International News from Our Bases Around the World

Posted on 30 April 2009.

Updates from our bases around the world. Please choose your region: Australia Canada New Zealand Malaysia Singapore South Africa United Kingdom United States

Australia

As I write this in early April, the Australian treasurer has now acknowledged that the recession in Australia is inevitable, despite the government's attempts to avoid this with its economic stimulus package. Some economists view China's increased investment in Australia's resources sector as the means to avoid the severe economic problems facing other nations. While other economists agree, they argue that the long term consequences of this decision could jeopardize Australia's future export markets and security. Whatever the decision of the Foreign Investment Review Board, Australia has seen a significant downward trend in trade with China over the past few months, along with substantially reduced prices for commodities as well as a decline in the strength of A$. The impact of this has already been felt by many Australian and Chinese families with increased unemployment, pay cuts and reduced working hours.

Reflecting upon this situation recently, I felt somewhat helpless as I sensed the pain that families are experiencing. Then I was thankful to be reminded by the Lord that the impact of our prayers is not subject to market fluctuations, mankind's greed, the strength of our currency, or any other factors that have contributed to the current global economic crisis.

The time of drought and famine that Elijah faced was far greater than we could ever imagine, but James 5:16-18 (‘Message' version) reminds us that, "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, was human just like us, and prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't - not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again."

Friends, let us be encouraged that, though we live in turbulent and uncertain times, the impact of our prayers is "something powerful to be reckoned with." During our last prayer meeting for China, I felt impressed that as Christians we are not simply readers of history, but history makers! Through our prayers, we can bring to earth God's Kingdom purposes throughout China in the same way that the prayers of Elijah did for the nation of Israel (see 1 Kings 18). These are the worst times but in many ways the best times for God to be revealed. As He reminded Mary through the angel Gabriel, "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). My prayer for each one of us is that God would so increase our faith to believe Him to do the impossible in China.

Some encouraging news is that over the past couple of months we have seen a couple of new groups in Sydney added to our regular prayer meetings across Australia. Both of these are Mandarin-speaking groups. Our desire is to see 100 of these groups praying regularly for China and the ministry of AM-CCSM.

Let me express my thanks and sincere appreciation to so many folk who prayed and encouraged me during my recent illness. Although I have a little way to go for a full recovery, I am considerably better than I was three months ago when following surgery I felt I was on my way to heaven. Although I thought I had my theology all worked out in regard to pain, suffering and injustice, I discovered that, when it happened to me, it was found lacking. God in His grace allowed me to have some personal tuition to assist me.

Yours together in His love for China,
James Goss

Pray that God would increase our faith so that, like Elijah, when we pray, we would expect to see God do the impossible, so that others might see this and glorify God.

Pray that, despite the economic downturn, we would see the Church of Jesus Christ across Australia defy the trend and see more people praying, giving and going for China.

Thank God for the additional prayer groups and pray that He would speak to more folk across Australia about holding a regular prayer group for China and the ministry of AM-CCSM.

 

Canada

Dear Praying Friends,

I am writing this just before leaving for China and am pleased to be able to say that at long last I can see grass - it seems to have been a long winter. By the time you receive this I will be back from my trip and you will all be gearing up for the summer. I am excited by this trip because I will be meeting with some of the recipients of the Bibles that CCSM Canada has been able to purchase. Also on my return we will resume our prayer breakfast in Fergus - come along if you can. You can contact Ian (see below) for details.

To update you on the Bible project, we have been able to supply 5,000 Bibles so far from the generous donations of Canadian supporters. At long last we are able to make a serious contribution to help meet the needs of the house church in China and the churches in China are very glad to receive these precious books from us. We bought 2,000 Bibles during the middle part of last year and have purchased a further 3,000 so far this year. I say so far because we are less than half way through the year. At our board meeting in December one of the board suggested that we pray that we would be able to raise $250,000 this year towards the work in China. Most of us looked a little shocked, but then we also looked shocked when we were encouraged to pray for $25,000 last March to buy Bibles for China. Through your giving, we were able to meet that goal and ended up with $26,000 towards Bibles last year. I cannot emphasise enough how appreciative the people I have spoken to in China are of the Bibles we supplied. So I would like to present the challenge to you that the Lord gave us in the December meeting: Can we raise $250,000 for work in China this year? Please pray with us and help achieve this goal.

Another piece of news is that Ian Clark, a friend of mine, has been volunteering with the ministry since January. He has now settled into the work very well. He encourages, strengthens and lifts me up each week as he comes along and takes quite a load off me. Please pray for him too!

April teams had to be cancelled this year as there were so few applicants. Please pray that Canadians will rise to that challenge too and register for a short-term team this summer or fall. If you are interested in coming along with us, drop me or Ian an email and we will send you details of the teams taking place.

As we celebrate the fact that CCSM Canada has been able to play its part in helping to serve the Church in China, please continue to pray that we will play an even bigger part in the months to come.

John Dolman

Give thanks to the Lord for the 5,000 Bibles that are now in China because of the generous giving of supporters in Canada. Pray for the Lord to work mightily as Chinese believers study His Word.

Remember the challenge the Lord gave us in December to raise $250,000 for the work in China and pray that into being. Pray that CCSM Canada would be able to play a vital role in serving the church in China.

Pray for Ian Clark as he volunteers for the ministry each week.

Pray for Canadians to rise to the challenge and join one of this year's short-term teams.

 

New Zealand

Recently the Lord has been saying to me that people are more important than things. I am not quite sure exactly what He is trying to get through to me, but I do acknowledge this as being a very core truth of the Gospel. Certainly in CCSM and the ministry to the Church in China this must be our foremost motivation. People in China, both in the Church and outside it, are hurting, many in very extreme ways. We do thank you for your support, your prayers and donations. Without them we cannot help; with them we can help in very real ways. We understand that times are getting tougher, but do you realise that we can print books for only $2 each? So every little counts. Not only do the teaching books and Bibles help Christians to live and order their lives, but your support shows them that others care, a very real demonstration of the Body of Christ in action.

This year we are looking to make the ministry of CCSM more widely known in New Zealand. To this end we would dearly love to see more people involved with us in the New Zealand office. We are particularly looking to become registered as a charity in NZ, as CCSM is in other countries where we work. We are also looking for a marketing person who can help us, that is someone who can help us promote the ministry in a wider way; this is highlighted on the CCSM website. If you would like to get involved, please contact us, either by phone or email. Perhaps you could pray with us for this need to be met.

If you have a heart for China and the Chinese, as I assume you have if you are receiving this, then please prayerfully consider going into China on a short-term team. Truly this can be a life-changing experience and the need for teams is still strong. Perhaps you don't feel you can go; then maybe you can sponsor someone who would love to go? Perhaps you can send your pastor on the pastors' team in October; the pastors have a wonderful time, see many aspects of the work, and usually have the opportunity to meet with house church believers.

J and R have had a difficult start to the year, but as you read this, they should be back in China with the children they look after. Please pray for them, for health and strength, and for the right people to come forward to work with them both, ex-pat and Chinese. Please pray too for their support to be forthcoming, with harder times for everyone.

We do thank you for supporting us with prayers and finance over the years and want you to know that you are valued; in fact without you there would be no ministry.

Many blessings,
Sue

Please pray for J & R as they seek to pick up their work among the disabled after a time of health problems.

Please pray for the NZ office. Pray that we will find the people God wants involved with us.

Please pray about what your part in this ministry should be - prayer, support, giving, going.

Above all please pray for the Church in China and her many needs.

 

Malaysia

"God's work done in God's way shall not lack God's supply." - J. Hudson Taylor

As we look at the global economic situation, it is clear to see that we are in a recession. I am sure that you, like me, have had to take a serious look at your finances and have probably had to make cut backs in certain areas. We are certainly feeling the results of the recession as we see donations slowing down. Our workers in China are feeling the pressure of the cutbacks and the falling exchange rate. The printing of books will be hit by the rise in the cost of paper and the fall in the exchange rate.

It could seem all doom and gloom as we hear about these things, but we need to remind ourselves of the words of the great Hudson Taylor: "God's work done in God's way shall not lack God's supply." As we continue to do the work that the Lord has put before us, we are confident that His work will not lack His supply. With your help we press on with our target of printing one million books. We press on to serve the poor and needy in China and we will continue to provide opportunities for people to join teams.

Teams: Now is the time for you to be applying to join our teams in the summer and autumn. Why not step out and serve the people of China by joining one of the teams this summer? We have courier, mercy and intercession teams going to China in July and we would love to have you join us. Please contact the office for further details.

Visits: Help spread the good news of the work that the Lord is doing in China. Would you like someone from CCSM to come to your church and share about the work in China? Contact the office to arrange a visit.

Teaching in China: Please pray for ‘C' (name withheld for security) as he travels to China in the first two weeks of this month. He will be teaching in house churches in three different cities. Please pray for safety and good health and that the Lord would really use him.

DVD: We continue to press on with distributing the Chinese version of David Pawson's DVD series of ‘Unlocking the Bible'. We will be copying and distributing the whole series all over China this year. We have had a tremendous response to the New Testament and we look forward to providing the whole Bible to churches in China.

Preaching: Ross Paterson will be speaking at SS Methodist Church on 10 May.

Pray that the Lord would continue to supply to meet the needs in China.

Pray for finance for the printing of books.

Pray about whether you should join a team this year.

Pray for ‘C' as he teaches the house churches in China.

Pray for the David Pawson DVDs, that they will reach millions of people in China.

Pray for Ross Paterson as he speaks in Malaysia in May.

 

Singapore

In Singapore, as elsewhere in the world, the news every day is all about how bad the economy is, and that the worst is yet to come. In the midst of this avalanche of ‘gloom and doom', it is heartening to hear from our supporters how God is working in their lives.

A brother is doing wonderful work with new believers in China. He writes to say that there is an urgent need for Bibles and study material. Another brother makes yearly trips to China, meeting the local believers. He shares that he has been able to minister and be ministered to by the brethren there.

There are others who are working with the many mainland Chinese workers here in Singapore. Some do this through their church and others are doing their part individually. We have been encouraged when someone walks into our office and shares such news with us.

And in the current climate of downsizing and salary cuts, we have been blessed by supporters' testimonies of God's goodness and provision. In these times of financial crisis, we must remember that God is still sovereign. We are truly thankful that you, our supporters, continue to stand with us in prayer and in faithful giving to the work of this ministry.

We want to encourage you to take time and think about how you can be more involved in serving our brothers and sisters in China. Why not join one of our many short-term teams scheduled for this year? Singaporeans who have gone on previous missions trips would surely agree that these trips affect them profoundly. It creates a greater awareness of the needs of those who are less fortunate, a greater sensitivity. And irrespective of individual experiences, it causes one to count the blessings in one's own life.

We are sad to announce that Nina Lee has now moved on from her role in Antioch Missions in Singapore. We are grateful to the Lord for her years of service for China. Please remember her in prayer as she retrains for social work service. We are seeking to replace her with someone gifted in the development aspects of the ministry to China.

Ross Paterson will be speaking in Singapore on May 3rd at Cornerstone, and then at the Tung Ling School of Leadership on May 4th -5th.

We thank you, one and all, for your continued support and prayers. We earnestly pray that the Lord will bless and guide you and use you to further His Kingdom.

Please pray for those who are reaching out to the Chinese, both in China and the mainland Chinese workers in Singapore. Pray that those who are hungry and thirsty will be fed with His Word.

Pray for God's provision and protection in these uncertain times. Pray that the many who may be affected by the financial crisis will learn to trust God and be strengthened in their faith.

Please prayerfully consider going on one of our short-term teams in the coming months. Ask the Lord for directions and guidance.

Please pray for Nina Lee and her future; and for the right person to come forward to replace her.

Pray for Ross Paterson's visit to Singapore in May.

 

South Africa

Greetings from your SA Base! Sister Ruth was known as ‘The Fruitful Leader'. She was a wife, mother of four children (one of whom died at the hands of China's public security bureau), leader of hundreds of house churches, and an encourager to many house church leaders. She had been imprisoned and horribly persecuted over and over again for her faith and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. She was continually distressed at the shortage of Bibles for the fast-growing churches and wrote a special chorus to articulate their need:

Lord, send a Bible, for that's Your gracious light,
True light and teaching and the bread of life.
I know for sure that Your word will lead me home,
Brighten the way all through my journey home.

Sister Ruth's group of churches later became the main recipients of the one million Chinese Bibles delivered through ‘Project Pearl'! Brother David's coded message to let them know about the delivery of the small red New Testaments was: "Apples on the way!"

We would like to encourage churches with a wonderful testimony. Last September we were given the opportunity to speak at a church in Cape Town about what God is doing through the ministry of AM-CCSM. The pastor, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, took a step of faith and committed the church to supplying 1000 Bibles for our brothers and sisters in China - at a cost of R25,000! God acknowledged this step of faith by bringing it to fruition - despite this difficult economical climate. The pastor and his wife delivered the cheque personally and, what more can we add, but "apples on the way" from SA! We trust you will rejoice with us that this church, who also have needs of their own, responded to the needs of our brothers and sisters in China.

Will you also be challenged by the response of that church? AM-CCSM's target for 2009 is to print one million Christian teaching books - will you partner with us in reaching this target? Will you pray about joining one of our short-term teams in July/August or October? Perhaps you can consider joining our Antioch School of Missions for a year? Is God preparing you for something that is going to cost you? Dare to trust Him! Please contact us should you require prayer in this regard or further information.

As China increases its venture into Africa on the economic and diplomatic front, may the church in Africa be challenged to an even greater degree to consider our level of involvement in responding to the needs of our brothers and sisters in China. This is our responsibility as the church. God has given us His mandate.

Richest blessings,
Richard and Bernice

Praise the Lord for the 1000 Bibles and ask for His blessing upon the church here in SA that provided them.

Praise the Lord for those who give faithfully towards Bibles, literature and administration each month, so that the work in China and here in SA can continue. Some make anonymous donations. We thank you and pray God's blessing upon you.

Pray that others would dare to trust God in His leading, whether it be in giving, serving on a short-term team or taking the plunge and joining the Antioch School of Missions.

Pray for ‘D' as he enters his last three months of ASM inside China. Pray that he would have clarity concerning God's call on his life.

Pray for Richard and Bernice as they run the base. Pray for God's continued provision there. They are also beginning Chinese language studies. Pray for much needed help!

 

UK

"God's work done in God's way shall not lack God's supply." - J. Hudson Taylor

As we look at the global economic situation, it is clear to see that we are in a recession. I am sure that you, like me, have had to take a serious look at your finances and have probably had to make cut backs in certain areas. We are certainly feeling the results of the recession as we see donations slowing down. Our workers in China are feeling the pressure of the cutbacks and the falling exchange rate. The printing of books will be hit by the rise in the cost of paper and the fall in the exchange rate.

It could seem all doom and gloom as we hear about these things, but we need to remind ourselves of the words of the great Hudson Taylor: "God's work done in God's way shall not lack God's supply." As we continue to do the work that the Lord has put before us, we are confident that His work will not lack His supply. With your help we press on with our target of printing one million books. We press on to serve the poor and needy in China and we will continue to provide opportunities for people to join teams.

Teams: Now is the time for you to be applying to join our teams in the summer and autumn. Why not step out and serve the people of China by joining one of the teams this summer? We have courier, mercy and intercession teams going to China in July and we would love to have you join us. Please contact the office for further details.

Visits: Help spread the good news of the work that the Lord is doing in China. Would you like someone from CCSM to come to your church and share about the work in China? Contact the office to arrange a visit.

Teaching in China: Please pray for ‘C' (name withheld for security) as he travels to China in the first two weeks of this month. He will be teaching in house churches in three different cities. Please pray for safety and good health and that the Lord would really use him.

DVD: We continue to press on with distributing the Chinese version of David Pawson's DVD series of ‘Unlocking the Bible'. We will be copying and distributing the whole series all over China this year. We have had a tremendous response to the New Testament and we look forward to providing the whole Bible to churches in China.

Yours in Him,
Ian Robertson

Pray that the Lord would continue to supply to meet the needs in China.

Pray for finance for the printing of books.

Pray about whether you should join a team this year.

Pray for openings for people to share about the work.

Pray for ‘C' as he teaches the house churches in China.

Pray for the David Pawson DVDs, that they will reach millions of people in China.

 

USA

"God's work done in God's way shall not lack God's supply." - J. Hudson Taylor

As we look at the global economic situation, it is clear to see that we are in a recession. I am sure that you, like me, have had to take a serious look at your finances and have probably had to make cut backs in certain areas. We are certainly feeling the results of the recession as we see donations slowing down. Our workers in China are feeling the pressure of the cutbacks and the falling exchange rate. The printing of books will be hit by the rise in the cost of paper and the fall in the exchange rate.

It could seem all doom and gloom as we hear about these things, but we need to remind ourselves of the words of the great Hudson Taylor: "God's work done in God's way shall not lack God's supply." As we continue to do the work that the Lord has put before us, we are confident that His work will not lack His supply. With your help we press on with our target of printing one million books. We press on to serve the poor and needy in China and we will continue to provide opportunities for people to join teams.

Teams: Now is the time for you to be applying to join our teams in the summer and autumn. Why not step out and serve the people of China by joining one of the teams this summer? We have courier, mercy and intercession teams going to China in July and we would love to have you join us. Please contact the office for further details.

Visits: Help spread the good news of the work that the Lord is doing in China. Would you like someone from CCSM to come to your church and share about the work in China? Contact the office to arrange a visit.

Teaching in China: Please pray for ‘C' (name withheld for security) as he travels to China in the first two weeks of this month. He will be teaching in house churches in three different cities. Please pray for safety and good health and that the Lord would really use him.

DVD: We continue to press on with distributing the Chinese version of David Pawson's DVD series of ‘Unlocking the Bible'. We will be copying and distributing the whole series all over China this year. We have had a tremendous response to the New Testament and we look forward to providing the whole Bible to churches in China.

Pray that the Lord would continue to supply to meet the needs in China.

Pray for finance for the printing of books.

Pray about whether you should join a team this year.

Pray for openings for people to share about the work.

Pray for ‘C' as he teaches the house churches in China.

Pray for the David Pawson DVDs, that they will reach millions of people in China.