pollution
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

Even more gloomy than the pollution induced haze that covers Yueyang on most days of the year is the sin that lives in the hearts of most of the residents of this mid-sized Chinese city.

Pray that people will be set free from the haze of sin through the power of Jesus Christ.

Beggars wait for passengers getting out of taxis
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

* As Christmas approaches, opportunities for local Christians to witness to both friends and strangers increases. Pray that Yueyang Christians will be bold and effective in their witness to the people they share with this Christmas!

* Pray for a taxi driver and his wife who are new Christians and are just beginning their walk with God. Ask that they will hunger and thirst for the Word of God and that they will strive to be obedient to what they find in Scripture!

Confucious Gate
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

Pray that the hearts of the people of Yueyang would be set free from the bondage from the belief in false religions.

While most people in Yueyang do not ‘claim’ a religion, they almost all harbor some inward, almost superstitious, belief in some form of Buddhism, Taoism, Ancestor Worship, or Confucianism (or some blend of all of them.)

Ask that the people of Yueyang would hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and that they would put their faith in the Most High God – the Creator of the Universe!

family
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

CHANGSHA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) — Central China’s Hunan Province on Sunday announced a plan to provide financial aid to the spouses whose only child is dead or disabled, a move to further consolidate the family planning policy.

One people, either in rural or urban areas, can get 600 yuan (75 U.S. dollars) every year from the provincial government after he or she is 50 years old and, unfortunately, the only child is dead or disabled, according to the plan.

Hunan is the first province in China to carry out such a plan, said Li Wanbin, director of the provincial family planning commission at a press conference on Sunday.

China has announced to offer financial rewards to farmers who have less children, aiming to restrain the rise in the country’s population. Parents of every one-child family and those with two daughters in the rural areas will receive an annual payment of 600 yuan (75 dollars) when they reach the age of 60.

Li Wanbin said the new plan of Hunan will enable the spouses whose child is dead or disabled to get financial support 10 years earlier than by the national plan.

When those people reach the age of 60, they will no longer be covered by the provincial plan but will benefit from by the national plan, Li added.

It is estimated that more than 6,000 people will benefit from the provincial plan by the end of this year. Hunan will spend 3.7 million yuan (462,500 dollars) on the plan this year.

China used to fine people who have more than the allowed number of children, however, officials said incentive financial support “has proved effective in encouraging peasants to have less children.”

Traditionally, families prefer sons to daughters, especially in the countryside, where sons mean a continuation of a family tree, stronger labor on the farm and financial support in older age.

Police Van
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

China’s legislature on Tuesday barred all but the nation’s highest court from approving death sentences, a move that state media called the country’s biggest change to capital punishment in more than 20 years.

China is believed to account for most of the world’s court-ordered executions, putting to death hundreds of people a year for crimes ranging from murder to such nonviolent offenses as tax evasion. Human rights groups have been protesting what they call miscarriages of justice and the extensive, arbitrary use of capital punishment.

The change, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2007, “is believed to be the most important reform of capital punishment in China in more than two decades,” the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Drum Line
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

China’s National Day (just like USA’s 4th of July) is on October 1st. However the celebrations last for an entire week. Most people have off of work and many will travel to be with family during this time. Many consider this to be China’s most important holiday of the year. I don’t know about that, but I am anticipating a TON of fireworks and crowds everywhere I go!

Lost In Her Thoughts
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

Please pray for the people living in the northeastern corner of Yueyang county where dangerous levels of arsenic were found in local water sources last week.

Ask that the people of Yueyang who are thirsty will find the LIVING WATER that is only offerred through Jesus Christ!

Apartment Buildings
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

Over one million people call this city their home. It’s kinda strange, but by ‘China’ standards, it’s considered a small city!

The skyline of the city is constantly changing, and in the past few years, more and more tall buildings are being constructed.

Please pray for the people who inhabit these apartment buildings. Ask that they will come to having faith in Christ and that there will be many house churches throughout these apartment complexes.

Yueyang Train Station
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

You may have heard on the news recently about the flooding in south China. Hunan was the hardest hit with well over 100 deaths!

However, Yueyang was not affected by the flooding this time even though Yueyang is normally a flood prone location.

Pleast pray for those recovering from the damage of the extensive flooding!

(sorry for the long lapse in posts to this blog – the frequency will increase in the future!)

Temple in the Distance
Originally uploaded by Rob Stevens.

While most people in Yueyang claim to have no religious affiliation, the influence of Buddhism is definately present.

For some, it’s under the surface and they themselves may not even be aware of it. What I mean is, their world view is deeply impacted by Buddhist beliefs even though they don’t claim to follow Buddhism.

During the cultural revolution, most temples and shrines were destroyed. However, those days are long gone and China is rebuilding temples. Sometimes it’s to appease worshippers, but usually it’s for the tourism value of the ancient (looking) structures.