Circle of Hope (1)

Doug & Liz Searles – China

August 2005

Recently, China’s government has allowed churches to meet social needs.  Despite economic growth, many are unemployed, and most survive on little. Rural residents, in particular, struggle for clean water, adequate food, six years of education, and basic medical care.  Churches now are able to help.

At after-church medical clinics, qualified doctors treat all who come, dispensing medication at cost.  Some churches send doctors to remote areas where people rarely see a medical professional.  Others have childcare for working parents.  In the past, the extended family took care of young children.  Now, grandparents care for most preschoolers, but not all have able grandparents close to home to care for them.

Social programs bring non-Christians into the church compound, which is important.  Fear and superstition about Christian religious practices continues, even though churches have been open for 25 years.  Seeing the church as a place of healing and help goes a long way to diffuse such fears, and is a living example of the circle of hope forged by the church universal.

Blessings!
The Searles in China:
Douglas, Elizabeth and Mickey and Mackenzie