International News

Posted on 30 August 2009.

Updates from our bases around the world.

Please choose your region: Australia Canada Germany New Zealand Malaysia Singapore South Africa Taiwan United Kingdom United States

Australia

During a recent visit to China to encourage some of our workers who are ministering among the Tibetans in China, two of our Australian base co-workers had the opportunity to meet with some house Church Christians connected with the believers in Bunbury, WA, that we mentioned in the July edition of the China Prayer Update. One of the Australian co-workers shared this report with us:

"Over breakfast early one morning before we headed off on an eight-hour bus trip into the mountains, I felt to ask the believers about any teaching they had received on the Holy Spirit. Their response disappointed me, but explained why I had asked the question. ‘We have been taught nothing about the Holy Spirit,' they said, ‘because we have been told by our leaders that it is too dangerous to become involved with the Holy Spirit, as many people have gone into error; as such we do not concern ourselves about the Holy Spirit.'

However, they went on say, ‘But at times we want to worship and pray to God beyond our understanding, and we know somehow the Holy Spirit wants to help us, but we are afraid.' (Sadly I learned that this error about the Holy Spirit is prevalent in nearly all of the churches in this area.) I invited them to gather as many of their leaders as wanted to know the truth about the Holy Spirit and told that that on our return we would meet together in a secure place and share with them.

We met several days later in a private upstairs room of a restaurant and through an interpreter I shared with them and prayed for them to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What an unexpected and amazing time we had. God was so faithful and I really felt empowered and anointed by the prayers of faithful folk like yourselves behind me. They obviously had more questions than we had time for, but we assured them that we would arrange for some of our teaching books on the Holy Spirit to be sent to them and to Christians in other churches who were also desperate to hear the truth about the Holy Spirit."

What a clear reminder this testimony is to us of how privileged we are in Australia to have access a vast array of teaching books, DVDs, etc, and also of the responsibility and joy we have to assist Christians in China who so hunger to know the truth about the Holy Spirit. We will be arranging a special printing of a number of our reliable, balanced and tested books about the Holy Spirit to be sent to them. If you would like to partner with us in not only praying but also supporting the cost of printing and distributing these books, we would greatly appreciate this. Please tick the literature box on the enclosed response form.

We have various teams (courier, intercession and mercy) travelling into China during October 2009 and January 2010. If God has spoken to you about joining one of the October teams and you have not yet responded, there may still be space if you confirm with the Australian office before Friday 4th September. There will be other Australians of all ages joining the teams from most other States of Australia, so don't be concerned if you are travelling alone or have never travelled overseas before. We will give you plenty of instructions and arrange for you to be met at the airport in Hong Kong. Why don't you take a moment now to ask, "Lord do you want me to join one of these teams to China in October to serve the Church in China?"

Yours together in His Love for China,
James Goss

Please pray for the believers mentioned in the text and for many other Christians throughout China who have come to the salvation knowledge of Jesus Christ, but have been denied the truth about the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray that God would open a way for them to come know the Spirit of God.

Pray that we could see sufficient finance raised so that we can send enough teaching books about the Holy Spirit not only to the churches in the region of China mentioned, but also to contacts in other areas "where Christians are desiring to worship and pray to God beyond their understanding."

Pray that God would speak to those He is calling to join the teams to China in October 2009 and January 2010.

Canada

September 2009 marks the third anniversary of CCSM Canada as a Registered Charity. It took two very long years to get this status, but now we are very pleased that we persevered and attained this status.

Since that time there have been victories and disappointments. We have seen the address list grow from just a few to our present total of 90 (it was over 100 at one point, but since then a few people have asked to be removed). We launched our "Bibles for China" project in June 2008 and have been really encouraged by responses from our prayer supporters (that's you by the way!). In 2008, we achieved our target of $25,000 and this year we hope to raise considerably more.

This year has already seen us purchase 6,000 Bibles and have them distributed throughout China with great appreciation from the recipients who were overjoyed to be a part of this project. Over the past weeks, CCSM has received many requests for Bibles - including a request for 10,000 copies from one source alone. As many of you already know, we have had to wait for Bibles to be printed, but now we have 10,000 copies available to us for a limited period (due to the large demand inside China). We do not want to squander this opportunity. Of the 10,000 that are available we have already purchased 5,000. We now need to raise a further $20,000 to secure the other 5,000. On your behalf, and in faith, I have said that we will raise the money.

As well as victories and encouragements, over the last three years we have been discouraged on a few fronts. It would be wrong for us to paint a rosy picture with no disappointments and battles. The main disappointments have come in the area of openings into churches across Canada to allow one of us to come and speak to their congregations about the church in China. We have contacted many churches and also asked in our monthly China Prayer Update for invitations to speak, but to date have had only one response, from a faithful prayer warrior who pastors a small Chinese Church in Vancouver.

I don't want to dwell on the disappointments as, although this sometimes knocks us about, we have experienced the Lord's comforting Hand upon us and upon the ministry in Canada. However, we would implore you to pray for churches in Canada to extend invitations to us to come and share with their congregations.

Please pray too for more people across the land to gather in small prayer groups, as we do here in Fergus every month, to pray for the needs of the Chinese Church. We can offer materials and guides for your small groups - we may even be able to visit you to help get your group started.

We are calling the churches in Canada to be serious about missions, to send young people with us to China (older ones are also welcome!), and to encourage young people to seek the Lord concerning their calling and training in missions. Please help us fulfil this call to the churches.

Another way you can get involved is by forwarding the emails we send you to friends and pastors. You can also go to the new web site (www.amccsm.org) and leave comments on many of the pages - these will be read and noted. If you use Facebook or Twitter, recommend our sites and pages to your friends on those social media sites.

Please keep the team here in Canada in your prayers as we set realistic goals for the ministry for 2010. Remember the board, the volunteers and all those who are giving generously of their time and money.

Remember we would like to see you all... Praying, Giving and Going!

John Dolman

Give thanks for the three years that CCSM Canada has been a registered charity and for all that the Lord has done through the ministry during those years.

Please pray that God will raise up more generous givers to the Bible project, so that we can fulfil our vision for this year.

Pray for churches in Canada to extend invitations to us to come and share about China with their congregations.

Pray for more people across Canada to gather in prayer groups to pray for the needs of the Chinese Church.

Pray for the Canadian team - the board, the volunteers, and all those who give generously of their time and money.

Germany

God is good. Despite a recession and a tightening of belts by people, we are continuing to do the Lord's work in China. Sadly, but understandably, donations are down slightly, but that does not deter us from pressing on with the work that the Lord has set before us. We are continuing to serve the poor and needy through our mercy work and we continue to provide much needed Bibles and teaching books to our brothers and sisters in China. We would ask you to join us and pray that the Lord will continue to provide for this, His work, during these difficult times.

Last month we had two teams in China, one mercy team and one courier team. The teams were again greatly encouraged by the people they met and it just confirmed to them the great need for the teams that we take. Thank you for your prayers for the teams when they were in China; they were certainly appreciated by the teams. Despite some difficulties at the start of the trip due to planes breaking down and one or two other issues, the Lord used the situation and the teams to bless the people they went to serve. Can we ask you to seriously come before the Lord and ask Him if you should take part in one of our teams? Come and meet some of the poor and needy or the orphans. Come and meet some of our contacts when you hand over the teaching books and see the joy in their eyes as they see the precious cargo. Come and experience the power of prayer as you walk through areas of China.

A trip to China on one of our teams is a life changing experience. Why not ask your church to make an investment by supporting you in a trip to China? They will reap the benefits of that investment time and time again. Sadly it is too late to apply for next month's teams, but we do have a team going to China in January and then our usual dates in spring, summer and autumn next year.

Only four months left this year. We want to make a final push to print more teaching books before the end of the year and help meet the great need. Can you help us smash our target of one million books this year? Every Euro counts and will make a difference. If you can help, please send any gift to the office.

A big thank you to all our donors; we really do appreciate your support. Thank you to those who have sent in anonymous donations. We obviously can't send you a thank you letter as we don't know who you are, but please take this as a big thank you from all of us.

You can now receive this monthly prayer update by email. If you would prefer to receive it by email, you can either sign up online at www.amccsm.org or drop an email to the office and we will arrange for you to receive it every month.

Would you like someone to come to your church to speak about our work and the needs in China? Can you help open doors for us to share about the work? Please contact the office if you would like a visit.

Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide so that we can help meet the needs in China.

Pray about whether you should join a team or support somebody in going on a team.

Pray about whether you can help us smash the target of one million books this year.

Pray for more openings in churches to share about the work in China.

 

New Zealand

As I write, we are at the beginning of August and what a month it promises to be! Already we have had the Envision Conference where we were asked to give the report on China and the situation there. Everything seems to have gone very well. Despite streaming and coughing all day, for the one hour of my meeting not one cough or sneeze! Mike prayed for me before I left and I know many others were praying too; I give God all the glory. One of our supporters in a village was able to give me a bed for two nights for which I and the ministry are very grateful; God finds many ways for us to donate to His Kingdom and this was surely one.

We continue to look to raise the profile of the ministry in New Zealand and to this aim we are proceeding with what is necessary to become a registered charity. Sadly with the new legislation this does not mean your donations will be tax deductible since nearly all our income is spent overseas and not eligible. It will however enable us to make some savings and we would like to be accountable in New Zealand as we are already to our international office. We would dearly like to find a few people who want to be involved with us; we only offer voluntary positions! Get in touch please if you can help.

Unexpectedly at the end of August we were blessed by a visit from Ross Paterson. He was only in Auckland for a few days but I hope many of you managed to see him or at least hear him on the radio. Hopefully we shall have copies of his interview with Rob Holding if you would like a copy. It's four years since Ross was here and a real blessing to see him. Ross and Christine have a punishing schedule flying all over the world for the Lord's work. Please uphold them in prayer. They bless so many and need constantly to seek the Lord for His direction, which we know they do.

I have heard many people recently say they believe in the value of the short-term team. It really is a great way to encourage people. CCSM has, over 23 years, specialised in the short-term team and continues to send many teams into China every year. We can send one or many. If you have a whole team wanting to go, we can probably suit your dates. If it's just you, or you and a friend, we can offer you various dates and make all the arrangements for you. Our team leaders are experienced and knowledgeable. Ethnic Chinese teams go even more frequently and we can arrange for you to meet up with them if you're Chinese and speak Mandarin.

I am shortly sending a copy of our new DVD to all the churches on our list. If you would like a copy to show to your group, please get in touch with this office. If your church has a copy, please encourage them to show it.

In October I am travelling to Hong Kong to meet with the other leaders in CCSM. After four years without meeting with them we thought it was important and with the very special airfares available it seemed a good opportunity. Unfortunately my health does not permit me to partake in a team this time but I trust it will be a very fulfilling and worthwhile time. I am hoping to replenish our stock of Chinese teaching books. If you are Chinese and have Chinese friends who are either searching or new Christians, please be aware that we do have some books available for a small donation.

Again I thank you for your support. Without your prayers and giving this ministry would be meaningless. May God bless and keep you as you give into His Kingdom.

Sue

Give thanks for Envision Conference and contacts made there.

Pray for enabling mercies to become a registered charity and helpers to work with us.

Give thanks for Ross' visit and all those he was able to meet and encourage.

Please pray for Ross and Christine as they travel, preach and teach as well as all the administrative tasks they undertake.

Please pray concerning short-term mission teams. Ask whether you should go, help someone else to go, make a presentation in your church, or ask us to make a presentation to your group.

Please pray that Sue's time in Hong Kong will be incident free and very worthwhile.

Malaysia

Following the shift to Penang, the Malaysian Base is settling well into the routine work of sending out prayer updates, appeal letters and receiving gifts of money from China supporters for the different ministries. The new Office Manager, Amy Yu, is truly an efficient and independent worker. Thank you so much for praying for us in this transition!

The team has now fixed the 1st Saturday of every month for a team meeting when the members, who are all from different churches, meet to discuss operational matters, pray for the ministry and also to build a stronger relationship.

The team is also gearing up to move from the stage of understanding our roles to being more effective in the Base in extending the ministry of AM-CCSM in Malaysia. We are therefore looking forward to the first visit by the International Director Ross Paterson to Penang in September. We are keen to get to know Ross personally and to hear his vision for AM-CCSM in China.

Praise God for a smooth transition of the office to Penang.

Give thanks for a great new team that is excited about taking AM-CCSM in Malaysia to greater heights.

Pray for the visit of Ross Paterson to Penang from 11 to 14 September and for his speaking engagements in the churches.

Pray that the team will catch the vision from Ross as he visits.

Pray for the team as they meet monthly over the affairs of the base and also to plan out a workable strategy to create a greater awareness of AM-CCSM in the rest of Malaysia, particularly in East Malaysia.

Singapore

We are almost in the last quarter of this year. It seems like the year just began. This is a good time to take stock of the eight months that have passed by. How many of us remember the well-intentioned resolutions made at the beginning of the year? We may have started off well but along the way, our busy schedules at work, study or home may have taken over. Let us ask ourselves where we are at this point in time. How is our life making a difference to those around us? Consider ways in which we as individuals can be part of God's plan. Are we ready to serve the Lord by reaching out to others who are in need, especially those inside China?

As you read this, two Singaporeans have just returned from being part of an all-Chinese team of intercessors. These two young ladies set aside time from their respective busy careers to join team members from Taiwan. And another Singaporean will be part of the international courier team this October, on her third mission trip to China with AM-CCSM. It is not too late to join the GIFT Team this December or the international courier and intercession team scheduled for January 2010. The GIFT team is only open to Singaporeans and Malaysians, so we need many folk to sign up. Email or phone us for more information.

We want to say a big THANK YOU to our supporters for your fantastic response to our June Printing Appeal. We have been greatly encouraged by your generous giving despite the difficult and challenging economy. In fact, Singaporeans gave more than any other AM-CCSM base world-wide. Praise the Lord! We are deeply grateful to you and pray for your continued support toward the work of this ministry. May the Lord richly bless each one of you!

This month, Ross and Christine Paterson will be visiting Singapore. Ross will be speaking at the Chinese National Fellowship at Faith Assembly of God.

Pray for wisdom and direction on making a difference through your service. Ask the Lord to show you how you can serve Him.

Give praise to the Lord for the good response to the Printing Appeal. Pray that books being printed will meet the needs inside China and cause much spiritual growth.

Pray for Ross and Christine Paterson's visit to Singapore in September.

 

South Africa

At the end of July, ‘D', one of this year's Antioch School of Missions' students, returned home here to South Africa. In this month's update, we have asked him to share something of how the ASM has impacted him. He began by expressing his thanks for all your prayers over the past year:

"I salute the faithfulness of the saints (that's you) here at home, for holding me up in prayer over the past year. I recall only two short periods when I felt the world was on top of me: by adjusting my perspective and considering the untroubled times, I could only marvel at the total prayer cover I had received from faithful pray-ers at home. Thank you and God bless you."

Then he continued: "Studying a new language is tough-going, but by far the biggest challenge was maintaining unity with one's fellow sojourners and students. God is a God of relationships; He didn't leave Adam alone in the garden. When He told them to ‘be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth' (Genesis 1:28), it was a forerunner of the extended family He was creating. In the New Testament, God says He will ‘be a Father to us and we will be His sons and daughters' (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Relationships (in Christ) endure beyond this life and into eternity. It follows then that the biggest daily investment of our time should be in developing, nurturing and sustaining our relationships with each other, and more importantly with our God. Like a little child who longs for his/her parent's approval and is obedient, so we too should strive to please Him who gave everything for us. Jesus says, ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments' (John 14:15).

Every day I learn a little more of what it is to be a child of God. As I grow in Him, so I'm given more responsibilities, just as in any earthly family. The Holy Spirit trains and equips us for the next role He has prepared for us to play. God has written the script for your life and for mine. We can chose to follow it and be like a star in the heavens (Daniel 12:13) or crash and burn, like a meteorite entering the earth's atmosphere, following its own path.

To this extended family then, who receive this prayer update - thank you. Please continue to pray for those who serve in China, sometimes in difficult circumstances."

Please continue to pray for ‘D' as he settles back to life here in South Africa and seeks the Lord for the next step forward.

As ‘D' has requested, please do lift up those who continue to serve in China. Pray that each one would be able to develop and sustain those important relationships with God and with each other.

Ask the Lord if you or someone you know should consider joining the next ASM school, which will start in August 2010. There are both six-month and one-year options. Contact the office to find out more.

 

Taiwan

How time flies! In three months it will be a new year again. Before the end of the year, there are still two Antioch Missions all-Chinese short-term mission teams going to China. One is a medical team. There will be more than 10 medical staff, including dentists and those specializing in internal medicine, gynecology and physiotherapy, who will help by going to poor villages in China to offer free medical treatment. Another team will go to a Tibetan area to prayer-bike and visit Tibetan families. We invite you to consider going with us or supporting these two teams in prayer.

During the summer months, we had two teams going to Tibetan areas to serve. Their mission included prayer, visitation, training, providing free medical treatment and doing agricultural work. We are very moved by the united prayer and cooperation amongst the precious team members that God chose. Many team members used short plays and mime together with the teaching materials to make the seminars very vivid and impressive. The visits made by the team members also give the local co-workers great encouragement and help. Here are the some of the testimonies shared by several team members:

"Thank God, though I am 74, God still gave me an opportunity to join a short-term mission team to serve in China! During the team, I was in charge of giving the local co-workers physiotherapy treatment. There was one American friend named S, who said he had already been in China for sixteen years. Four years ago he started to feel numbness and pain in his shoulders and arms, to the extent that he could not sleep at night. The day after my physio treatment, he happily came to see me and said it was the first time he had had a good sleep in the last four years. He thanked God for sending him a doctor in such a remote place." - Sister Chen, who served by giving physio treatment

"This trip widened my spiritual insight greatly. We had encounters with different tribal groups, visited them in their homes, had close contact, went to temples to meet the monks, interact with them and bless them... It was great to see shy children smiling. Seeing the darkness over these people, we also sensed that we need more people to pray continually for the Tibetans. We also witnessed the commitment by the co-workers there and the price they have paid. We admired them and need to learn from them. We pray that God will watch over each one of them. We were also blessed by being able to bless others. We hope we can equip ourselves better so as to be used by God. I hope to be able to go there again." - Sister Chen, who served in training sessions

"On our first day of prayer-walking, God gave us a deep peace in our hearts. I knew that He had promised that His presence would surround us on this short-term mission. When we were visiting a museum, we saw the idols that we used to fear. It was like the scenes in a film I had seen before. Idol worship used to bind me. As the museum staff continued the talk, I was just an on-looker, simply listening. I no longer felt anger towards the idols and my fear had gone. They are only sculptures made by human hands. Yet because of ignorance and the fact that they do not know true peace and have never experienced true freedom, people become bound by idols. As I thought about this, my heart was filled with pity for the Tibetans. External poverty is of little importance; prayer can turn things around and change people from the inside out. Once the heart is changed, eyes can be opened, ears will be opened, and peace, blessings and joy will all come." - Sister Chai

"This trip enabled me to know a bit more about the lives of the Tibetans and other minority groups, especially after staying in the Tibetan area for five days. I encountered more of the Tibetan religion and culture. As we were prayer-walking in the streets, we felt the love God has for the people and we were very moved. They are all influenced by traditions and try to abide by their traditions. They urgently need to know the true Saviour. Seeing the monks in the temple, we could feel their loneliness and helplessness, but the little monks were really very lovely. It is such a pity that they live in that environment. But God enabled us to see in prayer that though the monks' robes were red as blood, God can wash away all sin, all unrighteousness. He can wash their clothes and make them white as snow. Thank God that many co-workers have been there sowing seeds for quite some time now. They have seen locals coming to the Lord and believe that God will do greater things. When we visited minority villages around Kunming, I also gained more understanding of many other minority groups. Their clothes are colourful and beautiful, and they are good at singing and dancing. Among the Miao and Lisu minorities there are Christians, but most of the people worship nature and do not yet know the true God. May God send more local and overseas brothers and sisters to spread the Gospel among them." - Sister Yi

"Before we set off, I did not realize that I was to be responsible for the teaching programme, so I was quite nervous when the team leader announced it. I had prepared two sets of different courses and did not know whether what I prepared were appropriate. Although we had to decide on a programme in a very short time and there was also an unexpected change in the team's ministry, God really worked in it. Before the team got together, He had prepared each person with a willing heart. Even though we did not know beforehand what we were to do, when the tasks were distributed, we all were able to cooperate in the shortest time span to enable the team to function as a whole body. That is the work of the Lord. How amazed I was. Indeed man has nothing to boast!" - Sister Chiu

It is a great joy to see that God, through AM-CCSM, has made it possible to have different mission teams going into China to serve in various ways. Thank you very much for the role you are playing in that. We invite you once again to serve China with us by praying, giving and going on short-term mission teams!

Prayer Meeting Schedule:

Taipei: second Monday of every month
Time: 7-9pm on 14 September 2009 (Monday) and 12 October 2009
Place:F4, No. 24, Section Two, Hoping East Road, Taipei, 24 hour Prayer Center (Taipei Ling Liang Mission Tower)

Kaohsiung: second Tuesday of every month
Time: 7-9pm on 8 September 2009 (Tuesday) and 13 October 2009
Place: B1, No. 198, Po Ai 2nd RD, Tsoying District, Kaohsiung (??????/ Tel: 07-9515820)

 

UK

God is good. Despite a recession and a tightening of belts by people, we are continuing to do the Lord's work in China. Sadly, but understandably, donations are down slightly, but that does not deter us from pressing on with the work that the Lord has set before us. We are continuing to serve the poor and needy through our mercy work and we continue to provide much needed Bibles and teaching books to our brothers and sisters in China. We would ask you to join us and pray that the Lord will continue to provide for this, His work, during these difficult times.

Last month we had two teams in China, one mercy team and one courier team. The teams were again greatly encouraged by the people they met and it just confirmed to them the great need for the teams that we take. Thank you for your prayers for the teams when they were in China; they were certainly needed and the teams appreciated that. Despite some difficulties at the start of the trip due to planes breaking down and one or two other issues, the Lord used the situation and the teams to bless the people they went to serve. Can we ask you to seriously come before the Lord and ask Him if you should take part in one of our teams? Come and meet some of the poor and needy or the orphans. Come and meet some of our contacts when you hand over the teaching books and see the joy in their eyes as they see the precious cargo. Come and experience the power of prayer as you walk through areas of China.

A trip to China on one of our teams is a life changing experience. Why not ask your church to make an investment by supporting you in a trip to China? They will reap the benefits of that investment time and time again. Sadly it is too late to apply for next month's teams, but we do have a team going to China in January and then our usual dates in spring, summer and autumn next year.

Only four months left this year. We want to make a final push to print more teaching books before the end of the year and help meet the great need. Can you help us smash our target of one million books this year? Every pound counts and will make a difference. If you can help, please send any gift to the office.

A big thank you to all our donors; we really do appreciate your support. Thank you to those who have sent in anonymous donations. We obviously can't send you a thank you letter as we don't know who you are, but please take this as a big thank you from all of us.

You can now receive this monthly prayer update by email. If you would prefer to receive it by email, you can either sign up online at www.amccsm.org or drop an email to the office and we will arrange for you to receive it every month.

Would you like someone to come to your church to speak about our work and the needs in China? Can you help open doors for us to share about the work? Please contact the office if you would like a visit.

Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide so that we can help meet the needs in China.

Pray about whether you should join a team or support somebody in going on a team.

Pray about whether you can help us smash the target of one million books this year.

Pray for more openings in churches to share about the work in China.

 

USA

God is good. Despite a recession and a tightening of belts by people, we are continuing to do the Lord's work in China. Sadly, but understandably, donations are down slightly, but that does not deter us from pressing on with the work that the Lord has set before us. We are continuing to serve the poor and needy through our mercy work and we continue to provide much needed Bibles and teaching books to our brothers and sisters in China. We would ask you to join us and pray that the Lord will continue to provide for this, His work, during these difficult times.

Last month we had two teams in China, one mercy team and one courier team. The teams were again greatly encouraged by the people they met and it just confirmed to them the great need for the teams that we take. Thank you for your prayers for the teams when they were in China; they were certainly appreciated by the teams. Despite some difficulties at the start of the trip due to planes breaking down and one or two other issues, the Lord used the situation and the teams to bless the people they went to serve. Can we ask you to seriously come before the Lord and ask Him if you should take part in one of our teams? Come and meet some of the poor and needy or the orphans. Come and meet some of our contacts when you hand over the teaching books and see the joy in their eyes as they see the precious cargo. Come and experience the power of prayer as you walk through areas of China.

A trip to China on one of our teams is a life changing experience. Why not ask your church to make an investment by supporting you in a trip to China? They will reap the benefits of that investment time and time again. Sadly it is too late to apply for next month's teams, but we do have a team going to China in January and then our usual dates in spring, summer and fall next year.

Only four months left this year. We want to make a final push to print more teaching books before the end of the year and help meet the great need. Can you help us smash our target of one million books this year? Every dollar counts and will make a difference. If you can help, please send any gift to the office.

A big thank you to all our donors; we really do appreciate your support. Thank you to those who have sent in anonymous donations. We obviously can't send you a thank you letter as we don't know who you are, but please take this as a big thank you from all of us.

You can now receive this monthly prayer update by email. If you would prefer to receive it by email, you can either sign up online at www.amccsm.org or drop an email to the office and we will arrange for you to receive it every month.

Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide so that we can help meet the needs in China.

Pray about whether you should join a team or support somebody in going on a team.

Pray about whether you can help us smash the target of one million books this year.