Missions in Asia: Some Book Reviews

In March, I stayed for a weekend with some friends in Iowa.  They had an amazing selection of books on China and Asia, including a number on missionary work. I looked at a few, though, and thought I'd share these.  They're really good, and full of stories that will make you want more of God, and more of His kingdom.

Between Two Tigers: Testimonies of Vietnamese Christians, by Tom White (1996)
In Vietnam, some tigers have four feet.  Others have only two feet.  Vietnamese Christians courageously spread the Gospel between the government tiger and the religious tiger.  A Vietnamese rice farmer shares, "I try to carry little Bible tracts with me and one Bible.  I would rather carry the literature than food, so I don't bring food with me.  Sometimes we run into wild animals.  We can hear the voice and see the footprints of the tigers.  There are many snakes.  The people follow witchcraft and animism; they worship the plants and rocks.  When we are walking on the trail, we pray constantly.  We are not scared of the jungle, but we are scared of the Vietnamese border police.  If we meet them along the way, they will shoot us...  But my favorite Bible verse is, 'Go and make disciples of all nations.'"

As you walk with these brothers and sisters between their tigers, you will become renewed and strengthened with a modern-day view of those who are called "Christians."

--taken from back cover

Stories From China: Fried Rice for the Soul, by Luke Wesley, Foreword by Brother Yun (1997)

Not long ago I spoke with Pastor Zhou, a leader of a house church network that asked us to partner with them in establishing an underground Bible school.  As we discussed what the school might look like, Pastor Zhou emphasized that they wanted a strong missions component in the curriculum.  I thought this was terrific, but assumed that he was largely interested in preparing their students for cross-cultural ministry within the borders of China.  But as he explained further, I quickly saw that I had underestimated their vision.  Pastor Zhou stated that they felt God had called the Chinese church ‘to take the gospel back to Jerusalem’.  He noted that the gospel was first shared in Jerusalem.  And then, for the most part, the gospel was taken westward to Europe and then North America.  Finally, missionaries brought the gospel to China.  Now, Pastor Zhou affirmed, the Chinese church believes that they have been called by God to take the gospel back to Jerusalem.  ‘We believe that God wants us to send missionaries to Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and on to Jerusalem.’ He looked at my white, American face and said, ‘It would be difficult for you to go there, but we Chinese have a long history of dealings with these peoples and nations.  We can fit in easily.  God is calling us to go.’ Back to Jerusalem—what a wonderful vision!

--Meditation #12: Back to Jerusalem

Restricted Nations: China, by Voice of the Martyrs, Riley K. Smith (2008)

…a group of Protestant missionaries working in Guitan, Fujian province, and retreating at Huasang village was attacked by a...Secret Society known as the Vegetarians.  The Vegetarians were an odd crew of insurgents.  Anti-government rebels who claimed to abstain from meat, the Vegetarians would bring nuts, seeds, and fruit as part of their worship ritual.

The vegetarians had gathered to cast lots, asking the spirits for guidance on the plans they had devised to carry out, one of which was attacking the missionaries retreating at Huasang.  Three nights in a row, the lot fell on the missionaries, and 120 men were sent to carry out the ruthless murder of the missionaries.

The morning of August 1, 1895, the Vegetarians descended on the unsuspecting missionaries…

The murder at Huasang was the first that Protestant missionaries had experienced since their arrival in 1807.  But the slaughter did not deter the gospel in China.  In a letter dated August 28, 1895, the remaining missionaries with the organization appealed for ten more workers to take the place of those who were killed.  Many responded.  In addition to the number of missionaries arriving, the martyrdom of these faithful ones created a hunger among the Chinese to experience Christ’s salvation.

The only adult missionary to survive the attack, Flora Codrington, recovered in England and returned to China.  Her deep commitment to the Chinese made a lasting impression, and thousands turned to Christ as a result.

--Secret Societies, p 40-42