February 2020
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners
Another year has commenced and we trust you all had an enjoyable Christmas/New Year season. Perhaps this will be the year of the Lord’s return, what a wonderful thought!
In reviewing recent comments in our Q.M.B.C. Prayer News, it may seem that we have been painting a rather gloomy picture of current events and things soon to take place. Whilst this is of concern to each of us, we feel we should lift our sights and our spirits, and be more occupied with the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture says, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay” (Heb. 10.37). So we need to be ready. There are many other Scriptures which tell the same story, e.g., Rom. 13.12: “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.” To that we could add Jesus’ own words: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Rev. 22.16). For those of us who have put our faith in the Lord Jesus, He will soon come to the air for us, and in a moment of time we will be changed and transported into His very presence – we will then be at home with the Lord, and that eternally. The hymn-writer has captured these thoughts in a beautiful hymn, and he writes, “I can almost hear His footfall on the threshold of the door, and my heart, my heart is longing to be with Him evermore” (S.T. Francis). Of course, God has not forgotten Israel – “the apple of his eye” (Zech. 2.8) – and he says to them, “for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays” (Mal. 4.2). That will be at the second advent of Christ. What momentous events are about to unfold! Our aim at QMBC is to make known the message of the gospel to as many people as possible, so that they may come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and have this hope of eternal life.
We were able to have a short break over the Christmas/New Year period, and were really encouraged with the amount of mail we received on our return. In the first month of 2020, we have posted out approximately 20kg of mail! Please pray with us that this will continue throughout the whole year and that the problems we have had with the mail in the past, will now be rectified.
For your interest, some mail statistics for the past three years are as follows:
NOTE: The above figures do not include posting of the Prayer News, receipts for donations, or payments to suppliers. As can be seen, overall the postage relating to the students lessons has been fairly consistent over the past three years.
Praise Points
- For the good amount of mail received already this year
- For the faithful workers who consistently give their time and energy to the work
- For our prayer partners, and all those who give of their substance to enable the work to continue
Prayer Points
- That the incoming mail will be steady throughout this year
- That younger volunteers may be exercised in helping with the work
- That we will have wisdom to know the future direction of QMBC
Please take time to read the enclosed excerpts from some of our students’ letters and answers to assignments, which we are sure you will find interesting.
From students doing the basic Courses:
Pamela, age 43, Hong Kong:
I have been so encouraged and strengthened by your Bible Studies while in prison. I have found the true meaning of a believer in Christ through these studies, and I have learnt that being in fellowship with Christ every moment is the only way to be nearer to God and obtain His full blessings.
Charity, age 42, Hong Kong
I am so happy today knowing that you received my answers to the last lesson and that I’ve got a new one. Thank you so much. I just got it today and to God be the glory for the result. Just in case my next lesson won’t make it before my discharge (Nov 2019) I will still keep in touch. I want to continue even in the Philippines and I believe my family will enjoy doing this together.
Veronica, age 36, Papua New Guinea:
I am very excited in locating my Bible lessons from 2012. Looking forward to receiving my next lessons and magazines [to be able] to continue knowing about God. I would like to request your prayer support for my husband (Makau) to be saved…
Tarashiape, age 29, Papua New Guinea:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the lessons…doing the G1-G8 course has changed and stabilised my mind the way I define life. I am really blessed to know that the Lord is in control of everything and He is sovereign. I am learning to accept myself and be content with what I have now, because Christ is with me. I am thankful for the “Via” magazine that you have sent to me. It helped me with my everyday challenges and observations in life.
Emeka, age 27, Thailand:
I am grateful to hear from you again. Actually I was wondering why I hadn’t received your lessons. It had taken about three months since I sent my answer sheets back to you. Ever since then I hadn’t gotten any other lessons, and I was planning on how to buy a stamp and send a letter to you [but] Glory be to God Almighty – your mail came in time. I would like you to send my lessons as quick as possible because the lessons are helping me to know more about Jesus Christ, and what He did for us on the cross of Calvary.
Monica, age 36, Thailand:
With a real great joy I received the lessons F5-F8. I really enjoy doing these lessons, and I want you to know that since 2015 when I started to do QMBC until today, if you knew me personally you would know that this Bible study has done a lot in my life. It brought a change in me and it made me to improve and grow spiritually. About your request, yes I want to be your prayer partner – this is the best gift I have for now to help QMBC. I will use the gift of faith that God has given me to pray, and I believe that God will answer all our prayers according to His will (Phil 4:19) and with His abundant wealth through our Lord Jesus Christ, my God will meet all your needs.
Joseph, age 44, Thailand:
I am glad for your answer to my questions and thank God for these last lessons, especially lessons G17,18, 21 and 22. God used these lessons to talk to me and open my eyes of understanding towards the questions that are trying to weigh me down. I am very grateful for this last set of lessons. May our good and merciful God keep on blessing and giving you guys more insight in His word and the finance to carry on with this great postal mission. God has really blessed me richly through QMBC. Thanks once again for your care and prayers. May the light of His love cover you always in Jesus Name, amen.
Bethlehem, age 40, Thailand:
It is such an honour to be a prayer partner in your ministry. Yes, I will continue to pray for the prayer points you have written to me. This is the only thing I can do for now. Hopefully in the future I can do or help more than that. By God’s grace I want you to know that also our Church home in jail is praying for your faithful ministry. Our Church name is “United in Christ Fellowship”. May God bless you mightily in every way.
Australian Student:
I wanted to take a moment to thank you all at QMBC. The many lessons you provide are life changing and life saving. Each lesson builds my faith and I’m sure many others will say the same. QMBC has re-taught me what it means to be a Christian. It has cemented my belief in Christ and our hope. After leaving the Jehovah Witnesses (just before being baptized) QMBC was there with sound Christian teaching I knew to be contextual and Bible based. You really put me on the right track. I want to encourage you to continue with QMBC, it is a tool Christ is using to help people who need it – like myself.
From students doing the Panorama Courses:
Ana, age 32, Hong Kong:
Some people hurt me intentionally and unintentionally. As a human it’s very painful. I just pray for them, and trust God with all of my heart. Bless them and lead them to be righteous people with faith in him. Prayer can change everything.
Solomy, age 64, Hong Kong:
Yes, I pray for my family and friends in danger. One of my friends lost her job, and we went into fasting and prayer. Later God gave her a better job which paid more that the first one.
Bajabulile, age 50, Hong Kong:
We must pray continually to God, and humble ourselves so that he can answer our prayers and lift us up. Give all our cares and loads to him, because he cares about us as long as we are honest and humble.
Ana, age 32, Hong Kong:
This lesson was great and challenging. I learned more, especially from the Bible verses that were given as a clue. I learned that God has a great plan for my life. I might not understand why I’m here in prison, but I’m sure his plan is greater than what I’m expecting. One thing I’m sure of is that he will give what’s best for me in his own perfect time.
Australian Student:
Thank you for helping me grow deeper in my knowledge of the Lord and his Word. Praying you have a blessed Christmas season and a joyful Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our wonderful Saviour. What a joy to the world!
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