6/30-7/6

Tuesday
Recently China has had a resurgence of nostalgia for the Mao era. It is the fashion for young people to wear hats such as the Red Guards wore. There are some restaurants that feature Cultural Revolution style dishes that are simple and coarse. They also include revolutionary songs and dances in their entertainment. Many older Christians remember those days with nostalgia because then believers were zealous for God. We praise God for His goodness to the church in China in the past forty years. May she grow in these good times as she did in those difficult times.

中國最近出現了一股對毛澤東時代的懷舊潮。年輕人戴紅衛兵帽蔚爲一種潮流。還有一些文革主題的餐館也出現了，它們刻意標榜簡單粗糙的菜肴，館内還有革命歌曲和革命舞蹈表演。教會界也有很多老信徒仍「緬懷」文革時期被逼迫的日子，念記往昔信衆對神的熱心。我們要讚美神的美善，在過去四十年保守著中國教會。求神祝福教會處在當今順境時，也能像昔日般不斷成長。

Wednesday
During the Cultural Revolution the only sanctioned entertainment was watching the eight government approved renditions of "Revolutionary Opera". Mao used it very effectively as patriotic propaganda and today these classic operas are enjoying resurgance in popularity even among young people. The way the number of Christians increased during the severe prosecution of that period from 1950 to 1970 was truly God's work. The new generation of believers has little memory or knowledge of the past. We pray that God will stir up in them a passion for Himself that will rival that of the old days.

文化大革命期間，人們惟一容許的娛樂就是觀賞被認可的八部「樣板戲」。毛澤東把這些樣板戲變成有效的愛國宣傳工具。這些經典戲劇現今再一次流行起來，甚至在年輕人的圈子裡亦如是。1950至1970期間，基督教受到極度逼迫，但信徒數目仍能增長，這確實是神的工作。新一代信徒對過去的歷史和認識已變得相當糢糊。我們求神挑旺他們對神的熱心，尤勝過去。

Thursday
Watching movie has become the leading entertainment in China. China produced 406 movies in 2008, nationwide box office receipts have steadily increased by at least 25-30 % every year. Although DVD piracy is still rampant, more people are willing and can afford the movie theater experience. New church buildings are popping up in many cities, with air-conditioning and modern facilities and offering worshippers lot more comfort. Small or old churches face "competition" in church growth because their facilities and programs are inadequate. We pray for vision and bold decisions for the smaller congregations seeking to grow and expand.

看電影已成爲中國最受歡迎的娛樂。2008年，中國製作了406部電影，票房收入持續保持25-30%以上的增長。雖然盜版DVD情況仍然猖獗，但有越來越多人願意且有能力負擔得起進電影院。新教會在許多城市紛紛蓋起來。這些教會都安裝了空調和各項設備，讓會眾有一個舒適的聚會環境。相對之下，較小或較舊的教會受限於設備和活動空間，要增長時就面對其它教會的「競爭」」壓力。讓我們爲這些小教會禱告，求神使他們持守異象，有智慧合適安排設施來建立、牧養教會。

Friday
A recent survey confirm that Chinese are "hesitant and reserve" in expressing their emotion. A perfect example is, Chinese mother play hugely important role culturally, but majority of people feel extremely awkward expressing their appreciation or love for their mothers. Many churches have problem with unity because Chinese believers may not express their opposition openly, but they will refuse to cooperate or follow. In terms of ministry, Chinese are non-confrontational but are too proud to follow. May the Lord give us humility and willingness to express our appreciation and love for our spiritual leaders.

最近一項調查顯示，中國人對情感表達顯得「靦腆害羞」。最好的例子就是，雖然母親的形象在中國文化中占據重要地位，但多數人覺得要向母親表達感謝和敬愛時都會感到「很彆扭」。很多教會都有合一的問題。國內的肢體或許不會公開地對抗，但他們會拒絕合作或服從。從事工的角度看，易流於各自為政不願意順服、同心。 求主使我們謙卑下來，願意多表達我們對屬靈領袖的感激和關愛。

Saturday
China is the third largest movie-producing country, behind India and America. Chinese-made movies have achieved international acclaim and global appeal; a few of these movies have reached the international market. Yet, the gross international revenue of Chinese movies is less than one American blockbuster movie. In terms of books written by or about Chinese believers, the titles are few and mostly limited to a few older biographies. We pray that in the future, Chinese believers will be able to share their spiritual experience and theological insights through out God's Kingdom.

中國目前是僅次于印度和美國的世界第三大電影生産國。最近國產電影在國際屢獲好評，不少電影更打入了國際市場。可是中國電影海外銷售總收入仍不及一部美國的賣座巨片。有關中國基督徒的書籍文獻或由中國基督徒寫的著作更是少之又少。有的話亦大都是一些早年的傳記。我們祈求神興起更多有文藝恩賜的弟兄姊妹，能在神的國度裡分享屬靈經驗和心得，將這些寶貴的屬靈資產傳遞下去。

Sunday
Karaoke parlors are extremely popular in China because it is an form of entertainment, where people unwind or young lover meet in private and sing. Chinese are generally reserve people, but in the privacy of these enclosed rooms, they can belch out songs for hours. Younger generation of believers are looking for the more contemporary worship style. Many churches face the "clash" between the old and the young. Majority of Chinese churches are very traditional and conservative in worship. We pray that church leadership will be sensitive to the changing culture and the need of young believers.

卡拉OK歌廳不僅是娛樂場所，也是人們緩解工作壓力或年輕人以歌傳情示愛的地方，在中國非常的紅火。由於中國人大多在表達感情方面比較含蓄保守，因此人們選擇在卡拉OK歌廳的單獨包間內放聲高歌，藉以傳情。年輕一代信徒時尚現代形式的崇拜，常導致教會新舊兩代出現裂痕。讓我們祈求教會領袖能敏銳察覺年輕人文化上的轉變，能顧及新一代的需要。

Monday
Chinese young people follow the Western trend but music wise, they are die-hard fans of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korean and Japanese pop stars. The top favorites songs in the karaoke parlors are Chinese pop songs; Western songs are limited to a few oldies of 1970 or 1980's. It is unfortunate that few leaders pay attention to the liking and the need of young Chinese believers. Chinese churches and young people are much like strangers. We pray that more churches will specifically appeal to the young people and young believers, with messages that is relevant to today's culture and social needs.

雖然中國年青人喜愛跟隨西方潮流，但在音樂方面，他們仍是港、台、韓、日流行音樂的忠實「粉絲」」。卡拉OK歌廳内最熱門的歌曲都是中文流行曲；雖也有少數的西方歌曲，卻只限於70和80年代的舊曲．很少中國教會領袖會關注到年輕信徒的喜好或需要，教會和年輕一代常常好像陌路人．讓我們求神感動更多教會能敏感於年輕一代包括信徒的需要，特別是講壇訊息能切中這個時代的文化特質和社會脈絡。