ActionLove teams deliver food and supplies amid the chaos (Photo: ©China Christians ActionLove) It’s now two weeks after the Sichuan earthquake shook, and moved, the world. The vital facts are:
- Death toll: 65,080; expected to reach 80,000 and more
- Wounded: 360,058
- Still Missing: 23,150
- Homeless / Displaced: 15 million
The world also felt the pain and the grief of the tens of thousands of child fatalities, almost all were the only child of their families.
The world was somewhat enthused that there were some positive changes:
- Within hours, Beijing’s highest officials arrived at the scene
- Over 130,000 Chinese soldiers reached the worst affected within two days
- 30 billion yuan [more than £2bn] in donations and goods were raised, mostly from within China
- China took the initiative to call for help from around the world
- International aid and relief personnel were actually welcome
- The media were given practically uninhibited access to report
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China earthquake: love in action
ActionLove update Sat 24 May
In pictures
ActionLove teams at work We at Asian Outreach joined China’s three day national mourning; we fasted and prayed. We gave money. Our China team converged in Sichuan within 24 hours to join the front-line efforts. We urged key house church leaders in China to mobilize prayers, resources, and personnel. The Wenzhou house church gave one and a half million yuan [£110,000] as an immediate relief fund.
Because ActionLove is recognised in China, and with good relationships with Beijing, our teams were quickly granted access even to restricted areas. We were assigned the task of disinfecting and burying bodies to avoid an epidemic. We were on the ground to distribute food, water, tents, radios, and torches. We also spoke words of comfort to the families.
I am so proud of China’s Third Church [indigenous, non-Western church] leaders. Nearly 30 medical personnel were at the scene within 24 hours. They served alongside Chinese soldiers. Many lives were saved. In one village the team found six pregnant women who were about to deliver their babies. Together with the local hospital’s nursing team they were able to help.
Friends of Asian Outreach around the world were concerned. They asked about the safety of our Sichuan teams; and they offered help.
For me, this is a most pivotal phase: “How do we respond from now on?” The new, urban Third Church of China relies on us to lead them in this – their very own – Great Commission & Great Commandment opportunity.
David explains the long-term plans being put in place through China Christians ActionLove: For the first time, Beijing is appealing for international help to provide post-trauma counselling for the millions of victims. Asian Outreach is now sending an immediate team of counsellors to Sichuan. But starting from June, together with the urban house churches, we are training 65 young Christian professionals in “Community and Family Counselling.” Our aim is that some will locate to Sichuan even during their training to start serving alongside the recovery process. All the trainees are already engaged in church planting and Christian ministry.
Originally, this training is a two year programme. We are now in discussion with our local partners to fast-track it to meet China’s greatest and most urgent need for counsellors.
Building on a strong relationship with the house church leadership of Sichuan, particularly with young urban professionals and business people, Asian Outreach are encouraging them to work within the government’s rebuilding process. The Sichuan Church will play host to the various Christian efforts from China’s other cities. Thus far an alliance of 12 cities is established under the banner “China Christians ActionLove”. This sort of combined effort from China’s house church Christians is a first-ever! The team is determined to “Be a Difference and Make a Difference”. Their aim is to introduce strong Christian community elements with every new rebuilding project: “Our prayers are in every new built village and town, there will be a positive Christian presence and influence!”
Using the financial metaphor of leverage - essentially, adding value to make an investment more worthwhile - a government official told David, “You must leverage with love”. Beijing has pledged billions to rebuild Sichuan. Both international and national aid organizations have done so as well. Orphans from the quake are already provided for, and education guaranteed. Likewise, support for the elderly is also pledged by the government. Therefore, a high official shared with us, “It’s not so much your money, or the physical reconstruction. You must leverage what we in government do with your specialty.”
“Our specialty?”
“Yes! Your specialty is of course love in heart and love in action!”
So ActionLove are developing “community and family harmony centres” in two cities, with a view to introducing them in Sichuan in 2009.
Finally, David encouraged outsiders to pray for the efforts of these Christians, showing how careful training provided by Asian Outreach is already bearing fruit. As China opens up more and more, to give a glass of cold water in China is no longer difficult. It is always very needed - particularly in devastations such as this earthquake. But doing so “in Jesus’ Name” requires trust, sensitivity, relationships, and in short, wisdom. For the Third Church in China, our efforts in training them on “Biblical Principles in Social Services and Volunteerism” was a most timely effort.
For China’s house church, this is their first time to come out into the open, and to offer their love and services.
Their leaders are now saying, “We are no longer jumping here and there and everywhere, aimlessly trying to meet needs. Rather, we are mobilising the Whole Church to take the Whole Gospel to the Whole Person. And hopefully soon, even to the Whole World.”