Asia Stories from the web May 08

  China earthquake update Sat 24 May

Speedy and targeted action by Chinese Christians is making a difference community by community, says Francis Tsui, president of CMS partner Asian Outreach, whose ActionLove teams are working in the earthquake zone 24th May 2008 Read More

  China earthquake: love in action

With 80,000 people now dead or missing in Sichuan, Chinese Christians have been among the first in the relief effort, working with traumatised families and helping to bury the dead   24th May 08   Read More

  In the shadows of Nineveh

Convinced they are hated, northern Iraq’s Christians are gripped by fear and facing a stark choice: flee or protect themselves.  3rd May 08 Read More 

Asia Stories March & April 2008

Stories about Asia on the CMS website 

  Let Chinese Christians fan the flame
As London prepares to welcome – or protest – the arrival of the Olympic Torch, many international missions are gearing up for outreach at the Beijing Olympics. But David Wang of Asian Outreach would prefer foreign ‘gospel-tract bombers’ to stay away  4th April 2008  Read more 

  Halima makes her traffickers pay

In a month when it was reported that more than 40,000 children were trafficked in Benin in 2006 alone, a woman in Bangladesh forced into prostitution wins a ‘miraculous’ court victory over her exploiters.  14th March 08 Read more 

 Five alive

An historic drive by CMS to support more indigenous international workers is bearing its first fruits in one of the most remote regions of the world  26th March 08 Read More 

  'Taking up the cross' in the context of Islam

The Crusades: Francis of Assisi and Martin Luther. What does it mean to take up the Cross in the context of Islam?  3rd March 08  Read More 

'Love bade me welcome' George Herbert

I remember being introduced to this poem, when I was at Keele University in the late 70s, by Roger Pooley, who was an English lecturer. It has stuck with me since. I used it the first time I presided at a parish communion service,  post-ordination.  It is not just about the Eucharist, Holy Communion, Lord's supper - call it what you will -  but it speaks to me of that profound sense of invitation and welcome that is found at the table. In spite of everything we are. . . . .   It is the Innkeeper offering a meal to a weary traveller, The generous host welcoming an unworthy guest. The Father welcoming back his prodigal son.

LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning	5
If I lack'd anything.
'A guest,' I answer'd, 'worthy to be here:'
Love said, 'You shall be he.'
'I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee.'	10
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
'Who made the eyes but I?'
'Truth, Lord; but I have marr'd them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.'
'And know you not,' says Love, 'Who bore the blame?'	15
'My dear, then I will serve.'
'You must sit down,' says Love, 'and taste my meat.'
So I did sit and eat.

George Herbert. 1593–1632

for more on Geroge Herbert see his works and his life

 

'Let nothing disturb thee' Teresa of Avila's prayer

Let nothing disturb thee,

St. Teresa of Avila 

Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing;
God never changeth;
Patient endurance
Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth
In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth

for more about the icon and Teresa of Avila quotes 

Nasruddin and Alexander the Great

Another Nasruddin story

Nasruddin went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, and on the way he passed through Medina. As he was walking by the main mosque there, a rather confused-looking tourist approached him.

Excuse me sir, he said, but you look like a native of these parts; can you tell me something about this mosque? It looks very old and important, but I've lost my guidebook.

Mullah Nasruddin, being too proud to admit that he, too, had no idea what it was, immediately began an enthusiastic explanation

This is indeed a very old and special mosque. he declared, It was built by Alexander the Great to commemorate his conquest of Arabia.

The tourist was suitably impressed, but presently a look of doubt crossed his face.

But how can that be? he asked, I'm sure that Alexander was a Greek or something, not a Muslim. . . Wasn't he?

I can see that you know something of these matters  replied Mullah Nasruddin with chagrin, In fact, Alexander was so impressed at his good fortune in war that he converted to Islam in order to show his gratitude to God.

Oh, wow. said the tourist, then paused. Hey, but surely there was no such thing as Islam in Alexander's time?

An excellent point! It is truly gratifying to meet an English man who understands our history so well, answered Mullah Nasruddin. As a matter of fact, he was so overwhelmed by the generosity God had shown him that as soon as the fighting was over he began a new religion, and became the founder of Islam.

The tourist looked at the mosque with new respect, but before Mullah Nasruddin could quietly slip into the passing crowd, another problem occurred to him.

But wasn't the founder of Islam named Mohammed? I mean, that's what it said in the newspaper; at least I'm sure it wasn't Alexander.

I can see that you are a scholar of some learning, said Mullah Nasruddin, I was just getting to that. Alexander felt that he could properly dedicate himself to his new life as a prophet only by adopting a new identity. So, he gave up his old name and for the rest of his life called himself Mohammed

Really? wondered the tourist, That's amazing! But...but I thought that Alexander the Great lived a long time before Mohammed? Is that right?

Certainly not! answered Mullah Nasruddin, You're thinking of a different Alexander the Great. I'm talking about the one named Mohammed

He Qi – crucifixion

I have only recently been introduced to He Qi’ s stunning art.

He is a Chinese artist, Professor at a Nanjing Union Theological Seminary He currently lives in Mineappolis

He has exhibited in Kyoto, Hong Kong, Geneve, Hamburg, London, St.Paul, San Francisco, Berkeley and Madison, NewHaven, Minneapolis, St.Paul, Madison, Washington, Princeton, Detroit, Tornoto, as well as in mainland China. Now he is adding Oxford to his list.



http://www.heqiarts.com/gallery/gallery2/images/14-Crucifixion.jpg

The image of the Crucified Christ surrounded by those from the margins is, for me, the most moving - the prisoner behind bars; the Person-with-Aids; the prostitute; the poor man lying on the pavement; the parent mourning her dead child. It is controversial because of the nude woman clinging to Christ, but then Christ's ministry to those on the margins has always been controversial. And it certainly acknowledges and highlights the pressing social issues we face today.

HE QI Chinese Artist

It has been a privilege to meet He Qi (pronounced Hershee like the American chocolate bar) the other day. He has joined us in Oxford as artist in residence for a couple of months. During this period he is painting a mural for our reception wall.

He uses bold colours unlike much 'mountain and water' Chinese painting, to convey a message of Peace, with a universal appeal. 'Artwork has no national boundary, but an artist always has his nationality.' His art is both genuinely Chinese and genuinely Christian. His faith is the passion behind his message. Forged in the cultural revolution, partly as a reaction to the strictess of the Maoist regime, which took its toll on his family. His art embodies his vision of hope.

I like the picture of Noah's ark, which he introduced us to:



He Qi described it as his version of 'Titanic' with the Iceberg safely in the past and the rainbow symbolic of hope and promise for the future.

More of his art can be viewd on http://www.heqigallery.com/