Remember Ambassadors

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!

China has been a long-time Christian persecution hotspot, but religion is not the only human right systematically trampled by the Beijing government.  In the past couple of days, though, Chinese citizens have reacted en masse to some of the most aggregious violations.

Last week, a friend e-mailed me about the forced abortions taking place in Guangxi Province in southern China, bordering on Vietnam.  While this is not a persecuted church issue on its face, one of the women forced into an abortion was the wife of a house-church pastor.  At seven months pregnant, she–and around 60 others–was dragged into a Baise City hospital, where her unborn baby was killed.

I can't even imagine what this sister in Christ must be going through.  While China engages in cover ups, the lives of these women, not to mention their children, have been massacred, both emotionally and literally.  They desperately need our prayers.

This outrage has prompted a number of demonstrations, and Chinese authorities have arrested some of the participants.  As strange as it may sound, that gives me hope.  Perhaps the time is coming where those that have been oppressed by China's godless government can break free of that bondage.  Perhaps the time is coming where Christians, so long forced "underground" by vicious persecution, will be able to worship and witness to their entire nation, the most populous on earth.  Perhaps it is almost time for the light to burst forth from the thick darkness.

Let's pray for the perseverence of these saints, and pray that the power of our God would break forth in and through them. 

For More Information–

Guangxi Officials Carry Out Mass Forced Abortions - Background Information, including impact on at least one underground church.

Soothing Lies - Op-Ed by Chuck Colson for The Christian Post. 

China Aid