China Trip April 16th -30th

Zheng Zhou Country Church

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:30:00 GMT

Yesterday and today we visited the Zhengzhou area in Henan Province. First we met with the official leaders in Zhengzhou and then travelled 250 klms Sth EAst of Zhengzhou to the provincial city of Zhou Kou. Here we were able to visit a provicnical village church which has a 1000 members.

On our arrival in the village we were greeted by the townspeople and church members with mucsic and a procession. A band playing "Onward Christian Soldiers" proceeded us to the church. As we drew closer the crowd became larger and thicker until we entered to an overwhelming sea of people who clapped our entrance. Many of these believers were waiting many hours eagerly for our arrival. It was a great sight to see. People young and old could be seen on rooftops, in courtyards, peering though windows as the church hall was packed like sardines.

On the church platform were 1000 Bibes packed in boxes ready to be distributed to the waiting people. After the formalities and speeches we were able to hand out Bibles to an excited crowd. Such was their eagerness to recieve the Bible, that those handing them out, were swamped by the sea of people not wishing to miss out.

In this part of CHina God's Word is higly valued and much needed. Those who received were seen to hug their Bible or eagerly flick through the newly printed pages like children receiveing their first toy.

For all of us this was our best day and worth the long travel to see their eager, smiling faces.

Please pray for Henan Province, the capital of Christianity in China. As much as God is moving in these parts, there has also been cults springing up thrhough teaching errors. The establishment of teaching seminaries has helped to combat these cults which has seen a decline in recent times.

Pray for China that God's Word will continue to be distributed thorught this ever growing land for the Gospel.

Blessings Daniel Barreca

Terracotta Warriors

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:20:00 GMT

Today we had a day off. We visited the Hot Springs (Winter Palace) and the Terracotta Warriors. The latter is called the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World. It was a long day but enjoyable. I have posted some shots for you to enjoy.

Tomorrow we stay in Xian but leave by train in the evening for Zhengzhou. Here we will be distributing bibles, visiting churches and meeting with the Chinese CHristian Council. Many are looking forward to this as we end our trip.

Blessings Danny B

Pucheng County Provincial Church

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:37:00 GMT

Today we visited threee churches about 2 hours (120klms) east of Xian. The county is called Pucheng. There are 57 churches registered here with over 30,000 believers, 1 Oversight Pastor and 57 lay ministers.

Our first visit took us to the main church where we were officially welcomed by the pastor and staff. In each of the other two churches were greeted with singing in the streets. The believers were excited to see us and receive their Bibles. We were greeted as if we were long lost relatives with ove and open arms.

The last church in "Chang Chuan" (lit: Chang Village) was te first church to be started in the region over 20 yrs ago. Their building was built 12 yrs ago. Membership is 600+ with a reguar Sunday attendance of over 450.

Chinese believers pray fervently for their church, which is why God is moving in wonderful ways.

Until next time Daniel Barreca

Amity and Shaanxi Bible School

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:07:00 GMT

After first hearing about the production of Bibles at the Amity Press a few years ago, it was great to visit and to hear and see for myself the current production of Bibles to be provided especially for the people of China. Also learning about Amity's history and growth was really encouraging.

Even better was my experience the following day of seeing how God's Word printed at Amity Press have personally transformed lives as we visited the Shaanxi Bible School.
As we arrived, we were very warmly greeted by the Chinese students and teachers. To see the joy on their faces as they had the Bibles open on their desks, and to also hear another class of young students joyfully singing praises to God was very moving and will be an unforgettable experience for all of us. In Christ, their was an amazing mutual joy experienced by ourselves, the students and teachers in the privelege of meeting each other even though for a short time.

Glenn Shannon

Amity Printing Factory

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Yesterday we visited the Amity Printing Factory on the outskirts of Nanjing. It was an enormous and impressive operation. The factory is built on 8.5 hectares of land of which the factory takes up half. For the past 18 months they have printed a total of 14,719,411 Bibles of which half were for China.

Many on this trip were totally impressed with the whole professional organisation at Amity. Peter Dean (from NZ) gave us a very good overview and was a great host, from beginning to end.

Amity has come a long way since its begennings in 1988. Its main purpose is to serve the church in China. Many of the Bibles are produced at a relatively cheap price from 15Yuan (A$3). These are affordable for the local Christians, however, with support from Australia and many other places, those that cannot afford a Bible are given one free through many of the distribution points (such as churches).

Please pray for this great work and opportunity that, only 20 years ago, would hve seemed impossible. God is truly working in this country.

Keep praying for us. Tomorrow we go to the provincial area of Shaanxi (XIAN) to give out Bibles to those who cannot afford them.

See you next time Daniel Barreca

Jiangsu Provincial Church

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:30:00 GMT

After 3 days in China were were able to visit our first church about 2 hours outside Nanjing. The church has a congregatiion of 600+ and have 3 services during the week. One on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Also every Friday they have a prayer meeting and worship time where 1000 people attend.

At the end of the service we gave out Bibles to those who did not have one. Approximately 100+ people came to front to receive them with large smiles on their faces. Many more will be given out during the week in the surrounding district.

On Monday we will visit Amity and then on Tuesday fly to Xian.

China Trip Day 1 - Day 3

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:41:00 GMT

Hi from downtown Nanjing. We have been in China for 3 days now and this is the first time I have been able to access internet due to time.

Our days have been very full since our arrival on Friday morning in Shanghai.

Day 1... we checked into our hotel late morning and then went out lunch and visited the Chinese Christian Council. We arrived back late around 8pm where everyone was exhausted due to lack of sleep.

Day 2 we caught the early train to Nanjing and checked into our hotel. The afternoon was sightseeing arriving late around 8.30 pm.

Day 3. early rise and leave for the Jiangsu countryside. We attended a church service in a local provincial church. They have 600+ people attend and have 3 services during the week... 1 on Sunday, 1 Tue and Wednesday evening. Every Friday they have a prayer meeting and worhsip time where more than 1000 people attend.

We were also able to hand out Bibles to those who did not have one. Many on this trip were moved emotionally by the service. The local congregation then prepared lunch for us and were overwhemingly generous. More than 22 dishes were prepared from Eel, to Goose liver and Turtle.

After this we attended the Jiangsu Bible Training School. Many of the students are young and come from other parts of China. One young girl (20yrs old) has only been a Christian for 2 yrs and she has been at the College for 1 1/2 yrs. Her father, who was saved 10 yrs ago, was instrumental in her conversion.

Tomorrow we stay in Nanjing and go to Amity Printing Press.

Drop us a line, ask a question or just have a say. I am happy to talk with you.

God Bless Daniel Barreca

Opening Greetings

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:39:00 GMT

Hi Everyone

Next week a missions team will be heading to China to help distribute Bibles, visitng the Amity Printing facility and to see the overall project of the Bible Society. Our aim is to hand out 10,000 bibles to much needed areas in the countryside. We will be travelling to 4 areas: Shanghai; Jiangsu; Shaanxi and Henan provinces. During this trip we will be posting updates, testimonies and photos on an ongoing basis. We would love to intearact with you, answer and possible questions and give you an overall brief on the trip.

We are greatly looking forward to hearing from you and value your prayers while overseas.

Many blessings
Daniel Barreca