CHINA - Revival in need of spiritual sustenance
10/05/06 - the experiences of a Bible courier
Despite enormous strides forward in religious freedom in China, it is still in the top 10 countries on Open Doors' Worldwatch List of countries with the worst persecution of Christians. With 1.3 billion inhabitants and 60–80 million Christians, China’s church has experienced the greatest revival in the history of the world. Yet vast numbers of Christians have no Christian teaching materials, study Bibles or in some rural areas, any kind of Bible at all. This church is vulnerable to false teachings and cults which often target uninformed or new Christians.
In addition, during 2005, a massive crackdown took place on house churches throughout China in which thousands of Christians were arrested. A few are still in prison, particularly those who have been involved in unsanctioned Christian literature distribution.
Last year, Open Doors delivered 3.6 million Bibles and Christian literature into China, to help strengthen this fast-growing church. Bible deliveries often happen through volunteer Bible couriers - ordinary men and women like Esther Davenport who recalls the sense of inadequacy that overcame her when she first contemplated the task:
“Within me I could hear a laughing, scornful voice saying, 'Look at the size of you – five feet tall, weighing only seven stone four pounds, with no sense of direction. How can you possibly carry heavy packs of Bibles into foreign countries around the world?’”
Yet, eight years later, Esther has published a book with stories of her many travels.
Sometimes her efforts to bring Bibles across the border ended in seemingly dismal failure, but never without a greater and more wonderful purpose being achieved as a result. Esther describes one such incident when her precious cargo of confiscated books was returned to her as she left China:
“Here I am, kneeling on the floor of the customs hall, packing up my fallen Bibles. I feel in defeat, I feel a failure. I can’t even get one Bible across the border.
"As I looked up, I saw the smiling face of a young Chinese woman polishing the floor in front of me. Before I knew what I was doing, I had reached into the bag and taken out a Bible. I opened it and looked up at her. She looked down and began to read. Her hand flew to her throat, her mouth opened in amazement, her eyes shone and I saw in her face an overwhelming sense of joy.
"Obviously a Christian, she was ecstatic and incredulous that she was being offered such a gift.
"Then I saw fear leap into her eyes as she looked quickly to the right and to the left to see if anyone was watching her. She was very frightened, knowing the repercussions of taking a Bible from a foreigner, but she wanted the Bible so badly that her need overcame her fear.
"‘Thank you, thank you’ she whispered. She left as quickly and silently as she arrived.”
The next day, Esther was able to safely re-deliver her cargo of books.
Despite the difficulties, the pressure and the sheer hard work, Esther returned time and again to China lugging heavy suitcases bulging with Bibles, miraculously meeting Christian contacts who were able to smooth her passage through arduous border crossings and the scrupulous gaze of customs officers.
Esther describes how one young Christian customs officer was able to intervene as her stash of Bibles was discovered, and ensure that both Esther and her Bibles made it safely to a taxi:
“Taking hold of my hand he said, in a low voice so the driver could not hear, ‘Please, please you must come back and bring more Bibles.’
"I looked into that gentle, smiling face and said: ‘Brother, I promise you I will come back and bring more Bibles. God bless you, brother.’"
Esther also describes a more typical, smooth delivery: “The lorry came to a halt alongside us; two men leapt from the front seats and ran to the rear of the truck. There was a sense of urgency about the whole proceeding. Within seconds all the luggage is on board. Then a hand grabbed my hand and I was looking into a beaming face, seeing a shock of straight, jet-black hair, coal-dark almond-shaped eyes smiling into mine. I hear the words 'God bless you.'”
During another delivery, the Bible recipients broke with protocol and requested prayer:
“As it was at his request, the four of us stood with this young man and, with our eyes open, we prayed for him, his safety, for China and all its people.
"When we had finished praying, he took the hand of each of us, shook it and said 'God bless you, sister.'” We blessed him in return. Then he leapt into the car, with the driver moving away before the door had closed.”
This coming year, Open Doors UK and Ireland, along with Open Doors' bases worldwide, will be sending Bible couriers to China.
ODUKI also 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 or get copies of Esther’s book, contact Open Doors UK & Ireland, phone 01993 885400, visit www.opendoorsuk.org or e-mail info@opendoorsuk.org
Ends. 892 words.
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
Check out our Recent Reports on persecution from around the world. They are updated several times a week, to keep you ‘in the know’: