The Joy of Harvesting

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. " (Psalm 126:5-6)

After a lapse of about four years, I set foot again on the eastern side of the Holy Land (Jordan). God prompted me to make this special trip quite sometime ago but there was lack of opportunity times. And I thought I should ask my wife to come along to witness God's wonderful work in this land by saving many of Chinese who came from thousands of miles away.

As we approached the capital of Jordan - Amman, looking down from the plane, my wife and few others from China exclaimed the same: "It's all desert… there is no life!" Often, that is the first impression of those who have came to Jordan. But for those who come in touch with the congregations of the Chinese Church in Jordan, their whole outlook is just different. For God works in a mysterious way, causing hundreds to put their trust in Him since the ministry began 7 years ago. The Chinese Church here is much alive!

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." (John 4:35-38)

Over here, whenever the Gospel is being truthfully and faithfully shared, you can almost see immediate result. Whenever an altar call is being made, many will stand and pray to receive Christ. Though we have not experienced sowing in tears here, we do experience the joy of reaping. What a joy to bring sincere seekers to pray to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour! There is a great rejoicing in heaven when souls are added into God' Kingdom.

As we see one by one who come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have to admit that it is solely God's Spirit that moves and touches lives, causing the wondering souls to repent from their sins. It is the love of Christ that constraints both the preachers and the hearers to respond to the loving call of the Master.

The Cry for More Labourers

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:36-38)

Our coming over to Jordan this time is to stand in for Pr & Mrs Clarence Chee while they are away to visit and to encourage the Jordan returnees in China. Many Chinese converts in Jordan are young in their faith. Not all of them know all the basic about the Bible and doctrines because they missed service and dorm meeting often due to overtime work. The foreign workers here usually sign a two year contract. If one happened to know the Lord early, he or she will have more time to be nurtured. Other than that, many returnees could not find a doctrinal sound or a good church to attend. The casualty of drop outs is no small numbers, therefore, there is a need to keep in touch with them and encourage them. But even such a visit could only be two years or once a year. These flock that "return home" often find no shepherd to care for them.

Even in Jordan, the Chees have to manage three congregations numbering more than 400 - 450 people every week. There are two main services on Friday i.e. 9.30am in Karak and 7pm in Irbid (270km apart). The weekly travelling is exhausting. There is also a weekday service in Sahad (an industrial park near Amman). The travelling time is about two hours. Besides, there is a nightly dorm meeting (except Saturday, half an hour from home).

The demand of spiritual care in tendering the flock is great but their strength is limited. The Chinese Christian Church of Jordan has been praying for more labourers to labour in their midst. Among the ten thousands of Chinese in Jordan, many are yet to hear the Gospel. Did you hear the cry for more labourers everywhere? Are you praying for the harvest field?

Encouragements from the Congregation

During our two weeks of ministry in Jordan, we want to thank God for His protection and journey mercies, especially when we have been travelling so extensively. There is much joy in serving our Lord as our coming had been so warmly accepted by members here. Their desire to learn more about God's Word by sacrificing their sleep and rest truly encourages our hearts.

We are specially touched by a song which the congregation of Irbid dedicoted to us. "It is not because I don't have a home, neither is that I didn't miss home… but for the sake of the gospel and the call of the Master, I have left my home and family." We know why we are here, so are they! There is yet another way that encourages our hearts that is through Christian hospitality. There is no shortage of supply of fruits from our sisters in Christ. Sometimes, members will even prepare food for us. It is a small way that they express their love for the servants of God. We truly appreciate the Christian love and fellowship that we could have with all the people of God. For a moment, we thought it is "a home" far away from home.

God bless Jordan!.

In Christ's Service,
Pastor David Wong,
14th September 07.