From our International Director

Posted on 31 May 2010.

In Yushu Earthquake, you can read about the response made by some of our in-China workers to the devastating events caused by the earthquake in the Yushu area of Qinghai province. It has been such an encouragement and blessing to read their reports over the last few weeks.

Amidst so much pain, it is wonderful to know that these colleagues are in the right place. Indeed, in response to a full report recently, James Goss and I replied at the same time with the same verse to them: "And who knows whether you are not come to the kingdom for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14).

The original story is well known. Queen Esther has a unique opportunity to approach King Ahasuerus to plead for the rescue of her people, the Jews. There is risk to do so, because the king has not called her and she might face his anger because of that. But she goes because she knows her people are in dire danger. The rest, as they say, is history.

How wonderful it is that that Scripture is also true of many in the Chinese church and also many of our other co-workers. Lives guided by the loving Hand of God to make a difference in the situations pressing down on other people. Just being there at the right time to make that difference - by practical help and service given to helpless and underprivileged folk. That might be by an act of mercy; or by placing Bible teaching books in the hands of untaught believers; or by testifying by life and word in a business context or an English teaching role, or as a student; or by the hidden ministry of prayer. Different ministries, but the same key - lives willing to be in the right place at the right time.

Spend some time again asking the Lord if you are in the right place for Him to use you.

Paul talks of being hindered in what he felt God was asking him to do. Pray for Chinese church brothers and sisters that the door would be opened to help them be in the right place at the right time.

Pray also that God would raise up Esthers for the church in high places in China, to stand against those who mean harm to the people of God and want to bring in bad policies to that end.