12-19-11

Dear Reg and Ethne friends:

I am forwarding your comments on to the entire list (see below my =
signature). Reg, thank you for bringing this to our attention. All of us =
come with cultural baggage of one sort or another, don’t we. =
Praise God that He chooses to use the foolish things to confound the =
wise! More and more I am aware of my own inadequacies in so many areas =
and I am so grateful for His abundant forgiveness as we come to Him and =
rely on His all-sufficiency and grace! Let’s pray that all of us =
can receive a heaping helping of that grace and forgiveness for the =
coming year, and that we can continue to keep the unity of the Spirit in =
the bond of peace, working shoulder to shoulder in His vineyard for His =
glory!

Rev. 22:17 “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And =
let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him =
come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of =
life.”

Elizabeth, I like the top-ten approach of this release.  =

Here is a friendly critique of one item. I am wondering who might be =
responsible for the quote in “The Christian Perspective” =
under China.  “Other than with Western missionaries, Chinese =
missionaries come with no cultural baggage as most of the countries =
bordering China have good relations with them.” (full section =
pasted below this message)  

Sounds like it was written by a Chinese without any self-awareness. =
This is the exact opposite of how most Asia Christian observers would =
see things. China’s neighbors view her with great caution and =
skepticism and fear. There is simmering but deep conflict especially =
with Vietnam but also other South China Sea-bordering nations over =
island and oil rights. Even Burma is recently backed off its close =
relations with China. India not friendly with China. Taiwan and Japan? =
Hardly friends though cautiously developing trading business. North =
Korea is the only friend of China – but that is not a healthy =
relationship for human rights or for any other neighbors.  Many =
countries in Africa are resenting the one-sided relationship between =
their countries and an over-bearing China.  Similar experience of =
countries in South America.  In the Middle East, China’s =
support of Iran will not endear her to anyone.  It is completely =
romantic to think that Chinese come without national bagged. It =
won’t disqualify them as missionaries, as it did not disqualify =
Western missionaries. But it could be a huge problem especially if it is =
not recognized.

I certainly agree Chinese familiarity with persecution will help =
prepare them as missionaries to other persecution contexts. =

When I see something this far off, it makes me wonder about the rest of =
the items I know far less about. 

Reg Reimer  

*****

2. CHINA TO THE =
WORLD

On 13 =
March 2011, the ‘Dragonfly’ got ‘Eagle’s Wings’. =
Chinese leaders in China signed agreements with Mission leaders in the =
Gulf region to accept, mentor and disciple missionaries sent from China. =
This was indeed a small, private and secret event, but the consequences =
of China now maturing into a sending nation of note has the potential to =
change the Muslim World.

From =
a Christian perspective, this historic event once again pointed to an omnipotent and all-wise =
God. The Chinese Church has been persecuted for generations and is now =
utilising the lessons learnt as lessons to be lived in other persecuted =
countries. Chinese Christians have been trained through past persecution =
for future persecution. They know no other Christianity. Other than with =
Western missionaries, Chinese missionaries come with no cultural baggage =
as most of the countries bordering China have good relations with them. =
In the words of Johnny Li: “The son has grown up”. The =
success of the Chin=
a to the World movement will depend on the “father” who allows the =
“son” to give his life once again.

Please pray =
for the Chinese missionaries who will be sent to many parts of the world =
for courage, obedience and faithfulness.

 =