Each time this lay worker changes locations, left behind are a core group of dedicated believers who carry on underground, doing translation work and continuing to reach people for Christ. Missionary X uses some of the funds provided by Laymen Ministries to help support workers who have very little other financial means.
These Christians often face incredible opposition as they seek to work for God. Their families want them to work hard and make money, rather than devote their lives to sharing the gospel. They must trust completely in God to provide a way for them to use their marketable skills to earn a living and provide a screen for what is really on their hearts.
Many minority children are educated in Chinese schools, where their native language and culture are not taught. These children grow up speaking the Chinese language almost exclusively, and can have difficulty even communicating with their families. In order to evangelize their people, they must first study their own native language!
One missionary went to a city where there is officially supposed to be a registered Seventh-day Adventist church. After three years of living in this city, not one single SDA believer could be found. One man claimed to be an Adventist pastor, but seemed to know almost nothing about the three angels’ messages or Seventh-day Adventist doctrine.
This layman was recently joined by another missionary minded person. Today these two missionaries encourage a growing group of believers who are studying—some on a daily basis! Many have accepted the Sabbath, the state of the dead, the health message, and other church doctrines. Their enthusiasm and love for God are bubbling over, and they bring in more people daily. Study literature has been provided, and plans are being laid to do a health work in a nearby area.
An early project begun by Missionary X, which we have reported on to you, is the work of translating literature from Outer Mongolian into Inner Mongolian script. While the oral Mongolian language is more or less universal, the written languages are very different. Outer Mongolians use the Russian alphabet, while Inner Mongolians use the ancient Mongolian script. To further complicate matters, Xinjiang Mongolians use a still different script, which is a variation of the ancient Mongolian.
To date, a great deal of literature has been translated into Inner Mongolian script, including The Man Who Couldn’t Be Killed, Steps to Christ, The Story of Redemption, New Life Bible Study Guides, Studying Together (by Mark Finley), the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and three small tracts. It is hoped that another translation and printing program can soon be started for the Xinjiang Mongols.
Missionary X’s efforts are also branching out toward the Uighur people, who are mostly Muslim. The Uighur life-style leads almost invariably to high blood pressure, heart disease and more, and change is very difficult unless people can be isolated for a time from the temptations of friends and family members. In order for a NEWSTART program to be successful, there must be at least one Uighur person to do the cooking and demonstrations. Several Han (majority Chinese) people can teach this, but Uighurs will not eat food cooked by a Han.
A translation program is also beginning for the Uighur minority group. The first project is the book, In Search of the Treasure of Faith, which was written in the context of the Muslim culture, explaining the common Muslim objections to Bible truths. Missionary X believes that soon there will be a solid group of Hanif (true believer) Uighur Muslims working for Christ.
Please continue to pray for Missionary X and the work that is being accomplished on behalf of minority people groups in China. Safety is always a factor, and we covet your prayers for the continued growth and strength of the dedicated believers who are willing to give up so much in order to share God’s love.
