PU_AUG 2017_SA_WEB

CHINESE CHURCH
SUPPORT MINISTRIES
CHINA PRAYER LETTER
AUGUST 2017
Solving the Healthcare Problem
China faces a major challenge in providing
affordable healthcare services to a huge and
rapidly aging population. “How do you solve a
problem like China’s public healthcare?” asks
a recent ‘Sixth Tone’ article.
China’s health spending per capita has grown
substantially since the turn of the millennium,
and the state has footed a sizeable share of
the bill. Overall funding for public health this
year amounts to 1.4 trillion yuan, according
to the National Health and Family Planning
Commission, accounting for 7.2 percent of the
entire national budget.
China has been reforming its healthcare
system for some years, but now “the reform has
entered the most critical period,” according
to Zhuang Ning, deputy director of the
Department of System Reform at the National
Health and Family Planning Commission.
The aim is to ensure comprehensive
and affordable healthcare access
nationwide. “There is no peace
In
this
issue
Solving the
Healthcare Problem
Deaths in Pakistan
Michael Eaton
After I Die
Bringing Hope
AppSTER Project
Seeking to serve, strengthen and support the church and the people of China

and prosperity without the health of the
whole population,” Zhuang has stressed.
Top-level public hospitals, especially
those in big cities or provincial capitals,
deal with extraordinary pressure: In
2016, China’s largest hospital received
close to 20,000 outpatients in
one day, Sixth Tone
reports.
In a bid
to guide patients
to more appropriate
facilities, the country’s health
authority has been working to build
regional health care alliances, which
connect top-tier, second-tier, and
community-level health centres through
training and advisory partnerships to
ensure quality services at each level. By
the end of 2016, a total of 205 Chinese
cities had established regional health
care alliances — accounting for 60
percent of cities.
Authorities are also overhauling the
funding system. Starting in April, the
price of prescription medication was
standardized in the first few regions.
Beijing has become one of the first cities
in the country to completely remove
the mark-up on drug sales in public
hospitals, instead imposing higher
medical service fees to subsidize these
institutions. If the Beijing pilot program
proves successful, the service charge
could be extended to the whole country.
Yet while new policies claim to strive
for equal access to quality healthcare for
all, some of the reforms appear to be a
shift toward market solutions — a userpays
model, which could exacerbate
inequality. China’s private healthcare
sector is clearly growing. There are now
more private hospitals than public in
the country, though they are typically
smaller. By the end of 2015, private
institutions provided more than one
million hospital beds — 19.4 percent
of those available — representing an
increase of 161 percent from 2010.
The state is also promoting commercial
health insurance to help alleviate the
economic burden of caring for its vast,
aging population. Since July 1, a national
policy gives income tax breaks of up to
1,080 yuan (around US$160) annually
to citizens who purchase commercial
medical insurance.
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Deaths in Pakistan
News of two Chinese Christians who had
been abducted in Pakistan on 24th May
and killed by ISIS was a shock to many
believers in China.
Lu Lingling (26) and Li Xinheng (24)
were missionaries who taught Chinese
in a Korean-run language institute in
Pakistan. They were said to have been
studying Urdu at a language centre
in the city of Quetta when they were
abducted by armed men pretending to
be policemen.
International
Short-Term
Teams
*
Much is unknown
about these two believers and
questions have been raised
about their visa status. Yet as
one commentator stated in a
China Source article:
“Mr. Li and Ms Lu were
targeted, kidnapped, and murdered
because they were declaring the message
of Jesus Christ to Muslims. That is it.
That is why they were killed. ISIL does
not care if they did business or studied
the Urdu language. They only cared that
these two and others were in Pakistan to
advance the message of the Christ.”
“There is an incredible missions
movement taking place within the
Chinese church. From the original Back
**
Mercy
**
Medical
* Intercession
**
Trekking
**
English Cultural Exchange
September 2017: Trekking and Intercession Teams
October 2017: Mercy Team
December 2017: Cultural Exchange Team 3

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to Jerusalem
to the younger
Mission China 2030
to the many other smaller
endeavours. China has joined
and is officially part of the global
missions community,” the commentator
continues.
“The Chinese face the same risks that
any one of us may face. As the global
missions community and those of us
with a heart for China mourn the loss
of Mr. Li and Ms. Lu, we need to pray for
China and its church. We need to pray
for the loved ones of Mr. Li and Ms. Lu.
We need to pray and ask God to give
them strength to persevere and not give
Michael Eaton
As many of you will be aware, we have
been working with Michael Eaton for
the past few years as we have worked
on translating his ‘Preaching Through
the Bible’ series. Michael kindly gave us
permission to translate his books, and
print and distribute them free of charge
in China.
We recently received the following news
about Michael Eaton: “It is with great
sadness that we share the news that
Michael Eaton passed away on Friday
9th June in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Michael was attending a conference
when he had a heart attack. He was
well taken care of in hospital but he
up. We need to challenge the Chinese
church to pray for ISIL and ask God to
raise up modern day Apostle Pauls from
within the ISIL ranks.
In closing, may we honour their death
and sacrifice by persevering in our calling
as God’s ambassadors to the whole
world and to all peoples. May we remain
steadfast in our commitment to be the
disciple makers Jesus commissioned
us to be. Let us not shrink back in fear
because of what ISIL did but may we pray
for our enemies, love those who hate us,
and may we remain bold and faithful
in taking the gospel to the ends of the
earth, even if it requires that we join the
honourable ranks of Mr. Li and Ms. Lu. “
died peacefully and went to glory. We
are thankful that his family were able
to be with him in the previous few days.
The Eaton family would like to express
their heartfelt gratitude for all the love
and support received from the leadership
of the Cornerstone Church throughout
the week. The outpouring of love and
condolences from round the world has
touched us deeply. He will be greatly
missed.”
I received the following letter from
someone in China who had received
some of Michael’s books:
“Thank you for your books! I received

Acts, Romans and Mark. Although I
just got a few titles, I can't put them
down. I got a lot of benefit from them.
I'm writing because I want to express
my thanks to you! Thank God for using
you! May the Lord continue giving
grace upon you and blessing your work!
May the Lord also continue using you
as a channel of blessing!
I would also like to let you know our
needs. We are in Inner Mongolia, which
is a remote area. We lack materials and
can't get books. If possible, we would
like to get a full set of Michael Eaton's
books. Or maybe you could give us a
set of e-copies, which we could print
out for study. We also would like to get
other books if they’re available.”
I forwarded this letter to Michael a
few weeks before he died to encourage
him and let him know how much
people are appreciating his books. His
reply was: “Good work.”
I also kept him in the picture about
how we were now putting his books
onto the Micro SD cards. I know
Michael has been delighted that his
books are reaching so many people
and helping change people’s lives. It is
sad that Michael didn’t see the whole
of the ‘Preaching Through the Bible’
series translated and printed, but it just
makes us all the more determined to
complete this task as a lasting tribute
to him. We still have about half the Old
Testament books to translate (which we
are currently working on); then we want
to add them to the New Testament and
put all the books onto the SD cards.
It has been a real pleasure to have
worked with Michael on this project
and we are grateful to him and his
family for allowing us to bless so many
Chinese people with these books. If you
would like to help us complete the series
and put them onto SD cards as a tribute
to Michael, then any gifts would be very
welcome.
Ian Robertson
Director of Literature
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After I Die
Quora is a popular English-language
website where questions are asked,
answered, edited and organized by its
community of users. When someone
asked the question, “In Chinese etiquette
and behaviour, if a child asks his father
what happens after death, what would
be his response?”, a variety of comments
were offered.
The following humorous response from
Tao Geng best summarised many of the
answers:
• Most probable answer No.3:
After death, you are dead.
• Most probable answer No.2:
Go and ask your mum.
• Most probable answer No.1:
Have you finished your homework?
Another Quora contributor, Kaiser Kuo,
who has lived in Beijing for 20 years, gave
his insights in response to the question:
“One might quote the sage Confucius,
who is said to have replied to a similar
question, ‘You do not even understand
life. How can you understand death?’
Hardly comforting to a child, of course.
Or one might appeal to the more Taoist
streak in the Chinese psyche, and invoke
a kind of yin-yang dualism and say to
the child, ‘Death is a natural part of life,
and death is what gives life its particular
value. That life is short, that we are all
of us mortal—that is what makes life so
precious
and valuable.’
That's hardly very
comforting either.
Most Chinese are nominally
atheists, but spirituality and belief
in a ‘soul’ is, I've found, extremely
widespread. Most parents I've known
and with whom I've discussed this issue
are quite fine—depending on the age
and the precocity of the child—with
using the same comforting utterances:
Grandma's in a better place now;
Grandma will always be with us in spirit;
Grandma is looking down at us from
Heaven; that sort of thing."
Adela Zhang added to the conversation
by giving her viewpoint on ‘Heaven’:
“As a Chinese, my father told me that my
grandma had gone over the stars, beyond
the sky, a better place dead people go. We
don't say Heaven though we know what
it is but in our eyes Heaven belongs to
the West.”
In China it is not uncommon for parents
to travel and stay in cities far from home
in order to find better employment.
The children often stay behind and
are cared for by their grandparents. A
child will likely form a tight bond with
these grandparents and when a beloved
grandparent passes away, it is often the

PRAYER POINTERS
Cut out this note and slip it into your Bible to help you remember the August prayer topics for China
Solving the Healthcare Problem
Pray into the challenges that Chinese authorities face as they seek to ensure
affordable healthcare services are available to everyone.
Pray that the various pilot projects might clearly reveal which reforms are most
effective, so that they can be more widely implemented.
Pray for those in China who are still struggling to access adequate healthcare.
Give thanks for Christian believers who serve in the healthcare system. Pray
for God’s strengthening and encouragement, and that they might be Spiritfilled
witnesses for Him.
Deaths in Pakistan
Pray for family and friends of Lu Lingling and Li Xinheng as they grieve their
sudden deaths and seek to come to terms with all that means for themselves.
Pray that Chinese Christians might be inspired and challenged by their
deaths, rather than discouraged and disheartened. May other believers step
out in faith to bring the Gospel to Pakistan and to other countries where few
are currently following Jesus.
Pray for those in China who are in the midst of mission training. Pray that
they might not shrink back in fear, but might be willing to persevere in their
calling, even as they are mindful of the sacrifices this may require.
Michael Eaton
Give thanks for Michael Eaton’s life and ministry, for all the books he wrote,
and for his willingness to allow us to translate and bring those materials to
China.
Pray for Michael’s family as they mourn his loss.
Pray that Michael’s books might continue to have a powerful impact as they
are distributed across China.
Pray that we might be able to complete the translation of the whole ‘Preaching
Through the Bible’ series very quickly as a lasting tribute to Michael.
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PRAYER POINTERS
After I Die
Thank God that children are not afraid to ask the question, “What happens after
death?”
Pray that Chinese children will not be satisfied with fake answers and that they will
have a hunger to continue seeking after the truth. Pray that this question will also
provoke their fathers and mothers to look deeper for the truth.
Thank God that death is not the end and that we have the wonderful promise of
eternal life through Jesus Christ. Pray that many more in China will come to know
this amazing truth.
Bringing Hope
Thank God for the provision of good leadership for this project from its inception
until today and for the local volunteers who help these handicapped orphans.
Pray for continued favour with the welfare centre authorities so that ‘V’s team can
maintain their access to the young people whose lives are being revolutionized.
Pray for finance to allow the work to continue – funds for teachers, materials,
outings and resources.
AppSTER Project
Thank God for the valuable collection of resources that has been offered free of
charge to this project by a group of outstanding Christian authors.
Thank God that the project’s teething problems have been resolved, that the
AppSTER is now in production and we are receiving wonderful feedback from
Chinese believers.
Pray that we will be able to increase the production of the AppSTER MicroSD cards
and that the cards will encourage, feed and strengthen the Church in China.
Chinese Church Support Ministries
Seeking to serve, strengthen
and support the church and
the people of China
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young person’s first experience with the
death of someone close. It can be a very
traumatic time.
Richard Li added his experience to the
Quora conversation:
“I asked this question with my father, but
all I got was a smack on the back of my
head and a stern ‘go do your homework’.
So instead I asked my grandma. I recall
as we sat on her bed in the tiny house
we shared, she told me that there’d be
Bringing Hope
On a rural property in New Zealand, an
elderly couple dream sweet dreams!
These veteran co-workers are not as
physically active as they once were but
they have a burning passion in their
hearts for a special city in China. They
fondly remember the many years they
spent there, dramatically transforming
the lives of handicapped orphans. This
New Zealand couple created a family
nothing. You die and your body will be
burnt and the memories gradually fade
away. I recall vividly that after hearing
that, the room darkened, it felt like it was
almost being covered by a grey curtain,
and a dreaded feeling of lost gripped
my heart. Tears rolled down my cheeks
as I couldn’t deal with the fact that my
grandma will one day fade away into
nothingness. I remember thinking well
if all is for nothing, then what’s the point
of living in the first place?”
unit within a Chinese orphanage,
bringing disabled children hope and
the knowledge of a Saviour. Their work
remains an inspiration.
Their appointed successor has ‘inherited’
their determination, courage and grit!
Under the guidance of ‘V’, a local
Chinese believer and a co-worker since
the work began, the project continues to
grow.
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The work these days focuses on a welfare
centre, home to many elderly people, but
also to a group of handicapped orphans.
In China, orphans that have reached 14
years of age are no longer eligible for
adoption. Handicapped orphans may
be moved from the orphanage and sent
to a welfare centre to live out the rest of
their lives.
It is a less than ideal existence. There is
no official funding for skills training,
and no education or specialist health
support for the debilitating physical
conditions they have to deal with.
These vibrant young people, trapped in
imperfect bodies, have no stimulation,
no way of going out from the welfare
centre and little to do all day.
But this project brings a glimmer of hope
– a way forward – a chance of a better
life.
‘V’s team take the young people for
outings to parks, museums and on
river cruises. Each time she has to
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battle to get permission from the welfare
centre. Her perseverance and resolve
mean she usually wins. For the young
people, the trips are a highlight in lives
that mostly lack highlights!
These orphans have learnt various crafts
and ‘V’ now markets their products. As
a result, each young person has a bank
account and the ability to buy some of
the little extras we take for granted.
Many, though physically handicapped,
are mentally sharp and crave
education. So ‘V’
arranges for

access to China’s welfare centres is
now typically limited, non-Chinese
occupational therapists can help by
giving time to train the project leaders.
They in turn are then able to help the
young folk.
regular classes in Chinese, maths and
computer studies. ‘V’ found funds to
purchase the computers and the welfare
centre agreed to provide a projector,
printer and broadband. Providing
teachers for this programme is a further
cost.
Through the project ‘V’ does all she can
to improve the physical quality of life
of the orphans. Although foreigners’
While once strongly funded by overseas
donors, the project has over the years
been increasingly supported by local
contributors. However, this support
is now diminishing and the project
remains desperately under-resourced.
Its future depends on the generosity of
the extended ‘family’ of supporters and
helpers. If you would like to be part of
this life-changing programme, contact
your local CCSM office.
AppSTER Project
Excitement is building at CCSM after
hearing feedback from the AppSTER
MicroSD card project. The project
manager recently returned from China
with encouraging news on the uptake of
this new resource by Chinese believers.
As word of the product spreads in China,
orders are flowing in.
The AppSTER MicroSD card uses a
thumbnailsized
memory
card to house a library
of Christian books, Bibles,
video and audio materials, and even
Christian music. The cards can be used
with many modern devices including
cell phones and tablets, and include a
powerful search app for users to find
what they need. These tiny AppSTER
cards work independent of the internet,
making them a safer option for use in
a restricted nation. The AppSTER cards
are supplied free of charge by CCSM to
China’s believers. Recipients to date have
included Bibles schools, churches
and individuals.
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A number of other ministries and authors
are now asking if they can add their
books, videos and audio materials to the
card. Some of these new audio tracks
still need to be produced from scripts
and volunteers are helping us with this.
With the latest additions to the collection,
AppSTER version 3 is now in production
and will take up the full space available
on a 16GB card.
Not everything has gone smoothly,
however. Initially, finding a supply of
reliable cards at the right price caused the
team headaches. Top quality cards have
now been sourced. With this teething
problem resolved, and with the first
two MicroSD card copying machines
purchased and operating in China, the
project is now well underway. The copy
machines are working well - but at only a
fraction of their potential. Each machine
is capable of producing 1000 cards per
DAY. As expected, the limiting
factor is the finance to
purchase cards.
Our short-term goal is for each of the two
machines to output 1000 cards per month
– 2000 in total. Even this limited initial
production goal will cost approximately
US$18,000 per month.
Our ultimate aim is much higher than
that and the vision is to produce 10,000
cards per month. The current demand is
a good indication that this is an accurate
target– there are orders waiting for over
5000 cards and the problem is to sort out
who gets them first!
Some people have suggested selling the
cards, both in China and internationally,
to raise funds. However, this is not
possible due to contracts with the authors
that give CCSM printing rights but only
for China and only if distributed free. As
the project manager pointed out, if people
were to purchase all the titles on the card
at full retail price, the cost would be over
US$3,500!
The AppSTER project is now focused
on how to attract sufficient funding to
establish a steady stream of production.
To date, approximately 7,000 cards have
been distributed with excellent feedback.
CCSM South Africa
24 Devilliers Road
Kommetjie, 7975, Cape Town
Tel: + 27 21 783 2143
National Directors: Richard & Bernice Anderson
southafrica@amccsm.org
www.amccsm.org
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Account Name : CCSM
Absa Bank : Fish Hoek
Account Number : 9085696564
Branch Code : 632005