August Report

UPCOMING TRIPS
STATESIDE
2009
August 9-12 Gospel Meeting – Charbo and Karen, St. Charles, MO
September 26 – October 3 WVBS – Filming
November 6-8 – Leoni Lectures, Woodbury
November 12-14 – TFTW Mission Forum
OVERSEAS
2009
December 1-15 – Taiwan (Hualien, Taichung) Tickets Purchased
2010
March 9-30 – Singapore and Indonesia
June – CABL (Singapore), Klang, Malaysia, and other places – TBA

I am looking forward to being in all of these places in the next few months. I am still working on speaking appointments for the Texas trip. I hope to speak at three different places in the area. I will speak twice at the Leoni Lectures again this year. The two times I speak will be on Sunday morning. I am still working on details for the 2010 Asian trips. Details are just about in place for the Singapore-Indonesian trip in March.

Young Men’s Leadership Camp

I was privileged to speak in Ashville, AL at a Young Men’s Leadership Camp. I spoke two times on the subject of mission work. I did PowerPoint presentations emphasizing general principles of missions as well as discussing working among the Chinese people. There were about seventeen young men who attended these sessions. Some good questions were asked by those who were in attendance. Thanks to Mark McWhorter for the invitation to inform these young men of the great need we have for missionaries now and in the future. We need to take advantage of these opportunities to get young men thinking about what is involved in preparing to carry the gospel to the world.

News and Letters from Around the World

TERRE HAUTE, IN: My mother’s 85th birthday will be celebrated with an Open House at the Torner Center located in Deming Park, 500 S. Fruitridge Ave, Terre Haute, IN 47803. This event will take place on Saturday, August 15th, from 11 AM to 3 PM. If you are in the area and have the opportunity, please drop by and greet my mother. If you cannot make it, but would like to send my mom a birthday card, you can send it to: Barbara Grubb, 1708 N. 8th St., Terre Haute, IN 47804. If you are not able to send a card, but would like to send her an email greeting, you can send it to me and I will pass it along to my mother. JMG.

SOMEWHERE IN CHINA: “In the month of May, our (Name withheld) family group encountered a little bit of trouble. During Mother’s Day, all members and friends planned to have a BBQ at the local beach after Sunday Service. On that day we had about 24 members including a few visitors to join our Sunday Service. While we were singing Gospel songs in the morning, our door bell was rung. I asked, “Who are you?” A male voice said, “Are you out of power?” At that time, I did not pay attention. I said that we had power. Then I opened the door to see who rang the door bell. Suddenly, there were more than 18 men and women rushed into my apartment. All of them were government religious officers except one. That was a policeman in our residential area.

When they saw we were singing Gospel songs, they filmed us at once. They told us to be still. They said that we breached the policy of Chinese religious regulation. One of the officers said that if people wanted to hold a religious activity, they must go to an appointed place (a registered place). A register place is also called three-self church. The officers dropped down everyone’s name. And then they separated some of us and questioned us when we started this family group. They also wanted to know who the leaders of this family group were.

In the beginning, some of us argued with these officers. We wanted to know in which law we violated. On the other hand, we were told that if we do not have more than thirty people gather together, it will not breach the law of China. But, these officers said that this law did not apply to religious activities. They said that we had song books, many bibles, and Lord’s Supper on the table. It was a religious activity. They forced us to quit this activity.

These religious officers also brought our students back to school. After they sent them back to school, they let the school teachers question them. Our students were warned to stop taking part in any religious activity at a non-registered place. Otherwise, the school will take action to punish them. Because of their warning, some of our students were afraid to attend our activity.

After the religious officers stopped our activity, next day I visited the head of religious bureau in (Name withheld). I asked him what freedom I have if I want to learn and share the Truth with my friends. He told me that my family and I have freedom to believe and worship our Lord. But, the university students should not attend this religious activity at my apartment. I asked him what the bottom line is if we do not like to attend the government church. He told me that if there are two or three families sharing Christianity at my apartment, it is okay.

On the other hand, this officer told me that they already knew our activity for a while. They had their man in our group. When he said this thing, I was so surprised. We did not recognize that there was a spy in our family group. Anyway, after I talked with this officer, I went to consult a local lawyer. This lawyer was introduced by one of my former Bible students. He told me that if you hold a foreign passport or Hong Kong Identity, the Chinese government treats me as a foreigner. Therefore, a foreigner cannot teach the Bible in China. But, sharing the belief is okay. So when our members came to our apartment again, I told them that we were sharing the Truth with each other instead of teaching the Truth. Anyway, in future we must be careful to sow the seed of God to others. We also need all of your prayer in our safety while we are serving our Heaven Father in mainland China” – Name Withheld. (NOTE: I thought you would want to read this account and see there still are challenges to preaching the gospel in China. JMG.)

ROCKY MOUNT, VA: “It is good to hear of your safe return home, and your good trip. Your work (the Lord's in the Far East) has always encouraged me. Mariann and I will be leaving July 15th for the Caribbean Lectureship (our 40th anniversary 7/19/09) then on to Guyana to the work in New Amsterdam. I will preach 7/26 - 8/2 and Mariann will teach several ladies classes. Plus we will have a one day VBS for the Children in the New Amsterdam area. Thank you for letting us hear about the Lord's work in lands far away. The work on our building here at Rocky Mount is moving forward. We have 99% of the excavating done, the basement is done. The contractor should start on the walls next week. Our attendance has been real good over the last several weeks” – Glen Willcut. (Note: I went up to Rocky Mount, VA this past March to give a report of our work among the Chinese people. We appreciate the good work these brethren are doing for the Lord. JMG.)

VALDOSTA, GA: “I appreciate receiving your reports, as it is always interesting to read of the good work you are doing. May God bless you in it. Our work and summer travels are busy in Latin America as well. Just returned from a month long trip to Peru, where 15 souls were baptized into Christ during our campaigns. I’m off to the San Blas islands of Panama in a couple of weeks for another campaign. Keep up the good work you are doing” – Jonathan Winchester. (NOTE: We are thankful for all of the efforts being made through Latin American Missions at the Forrest Park church in Valdosta. Check out their website: www.forrestpark.org/lam/.

KNOXVILLE, TN: “Thanks for the very interesting report of your trip to Singapore and Malaysia. I found the report from the brother in China very interesting. I sometimes hear brethren say there is religious freedom in China today, but this certainly shows it is not so. Jody Apple told me he had a great visit with you.Stop and see us sometime when you are passing through” – Rod Rutherford. (NOTE: Rod is now preaching at the Gatlinburg church in Tennessee. Stop by when you are there! If you do not have his books, you need to get them. You can contact him at the following email address: rodrutherford@comcast.netJMG.)

DULUTH, GA – UPDATE ON THE TRIAL OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MURDERED JERRY ANN ELLIOTT: Many of you remember the report we made concerning the death of Jerry Ann Elliott almost two years ago. She was the mother-in-law of our production engineer, Dave Komisak. According to the verdict, the man who was convicted of this crime will spend at least fifty years in prison. I know the Elliott, Komisak, and Graham families are thankful for all the prayers offered on their behalf. JMG.)

S. SAN FRANCISCO, CA: One of the elders at Duluth, Thomas Reid, and his family went to San Francisco recently. While there, they were able to visit with the William Chen family and also to meet with some of the members of the Airport Rd. church. He was able to take this picture while there. We are so thankful for the Chen family in the cause of Christ.

SAN MARCOS, TX: “How are you doing after that trip to the east? I’m glad everything worked out well and that you got to catch up with the brethren there again. As I was watching the fireworks yesterday, it dawned on me that it has been 1 year and 7 months since I have been here in the States…. I just remembered that I might be able to pay you a visit in December if you and Libby are still up for it. Hope you and Libby are doing great!” – Beverly Leong. (NOTE: It was great to hear from Beverly. I am looking forward to seeing her when I visit Texas in September. In June, I was able to visit with her family in Malaysia. If things work out, she may pay us a visit here in Georgia in late December. JMG.)

MELAKA, MALAYSIA: “Appreciate your regular updates on your work and mission. It was really good to see you at the 2 seminars held lately. I am really appreciative of the lesson on worldliness in the 4 Sea College lectureship. A very powerful, persuasive and soul searching lesson. I am glad I was there and heard that lesson, and am taking to heart and mind of your godly exhortation. Many thanks” – Steven Loo. (NOTE: We appreciate so much the Steven Loo family and their influence for Christ in Malaysia. I hope to see them again next year when I travel over that way. JMG.)

ROANOKE, TX: “Was praying for you this morning and reading your report. Appreciate your labors, and the grace of God working in you to bless many brethren” – Tyler Young. (NOTE: I really appreciate all the prayers offered on behalf of the efforts to evangelize the world. We are so thankful for Tyler and his work for the Lord. JMG.)

MEMPHIS, TN: Our sympathy is extended to the James Bobbitt family. Brother Bobbitt passed away on July 15th. He used to be an elder of the Knight Arnold church of Christ and was a good friend to Truth for the World. JMG.

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Chinese Sermons and Outlines” Project Continues

At this writing, I have completed seventeen DVD’s (51 lessons) along with the two books of full content outlines (155 pages). The rest of the teleprompter scripts are now completed. I hope to finish this series of 60 lessons (filmed, edited, and duplicated) by the middle of September. I still plan to go to World Video Bible School at the end of September to begin filming the Chinese series on “Leadership.” While I am at WVBS, I will also hope to film some more English sermons as well. I have filmed almost 130 lessons at WVBS since April, 1993. I will also have some speaking appointments in the area while I am there. I am continuing to work on turning the audio lessons from WVBS and from this current Chinese sermons series into radio programs. Eventually, we hope to have between four and five years worth of programs (between 200-260) without repeating any lessons.

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Chinese Website Update

At this writing (since January 2007), we have had over 24,500 visits to our Chinese website from people in 128 countries. This includes over 9,084 visits from at least 301 cities in China. It is very encouraging to know people are accessing this site around the world. We are continuing to prepare additional materials to place on this site. Through the distribution of our new DVD and radio lessons, more people are becoming aware of our website.

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TAIWAN – A MOST UNIQUE WORK!

When the apostle Paul was in Damascus waiting to be told what he must do, the Lord appeared unto Ananias and told him, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15,16). The apostle Paul was selected to do a special work during his lifetime. In addition to teaching the Jews, he was to go to the Gentiles to give them the opportunity to obey the gospel. Paul points out that as Peter was committed to preaching to the Jews, he was also committed to preaching to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7,8).

Throughout the book of Acts we see Paul first going to the Jews, then turning to teach the Gentiles the gospel (Acts 13:46-48; 14:1-18; 15:3; 17:1-5; 17:16-30; 18:6). At times, it was necessary for Paul to make tents to continue his work (Acts 18:3). During this period, Paul suffered much for the cause of Christ. He was stoned by his enemies at Lystra (Acts 14:19), put in prison in Philippi (Acts 16:24), and was sent away by night in Thessalonica (Acts 17:10). We only need to read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 to understand the suffering Paul endured for the cause of Christ.

No missionary intends to compare their lives and the work they are doing to the work and life of the apostle Paul, but naturally there are some similarities between his work and the work being done in Taiwan among the twenty three million people living there.

Plenty of Work in America

In 1982, when we were preparing to go to Taiwan and work among the Chinese people, many said to us, “there is plenty of work to be done here in America, why do you want to go to Taiwan, so far away from your family and friends, to preach the gospel?”

I am sure that in Paul’s day there was plenty of work that could have been done among just among the Jews, but Jesus said, “Go into all the world.” In order for us to take the gospel to the entire world, some must be willing to leave our homeland. In Paul’s day, there were many more Gentiles than Jews in the world. For every one American there are four Chinese people in this world. We must not neglect to teach 20% of the world’s population.

Sacrifices Have to Be Made in Mission Work

When we decided to go to Taiwan, I am sure we did not fully realize the sacrifices that would have to be made during that time. I realize the sacrifices we made in can in no way compare with the sacrifices made by many of the earlier missionaries and certainly do not compare with the sacrifices made by the apostle Paul and other missionaries in the first century.

Whether it is the separation from friends and family, the adjustment to a new culture, learning a new language, or the aggravations in getting things done when desired; in order to get the gospel to the world, we must realize our responsibility in the sight of God to preach the gospel in spite of sacrifices that must be made.

If you are considering a work in a foreign country, be sure you understand these sacrifices have to be made to accomplish the work for God. King David understood the concept of sacrifice (2 Samuel 24:24), the Macedonian Christians understood it (2 Corinthians 8:1-5), Paul understood it (2 Timothy 4:7,8), and we also must understand it!

The Work in Taiwan

The Chinese Mandarin is the prominent language among the Chinese people in the world. Although there are many Chinese dialects, the majority of Chinese speak Mandarin. To our knowledge, there are very few men who have the ability to preach the gospel in the Chinese Mandarin who are standing for the truth of God. Just a few men in the whole world – what a challenge! We are in need of a new wave of workers who are willing to make the sacrifices to learn this language and help spread the gospel, not only in Taiwan, but also in Mainland China.

So, you can see brethren, the work in Taiwan is truly unique. We have faithful local brethren who are doing their best to see that the gospel in presented to the Chinese people there in Taiwan, and it is our hope, our prayer, and our goal, to see the gospel preached to all of Mainland China as that opportunity arises. Please continue to pray for this most unique work. Also pray that the more than 1.3 billion Chinese people will have the opportunity to hear the precious gospel of Christ before it is eternally too late. (NOTE: I will again travel to Taiwan in December to work with some of the brethren there. JMG.)

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You can view an video update on the work we are doing in preparing Chinese materials at the website below:

http://oabs.org/Archives/Lectures/msop2009.htm

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PLEASE PASS THIS REPORT TO THOSE YOU THINK MIGHT HAVE INTEREST IN OUR WORK!

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“Chinese Radio Program” We have an hour of programming on AM 1206 in Taiwan. We first air our English Truth for the World broadcast, immediately followed by our Chinese program. This one-hour program has a potential audience of 197 million people. This is aired on a 100,000 watt Radio Station in Taiwan. Four eastern provinces in China are able to hear this program, as well as three central counties in Taiwan. Please continue to pray for these efforts. These programs are also available on our Chinese website: www.tftwchinese.org.

– John M. Grubb