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.

Volume 101: December 10, 2008
CHINA. When someone she barely knew asked her to meet with a student, the Christian worker contemplated whether it would be a wise use of her time. She was already responsible for mentoring five groups, she reasoned. But as she talked with the Lord about her busy schedule, He reminded her of the importance of each individual soul. When she arrived for the appointment, she was greeted by a Christian brother who said, "He brought you here," and ushered her into a group of 10 students, all seekers or new believers. One hour later, she had been enlisted to train some of the believers and work with the group on an outreach ministry. She was truly thankful that her schedule had become even busier!CHINA. A group of committed Christians traveled from their city to a small town two hours away to prayer walk and tell its people about Jesus. During the first month of regular visits, seven people accepted Christ. But during the first worship service, the local police showed up and told them they weren't allowed to assemble together. When the same thing happened at the second worship service, some of the new believers fell away. Two families, however, decided that their newfound faith was so precious that they would endure persecution. They continue to worship together, sometimes with the city Christians who leave after work and return home in the wee hours of the morning, traveling for several hours each way to encourage the new believers.CHINA. Having just moved to a new city in China, the American lady was struggling. She missed her family and friends, and although she could already speak Chinese, she was now challenged with learning a new dialect. As she waited on a taxi, she reflected on her situation. Just then a taxi pulled up and she got in, quickly giving her destination. The lady driver greeted her and then, to the utter surprise of her passenger, said, "Alleluia. Praise the Father!" After establishing that they were both Christians, the taxi driver began to sing praise songs and the passenger joined in. At the end of the ride, the passenger thanked the Chinese believer for blessing her so greatly on a day that she had been missing her family. The driver reached out, patted her hand and said, "We are family." Reminded of the truth of that statement, the overseas Christian wiped tears of thanksgiving from her eyes.

East Asia Update

Encouraging Responses
"The young shop owner sat out in front of her little store selling bottled water and Chinese dolls to the local village people walking by. She did not seem to be any different from all of the other local people until she was asked, "Are you a Christian?" With that question, her eyes lit up and she began to tell us of how not only she, but also her family and several other families in the village were also Christians. She explained that they had believed in Jesus several years earlier and that there are currently more than 50 believers in her small town. This is the kind of response we are beginning to hear as we scratch beneath the surface of the local areas where we serve." . . . by a frontline worker

Being at Home
"As we near the end of our first term overseas and begin preparations for going back to the States, we realize that we are not the same people (as before). We still look the same and enjoy the same American pleasures, but there is much more in who we now are. . . Our new friends live, not in American town houses and condominiums, but in Chinese shopping centers and antiquated mud houses. We eat beef burgers on Friday night and cold rice noodles on Saturday. We have grown accustomed to celebrating American independence on the 4th and the Dragon Boat Festival on the 5th. These and other newly adopted practices make us not new culture people, but bi-culture people." . . . by a frontline worker

Joy in the Midst of Despair
Shortly after the death of his wife in the Sichuan earthquake earlier this year, a Chinese man was introduced to Christ. After asking Jesus into his heart, he said, "For the first time in my life, I have joy." Another earthquake survivor received Christ into her heart after a volunteer worker who couldn't even speak the woman's language took time to fashion a Styrofoam cup into a cross. Since the woman had heard of Jesus previously, that simple act elicited her questions that, once answered by someone who could speak Chinese, led to her salvation. . . . based on frontline reports

Children of East Asia workers share some of their prayer requests below. Go to: http://easia.imb.org/ to read some additional requests.

Pray for all the people in the earthquakes. My family feels the tremors even though we are miles away. Thank you for praying for us. (10-year old)

Please pray for our people group. Many don't know Jesus. Not many people know about them or where they live. Even some Chinese people don't know. Also, please pray more people will come and help the people of our group. (9-year old)

Our dog is lost. Pray that he is safe. Pray that our Chinese friends will know Christ. Pray that my family (in the U.S.) will not be sad about my mom and brothers coming back to China. (7-year old)

One definition for "Summit" is "the topmost level attainable". That's what you can expect at the "Showcasing East Asia Summit". Mark your calendar with capital letters! FBC, Collierville, Tennessee is where you will want to be on April 15 to 17 to meet workers from East Asia, learn about the current situation, and explore how you can be involved from either side of the ocean. It will be followed by a Student Summit lasting from Friday night, April 17 through Saturday, April 18. http://easia.imb.org/summit/

Lottie Moon Resources

Christian workers in East Asia and throughout the world depend on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO). Go to: http://easia.imb.org to read some thank you notes from workers in East Asia.

Promote the LMCO in new and fresh ways this Christmas by ordering East Asia resources that will bring focus to Lottie's long-time home of China. Go to: http://easia.imb.org

Revving Up; Not Winding Down

Holiday times are not for winding down in East Asia; rather "tis the season" to embrace extra special opportunities to tell the lost about Christ. Please take some time this week to lift up those who are serving in China, Mongolia, and Taiwan, asking God to give them strength and enabling to entertain seekers and new believers in their homes, facilitate special outreach projects, host volunteer teams, distribute seasonal evangelistic materials, and impact East Asia friends, neighbors, and strangers for eternity. Pray that in the midst of all of the busyness, they will stay centered in Christ and joyous in their family life.

Numbers of Note


• 53,000 — Chinese babies sickened by tainted milk this fall.

• 470,000 — Tibetan herders to be settled in permanent houses.

• 09/27/08 — First time a Chinese astronaut walked in space.

East Asia Update

Volume 100: November 11, 2008

CHINA. The landscape seemed to have changed since the Christian worker had visited the earthquake survivors a few weeks earlier. On that visit shortly after the quake, he had shown a desperate mother how to make a rehydrating liquid for her sickly child and had led a man to Christ. On this follow-up visit to deliver a Bible to the new believer, he sensed that he was headed in the right direction, but was a bit disoriented. He urged his reluctant and uncomfortably opinionated driver along, while silently praying that they would find the way. When a lone motorcycle headed toward them, the driver stopped to ask for directions. The motorcyclist looked through the van window and said, "He is going to my house." Amazingly, it was a member of the very family that the Christian worker was trying to find.

CHINA. He was one of the first members of his deaf community to receive Christ, and he was faithful in sharing the Gospel with other deaf people. But when his job was phased out and he left town, his spiritual mentors had no idea how to reach him. Then the deaf believer suddenly reappeared at a weekend training session. Using sign language, he told the group that although he had been gone from them, he had been constantly with Christ. He had carried in his heart a dozen or so Bible stories that he had memorized soon after receiving Christ. "I remembered all of them!" he signed. "I knew about the Rock foundation on which my life was built. I knew about the Good Shepherd who looked after me when I was alone. I knew about Jesus being the only Way, Truth and Life. I knew how to talk to my God and petition Him for help." He is now busily expanding his collection of Bible stories. He has a lot more to learn, and a lot more to share.

CHINA. The American teenager was only 13-years old, but she knew that she had a story to tell. So when a great natural disaster befell the people that her family had come to serve, she was intent on going with her parents to minister in the area. One day she and a Christian lady had an opportunity to share the Good News with a non-Christian Chinese mother and her teenage daughter. The mother had heard previously about Jesus' death on the cross, but hadn't heard about His resurrection. Once they heard the complete story of His love and received some responses to their questions, both mother and daughter indicated their willingness to accept Christ. But the mom insisted that her daughter was too young to make such a drastic decision. "Well, I'm only 13-years old and I believe," said the bearer of the Good News. "When God gives you understanding, it doesn't matter how old you are." The point was taken and both mother and daughter prayed to receive Christ that day.

East Asia update

Jasmine Riden* is building relationships with a people group in southern China. "It is really easy to want to give up and go home," Riden said. When she feels like packing up and leaving she: 1. Refrains from pulling out her suitcases; 2. Asks her friends to remind her why she is there. What makes her stay is remembering why she came and what she is here to do: to tell this people group about saving grace. Riden and her friend's hope is to plant a church in every village in the seven counties. It is an ambitious dream, Riden said, one only the Father can accomplish. Read more about Riden's work in the Hard Places of China: http://easia.imb.org.

Jennifer's* first year in Asia has been tough and lonely as she tackles several new languages and looks for opportunities to share truth with members of an unreached people group. Recently, she had an opportunity to visit an area affected by China's massive earthquake. Along with some friends, she worked long hours in the hot sun to help locals move heavy loads and was pushed to use language to share the gospel with them. The experience of sharing in fellowship with others in a challenging environment also renewed her excitement to return to her people group. "I came back home excited not only about the work we did, but the other things that are going on in this country," said Jennifer. "I came home encouraged to keep pressing on in my isolated work, knowing that my new friends are all out there doing the same."

Showcasing East Asia: An "East Asia Peoples Summit" will be held on April 15-17, 2009 at Collierville First Baptist Church, Collierville, Tennessee. Connect with workers and regional leadership. Learn more about how you and your church can be involved in a practical and personal way. Watch for details in your inbox soon. Other ways you can help: • Pray specifically. Become a Priority Prayer Advocate for Zaozhuang or another unreached city in East Asia. Write to eaprayer@pobox.com in for details on Prayer Travels. • Volunteer. Come for a few weeks or few months to pray and serve along side our long-term workers. View requests: http://easia.imb.org/go • Come long-term. Is He stirring your heart to come for a few years or a lifetime? We would love to help you work through the process. E-mail gochina@imb.org.

Perhaps one of the most trying things about a city like Zaozhuang is how typical it is. It has little to make it stand out from other average cities in China, and has more than its share of pollution from the cement factories and coal refineries that ring the urban area. Members of the heavily populated working-class fill the streets as they commute on their bicycles, which outnumber cars 5 to 1. Each month we focus on a different unreached city or people on our Day of Prayer and Fasting. Join us as we lift up Zaozhuang November 11. Find specific requests for Zaozhuang on the web at: http://easia.imb.org/prayer-blog/zaozhuang-november-prayer/ Also, download the a .pdf with specific requests for Zaozhuang.

Our website has a new look with more resources for you! Check it out: http://easia.imb.org If you subscribe to our blogs and East Asia news feeds, you need to update your links: • All East Asia Feeds: http://easia.imb.org/feed/ • East Asia News: http://easia.imb.org/category/news/feed/ • East Asia Blogs: http://www.rssmix.com/u/40192/rss.xml

God is moving in amazing ways all over East Asia. Read more East Asia story on the web at http://easia.imb.org. Add the site to your favorites.

East Asia Update

Mending Shattered Dreams Measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale, it altered forever the lives of millions of Chinese people. The government statistics tell part of the story. 69,000 dead . . . 18,000 still missing . . . 5,500 children orphaned . . . 5 million homes destroyed . . . 15 million people evacuated . . . 35 "quake lakes" formed . . . 8911 aftershocks in the first 16 days. But only God can measure the number of tears shed, the agonizing screams of parents who lost their children in school collapses, the puzzlement of children suddenly orphaned, the numbers of Chinese people who walked for days to rescue their loved ones, the pain and fear of those who survived only to find that they lost so much. Only He can know of the prayers that were lifted up to Him by Christians all over the world who grieved as one with the Chinese people. Only He can mend the broken hearts and provide for the phenomenal physical needs of the survivors.

"On Monday, May 19, 2008, flights resumed from our town to Chengdu. It was exactly one week after the 8.0 earthquake had hit, rattling all of us who live in Sichuan Province. Approaching Chengdu from the mountains, it looked like it always does until we landed. The airport was full of military and transport planes bringing in supplies and troops. Time had run out for survivors still buried in the rubble, but there was still hope maybe just one more would be found. The military and medical personnel were still working round the clock. Reporters in the area frequently broke down in tears as they reported the news, but then so did the military and the medical personnel during interviews. On the way to the hotel, we saw the earthquake's impact on the emotional condition of Chengdu's residents. The whole of Chengdu looked like a colossal campout. There were few tents, but people were mainly camped out under tarps tied between trees. They had hauled out their beds and tables, pots and pans, and settled in. It's understandable. In the week since the main quake, there have been over 3000 aftershocks reported." Go to: http://easia.imb.org to read more of the journal » Change of Policies In response to a national outpouring of grief, China will waive its one-child policy for those who lost their only child in the earthquake. Many thousands of children were crushed to death in the 7,000 classrooms that fell on them when the quake struck. More than 10 million Chinese students took exams to compete for 6 million available college placements early this month. But for the 9,000 university hopefuls living in the earthquake areas, the exams were postponed. Summer Prayer Focus The long-awaited Beijing Summer 2008 Olympics will begin at 8:08 p.m. on 08/08/08. Pray that Christ's love can be shared effectively with many thousands of Chinese people during special events surrounding the international event. Hot summer weather always comes in combination with warm-hearted volunteers who take their vacation time and pay their own way to share Christ in locations throughout China. Pray for God's protection to be upon them, for His Spirit to lead them, and for Him to use them mightily. On the Web Go to http://easia.imb.org to • Follow the Olympic torch as it is routed through China cities. • Join in our Monthly Day of Prayer and Fasting. • Learn about East Asia volunteer opportunities.

EAST ASIA UPDATE

News

Hope for Japan
One of the most densely populated countries, Japan has adopted a Western lifestyle and accumulated wealth and technology. Yet Japanese are a traditional people who have everything they need, except the one thing they fear or resist accepting: a relationship with Jesus Christ. Japanese are driven by cultural rules handed down through the generations. “The nail that sticks its head up is the one that gets hit” goes a Japanese proverb. Another barrier to the Gospel is adherence to traditional animistic religions, although many Japanese have apathy rather than adherence to faith. Missionary Buddy Brents adds that the Japanese are “locked up in fear of what other people will think about them if they become a Christian.” Missionaries seek lost people through relational evangelism, joining sports, social and business groups.

The going is tough, but God is producing a harvest of Japanese souls

Pray

‘Yet-to-be believers’
He is truly a carpenter following a carpenter. Ima Oka has fashioned tables, cabinets and clocks for 33 years. Ten years ago he heard the Gospel, but only recently was his heart ready for treatment, in the same way Oka treats and matures his wooden creations. After prayerwalking the streets of Osaka, Japan, missionaries Bob and Gloria Gellerstedt encountered Oka in his woodshop and began weekly Bible study in his showroom. In just months, Oka accepted Jesus and was baptized on the shop’s second floor. Oka’s response to the Gospel was unusually quick for Japanese, who may take 40 or more years to come to faith after contact with the Gospel. “You just encourage people, and be patient with people,” says Carlton Walker, a veteran 25-year missionary in Japan. “We call them ‘yet-to-be believers.

CHINA UPDATE

CHINA. Three U.S. college students had experienced discouraging days of futile searching for an ethnic minority group. When they stopped at a noodle shop for lunch, they were encouraged to see a scripture calendar hanging on the wall. After they prayed over their meal, the owner quickly approached them to share that he too was a Christian. They asked about the minority group and found out that the man's house church had already led five members of the group to Christ. He made it clear that they didn't want training from the outside, but said that they did want Bibles in the heart language of the people. The need was conveyed to a Christian worker living in China. It took him a year and a half to secure the books and a 12-hour bus ride to deliver them. In the meantime, the group of five believers had grown to 40 and not only did they want Bibles, but training in how to grow. "That's what we're here for," said the worker. "That's what God has called us to do."

CHINA. Probably because of their advanced years, and most certainly because of their persistence, they were given an incredible opportunity by local authorities to share Christ in specific ethnic minority areas. The older couple had asked several times for permission to tell the local people about Jesus, and been denied. But on their final try, the doors were miraculously and mysteriously thrown open. It became apparent that God's spirit was at work when, in several villages, they shared the gospel with entire village populations assembled by village heads, and in one village, more than 50 persons accepted Christ over a period of several months.

CHINA. It took a long time for their neighbors to warm up to the American family. But after six years and a handful of new Christians, the family was finally able to establish the first church in the community where they lived. They had tried befriending the villagers, had prayed over the sick people in the villages, and had even hired some of them for a construction project. But nothing really impacted the people until, in the cold of winter, they distributed some quilts handmade by Christians in Minnesota. As best they can tell, that was the turning point for the ethnic minority group. Barriers were broken down and hearts began to open.