Working Overseas

Posted on 22 June 2010.

The number of Chinese citizens officially registered as working overseas had increased from 657,000 in 2006 to 740,000 by the end of 2008. The real figure, including those who have not registered, is quite possibly in the millions.

Yet stories are coming in from a number of countries of the dangers faced by these workers. During May, separatist militants in Yemen kidnapped three Chinese oil company workers in an apparent move to pressure authorities in a local criminal dispute. In March, seven Chinese were abducted from two fishing boats off Cameroon by a group called the Africa Marine Commando. Other reports tell of the hijacking of a Chinese boat by Somali pirates, robbers poured boiling water on three Chinese workers in Angola (just one of a spate of violent attacks on Chinese expatriates there), and attacks on Chinese workers in Guinea.

Living overseas in a very different culture can be a real challenge to these Chinese workers, even if they are not facing explicit danger. Yet their time in a foreign country can also provide a good opportunity for Chinese people to see God's love in action through local Christian believers.

Last year AM-CCSM's Australian Director James Goss shared how God had been at work among a number of Chinese who came to work in Western Australia. He told us: "Some time ago one of our regular supporters decided to befriend some of these Chinese and offer them English lessons. This has now spread to many others and they have begun asking to hear more about his Christian faith. An arrangement was made to hold a Chinese banquet, which 25 Chinese people attended, and for the first time many of them heard and were touched by the message of God's love. From this small beginning, plans are underway to begin weekly home meetings where these Chinese men and women can hear the Word of God in Mandarin and grow in their faith before returning to China when their visas expire."

Could it be that God has brought Chinese to your area so that you can begin to pray for them and reach out to them in practical ways with the love of Jesus? Could it be that His ultimate purpose in bringing them to your country was that you could have the joy of partnering with Him to see them brought into His Kingdom?

Pray for protection for Chinese people working overseas who face dangerous situations.

Pray for God's help for all the Chinese who are having to adapt to working overseas in a new environment and culture.

Pray that more Chinese working overseas might have the opportunity to hear, understand and respond to the truth of the Gospel.

Pray that more Christian believers would catch a vision for reaching out to Chinese people working in their neighbourhood. Ask God if you have a part to play in this.