Hand in Hand Global Mission Support Blog Digest

Pastor Zhao Qin-lin

When Zhao Qin-lin was young, he remembers his grandfather singing a song. The lullaby-like song that Zhao remembers, “Jesus protects us … ,” had to be sung late in the evening, after his grandfather had spent many hours in the fields during the day, because of fear of persecution. This was during the Cultural Revolution in China, the period between 1966 and 1976 during which there as widespread social and political upheaval in China; a time when, in addition to the persecution of anyone suspected of harboring anti-socialist ideas, religions were persecuted, churches closed and Bibles destroyed.

“My grandfather would take the Bible and put it in a clay jar and bury it,” recalls Zhao. That was the only way to hold on to this treasure of their faith in a time of great upheaval.

Now, years later, Zhao serves as one of the pastors of Luzhou City Church in southeastern Sichuan province. As a Miao ethnic minority, he often heads into the mountains to trek among the Miao congregations that are a part of the Luzhou parish. This is all possible because of the flourishing ministry of this parish that counts somewhere between 28,000 and 30,000 members in four congregations, 15 preaching points, and 53 home gatherings.

The ELCA works closely with Luzhou church, assisting with social ministry projects, health care ministries, grassroots leadership training, and rural development. Among the Miao, in particular, irrigation ditches have been built to allow crops to be grown higher up on the slopes of valleys; library books  provided to isolated schools; and one new church built.

Y. Franklin Ishida
Director for Asia and the Pacific, ELCA Global Mission

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 The city church of Lijiang in Yunnan Province, China, started with only a few people three years ago. Now, it worships 160 on a Sunday.

Evangelist Liu Ai-hwa

Lijiang city church had died out long ago. Not only was Lijiang a backwater town in one of the poorest parts of China, the Cultural Revolution in China brought about the closure of many churches everywhere, Lijiang among them. A devastating earthquake in 1996 brought the world’s attention to Lijiang. The historic old town was restored and it has since been designated a World Heritage Sites. The city is now thriving, especially with tourism. And with this came new life for the Christian community.

What is amazing is that Lijiang city church (actually, not officially a church yet, but a meeting point) has no pastor. Three young evangelists, the oldest of whom is 30, share in leading the faithful out of rented space on the second floor of a commercial building.

Liu Ai-hwa is one of the evangelists. He speaks proudly that one-third of church members are young people. Many of these grew up in Christian families (especially from among the ethnic minorities in the region) and have found their way to church when they moved to the city for school or jobs. There is a midweek Bible study for young people, and a fellowship on Saturdays that brings enjoyment through hiking or other activities.

Lu Xiu-ying

There are a number of volunteer lay workers who help in other aspects of ministry in Lijiang. He Xue-hui is able to offer help to parents about their children since she speaks Lisu, one of the ethnic minority languages. And Lu Xiu-ying brings faithful witness in the wisdom of age. She not only is from the Derung ethnic group (from near the border with Myanmar; one of the smallest nationalities in China), she also has raised four daughters and can speak from many experiences in her life.

Currently, the greatest challenge for the congregation is to find a permanent home. The good news is that the city government is considering returning the old church building in the center of town. It had been converted into a hospital, but now sits unused. It also borders the historic old section of town, and therefore could become a focal point for tourists as well. With this comes the challenge of leadership, where even the three young evangelists find it difficult to do ministry with no lead pastor. “But just to be able to serve God is a joy,” says Ai-hwa. And that is the joy shared by all the leaders of Lijiang church.

Y. Franklin Ishida
Director for Asia and the Pacific, ELCA Global Mission

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Li Zhi-hwa during a break from classes

Zhi-hwa is eighteen. Though she has her whole life before her, she already has a number of things going against her: She lives in the Lijiang area of Yunnan Province, one of the poorest parts of China; her family could not afford to have her continue her education; and she comes from an ethnic minority,  which often brings discrimination in the wider society.

Though she didn’t even finish high school, her faith and dedication, plus the support of her church, has led her to get further training as a lay worker in the church.

The grassroots training center in Lijiang is a ministry that reaches out to the numerous ethnic minorities in this northwestern part of Yunnan Province, including the Lisu, Pumi, Dai, Naxi, and Yi peoples. Some, like Zhi-hwa, travel as far as three hours from their home villages to receive training. Most of the time, the training classes run at least several days, and a dorm is provided for those who travel far. Classes range from literacy to music to Bible. The “cream” of training programs is one that develops evangelists, running 5 months each year for three years. Some 20 students are enrolled in this.

Meanwhile, for Zhi-hwa, getting church training is a way she can deepen her faith and learn how to better serve her community and church. She can now live with hope in her future and for this she gives thanks to the church. And perhaps, this all may be the best education she has ever received.

Y. Franklin Ishida
Director for Asia and the Pacific, ELCA Global Mission

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Baby Chen En, held by Pr. Liao, her mother standing behind, and surrounded by hospital staff

Luzhou City Parish in southeastern Sichuan Province, China, has been at the forefront of holistic care for the community. One way in which it does this is through health care. In addition to its own community health clinic, located next to the main church, and outreach health functions, it cooperates with Luzhou Hospital. ELCA funds have assisted Luzhou Church in providing care for those living in poverty as well as directly funding neonatal care instruments at the hospital. 

Recently, a couple gave birth to a child with special medical needs. But they used up all their money for the early medical expenses and decided to take the baby home. But everyone knew the baby could not survive once back at the village. 

Luzhou Church staff made it possible for the baby to remain in the hospital and her life was saved. Pastor Liao named the child Chen En (En means grace in Chinese) to express thanks to God. Now, Chen En has been discharged, a more healthy child.

Y. Franklin Ishida
Director for Asia and the Pacific, ELCA Global Mission

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“On behalf of all the teachers and students, I thank you for bringing new hope and reading opportunities with these many great books. We have learned and gained new knowledge: how to be a person, how to study, how we can be kind and have a good heart for all people and things.

“The stories I read are all very fascinating, moving and real. Some make me think, often rousing up my imagination, and I wish I could write as well. For many years, we have not had books like this. We did not write well. However, now that we can read so many books, we have much higher standards in writing skills.

“I remember a quote from one of the books: Reading is the best knowledge. I also learned from my teachers that we must study each story carefully to sense the emotions of the authors. After I understood this, I have done just that – to read with care.

“These books are treasures to us, for the contents are precious and there is much to learn. It is an ocean of knowledge. We must read more so as to know that they contain true wealth and beauty.

“Thank you, for you have brought hope and happiness to us. Every time we see these books, we not only see them as books, but your lasting care and support.”

“–Speech given by Zhao-Ling, 6th grader at Ju-Xian Elementary School in the mountains above Gulin, southeastern Sichuan Province. With the assistance of the ELCA, Luzhou Christian Church (Sichuan) purchased library books for this village school. Most of the students are of the Miao ethnic group, and many are Christian.

–As heard by and submitted by Y. Franklin Ishida, Director for Asia and the Pacific, ELCA Global Mission

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Xiao (Nicole) and Annie, two only daughters of the same age, met in the Summer of 2002 in Chuzhou, China. Annie was one of four Global Mission/Amity volunteers working in Chuzhou with Chinese teachers of English; Nicole served as the team’s translator.

The Spirit is at work in both of their lives, growing what was planted that summer. Annie, on the path toward ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is about to conclude her Global Mission/Horizon International Internship with the Bratislava International Church, and about to start a year of residency as a chaplain at Advocate Lutheran General/St. Matthew Center for Health (Park Ridge, Illinois). Nicole graduated with an MBA from Michigan State University on May 8, and was baptized at St. Luke’s Lutheran (Park Ridge, Illinois) on May 10. In September, she will begin her new position with Terex Corporation in Westport, Connecticut.

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