had already borne testimony by going the extra mile for somebody they didn't even know, returned the phone accompanied with a clear verbal witness of their faith in Jesus Christ.

CHINA. It has been almost a century since the body of a Texan missionary was lowered into the ground in a China cemetery. Recently a Christian worker several generations removed stood at the grave site, read the tombstone, and wept as he thought of the sacrifice of the man who had served in China for 31 years. He reflected on the commitment of so many early missionaries who had gone before him. He remembered with gratitude the dedication of those who send and support Christian workers in China. But even more so, he meditated on the immeasurable love of the Father who so longs to draw the Chinese people unto Himself that He continues to this day to send workers into the fields of harvest.

CHINA. A Chinese Christian lady dreamed one night that all of the people in her home village had died and gone to hell. In the dream, someone accused her, saying, "It is not because we didn't want to believe in Jesus that we are here; it is because you didn't come and tell us about Him. It is your fault." Shaken from the vivid images in her dream and not knowing what to do, the lady shared her dream with fellow house church members. They realized afresh that they needed to share the message of hope with the people in that lady's village. That resulted in 100 of them receiving evangelism training. Then the church commissioned a team to reach the village. Fifteen villagers received Christ and are being formed into a small church that will hopefully reach out to all of the lost in that village and beyond.