Beijing 2008 Olympics- Will you join us?

Beijing 2008 Olympics

Beijing, China

When my family and I moved to NC almost 4 years ago we found a local Chinese restaurant right off the bat. I mean who can go too long without some Chinese food!?! Because we frequented this particular restaurant, we began developing a relationship with one of the waitresses. Her American name was Jane. She was from Beijing. Jane had come to the United States to work so that her family could have some money. In one of our many conversations she told us that she had left her baby in China with her parents and would not see her again for over 2 years. My heart broke for her. I could not imagine the pain she was going through. My man and I began talking with her about Jesus and His love for her. She told us that she had a Bible and would read it often. We invited her several times to come to church with us, but because she worked on Sunday's, she could not. We shared Jesus with her as much as we could- there was a language barrier between us, but I know God was working in her heart. Every time we would leave I would hug her and tell her Jesus loved her. She would smile and say thank you.

Jane's heart was pure gold and she was extremely selfless. She would give us gifts every time we were there and she would call us on special occasions; Mother's day, Father's Day, birthday's, Christmas. One day we went into the restaurant and she was gone. I asked about her and no one would tell us where she went. I don't know what happened to Jane or where she is now. I think about her and pray for her often. She gave me a handmade paper mobile and I have it hanging in my kitchen. Every time I wash dishes I pray for her protection from the enemy. Jane will always have a very special place in my heart.

Gifts from Jane.

A few weeks ago during our family prayer time we read about a little girl named "Doris". She is a young Christian Chinese girl in the middle of a country that wants nothing to do with Jesus Christ. We read about other families who are suffering because of their faith. We talked with our kids about men and women who have given their lives for the sake of Christ. Faithful men and women who have given all they have just to share Jesus with one person. God may call our children to go to places where it's extremely dangerous just to own a Bible. What are we doing right now to prepare them for the tasks that God will one day call them to?

This year the 2008 Olympic Games will take place in Beijing, China. This will be an awesome opportunity for Christians in China to share Jesus' love with others; and yet, it will be an extremely dangerous time for believers. More than 100 Christians have been kicked out of China already this year. They have been suspected of being secret missionaries. The Olympic Games are set to begin in 114 days, August 8, 2008, at 8:08 p.m.

My family and I are committing to pray for these Olympics and the people of China everyday for the next 114 days. We are praying for protection of the believers who are there and will be sharing their faith. We are praying for the Chinese government and the lost souls in China. Will you and your family join us in this? I wish I could go to China, but I can't. But, what I can do is pray for them. We can all come together as the body of Christ and pray for the people of China, that their hearts will be soften to the Gospel of Jesus.

From now until the Olympics I will have a specific prayer need for the Chinese people listed in the sidebar of the blog everyday (if you get new posts via your email, please make sure to visit the blog site so that you can get the prayer request for the day). As you and your family sit together for your evening meal or when you tuck your kiddos in bed at night, or whenever you get the opportunity lift this prayer need up to the Lord. My kids and I made a poster about China and hung it in our dining room to remind us of the people of China and their needs. We are working through an activity book about China and believers who live there. We want our children to know that yes, sometimes God calls us to do things that are scary, but He will always be with us and will protect us. We want them to see how important it is to share their faith and how to do it. We want them to learn how to pray for others who are giving all they have to be able to share Jesus with a lost and dieing world.

Our poster includes: China's flag, a picture of Chinese children, a map of China, "God loves you" in Chinese, a few facts about China, Olympic clock countdown, and daily prayer requests.

If you and your family would like to join us in this effort, please leave us a comment. We are asking that you commit to pray for China for the next 114 days as we countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I pray that we can all come together as a united force for the sake of the Gospel.

9) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10) and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10

15) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
Mark 16:15

You can find out more about China and its people on these websites:
http://www.joshuaproject.net/
http://peopleofchina.net/current/
http://www.kidsofcourage.com/- Here you can find a free downloadable activity book about China.
http://www.persecution.com/- Here you will find The Voice of the Martyrs magazine.


So, how about it? Will you commit with us to pray for China for the next 114 days? Someones soul may depend on it!