China (MNN) — Ministry in China has become much harder than it was a decade ago.
“Bibles for China has the goal of distributing Bibles openly and legally within China to those who would not otherwise have [the] opportunity to have a Bible,” Kurt Rovenstine of Bibles for China says. Learn more about Bibles for China’s work here.
“That open and legal functioning in China is where the challenges have come.”
The obstacles are not always obvious. “Over the last couple of months, we became aware that our reputation is not what we had hoped it would be in the eyes of the Chinese government,” Rovenstine says.
“[The] relationship between leadership within China, [which is] so important, is becoming more difficult to maintain because of some of these alleged missteps.”
The “alleged missteps” were a result of cultural misunderstandings. During the extensive planning process of one Bibles for China trip, the ministry forgot to notify a key Chinese leader of their plans. That misstep, in turn, triggered a chain of unintended reactions.
(Photo and header photo courtesy of Bibles for China)
“In China, it’s very important that leadership is acknowledged, honor is given, and you don’t circumnavigate somebody in the process – that becomes an insult to them,” Rovenstine explains.
“We don’t totally understand all of this because we have a Western mindset, but in the mindset of those [from] the Far East, it was an egregious kind of a thing.”
Bibles for China can still transfer funds into the country and oversee distributions, but trips are on hold for now. Ask God to help Bibles for China and its partners resolve the cultural misunderstandings.
“We’ve got a couple of folks in China trying to advocate for us, and hopefully, those partners can help us reestablish a positive relationship. So, pray for that,” Rovenstine requests.
Header and story images courtesy of Bibles for China.
