The image of God is still apparent in the Chinese people, but these tough times bring out the worst in the people’s sinful natures. I have focused all of my training, teaching, and church relationships on encouraging the church to be bold to evangelize and serve the sufferers.  It is only with the Gospel of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can redeem and change China. Please pray for the strength of my convictions and my faith and trust in Christ to be maintained and increased, and please pray for my family’s safety.

PRAYERS FOR THE FIELD

I wish I could say “Happy Chinese New Year” with a joyful heart, but unfortunately, I can’t be joyful when the people I serve are suffering.  Despite all the propaganda numbers posted by the authorities, the reality is that 80% of Chinese people are living in poverty or in danger of falling into poverty.  Most people have lost their jobs, and those who have jobs have had their salary cut by 20-50% or more.  In many places, even government workers have not been paid for many months.  Petty crimes have skyrocketed, and there are “revenge murders” (meaning the person has a bad life, so he’s taking others out with him) are happening more and more frequently.

What is the government’s solution?  The Central Government “stimulus” is not given to the people in need but to local governments and government-owned businesses and entities that destroyed the economy with their corruption in the first place!  Local governments are trumping up charges so they can fine people as much as possible. A local traffic policeman is told his daily mission is to write at least 30 tickets.  In the fourth quarter of the year, government tax revenue is significantly down, but overall revenue is up because of fines and other charges.  As you can imagine this made people’s lives worse off.  Private enterprises are being shaken down for money, and so are mom-and-pop shops.  There are four shopping malls around in my area and most of the stores are out of business.

My neighborhood looks like a ghost town. Death from starvation or illness is becoming commonplace. There was a recent incident where someone called 911 for an ambulance, and when it came, the crew asked for a $200 upfront payment; when the person that called said he didn’t have the money, they scorned him and told him, “Don’t call emergency services if you’re poor” and drove off.  The people here need many prayers.

Do not be fooled by the glamour of mega projects and skyscrapers or the top 1% flaunting their wealth.  People are suffering and dying.  The Chinese people are very resilient and can find ways to survive on very little. That’s the only reason why the nation hasn’t sunk into chaos, but without any meaningful changes, it’s only a matter of time before China sinks into chaos.

Despite this, we feel that we should stay and work with the people, especially the Church’s work of the Great Commission.  Many people have committed suicide in recent months, and even many church leaders and ministry workers have come to us and confided in us that they have suicidal thoughts because the struggle is too much for them. We don’t want to abandon them. Please pray that God would give us the wisdom to say encouraging words to their hearts and that we would have the courage to remain and serve His church and share the Word of the Gospel to transform society and the nation.

PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

As the nation suffers, it seems the government has relented from persecuting the churches (at least for the ones to which we are connected).  Churches that were under heavy surveillance have told me the police have left them alone.  Pastors that were under heavy scrutiny have told me they were able to travel and serve without interference from the authorities unlike at other times in recent years. I recently ordained a pastor in a meeting place that I knew was previously abandoned because the police had shut it down, and I was amazed when the ordination ceremony could now be held there. The locals said they could tell that the police have backed off from harassing churches and left them alone recently.  This may be a great blessing by God to mobilize the church to use the Gospel message for evangelism, healing hearts, and helping hopeless people to find hope in Christ.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

I never thought that homeless people would be visible in public, on the streets in China.  This is a big deal for China’s honor-shame culture. This would never have been allowed in the past and shows how critical the situation is that the government has given up trying to cover up the shame. Petty crimes are more frequent, and now to survive, people often try to scam one another.

Please do not read my report and think that Chinese people are evil, but in desperate times people do desperate things. The image of God is still apparent in the Chinese people, but these tough times bring out the worst in the people’s sinful natures. I have focused all of my training, teaching, and church relationships on encouraging the church to be bold to evangelize and serve the sufferers.  It is only with the Gospel of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can redeem and change China. Please pray for the strength of my convictions and my faith and trust in Christ to be maintained and increased, and please pray for my family’s safety.