MIS:China missions for Christ

   Let me share with you a beautiful mission story that was shared with
our church throught our newsletter by Paul and Ruth Stevens,
missionaries from Davao City, Philippines:

   Many years ago at the time when China was overrun with bandits, a
missionary and his associate traveled to the nearest town to get money
from their bank desperately needed for carrying on their work. They
reached the bank safely, but night fell while on their return home.
They were forced to camp on top of a hill. After prayer they lay down
to rest with the box of money between them. They were thankful in the
morning not to have been attacked.

   Some months later a bandit chief was brought to the hospital for
treatment. Having frequented that district he knew the missionary, and
as he spoke to him, the following conversation took place.

   "A little while ago you went to a certain city and brought back a
lot of money."

   "Yes." "And you camped at night on a little hill, and you had
soldiers with you."

   "Yes, we did camp, but we had no soldiers with us." "Oh, but you
did. We intended to rob you that night; but when we saw the soldiers we
feared they would resist, so we left you alone. I know there were
soldiers, for I counted them and there were 27."

   When this story was related in a meeting in England, a man called
out from the back of the meeting hall. "Can you tell me the date when
this happened?" "Yes, " said the missionary, "it is very vivid in my
memory, " and he gave the date. "I thought so," said the man. "On that
evening a group of us met in our church to pray especially for the
missionaries in China." Then looking at his diary, he added, "And there
were just 27 of us present in prayer."

   Please pray for missionaries. We feel they are really on the battle
front and desperately need your prayers.
