Window on the World
From Randal Dick, superintendent of missions

'Invisible' missionaries in China

An important part of preaching the gospel effectively is being sensitive to opportunities. 

An excellent example of this is the current global village economy, where rich or rapidly growing economies import cheap labor from other countries to fill their labor needs.

Every week, an average of 1,000 Filipinos leave the Manila airport on their way to be overseas guest workers. Increasingly, Christian leaders of the Philippines realize that these workers are being allowed into places where missionaries would not be permitted, and they have begun providing mission training to as many members as possible.

Among those who are now actively spreading the gospel in China are a couple we shall call Mary and Jesse Escara. Mary and Jesse had a deep desire to reach parts of China where the gospel has not penetrated.

They were given an opportunity to go to China on a one-month tourist visa. At the end of the month, in order to obtain an extension, Jesse had to become a student. Although he had very little money, he sought enrollment in one of the universities. God gave favor, and he and Mary were granted student visas. Jesse immediately enrolled at the university for classes in Chinese language studies. Extra funds had to be spent for the visa upgrade as well as for mandatory medical examinations. Additionally, Mary suspected that she might be pregnant.

Getting started in mission

Mary and Jesse spent those first months waiting on God, in prayer, to see how he would open doors for them to reach people around them with the gospel. The area where they were working was home to more than 20 recognized ethnic minorities. 

At first Mary and Jesse went to universities, parks and public places to build friendships with the Chinese people. They invited them to their apartment. When they had enough people, they began an “English Corner.” The group grew. 

After several meetings, they were able to determine that most of the group was open to reading the Bible and decided to convert the English Corner into a small group Bible study.

Newcomers continued to show up. To keep numbers small and reduce the risk of being reported to the authorities for conducting private meetings, they thought it best to start an additional English Corner group on a different day of the week. 

Blessed in China

God continued to bless and encourage them. It was confirmed that Mary was pregnant. By this time, their resources had dwindled down to about a two-week’s budget.  They transferred to a new apartment with nothing inside except for a small dining table and a bed. However, Jesse wanted to continue to host people in their apartment. 

On one occasion they were expecting more than 15 people, and they did not have a sofa. They reasoned that it would be more affordable to purchase an inexpensive carpet, and the guests could sit on the floor. He measured the floor area and calculated that they would need about $36 to cover the living room.

A few days before the event they were walking on a roadside when they heard a sound like falling dry leaves. When they looked down they found 300 RMB. One hundred RMB is about $12. You do the math! 

So that afternoon Jesse went to a hardware store and purchased the needed carpet. The big day arrived and Mary excitedly prepared Filipino dishes for their guests. They had a simple but joyful party. When the party ended and as their guests were departing, each of them, one by one, approached Jesse and gave him a gift of money. The total amount was more than 500 RMB (more than $60)—more than one-month’s food allowance.

The time arrived far too quickly and Mary had to return to the Philippines since it is illegal for foreigners to give birth in China. Jesse remained behind to complete the semester and to disciple the two groups, which had grown to 40 people. He then returned to the Philippines to be Mary’s her side.

Please pray for them

Joshua was born, and the family arrived back in China the following year. This time they focused their work on a people in an even more remote province with a large Tibetan population. Joshua seems to be quite an effective missionary too. Mary and Jesse hoped the new baby would do well in the mission field. As it turns out, he is so full of smiles that many people cannot resist stopping to take another look at him, which of course results in many more conversations and some additional relationships.

They know that they cannot do the work of God without our support and prayers. They ask that you lift them up to God in prayer. Pray that God will bear much fruit during the remaining year. They ask for prayers for their son Joshua—that he will adapt to the climate and be healthy and strong. And finally, they ask that you please continue to pray for those God calls through them—that they will encounter the living God in their Bible studies.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2003