Honoring the Dead

Ancient Festival Restored

The ancient Qing Ming Festival was celebrated as a public holiday in China early this month for the first time since Communists took control of the country more than 50 years ago.

Traditional Practices

Millions of Chinese people flocked to the burial sites of their ancestors on April 4 to "sweep the graves" and freshen up the calligraphy on the headstones as a sign of respect. Sadly, many of the graveside visits also included the burning of incense, the offering of foods and paper goods, and other rituals associated with ancestor worship.

Modern Observances

Many went to repositories to check out urns filled with the ashes of deceased family members so that they could make similar offerings at Qing Ming Festival. Still others handled the occasion with contemporary efficiency, opting to make their offerings by logging onto websites that would allow them to purchase gifts for their dead.

Prayers From China, Prayer for China

Poignant Prayers from China

When a group of new believers was encouraged to ask God for anything, this is how some of them prayed:

"Make me as faithful as Paul"
"Use me to bring my whole family to you"
"Help me make disciples."
"Reach this city and use it to reach the world."
"Heal my heart so I can comfort and heal others' hearts."
"I believe you want to save many in this city"
"You are all we need and all we want."
"Draw me closer to you than I've ever been."
"Let everything I do be for you alone. Get me out of the way completely, and help me to live only for your glory."
"I am overjoyed that I am your child."

Focused Prayer for China

Day of Prayer and Fasting

Beginning this month, our East Asia region will host a Day of Prayer and Fasting for one unengaged people group each month. The Laba people of southwest Guizhou province in China are the focus group for April. Please join us in calling out to God for the salvation of the 225,000 Laba people who desperately need to know Christ. Go to: http://easia.imb.org for more information.

Visa Restrictions

With the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics looming hugely on the horizon, foreigners are finding it increasingly difficult to renew visas that allow them to live in China for extended periods of times. Pray that authorities responsible for making such decisions will look favorably on Christian residents from overseas who truly love the Chinese people and consider China to be their home.

Easter Praise Reports

From Frontline Workers

"We sent out invitations inviting our neighbors and friends to come and celebrate with us. We showed all the kids how to color the eggs and shared with them the reason why we celebrate Easter. He is risen! Hallelujah!"

"During Easter, 25,000 gospel tracts were distributed in our city and 28 college students came to know Him. In another city where we serve, 21 lost souls were saved and two new house churches were started by His grace. We thank Him, praise Him, and give Him the glory."

"Easter was celebrated with 45 Christians and their families and friends. Only four of them were believers three years ago. We all enjoyed the cookout and picnic at a new believer's beautiful country home. This was a great opportunity to read the resurrection story together and share its wonderful truths!"

"On Easter Sunday our small student-based church reached out to its friends, and 36 people came to celebrate Easter. The guest speaker was from a local house church. Eight people prayed to receive Christ that day."

"We tried to bring the Easter celebration story to the college classrooms. We gave 14 classroom lectures during the six days preceding Easter Sunday, reaching almost 1000 students."

"After weeks of finding no one who spoke English, we had a student come up and compliment our children. (Later) we met a group of six students who spoke English. My wife invited them to come over that week. They brought the food and cooked it for us. We were amazed! We provided the jelly beans, homemade cookies, an Easter egg hunt, and the Easter story. This was truly our greatest Easter!"