Page 34 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

Chairperson’s Rem arks

"F inally, b e lo v e d , w h a te v e r is true, w h a te v e r
is h o n o r a b le , w h a te v e r is ju s t, w h a te v e r
is p u re , w h a te v e r is p le a s in g , w h a te v e r is
com m endab le, if there is a n y excellence a n d if
the re is a n y th in g w o rth y o f p raise, th in k a b o u t
these th in g s .” （P h ilippia n s 4:8)

During the year under review, it was a shaky
time. Both the socio-political and economic
environments were challenged. China had just
Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Soo
gone through the snow storm, and then came
the disastrous earthquake, followed by flooding, Many have said that the Sichuan earthquake
all leading to many economic difficulties. When moved into our hearts, because those who
we looked at the world, natural disasters, have always been regarded as a cold and
human misfortune, violence and terrorist attacks authoritative government and money minded
appeared everywhere. Economic globalization citizens showed their inner benevolent spirit
and environmental problems were getting of love. After the earthquake, many people
serious. All these were worrisome. When lost, risked their lives to rescue others. People
we are upset; when in pain, we are desperate, queued up to donate money and blood. Many
facing the future, we are anxious. People even volunteers went to the earthquake zones to
asked God why do we have to suffer from all help take care of the injured and those who
these tribulations. had lost families. They also committed funds to
the reconstruction and offered spiritual care to
A famous Taiwan writer Xin Lin-zi said the survivors. The government showed great
“When a couple can cope with financial concern for the people. Premier Wen Jiabo took
hardship, they are in true love; when people a fatherly role arriving at the site two hours after
can stick together through thick and thin, they the earthquake and supervising the situation.
are genuine friends; when soldiers can cope The People's Liberation Army even prepared to
with danger, they are brave." In fact, the Lord sacrifice their own lives for rescue victims. The
never promised we will always have sunny government also accepted foreign assistance,
days, or only rosy gardens. A rose does have allowing rescue and medical teams to join
thorns. We know there are ups and downs in. Even Taiwan and Japan, who have had
in life in an ever-changing world. When God hostile relations with China, participated. The
created the world, He said everything is good. press found that there was an unprecedented
He also knows that evil and sin exist alongside open atmosphere. No wonder two well-known
the good. Therefore, we should never lose our American magazines that have always criticized
faith because of any misfortune. God promised China had high praise: “China shows her new
He will be with us till the end. He wants us to face and integrity, she is a country filled with
have faith in Him and we need to believe all love, and powerfully teamed up to face the
happenings in our lives come with God's gift. disaster. Love never ends.” We believe that
He wants us to be brave enough to tackle the God is love, and because of love He created
challenges. Meanwhile, we harvest good fruits everything. He created us in His image. Love is
and glorify His grace and name. planted in us. If we desire, we can show our love