Page 12 - Good News February 2020 paper

SOUTH ASIA: THE THIRSTY Christ. Two months later Jai was
CHINA: HOW CHRISTIANS
RESPOND TO THE CORONA
VIRUS OUTBREAK
China is in a state of emergency
because of the novel corona
virus, a causative agent of lung
diseases. The city of Wuhan,
which has a population of 11
million and is believed to be the
source of the virus, is particularly
affected.
The city has been in quarantine
since January 23. Entry and exit
are only possible with a special
permit. The Chinese authorities
have since isolated other cities.
As a result hospitals are over-
loaded. Buses, trains and taxis
stopped their services, and food
prices have risen enormously.
The health crisis also has conse-
quences for the Christian
communities. Based on sources
in China German Evangelical
news agency IDEA reports that
because the residents of Wuhan
are required to stay in their
apartments and houses, there are
temporarily no church services in
many congregations.
Instead, pastors posted sermons
and songs on the internet. There
are also calls to use the 'free time'
to pray for the sick, medical staff
and those responsible in politics
and society. The crisis encou-
rages fasting and increased Bible
reading. The Christians seem to
be less panicked because their
faith gives them strength. They
also support each other as a
community with care and hos-
pitality.
PRAYER WALKER healed and he would sit in the
shop every day and tell people
Rufus was prayer walking what Jesus did for him.
through an unfamiliar town and
became very thirsty. He stopped Another family that regularly
at a local shop to get some water. shopped at Roxy's store would
As he was leaving he turned to the often ask to pay later and so one
shop owner and said, “Peace be day Roxy asked: “Why is it that
to you and this shop.” you cannot pay?”
Roxy, the shop owner, respon- The woman replied: “My husband
ded: “What kind of peace are you is sick with a serious kidney
talking about? My husband, Jai, is problem. He cannot work.” Roxy
According to the IDEA source the sick and bedridden. It is costing told the woman what happened to
crisis opens people up for the me too much. If something her own husband and how Jesus
Gospel, and Christians freely doesn't happen he will die.” Rufus healed him.
share God's love as they see fit, asked if he could go see her
be it in an open conversation on husband. She sent one of her This woman invited Roxy to her
the street, on the internet or by boys to take him to her home and home where she prayed for her
watching evangelistic videos when they arrived Rufus prayed husband, Satish. She also shared
together with non-Christian for Jai and spent time encou- with them the story about Jesus.
family members. raging him. Satish was healed and there is
Source: IDEA now a group of five other people
The next day he went back and meeting in his home.
SOUTH ASIA: there were five new family
A HUMBLE FARMER members there. So he began Rufus has seen 50 groups, some
sharing with them the story of the churches and some discovery
A tribal believer from South Asia God of creation all the way to Bible studies, begin in the last
four years. Some churches have
multiplied to four generations. He
is now part of a three-person
mobile equipping team, training
and equipping other emerging
church leaders who have come to
faith over the past four years.
This year, three mobile teams are
seeking to equip 900 more
leaders.
Source: New Generations
- Joel News International 1157,
4 February 2020
wanted to buy rice seedlings from an upper class
rice farmer for the next season. But the social gap
between these two people was huge. The farmer was
reluctant to promise seedlings to the tribal man
because a storm was headed straight for his rice
fields. Without time to harvest the crop, he expected
his rice to be destroyed.
The tribal man said, “Don't worry. My God will stop
the rain.” He did! The storm literally stopped short of
the field! The upper class farmer was shocked. He
asked to know more about God.
After studying the Scripture, the farmer, along with
18 other people from the area committed to follow
Jesus and were baptized. Fifteen more are awaiting
baptism this month.
Source: New Generations