China - Bibles changing lives
27/04/06 - Rural Chinese receive Bibles
In isolated rural areas of China, where Bibles are unobtainable and the people are forgotten, Open Doors is providing Scripture portions to help dedicated and hard-pressed Chinese Christians to spread the Word.
One province along the isolated north-west border of China is devoid of crops, industry and even trees, and there isn’t enough grass growing on the sandy, rocky soil to sustain livestock. But seeds of hope are being planted as Bible books are distributed and passed on from person to person. A single book can reach as many as 100 people. One recipient said, “My people haven’t rejected Jesus: they have just never heard of Him.”
Below, a Chinese Christian shares two stories from this area in his own words:
‘A widow, perhaps in her seventies, sat on a rock in front of her door. She lives in poverty and often she cries out, “My son, my son, I am waiting for you, my son. You haven’t come back for months. My eyes are ruined, watery and sore; but for you, my dear son, I’ve kept my last little lamb, so when you return, we can celebrate.”
When I passed the old woman’s house a second time, she was again sitting on the same rock. She didn’t know her age or what minority ethnic group she was from, but she spoke three dialects of Chinese. We talked, and I prayed with her and for her eyes.
A week later we went back to visit her. She was sitting on the same rock saying, “My son, my son…"
I brought some bread and other food for her, so she invited me into her house. Inside it was very dark with no windows. She has only one bowl, a set of chopsticks, a tea pot and a cooking tool. She has nothing, yet she gives me a bowl of dirty water from her dirty pot.
I offered the old woman a copy of a book on Genesis, one about Moses, and a small one on the life of Jesus. As I opened the book about Jesus and turned to the page with Jesus on the cross, she jumped up and leapt about crying, “When I was young, I believed in this! I knew Jesus!”
“I was living on the border near Russia. Some foreigners from the border came to teach us and they gave us this book.”
This old dear suddenly had strength I had not seen before as she continued jumping about her little room, a huge toothless grin across her face, calling out excitedly and pointing to Jesus on the cross on the open page!
Some months later, I went back to visit her to give her more books. She was in the same place, but this time I felt more comfort and peace, because we prayed together. I am assured that she remembers her Saviour Jesus and her confession prayer from her youth. One day when she dies, I know she is going to be embraced by our Lord.
‘Golden’ opportunity
My first contact with 'Mr Gold' was about eight years ago. He was a Muslim and Communist party secretary. Because Mr Gold was in an impressive government uniform, I was hesitant to take out the Christian literature in my bag, but I told myself, “I have to be bold; this is what I am here for!”
I took a portion of Genesis and a portion of New Testament out of my bag, holidng them with both my hands – an act of respect – and presented one to him.
I said, “This is for you, your children and grandchildren.” My heart was pounding as I talked to him and I had no idea what that old weather-beaten face was thinking!
Then he asked, “Is this for me – really?” In a flash he swiped the book from my hands and hid it inside his uniform jacket. He said with eyes raised to heaven, “This is gold!”
I have called him 'Mr Gold' ever since.
When I went to visit him a week later, he asked me, “Where have you been? The book you gave me was wonderful, but I need more…”
On my later visits I had to sit sometimes for an hour while he retold me what he was learning. At times, he humbly stopped and asked, “Am I correct?” Whenever a visitor or relative dropped in, the guests were given local bread and tea; and then Mr Gold would start to tell them in exact detail what he was learning from each page. I would slip away and leave him to it.
I taught him and his entire family from the Bible over two months, until God’s Spirit showed him the reason for and necessity of Christ’s death on the cross. He then prayed in his own tongue and simply repented all his sins and asked forgiveness. I didn’t understand all his words, but his face showed great joy and release.
Then he explained it all to his wife and she also prayed. After that, he went to his eldest son, and then his other children and took them through the same process.
As I made my way back along the rocks and little paths, I thanked God for the chance to live out here and receive so much help from you. Without your help I could not live here and visit so many little homes and bring them the Word of life!
Soon after, I fell ill and had to leave China; but when I returned to visit Mr Gold and his family in July 2005, they were really happy to see me.
I asked him, “Are you willing to receive water baptism?” Mr Gold replied, “Yes! Yes!”
It is hard to find enough water in such a dry place – yet we did. The family was baptised.
Mr Gold was first. He glowed and while still dripping wet (they were too poor to own towels), he was loudly exclaiming, “Jesus is God!” He was so joyful, as was his wife!
After his baptism, Mr Gold went to visit a relative in hospital. There he shared about his faith in Jesus with many of the patients and later with his three brothers.
I asked him how he came to Christ. He said it was only because someone took time to tell him about Jesus and give him Scripture portions. He has a deep reverence for God and His Word, and now he is witnessing to others.’
Last year, Open Doors International delivered more than 3.6 million Bibles and pieces of Christian literature to China and trained more than 8,600 Christian workers in teaching, leadership and evangelism.
Open Doors UK and Ireland continues its seven-year prayer campaign for China which culminates with the 2008 Beijing Olympics and runs fundraising events such as the September 2006 trek along China’s Great Wall. To find out more, go to www.opendoorsuk.org or phone 01993 885400.
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1,146 words.
Background:
Open Doors works with Christians in China to provide minority language literature. Examples of ethnic minority groups needing literature include the Uyghur (wee-gurr), numbering 9 to 10 million people in China. They are the largest ethnic group without a Bible in their own language. Another group is the 'Little Flower' Miao group from northern Yunnan and northern Guizhou. They have a Christian background, but many no longer understand what it means to be a Christian because Scripture portions in their language are no longer available from the Three-self churches. The Mongolian group also lacks Bibles in the Mongolian language.
For other articles/press releases on the Persecuted Church, go to: http://www.opendoorsuk.org.uk/press/articles/ http://www.opendoorsuk.org.uk/press/releases/ http://www.opendoorsuk.org/media_photos/world_watch_list_pics/html/index.htm
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