Stories from the Field

September 2007

Vignettes from the Field
From East Asia Update

Dear Jesus, I Am A Sinner
The gathering was over, but six students had stayed behind to talk with the hostess. She was eager to know how they had processed the story of Christ's death and resurrection that she had shared. "Do you believe it?" she asked. "Yes, I believe it," said a high school junior. Then one by one, the six accepted Christ. She led them in a prayer of salvation, beginning with "Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner." They repeated what she said, one sentence at a time. When she saw the new believers one week later, she asked if they had shared Christ with their friends and family. One student replied that she had told seven family members and 10 dorm mates about Christ. When asked how they responded to the Gospel, the student replied, "Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner." All 17 had received Him into their hearts!

Promises Kept
Previously he operated a disco, smoked and drank. Then he ran into an old friend who told him about Christ. Although he immediately acknowledged the truth of the Gospel, he didn't establish a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Christian friends began to pray for him, and he realized that he needed to allow God to change his heart. He told God that if He would help him break his smoking addiction, he would truly believe in Him. For four days, he was able to go without a cigarette. On the fifth day, he picked up a pack of cigarettes and heard God say, "I keep my promises. You keep yours." He threw the pack away and embraced the salvation freely given. He began worshipping in a house church, and shortly thereafter joined an evangelistic team in trips to neighboring locations. As they share Christ with others, they see other lives changed just as dramatically as his own.

From the Communist Party
Ten friends were gathered in a living room, praying and worshipping together, when the doorbell rang. In walked a young lady who was known to be a communist party member. The group was not surprised to see her. This was her fifth visit to their gatherings. They continued their worship. Knowing he was under scrutiny, the host nevertheless shared a Gospel message. Then the lady received the Lord! She had come as an instrument of the atheist government, but left a follower of the King.