Sheung Un recounts the difficulties of delivering theological books to Chinese seminary graduates in 2020.

 

On Friday afternoon in June 2020, a seminary vice-principal rang to tell me that a graduation ceremony planned for August had to take place within two days or not at all. To comply with the latest infection control measures the students had to be off the campus by midday Sunday. Once the graduates had left the college it would be impossible to distribute our book packages.

 

Now or never!

 

I reallocated book packages and contacted the logistics company. Soon a vehicle departed for the seminary with the impossible task of arriving in less than 46 hours. The trip normally takes three days. Poor weather, accidents on the highway or waiting at checkpoints can easily prolong the journey. I could do nothing but pray and keep praying.

 

Why did I insist on attempting this delivery at such late notice? These students had to rush to graduate like refugees on the run. Yet, amid the chaos, the seminary staff made contacting me a priority. They rang because books matter to them. Graduates finishing their training and returning to their distant hometowns were counting on us.

 

An enduring challenge

 

Last year, the pandemic and serious flooding interrupted book distribution. Most seminaries were forced to defer or cancel their graduation ceremonies. Nevertheless we felt a strong urge to deliver books to seminary graduates. With what felt like only five loaves of bread and no fish, we were thankful for opportunities to resume deliveries.

 

These books are a sign of God’s provision and a gift of love from brothers and sisters in different parts of the world. Whatever else happens, this gift will accompany the graduates as they venture into ministry.

 

These packages will be especially valuable to those who are assigned to teach and preach in poor and remote areas where they will rely on these books and what they have learned at seminary. Your gift of pastoral resources will invigorate and encourage them throughout their ministries.

 

An all-powerful God

 

At 11 am on Sunday morning, the books arrived at the seminary. Just in time! How abundantly the Lord’s unseen hands guided and protected us! Looking at photos of the graduation ceremony, how could we not be deeply moved by the Lord’s gracious providence?

 

I thank God for reminding me that everything is accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

Please pray that the Lord will strengthen us in our ministry of encouragement so that the church in China will grow.

 

Sheung Un and his colleagues provide theological and pastoral resources to students graduating from seminaries and training centres across China.

 

$30,000 will make possible the provision of book packages to graduates from seminaries and training centres across China in 2021.

You can help Imani Charles Orondi make God’s gospel of grace clear to Swahili readers.

 

My name is Imani. I am from a family of eight children. I was born and raised in Nangara village, Babati district, in the Manyara Region of Tanzania.

 

I’m so grateful that while I was still a sinner Jesus Christ died for me. When I was fifteen years old, the Lord my God delivered me from the dominion of darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of his beloved Son. By grace he opened my heart to his gospel so that I repented and believed in Jesus. Through him I now have eternal life!

 

God’s grace in the church

 

From that time on, I found myself getting along well with the ministers in my local church. I joined Bible study fellowships and prayer groups. The Lord was transforming my heart so I might love and serve him. This is how I saw the Lord calling me to his ministry. The church also realised this and sent me to Bible college.

 

After five years at Munguishi Bible College, the bishop sent me to shepherd a newly planted village church. Again we saw the Lord working through us for his glory. I say “we” because my beloved wife Magdalena, who is also an evangelist, joined me in ministry following our wedding in 2019. God has blessed us with a baby girl. We called her Precious.

 

God’s grace in books

 

It has been said that reading is not cherished by Africans but my people are proving this saying to be wrong. Tanzanians are thirsty for books to read, especially Christian books. Unfortunately, there are still very few Christian books in Swahili. So, how can servants of God who only read Swahili learn from Christian books or study at Bible college?

 

While we wait for more Swahili writers, must we miss out on the thousands of good and helpful books written in other languages? No! As we nurture and motivate Tanzanian theologians to write, we can also publish translations of the best books from around the world.

 

God’s grace in our language

 

I have translated Grace Transforming by Phil Ryken into Swahili. This book is a sound exposition of biblical doctrine. It will be very helpful to the Swahili-speaking church because the hearts and minds of many people are hidden in the envelope of ignorance so that they cannot see the glorious truth of God’s gospel of grace.

 

Grace Transforming teaches us that we are saved through the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ from beginning to end, and certainly not by works. All good works done by believers are fruits of the gracious indwelling of the Holy Spirit, so that no one can boast.

 

Will you help us print this book?

 

Please pray that Grace Transforming will help many pastors like me to boldly preach nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

 

Imani Charles Orondi is an ordained deacon serving in a parish of the Anglican Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

$3,000 will make possible the printing of 1,000 copies of a Swahili edition of Grace Transforming by Phil Ryken.

You can help supply theological textbooks to students like Iman Jaya Zandroto as they prepare to serve growing churches.

 

I was born and raised in a Christian family. I was not a devout Christian but, like everyone else in our church, as I neared the end of high school I started to study the catechism and prepare for confirmation.

 

Prepared to believe

 

That is when I began to read the Bible every day. The more I read God’s word, the more I saw how much God loves me, and the more I loved God. I was convinced that I was a sinner and am saved by grace through Jesus Christ. Realising how great God’s grace is in my life, I decided to be his servant.

 

Prepared to serve

 

To serve the church and society we need preparation. I learned that by reading books before leading a Bible study, I was able to answer people’s questions. To better prepare myself to serve God I decided to study theology. Reading books and learning from professors helps me grasp and explain the meaning of Bible passages that are difficult to understand. 

 

After completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees at two seminaries in my country, I started a second master’s degree at the Vancouver School of Theology in 2019.

 

Prepared to learn

 

Studying with other international students enables me to learn about other cultures. I like visiting new places, but adapting to a new environment is difficult. Financial limitations have been an obstacle, especially when buying books. However, the greatest challenge is reading books and writing assignments in my second language. Please pray that God will raise up people to write theological textbooks in my language!

 

In my first semester abroad I struggled a lot. But I keep learning and putting my hope in God. Thanks to his kindness, I feel satisfied with the results of my studies. After I finish studying, I want to do many things for my country and the church.

 

Please pray that God will give me his wisdom so I can usefully apply my knowledge to encourage believers and build up the church.

 

Iman Jaya Zandroto is completing a master’s degree in theology at the Vancouver School of Theology.

 

$2,000 will provide a theological college in Southeast Asia with a digital theological library.

Esther was reluctant to recognise her gifts and calling to ministry in the church.

 

My name is Esther. I am from Kachin State, Myanmar. I have a brother and four sisters.

 

My grandfather was an Anglican priest. He was a good and faithful leader of the church and our community. A loyal husband and wise father, he supported and guided my parents as they raised their own children.

 

Compelled by family

 

I admired my grandfather, but as a teenager I resented his strict discipline. I wanted to go out with my friends on Saturday afternoons but he made me stay and clean the church.

 

Because I am the firstborn, my parents set me apart for church ministry as an offering of thanksgiving to God. But I insisted that I was not interested because I knew there were few ministry opportunities for women in Myanmar. My mother kept reminding me to count God’s blessings in my life rather than focus on what I could not do.

 

I was allowed to go to college. But to satisfy my family, after graduating I went to Holy Cross Theological Seminary in Yangon.

 

Called by God

 

It was not until my third year of study that I realised I was chosen for ministry—not by my family, but by God. The Holy Spirit inspired me. He showed me who I am and where I belong. I promised God that I would serve him wherever he sent me.

 

After I completed my Bachelor of Theology in 2013 I was sent to teach in a mission school located in a remote and under-developed area of my state. After three years I became the coordinator of the Christian Education Department for the Diocese of Myitkyina.

 

Eager to learn more

 

I encountered many challenges and realised my knowledge was not sufficient to fulfil my responsibilities. I prayed fervently that God would enable me to study again and elevate my capacity. I wanted to serve faithfully and to the best of my ability, just like my grandfather. I remembered the words he used to encourage me: “No turning back!”

 

In 2017 God gave me an opportunity to go to the Philippines and study at St Andrew’s Theological Seminary. Thanks to SparkLit, I now have my own Bible commentary and dictionary. Wherever I am, with these books I can continue to improve my theological knowledge. God is good all the time!

 

Please pray that I will persevere in what I have learned and be thoroughly equipped for every good work as a servant of God, using the Scriptures to teach and train in all righteousness.

 

Esther graduated from St Andrew’s Theological Seminary in 2020 with a master’s degree in divinity and has returned to serve with the Anglican Church in Myanmar.

 

$70 will provide a Bible dictionary and commentary to a graduate from St Andrew’s Seminary in Manila.