God Opens Doors in China – Part 4

God Opens Doors in China – Part 4 

China has changed much since the 1975 ‘Love China’ congress that Brother Andrew, along with others, organized. Back then, the Bible was strictly forbidden and few Christians were biblically educated. Those who were zealous for Jesus received long jail sentences. Now, the Bible is widely available, except for certain poor areas.

Many urban Chinese churches have taken on the responsibility to bring the Bible to Christians living in rural areas. Lack of training also is not the case anymore. Most house church networks now have equipped pastors to teach new leaders at their own ‘Bible schools.’

A few Christians are still behind bars for their faith, but the new generation of Christians has not experienced persecution. Today, Christians in Tibet and those living in Muslim communities are the most severely persecuted groups in China. Among Muslim minority group there are only a few thousand believers; among Tibetans, even less. They find themselves trapped between the restrictions of the Chinese and local governments, and the prejudices of their communities and their families.

“The area is very closed, and the church is small and immature. The environment is hostile for any Christian who wants to live out his faith. Finding ways to strengthen the Church is going to be difficult,” shares an Open Doors worker in China.     

One With Them
Brother Andrew has a word of encouragement for Chinese Christians. “China has changed considerably since my first visit in 1965.The country was as closed as an oyster. Now the doors are wide open for the gospel. God has used our work to fuel one of the greatest revivals in human history. Searching for the most persecuted and helping them is not easy. There will be resistance. But if you pray in China, and we will pray in our countries, God will make it happen.”

One With Them CHALLENGE
Prayerfully consider joining in the spiritual battle with those suffering for Christ. Open Doors offers weekly prayer alerts, as a means for you to stay connected with all those around the world who, like you, are children of the One True King.

2013.06.05

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
(2 Thessalonians 1:4)

 

Purpose In Prison

 

Purpose In Prison Solomon, an Open Doors Africa co-worker, was assigned to visit Mozambique. He was to find out if there were many Christians in prison or labor camps during the communist regime of the mid-1970's. In the middle of his research, he was arrested himself. “In prison, all my possessions, including my Bible were taken from me. Then I was subjected to a cross-examination for six hours, after which I was thrown into a cell, exhausted. I had to sleep on a concrete floor without even a blanket.  “Knowing that my heavenly father would never forsake me, I directed all my attention to my fellow-prisoners. Although I still had to sleep on the floor, and was harassed by malaria, bugs and gnawing hunger, I tried to talk about my faith as much as possible. “I was given countless opportunities to preach to my companions. As I prayed for the sick, the Lord heard my prayers and healed them. It was of great support to my cellmates, and to me, to see His miracles. During my stay in prison, I led fifteen people to the Lord. “Unexpectedly, I found out that there were more Christians in prison than previously believed. One day it became clear to me why I had to be arrested; first to bring the message of salvation to the lost ones in prison; and second, to strengthen my fellow Christians who were in prison.” One With Them Do you find yourself in challenging and overwhelming circumstances today? Consider how you can use your situation to glorify God. Pray for the many Christians around the world, like Solomon, serving Christ in prison. And stand One With Them in finding Christ’s purposes whatever the circumstances.     2013.06.06

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Without Friends

Without Friends

Chanduri (not her real name), a native church worker, arrived with her young son to the Open Doors’ Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) workshop, a persecution-preparedness seminar.

Abandoned by her husband when she became a follower of Jesus Christ; life had become difficult for this young family. In their community of Monaragala, located in southwest Sri Lanka, Chanduri, and her son, were a minority. They didn’t know any other Christians, except the missionary pastor who converted them. Besides, being a Christian, she also suffered disdain for being a single mother.

“I didn’t have friends,” said Chanduri. “I won’t let my son play with most other kids because people treat us so differently. But during the SSTS seminar, I met other Christians. Being new [in faith], I didn’t know there were other Christian brothers and sisters serving in Monaragala. Knowing that I am not alone motivates me to serve the Lord even more. Also, my son made new friends! I have never seen him so happy before. He played with and enjoyed the company of these other children.”

Chanduri met eleven pastors during the SSTS workshop, including another pastor from Monaragala. “We are going through many struggles,” said this pastor. “But we thank the Lord for enabling us to attend this workshop. We are encouraged and strengthened. We are going back with new friendships and a renewed strength for the ministry.” 

One With Them
In cooperation with The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), who organized the event, the Open Door's SSTS workshop will be taught in seven other districts in Sri Lanka this year. The goal is to reach as many as 210 pastors and church workers, like Chanduri and these pastors, who are actively persecuted for their faith…but continue to serve. Be One With Them today!

2013.06.07

“In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven”
(Matt 5:16)

God Opens Doors in China – Part 3

God Opens Doors in China – Part 3 Yesterday, we read Paul Estabrooks’ testimony. Today, we continue his story. With a team of 30 volunteers, Paul Estabrooks managed to get 30,000 small pocket-sized New Testaments into 60 suitcases. Each bag contained 500 Bibles and weighed 100 pounds. Estabrooks was grateful that so many were willing to go, and that the suitcases could hold so many books! Covered in prayer, the volunteers crossed the border into China countless times. “A few couriers were caught over the ten days, but nobody was arrested,” Estabrooks says. God’s providence boosted the confidence of the Chinese Christians – believing that He could do anything! Eventually Mama Kwang decided to go even bigger and boldly asked for a million Bibles. “Impossible,” she was told. Unwavering, she folded her hands. “You pray. And we will pray. God will make it happen.” On a hot night in August, a team was assembled to do the impossible. As Estabrooks boarded the barge to head for China, he thought to himself: “We do not need just a miracle; we need a million miracles!” Traveling in the direct path of a typhoon, the barge, heavy with a million Bibles, set out for the mainland China. “When we anchored, the Bibles were towed in tugboats towards the beach. It was the most beautiful sight,” recalls Estabrooks. Under the cover of darkness the boats arrived safely at the appointed beach where thousands of Chinese Christians were waiting to receive the precious books. However, also waiting were police officers. Intercepting several loads the officers threw them back into the sea. Many drifted back to shore. Christians, who hadn’t originally been involved, rushed to gather them. That night the impossible… was possible! One With Them Called Project Pearl, in just one night, Christians in China received one million Bibles. It is reported that China now has 80 to 100 million believers. Was the turning point having a million copies of God's Word distributed? Only God knows. Be One With Them today in praise and rejoicing for God's miracles told to us through Scripture, through the story of Project Pearl, and through the story of your life. One With Them CHALLENGE Paul Estabrooks wrote a book about Project Pearl titled ‘Night of a Million Miracles.’ Get your copy; and as you read this story of Project Pearl, be reminded that God is Sovereign, that nothing is too hard for Him, and that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do! 2013.06.04

And the LORD turned to him [Gideon] and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you? (Judges 6:14) Remind yourself of all the details of how used Gideon to bring about an end to the Midianites rules over the Israelites. Read Judges chapters 6 and 7.

God Opens Doors in China – Part 2

God Opens Doors in China – Part 2   Yesterday, we read Brother Andrew’s testimony regarding spreading the gospel in China. Today, we hear from Paul Estabrooks. “Do you have any Bibles? We are in desperate need of Bibles. Next time when you come, you have to bring me Bibles,” a Chinese Christian said to an astonished Paul Estabrooks. Working at that time for Far East Broadcasting, Estabrooks was surprised that this lady dared to speak to him about the forbidden book. “I don’t know if I can even come back. Perhaps they will refuse me a visa next time.” Auntie Esther was not fazed. “You will come back. God will make it happen.” Two years later, Estabrooks found himself at the border. “It was a scary entry. There were no x-rays; instead my suitcase would be hand-searched. I made sure I had something with me to distract them. I took along a calculator that played a tune when you pressed a button. The Bibles weren’t discovered and I could take them to Esther.” During the early years of Bible delivery Chinese Christians did not ask for anything else – only God’s Word. What started out as just a few deliveries, quickly turned into other opportunities. Estabrooks began to travel the country, together with Chinese co-workers, to secretly connect with local Christians. In 1979, Mama Kwang, a Chinese Christian, approached Open Doors with a daunting request. “We need 35,000 New Testaments. Can you bring them to us?” The Open Doors team didn’t think it was possible considering the small number of Bibles that had been smuggled so far. “You pray,” Mama Kwang told them. “And we will pray. God will make it happen.” Tomorrow we continue with Estabrooks’ testimony… and God’s provision! One With Them Can you imagine your walk with the Lord without a Bible? There are still many places around the world where Christians need Bibles. Open Doors delivered more than 2.4 million Bibles and other types of Christian literature last year alone. Please thank God today for His provision as you stand One With Them who do not yet have their own Bible. 2013.06.03

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

God Opens Doors in China – Part 1

God Opens Doors in China – Part 1 When Open Doors’ founder Brother Andrew returned home to Holland, he was extremely discouraged. The year was 1965. He had just visited Chairman Mao’s China. It was a miracle that he received a visa and could even take along a stack of Bibles. But, while there, he did not meet one dedicated Christian, nor was there anyone interested in receiving a free copy of God’s Word. Brother Andrew was not deterred though. At the time he knew little about the Chinese Church, which probably had only a few million members scattered throughout China. One year after Brother Andrew’s visit, Mao launched his infamous Cultural Revolution. Only government churches were allowed. Illegal house churches were fiercely persecuted; many Christians suffered in jails and labor camps; torture and killings were common. Brother Andrew began to connect with others around the world that shared a passion to bring the gospel to China. In 1975, Brother Andrew and his network organized a conference they called ‘Love China.’ “Jesus had to be the center of that conference”, he says. “We were not anti-communist, but pro-Jesus.” Brother Andrew firmly believes that the conference was a turning point in China’s history. A year later Mao Zedong died and China’s extreme persecution gradually decreased. Finally, the door to reach China with the gospel was ajar. Tomorrow, we will continue with Brother Andrew’s testimony regarding the spreading of the gospel in China. One With Them Maybe you approached a friend or family member with the gospel and they rejected it. Have you remained in prayer for them? Could it be that God will provide you another opportunity with them? As you prayerfully consider telling someone the Good News, please stand One With Them in China, and throughout the world, where believers share our faith but not our freedom. Thank God for the opportunities you have to tell others about Him, and what He has done, and is doing, in your life. One With Them CHALLENGE Consider getting a copy of God's Smuggler, the story of Brother Andrew and the beginnings of the Open Doors ministry. Sold over 10 million copies, it is "required reading" in some Christian schools and homeschool environments – an ageless classic that continually reveals new insights. Order yours today.  2013.06.02

I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Revelations 3:8)

A Trial For New Believers

A Trial For New Believers Kapono (alias) was excited about his new faith, a faith he now shared with his family. Learning to live as Christ followers in the country of Laos, where most follow Buddhism, was not easy. Just two weeks, after making the most important decision of their lives, they returned from church to face the hostility of cousins and neighbors. Forced out of the village and robbed of their cow, Kapono’s family lost their land and livelihood in an instant. Taking refuge with a Christian friend in a nearby village, the brand new believers wondered how this could have happened. Laos is unique. Living in one of the few remaining Marxist-Leninist countries that also follow Theravada Buddhism, Laotians consider being Lao synonymous with being Buddhist. Christians who do not participate in traditional festivities and ceremonies face Buddhist aggression. Evangelism is effectively prohibited on the grounds it would create social division. Families see Christianity as breaking family unity. The majority of Christians in Laos are from tribal backgrounds. Those who accept Jesus face severe persecution. No longer willing to purchase incense, flowers and other trinkets used in Buddhist worship, Christians are targeted, mostly by animists and spiritists whose trade is threatened by conversions. One With Them Stand one with Kapono and other Christians in Laos who risk losing their families, and livelihoods, when they turn to faith in Christ. One With Them CHALLENGE As you pray, if you feel led to help Open Doors minister to persecuted families, please visit the Open Doors website and consider donating for vocational and literacy training. 2013.06.01

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)