AsiaStories

Many men and women in rural areas in East Asia have few options for income. Ted Wong* is committed to using business and entrepreneurship to teach believers in rural areas how they can support themselves and their ministries. His vision is to provide rural farmers with a cash crop. This could provide an additional source of income as well as allow more time for ministry. Zhe Wang Hu* and Jia Liang* are two of the men Wong works with.

As I spent days immersed in Chinese New Year symbolisms in Hong Kong, one stands out above the rest — food, or more specifically the dinner table. Sitting around the dinner table with family, for me, is a symbol of the importance of relationship — which is the point of this whole journey. Understanding my own culture has been the guide, but in the end, relationships are what matter the most.

The Chinese New Year countdown begins with the beating of a drum, followed by the crowd racing to the altar to receive the very first blessing of the year. T.Y. Po watched and thought about his own blessings that day — sharing Christ with his extended family. Find out more at AsiaStories.

Chinese New Year is a time of festivity, but also a time of pagan worship. Pray for Chinese Christians and for people to come to Christ. Read more on AsiaStories.

The young Chinese woman steps from a back room into the soft, pink light of a small brothel. She adjusts her short dress and black stockings. A middle-aged Chinese man follows a few steps behind, handing her the equivalent of $60 U.S. Transactions like this happen every day in brothels throughout China, a Christian worker says. By praying and sharing, she hopes to bring the Gospel to China’s commercially exploited women.

Every district looks the same: construction sites, cheap restaurants, factories, factories and more factories. Southern Baptist worker David Rice* sees this city through different eyes. His mental map of Dongguan is a labyrinth of ministry possibilities — a medical clinic here, management training classes over there and maybe a Christian coffee shop in the heart of a red light district.

Southern Baptist worker David Rice* challenges you to make an eternal impact on this city that “supplies the world.” He’s looking for partners to adopt each of the 32 districts in Dongguan, China.

Join Southern Baptists in praying for Dongguan, China and other factory cities during Week of Prayer, Dec. 4 – 11.

Shanghai native Yan Hua* cannot forget the life lessons she’s learned: trust no one, play both sides, be invisible and don’t rock the boat. At 75 years old, she still looks over her shoulder in fear. Like many of China’s elderly, she has never heard the Gospel of hope.

Shanghai is China’s trendsetter in fashion, business and standard of living, and has been for years. Comparisons to New York City fall often from the lips of stunned international visitors. With 23 million people, it boasts a population larger than that of the entire country of Australia. The cosmopolitan mecca pulls in dreamers from all corners of China and the world.

Stepping outside Ashley Benson and Mandi Mapes’ apartment and onto the street brings the global evangelism map decorating their wall to life. On the map, most of Asia is lit up like a Christmas tree, indicating those who have yet to be reached with the Gospel message. On the street, the dots become the faces and names of their neighbors and friends. Doesn’t anyone want the Truth?

What do you do when someone laughs at you and walks away when you share the Gospel? These Hands On workers didn’t give up, they kept on sharing!

I am often moved to tears when I see the needs around me. While I know I am inadequate to meet the needs of everyone who needs help, I try to do what I can to practice Christ’s call to love others.

A five-year journey of emotional ups and downs comes to an end for a Christian worker in China. Diana Huang* says her own special “goodbye” with a recording project, sharing testimonies about her friends and their unique walks of faith.

I will never be Chinese enough to enjoy chicken feet or innards or sharing a bed with four other girls in the summertime. What they see isn’t how assimilated or “Chinese” I can be. What they see and remember is how I cared, loved, embraced, engaged and shared life with them.