Challenge and Opportunity with Coronavirus in China
The Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak, which has killed 106 people and infected 4515 people as of January 28, occupied our heart and mind as we pursued programming since the later part of January. A new prayer appears on the front page of our website every day, assuring listeners that we care about the Chinese and we petition God for help on their behalf daily. Efforts were made in our programming to direct attention to the God who created the universe and whose power alone is sustaining the world and everything in it. We hope to help our listeners put their trust in God so that they could relieve fear and burden knowing that the Creator God’s power is beyond ours and is capable of terminating the virus.
Beyond programming the Lord also gives us an opportunity to help the need of hospitals in Wuhan. Jeff Robertson of Agape Asia has asked if those members of the Middle Tennessee Chinese Church of Christ who work for Vanderbilt Medical Center would inquire if Vanderbilt could assist with supplies such as protective clothing coveralls and respirator surgical masks, two items that hospitals in Wuhan have contacted him to help get for them.
Chinese New Year
January 25 marks the beginning of the New Year for 2020 according to the traditional Chinese calendar. This time of the year all the Chinese are home enjoying family reunions with loved ones who work in other cities. Our listeners have time to tune in our programming more than other times of the year. So, the holiday gives us a chance to introduce how Chinese in America celebrate the New Year.
It happened that a special Chinese Lantern Show is on exhibit in the Nashville zoo which coincides with the Chinese New Year. So, the local Chinese Language School put on a dancing performance and Chinese craft workshop for those visitors who come for the Lantern Show to learn about Chinese art and culture through hands-on experience associated with Chinese New Year. We did an interview with Mrs. Jenjen Lin, Director of Chinese Art Alliance, who is the lead performer of the dance show including pieces such as The Mouse Got Married, Chinese Kong Fu, Traditional Chinese Dance, etc. The Lantern Show is a big success in itself. A group of artists and Lantern technical professionals from Zigong China set up the display which takes more than three months. All sorts of lanterns in the shape of Chinese dragons, cattle, nature objects, and even Santa Claus with beautiful colors draw thousands of visitors from Tennessee and beyond. We put the photo pictures of the lanterns on the website for visitors to learn about what’s going on in Nashville during the Chinese New Year.
Programming
2020 is the beginning of a new decade. Our programming focus for 2020 is the Bible. Audio Bible in Mandarin will be made available to Chinese people worldwide through World Christian Broadcasting daily. New series are being planned. As we planned to finish recording of the entire Bible and begin airing them chapter by chapter this summer, we also plan to introduce prominent Bible figures. As we talk about each major Bible characters, may God use the simple, helpful, and life-applicable messages to help listeners grab hold of the truth and realize the power that is in God’s word. Hopefully, listeners would appreciate the significance of the Bible, want to read it themselves, and pursue God as they deal with responsibilities and challenges in their daily lives. Please pray for our listeners and our efforts.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and interest in our ministry. China is changing rapidly. The Lord is waiting for the Chinese people to come to believe in Jesus and come back to Him. May God use us together to make the salvation of Jesus and the word of God easy to understand and to accept Him.
