July 15, 2008 - Report from Lawrence Tong

The earthquake struck the Sichuan province in China, May 2008. Here's a brief update on our work there, especially construction of the school that replaced one demolished in the earthquake:

Dong Po Middle School in Meishan City

Photos show the rubble that was a school before the earthquake, and the temporary classroom set up in the hot sun.

The school building project was completed on time. There are now five buildings with a total area of 9000 square feet. These consist of 8 classrooms in 2 buildings, dormitory facilities for 16 teachers (1 building), a canteen and a building that serves as a kitchen and store rooms.

Only moments after the classrooms were completed, 420 students moved into the cool classrooms – a welcome relief from the hot summer sun. Classes started moments after the building was completed. Until the earthquake stuck, Dong Po Middle School was ranked the third best middle school in the entire county. The Principal told us the students are very eager to regain that ranking.

At a “thank you” dinner hosted by the Education Secretary later that evening, he promptly gave the OK for our organization to bring in two foreign teachers to teach the English language in this school.

We praise God as all the money needed for the school project came in. We had a little left over and decided to buy electric fans for all the classrooms. We were also able to install wash basin and an electric fan in all 8 rooms in the teachers' dormitory - an added luxury. The builders, as part of their contribution, have given us better quality material for the same price. These materials are stronger and they will provide guarantees for the material and workmanship for five years.

Food and relief goods distribution

More than 500 believers from all over the country volunteered in the outreach effort. Together, the Christian earthquake relief team has made more than 217 trips to the affected area, delivering relief goods, food and medicine to the victims. They also went as counselors to comfort and console those who suffered. The government called them “The people with loving hearts.”

Today the food situation has stabilized, with the government providing food to the refugees living in the allotted camps. Now, our group delivers an average of two van loads of food items each week to community kitchens in Dujiayen. These make-shift kitchens are run by the local Christians. In the main refugee camps, the military provides food and security.

The government also issued 30 visas to the staff of a group we brought in during the early days of the disaster, and they taught the locals how to make water filters and trained them in rescue operations. Their people stay an average of two weeks at a time and were an excellent help and blessings to victims and volunteers alike.

New Relationships Being Built

Our project drew the attention of the local TV news as it is the first school of its kind to be built. The news boldly reported that this school was made possible by the love of Christians from Wuhan, Shanghai, Wenzhou and Jiangsu - that’s us. A church leader, who is our good friend and who helped pioneer the relief operation, excitedly confided in us that a high ranking government official who worked with us the last two months has asked to become a Christian. He is now discipling this new brother in the Lord.

The change in the local government’s attitude towards the Christians was remarkable. Before the earthquake, there was only one registered State Church in all of Meishan City – a strong Buddhist enclave. In the last two months, the government approved applications to register six new churches in the same city!

Looking Ahead

Please join in prayer with us as we pray about building two more similar schools. One would be in the city of Yingxiu, one of the worst hit towns I visited. The other would be in Beichuan where our two workers are. The entire city of Beichuan is going to be moved to a new location 23 kilometers east. The old city, completely destroyed in the earthquake, has been named by the government as an Earthquake Museum.

Pray also for our teams in that province as they continue working in their current ministries as well as reaching out to those affected by the earthquake.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and continued support of our work in China. God is doing a new thing and we are privileged to be part of His doing in this great and ancient country. In His time, He makes all things beautiful.

Lawrence Tong, OM China, who is based in Florence, South Carolina, traveled to China to help plan various relief efforts. Here is part of the report he posted on his return home.

Chengdu, China, Monday, May 26, 2008

Local believers united to bring relief and hope for China earthquake survivors.

On May 12, 2008 a deadly 7.9 magnitude earthquake shook China's Sichuan province, affecting millions of people. The quake and its aftershocks claimed more than 67,000 lives and left more than a quarter of a million people injured. It is estimated that another 20,000 people are still missing and could be buried beneath the rubble.

Three brothers arrived in Chengdu the day the earthquake struck the Sichuan province. The three are from the Unity Network, a movement that seeks to promote unity among the Chinese believers. Within two weeks their small group had grown to more than 200 volunteers from all over the country. Believers from both the state and house churches set aside their differences and came in trucks, vans and cars filled with rice, tarp, vegetable, tents, medicine and blankets. Together they made more than 90 trips on the arduous and dangerous journey into the affected area, distributing materials and food through the local churches and through the government channels.

Their efforts caught the attention of the local governments in the Meinyang and Deyang districts. City officials, touched by the selfless love shown by the Christians, offered their assistance and cooperation. One high ranking official even apologized to the Christians for having misunderstood them in the past. The following day, he came with three government vehicles and made them available to the group.

The leadership of OM China (OMC) has been working closely with this network for two years. They introduced a team from the Baptist Global Respond (BGR) to the network and together they conducted seminars for 170 volunteers on relief management. OMC and BGR are planning more future training sessions. They are also working with the network leaderships on an intermediate and a long term strategy to help the earthquake victims rebuild their lives and hope.

In their meeting with Mr. Huang, Lieutenant Governor of Sichuan province, he thanked the leaderships of OMC and BGR for their part in the relief effort and instructed his aides to assist these two organizations in providing visas for their staff and clearances for their goods.

One week after the disaster 4.8 million people were homeless and in desperate need of food, tents, and clean water. OMC seeks your help in making these items available to the earthquake victims. Assistance is provided regardless of race, age, sex or faith. If you would like to know more information about the work of OMC or donate funds to the disaster relief projects, please contact your local OM offices.

Submitted by Lawrence Tong