China: A Country to Pray For
China is in a very interesting situation from the international perspective. On one hand, its leaders are actively trying to assert their global economic presence by creating alliances and trade agreements with democratic nations, while at the same time, its leaders have a vested interest in maintaining the oppressive system that they have used for decades. Despite some international pressure, China continues to the present as one of the most oppressive countries in the world from the religious freedom standpoint. (You can get much more information from China Aid.)
Last week I posted information on the forced abortions that made major news, and also mentioned how Chinese citizens are beginning to wake up to the oppression they have lived under. China is a mission field ripe for the harvest!
As all of these considerations swirl around, one event looms in the forefront: the 2008 Olympics, which are to be held in Beijing. The Olympics are focusing international attention–and pressure from the human rights front–on the Chinese government. The next couple months could be critical in determining China's ongoing policies in the realm of persecution.
One way that the pressure is being exerted is coming directly from Christians who want to minister to the Chinese, using the Olympics as their platform for evangelization. (USA Today reported on this story here.) Any Christian witness is, of course, a violation of China's policies, but that is not stopping many courageous volunteers.
It is no surprise that China is reacting poorly to this possibility. During this crucial time, let us pray for China!