I have just completed a long day of celebration at the new Amity Printing Press in Nanjing China. This is boasted to be the world's largest bible printing press. It is capable of printing 12 million bibles per year.
That is not to say 12 million bibles will be printed. The current number is much less and many of those are exported to other countries. Currently, the alloted number for Chinese bibles is at 3.2 million.
It was a great day. I estimate 250 were in attendance. The new leaders of the CCC were present. Rev. Gau, head of the CCC, is a wonderful gentleman and scholar. We shared dinner tonight. He has a delightful personality and I'm expecting he will prove to be a superb leader for the Protestant Church of China. Elder Fu is the new leader for TSPM. We have been honored to host him at Grace Church and it is good to see him moving into leadership as well. He expressed the heavy burden this position brings and has asked for our support.
Sometimes the hearts of leaders are discovered in the small symbols.Throughout the celebration were repeated expressions of concerns for the people of Sichuan.
In fact the planned banquet was canceled so those funds could be channeled to assist in the relief effort. The United Bible Society which has partnered with Amity press since the beginning has committed to funding all the bibles necessary for those who have been displaced in this disaster.
I have traveled in China for the past 10 years. I am sensing recently that a positive change is in the wind. Younger leaders are assuming positions both in the church and in government roles.
I cannot help but recall the words of Thomas Friedman in his book "The World is Flat." He declares, "The difference in the world today is no longer between East and West, but between the young and the old."
I will go to sleep tonight encouraged as to what the future holds in China.
Just a word of encouragement. Would you join me in praying for a peaceful and successful Olympic Games in Beijing? Regardless of political views it serves no purpose whatsoever for the Games to be disrupted by violence or tension.
Chinese people sincerely wish for the world to see the best of their culture and to be good hosts to the world in this coming out party.
I had a good day. Hope you did as well.
That is not to say 12 million bibles will be printed. The current number is much less and many of those are exported to other countries. Currently, the alloted number for Chinese bibles is at 3.2 million.
It was a great day. I estimate 250 were in attendance. The new leaders of the CCC were present. Rev. Gau, head of the CCC, is a wonderful gentleman and scholar. We shared dinner tonight. He has a delightful personality and I'm expecting he will prove to be a superb leader for the Protestant Church of China. Elder Fu is the new leader for TSPM. We have been honored to host him at Grace Church and it is good to see him moving into leadership as well. He expressed the heavy burden this position brings and has asked for our support.
Sometimes the hearts of leaders are discovered in the small symbols.Throughout the celebration were repeated expressions of concerns for the people of Sichuan.
In fact the planned banquet was canceled so those funds could be channeled to assist in the relief effort. The United Bible Society which has partnered with Amity press since the beginning has committed to funding all the bibles necessary for those who have been displaced in this disaster.
I have traveled in China for the past 10 years. I am sensing recently that a positive change is in the wind. Younger leaders are assuming positions both in the church and in government roles.
I cannot help but recall the words of Thomas Friedman in his book "The World is Flat." He declares, "The difference in the world today is no longer between East and West, but between the young and the old."
I will go to sleep tonight encouraged as to what the future holds in China.
Just a word of encouragement. Would you join me in praying for a peaceful and successful Olympic Games in Beijing? Regardless of political views it serves no purpose whatsoever for the Games to be disrupted by violence or tension.
Chinese people sincerely wish for the world to see the best of their culture and to be good hosts to the world in this coming out party.
I had a good day. Hope you did as well.
