299
JULY, 1946
BIOLA FAMILY
C I R C L E
months ago her mother, living in § Dallas, Oregon, became ill, and Mary ” went at once to minister to her needs as only a loving nurse-daughter could do. She will return to China as soon as conditions permit. Speaking of Lois Briggs '33 the Good . News Broadcaster says: “On the last day of March, Miss Lois Briggs, a fine consecrated nurse, went on board steamer enroute to her field of serv ice in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. For some months sha has been unable to return to Africa because of the state of her h e a l t h , and we are especially thankful to the Lord for making it possible for her return at last to her beloved people in the Sudan.” The Powell family, Lawrence and Meta, both of the class of ’39, and their children, are “holding out” together in Los Angeles, in one room,awhile making preparations to return to their work in the mountains of Kentucky. They are planning a trip which will take them through the Sacramento Valley, and on through to Portland, Oregon. They have new slides show- ing their work among the moun taineers, and will be glad for opportu nities to speak ’and show these pic tures in Los Angeles and vicinity be fore they begin this trek into the more distant places. There are some vital needs for which they ask our fervent prayers, "’heir address is 558 S. Hope St., Los Angeles 13, Calif. Frank and Frances Stradley ’42, Box 784, Seward, Alaska, send greetings f r o m the l a n d of the “sourdough” where they have been witnessing for the Lord in many avenues of service— Sunday school, and house to house visitation, with many new homes be ing opened to their cheerful and in spiring testimony. Alaska is a needy field, and F r a n k and Frances are energized to give out the message “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” and that, through His blood alone, is redemption from sin. Eddie Wagner ’44, now living at 1906 West Sixth St., Little Rock, Ark., is praising the Lord for His leading since last November when he took up full-time evangelistic work. All the
”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” THE CHALLENGE OF FUKOW Excerpts from a recent letter from Rev, Richard Hillis H ONAN, a great province of central China, with a population of over 40,000,000 ' people, is known as the “bread basket” of China. On the east ern side of this vast wheat country, lies the county of Fukow, with 320,000 inhabitants. The meaning of the con flict with Japan had scarcely dawned upon the populace until the farmers of this district saw the intruders draw ing near, and their sons called into the army. At the close of a day of hard labor in the fields, men were sitting in groups on the harvest floor, discussing the events of the day, when the sound of rushing water and the horrified cry: "The Yellow River has broken its banks! Run for your lives!” fell upon their ears. Men fled and the mud houses melted like wax as swift floods swept across the country. After a night of horror, the dawn brought a fresh realization of their fears that every- / thing was gone—family, houses, lands, crops, animals, money, clothing. A further survey showed that but 42 of the 960 villages in Fukow remained. It is now two years since the Yellow River brought destitution and destruc tion to thousands of people, yet this district is still uninhabitable, for the land is still under water. The Chris tians of Fukow have shared with each other as best they could. Food prices have risen, and houses are unobtain able, three families often living to gether in cramped quarters. The en emy moved into the city, and then went on, leaving behind a traitor army whose cruel rule lasted 14 months. There were battles and more battles, the city’s changing rulers at the end of each engagement, and then amidst fears, were whispers, and finally the open announcement that the Com munist element was trying to capture the city! It is into this city that we walked and heard the Christians tell of God’s leading in their lives. Finding their only refuge to be in God, they went to Rév. Richard Hillis Him often; at daylight, at noon and at night, they gathered to worship Him, and to seek His guidance and help. In the midst of these sufferings there was much for which to praise God; daily they rejoiced in His good ness to them. Schools are being re established, needs are being met, the people are finding they can trust God; and thus Fukow, “ land of tragedy” is becoming Fukow, “church of glorious victory3’ Every S u n d a y finds the church full of those who love and wor ship God. Now the cry is: “Send us a missionary to teach us the Bible!” What a parish for some young per son who is willing to forego personal comfort! Suffering may be involved, but it will be sweet suffering for Him. Mary P. Qulring ’31, R. N., and mis sionary to China under the Evangel ical United Brethren Board of Mis sions, has been in Los Angeles on vacation. This time was chosen by her for the purpose of t a k i n g in the Seventeenth Annual Missionary Con ference held in the Church of the Open Door, and renewing/ fellowship with Biola f a c u l t y and friends. Obliged to leave China owing to war conditions, Mary, with a true mis sionary s p i r i t , has been working among the Sioux Indians in Poplar, Mont., for the past two years. Seven
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