The China Report

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the Harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."
(Matthew 9:37,38)

Mission Accomplished

Our minsitry's goal was to preach the gospel in every one of China's 800 cities by the year 2000 by way of massive literature distribution. A good portion of this report is dedicated to the mission required to reach the last city. I pray that you will be encouraged by God's faithfulness in the midst of the impossible.

The main focus of the ministry is the distribution of gospel literature, with a heavy emphasis on "tract bombing." This is the act of stealthily going through a city in the dead of night and blanketing entire areas with pamphlets of the Good News. At the midnight hour unsuspecting Chinese souls are sound asleep, totally unaware of the man in black at their doorstep leaving a paper trail of the message of salvation behind him. This is by far the largest illegal, undercover, official-dodging promotion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the most populated country of the world.

During my last trip into the heart of China I gave out about 150,000 tracts, and traveled through many provinces delivering the Good News that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. That though we are sinners, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin so that we would not have to pay that penalty ourselves. He created the only bridge that spans the gap between us and God, the gap created by our sin. And if we follow the path that Jesus Christ has made for us, then we will be welcomed into God's presence. "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Praise God for His great goodness. What a blessing it is to see God work on your behalf right in front of your eyes. to watch your Lord do the impossible, to see Him make a way where there is no way.

From the beginning to the end, this trip is a testimony of God's grace. His faithfulness, mercy and blessings are unending and beyond measure. In three months of smuggling and tract bombing not one bad thing happened to me, and every difficulty was turned into a victory.

There were many people that prayed, even little children prayed for me every day. God told me that because of the intercession that was coming to Him on my behalf, He in turn was blessing and guiding my every step. Calamities were happening to people all around me, but I remained untouched.

A Method of Distribution I Had to Discard

Enjoying the intricacies of modern, undercover, religious propaganda distribution can be an exhilarating experience. What a joy it is to see people picking up the tracts that you have thrown to them from your passing bus. (This practice has been ejected from our bags of tricks due to the fact that people were getting caught performing this aspect of the ministry. Apparently, some officials did not appreciate receiving the Good News this way. They rang the officials in the city my partners were headed for and when they arrived they were greeted by armed persons and escorted to the police station. There they were very unpromptly given canceled visas after a full day of questioning.) But before all this happened...

It was fun to watch the Chinese pick up tracts that you have thrown to them from the bus, so I decided to get a few pictures. With camera in one hand and tract in the other I eagerly awaited the next person. Looking out the bus window I threw tracts to three persons and picked up the camera as one was picking them up. Five tracts are thrown at a time held together with a rubber band for extra weight in throwing. The man had taken off the rubber band and given the remaining tracts to his friends. "There you go, that's what you do with them." He and his friends continued to walk toward the bus so I was able to get a good shot of what will hopefully be some Chinese people who receive Jesus's offer of forgivenss. "Now go and start a church and write to us."

A Friend

During my previous trip I had the privilege of helping a young man receive Jesus's forgiveness for himself. We stay in touch by mail. This has provided the opportunity to teach and encourage him in his faith, but still I am the only Christian he knows. I wondered if it were possible to see him again in person to let him know that he is not alone and that someone is praying for him. So several months before leaving for China I dispatched a letter to him saying that I would be in his area on on a certain date. "Meet me in a certain Chinese town at a certain place." A return letter was long in coming. Finally two days before going to meet him, my parents sent me an email saying the letter had arrived.

It had been 10 months since I had last seen my friend so we had much to talk about. He recently got a job making $25.00 US a month, and he was thanking God for it.

After dinner we prayed and went out for a night walk through the city. At the time I did not have any tracts left but there were still some Chinese Bibles in my bag. So he showed me where all the schools in the town were and I placed one Bible at the entrance to each school. Believe me, the schools are the absolute best place to put your religious propaganda. I guarantee that each one of those Bibles got picked up by a kid; they are so curious.

My friend did not know about the Bible placements so he really didn't understand why I was having so much fun. "Is that a school?" "Yes, that is a middle school," he answered. "I would like to look at it." Upon arrival at the school entrance I would ask, "What does that sign over there say?" He turns his head, "PLOP" down goes a Bible. "Could you show me where another school is?"

We walked through the city and talked for hours. My friend reads his Bible and talks to God every day. He is very thankful to God for the small blessings he has received. That is more than can be said for many Christians. In one of his letters he wrote, "Every night before I go to bed, I read a passage in the Bible....I think before long I'll become a teacher and then I'll teach the people around me. At that time I won't be alone anymore. Don't you think it's splendid idea?" It is. At this time my friend has no church to go to; he is all alone in his faith. Please pray that he will stay close to God and live his life for the Lord.

Undercover Deals

Recently the believers in the underground church requested that we supply them with material to help introduce their fellows to Jesus. We contacted a pastor of an underground church and set up a time to transfer the literature. We received 500,000 gospel tracts from our contacts. This took the entire day. The critical point of transfer to the underground church contact (which could have been observed) happened in 60 seconds due to pinpoint co-operation by many.

The next night the pastor informed us that just four days earlier he had been taking the materials the American team brought in to an underground church pastors' conference. Because fog had moved in, the government closed down the road and the pastor had to return with the materials. Later he found out that the meeting place was raided by the police. God had sent the fog to save the pastor from being arrested.

We took up a collection for the families of those who had been caught. My heart was so broken for them that I gave more than I could afford, and within minutes one of the Americans said, "God told me to give you this." He put into my hand the exact amount that I had given. God knows how to provide for your every need.

Those pastors were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the gospel. To my knowledge most of them have been released and are back on the field serving God. Halleluah!

How the Last City of 800 Was Reached

The "Last City" of 800 to be reached (see "Mission Accomplished" above) has as its code name "Kamikaze." "Kamikaze" is a military base and military bases are closed cities and foreigners are neither permitted to enter nor allowed to buy a bus or train ticket to them. Only native Chinese are allowed to enter.

My plan was to wear a disguise, find a bus to Kamikaze that arrives there between 10 pm (2200) and 1 am (0100, tract bomb the gospel throughout the city, find a remote place to stay until such a time as a taxi can be hired to escape to the nearest town, find a bus to get back to the starting point.

It was a 48 hour train ride to the province capital that would host my operations for this mission. Much prayer was requested from home on my behalf and God had already moved sovereignly on several occasions. Border security, checkpoints and train station guards had all been passed through and evaded with the Lord's help. One night my watch stopped and only then did I realize how much it was needed for this mission. With no knowledge of watches and a short prayer, I began to take it apart. After putting it back together twice, it started to work again. Praise God!

On the train looking out the window it started to snow. It was already late in the year. This mission was going to be a cold one anyway and the last thing I needed was snow. After some prayer the matter was left in God's hands. Upon my arrival in the province capital the snow stopped and the sun came out.

A full day revealed much information. It's a long way to Kamikaze so taking the bus won't work. The train passes through Kamikaze at the right times, 6 am (0600) one way and at midnight (2400) on the return. That's my plan, go through the forbidden city in the morning and tract bomb it on the way back through the night.

I put tracts, Bible, water and my ski mask into the shoulder bag that was coming with me, stored the rest of my things at the bus station across the street, and got on the train. It wouldn't be arriving into my target city until the next morning, so I had some time to spend with God. Understand something about being a missionary: when you are on the field putting your faith in God to the test, the Bible becomes so real and alive because you are holding on to its promises. Whenever I read the Bible in China there is always a message that God is trying to tell me, or something I need to apply that very day. So as I read the story of Stephen getting martyred while I'm on my way to break into one of China's top military bases, I got a bit nervous. When the last line of the story was read, God spoke clearly to my heart, calling me by name, "Are you willing to die to bring the Gospel to this city?"

"Let me pray about it," was my super-spiritual response. Boy, I didn't think it was that serious, my mind went racing. If I say "yes" to that question, God can say, "Then you will die," but if I say "no," I could be out of God's will for the rest of my life.

What if this was God's purpose for my life, to preach the Gospel to this remote city that may never have heard of what Jesus did for them? Who am I to argue with the Living God?

"Yes, Lord, I am willing to die to bring the Gospel to this city."

This was the Lord's tender, comforting reply, "Then you don't have anything to worry about, do you?"

My alarm was set for 5 am (0500). I wanted to be awake when the train went through Kamikaze to take in any information that might prove useful getting off that night. As the train pulled to a stop, a sign displayed the now very familiar Chinese characters spelling out the name of the city.

Examining what I could see of the city through the train window brought some concern to my mind. There were military guards, police officers and train station security personnel everywhere. They were creating a human funnel that went down the side of the train in both directions and making everyone that got off go through the security checkpoint. Only one prson could go through one at a time. An army jeep on the other side of the gate shined its bright lights in the face of each person as the military guards on both sides of them checked their ticket.

"Lord, how am I supposed to get through this tonight? You're going to have to make me invisible."

God then reminded me of a promise and gave me a command, "Every piece of ground that your feet shall walk on will be your inheritance. Get off the train."

I stepped down onto the platform of a city forbidden to foreigners and claimed the city for God saying, "Tonight the Gospel of my Lord Jesus Christ will be spread through your streets. Today you belong to my God."

They told me to get back on the train. Hours later I arrived at my turnaround point. It would be even more hours before the train started its return to the province capital. When you are about to break into a military base there are lots of questions going through your mind and there is only one Person in the universe who can answer them. I spent that time talking to that Person and reading the small Bible that was with me. Every story I read from the book of Acts was about God intervening on the behalf of people. Like when Peter was thrown into prison, the angel came and unlocked the shackles that bound him, opened the cell door, walked him past the guards, opened the gate to the prision and Peter went straight into the city. "Lord, that is what I need you to do for me. Get me past the guards and into the city."

Another problem that was present was once inside the city, how do I get out? Then I read the story of Philip ministering to the Ethiopian. After baptizing him, Philip was instantly transported to the next city by the Spirit of God. "Lord, that would come in real handy tonight."

God also reminded me of the time Elisha's servant came to him and said that there was an army surrounding them to kill them. Elisha prayed, "Lord, open his eyes. For more are with us than are with them." And the servant's eyes were opened and he could see in the hills chariots and horses of fire, the great army of the Lord of Hosts. And God comforted my heart because when I got off the train in Kamikaze more would be with me than were with them. He is a great God!

My contact had told me to buy a ticket for the province capital instead of Kamikaze because then you look innocent if caught. The problem I had with that idea was if the guards checked my ticket and saw that it was for a different city, they might tell me to get back on the train. A brilliant idea flashed through this marvelous brain. I could tell the lady at the counter that my Chinese friend wants to go to Kamikaze and he doesn't have any money so I want to buy him the ticket. Then I would have one ticket for looking innocent and one for getting past security. A conniving grin broke across a good-looking face. Then I heard a gentle voice speak clearly to my heart, "Do not rely on deception for your victory."

"What am I supposed to do if they make me go through the security checkpoint?" I asked. "What did the person I placed in authority over you tell you to do?" "He told me to go through the checkpoint but to walk along the tracks until I could get into the city," was my reply. Then I understood. If I was obedient to the person God had placed in authority over me, that would bring God's blessing.

As the train pulled into Kamikaze I was by the exit with my disguise on. We slowed to a stop and the conductor asked if I wanted to get off. Not sure what to expect after what I saw there that morning I got off, turned left and started walking. There wasn't a guard in sight. God didn't have to make me invisible. He just made everyone else go home.

A sign depicting the name of the "Last City" was in plain view. The chilling cold of this dark, unlit place penetrated my ski mask. An open gate a half a mile back provided entrance into the forbidden city. At the gate there was a security guard I could hear around the corner and a bright light shining down on the area. "Lord, how do I get through this?

"This is your entrance into the city," he replied.

"God protect me," I prayed. Moving quiety through the gate, I ducked into the shadows on the opposite side and looked back. The guard had his back to me watching T.V. I was in. Time to get down to business.

Doorsteps, windowsills, stairways all carried the message of salvation to whomever would listen. "Lord, surround me with your angels. Go before me and behind me. Be my rear guard. Keep prying eyes far from me. Show me where to go." I prayed the whole time. In the back of my mind I could hear Mission Impossible music going through my head.

The area was enclosed with a wall surrounding it and the security guard I had evaded earlier came out and closed the gate. O.K. great, now what? After tract bombing the entire area I found a gate on the other side. This one also had a guard, but he was asleep and the gate was open. Exiting the area into the city, it was as if God had prepared this place for my coming. Normally, a Chinese city is well lit and there are people everywhere at all hours of the night. This city had very little light and there was hardly anyone around at all. So I was free to go about my Father's business without any problems.

Tract bombing a large number of apartment buildings and about a mile of back alleyways emptied my bag of tracts. Now its time to find a discreet place to stay until the taxis started rolling. On my way to the edge of town a guard walking the streets took notice of me and shined his flashlight in my face. I ignored him with my head down and kept praying. He decided I was a nobody and continued walking the opposite direction.

On the edge of town there was a brick wall that I stood next to to help cut down the freezing cold wind that was blowing through the desert. Five layers of clothing were not enough. I had to move around to stay warm. Ice was forming on my ski mask. Closing my eyes I prayed, "Lord, now I need you to get me out of here. God, just as you transported Philip instantly to the next city, I ask that you would transport me back to the province capital." You may find this hard to believe, I was shocked as well, but when I opened my eyes, I was still in Kamikaze. Oh well, it was worth a shot, wasn't it?

So I kept moving around for three hours until I knew there would be taxis at the train station because they were there the morning before. Only a few minutes of waiting in a concealed position passed and a taxi pulled up. Approaching the driver I wanted to speak as little Chinese as possible so I just showed him the characters of the town I wanted to go to. We agreed on a price and I got in, but the driver didn't go anywhere. "Go to this city," I said in Chinese, but he just sat there and said things I didn't understand.

After a minute of that I thought, "Maybe he's on to me." I got out and walked down the street. He was going into the train station. Oh great, there are police in there. Another taxi pulled up but I wasn't about to go back. A few minutes later I heard a vehicle start down the street. The lights were moving back and forth as if they were looking for me. "Lord, what shall I do?" They saw me. A man got out of the van and motioned for me to come over. Running is useless now. As I approached he started walking back to the station. It was the driver that I tried to get to take me earlier. The man still in the van said, "You want me to take you there? The price is ..." I got in and, thank God, this one started moving. My driver stopped by his house on the way out of town and his wife came with us. They probably thought I was dangerous. You couldn't see anything but my eyes. Words cannot describe the feeling I felt as the forbidden city disappeared behind us. It was over, Kamikaze had 3,450 messages of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Do not underestimate the power of the Word of God. God is faithful, His Word is true and He will do what He said He would do.

It was a three hour drive to my destination. When we arrived I got a picture of my driver, his wife and what I'm dubbing my "get-away vehicle." An hour later I was on a bus headed for the province capital. The 800th and the "Last City" had been reached.

May all glory be given to God. If I become prideful because of this accomplishment, I would be robbing God of His glory and He will not share it with another.

The Future of China

I believe the day will come when the underground church of China will be recognized as the most powerful movement in church history. We are constantly receiving letters from the underground asking for Bibles and other materials. There is no way of knowing how big the underground church is but the estimates are encouraging. Please pray for them. Now is the time to flood China with the Gospel while the country is still closed to outside religions. The souls of China are hungry and crying out, "There must be more!" God uses manpower. If we do our part we will see the salvation of a nation. Multitudes are in the Valley of Decision. "Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life." (John 4:35,36)

Translated letters from China

"I found your Jesus message and I can see the love for our country you have by sending these everywhere, and I see you love the Lord very much to spread the gospel like you do."

"After I found your tract it stirred an interest in me to know more about church and God. I now believe Jesus died on the cross to save my soul. I need to learn and grow so can you help me? Send some material, thank you."

Contact

The person who lived these adventures wishes to remain anonymous in order not to jeopardize future mission trips. However, he can be contacted through his local church or through the ministry he represents. These links will be provided at a later date. Until then, contact him through webmaster@jesusislord.org

Please note that although the goal of reaching China’s 800 cities by the year 2000 by this method has been reached, the job is not finished! Jump in!

Last updated 08/28/2004

Background music is: My Tribute by Andre Crouch

How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude;
All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me; with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

Just let me live my life; let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee.
And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.
With His blood He has saved me; with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me; with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me; with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me; with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.