China's Oasis

Richard Harris

Description

It took the death of tiny baby Rose for a young man to demonstrate that every single life has value, even those of fragile, disabled children. She seemed insignificant but her life mattered, and sharing her story means she will never be forgotten. Hundreds of children have received love, hope and opportunity because of Rose's short life, and that number grows daily. China's Oasis is the story about International China Concern and David Gotts who started it at the age of 22. ICC provides love hope and opportunity for China's abandoned and disabled children. They operate orphanages in three locations in China: Changsha, Hengyang, and Sanmenxia; supported by eight National Offices around the world. Over three hundred children have received full time, life-changing care, and the same number again have been adopted. We hold many firsts for NGO work in China. This books shows that ordinary people can do extraordinary things through faith and love.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Lion Hudson
• Date de parution: 18 mai 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780857219022
• Langue: English

Extrait

China s Oasis
If you ever wondered what God could do with a fully surrendered heart, China s Oasis is the book for you. David s story is as grand and fascinating as the country in which it is based.
From the smallest of beginnings with one child called Rose to a organisation spread all over the world, this is a human story of compassion, love, and generosity. Heartbreaking and hope-filled at one and the same time, David s journey with China s abandoned children is the kind of gritty and courageous inspiration we need for this time.
This book should come with a warning label. Don t read it if you wish to remain sceptical about the kindness of the human heart.
- Andrew Gardener, Senior Pastor, Vine Church, Hong Kong
The book you hold in your hands represents the work, sacrifice and love of hundreds of people over the past twenty-five years. Led and inspired by Dave Gotts, they came from around the world to share their passion and compassion with children in China.
This book is also testament to God s love, exhibited through so many lives in so many ways. As ICC embarks on its second quarter-century of providing love, hope, and opportunity to children with disabilities, we look to the accomplishments of the past while relying on God s guidance for the future.
- Peter Maize, CEO, ICC
This is a truly amazing story of an organization dedicated to caring for the least of these , told through the lives of those who dared to believe for the impossible.
- Tony Read, Chairman, The Justice Conference Asia
China s Oasis is a heartbreaking and heart-warming read. The first chapter had me hooked. The authors tell the ICC story honestly as insiders with outsider objectivity, which is no small feat. I ended up with an even greater appreciation for this NGO and the ordinary people who have created such an extraordinary organisation.
- Gregory Anderson, Senior Pastor, Union Church, Hong Kong
Some twenty years ago, my wife and I had the honour of connecting with David Gotts and ICC. Back then we were so moved by David s vision and leadership, and now we are celebrating ICC s continued growth and unique place in serving the beautiful people of China. Thank you, David, for your perseverance and faithfulness.
China s Oasis captures the joy and tears of this incredible journey. Read it, and be challenged and blessed.
- Scott Harris, Missions Minister, Brentwood Baptist Church, Tennessee
It s very easy to look at someone else s life in awe of all they have accomplished while rarely understanding the journey that got them there. This book caused me to remember that anything is possible when we listen to the voice of the One who created us. David Gotts did that, and literally thousands of children are alive today because of it. This is an incredibly inspirational read!
- Cheryl Weber, Host and Senior Executive Producer of 100 Huntley Street
What strikes me so strongly in reading about what God has done to reach these children in China is that David Gotts is an ordinary person just like you and me. He does not walk around with a shimmering halo or a robe made of goat s hair; nor does he have a staff in his right hand or sandals on his feet. He is simply someone who said, Yes, send me , and God did the impossible through him.
When I met David in 2012 at my first fundraising concert for ICC, I found him down-to-earth, friendly and energetic, like someone who could have been part of our Bible study group. Getting to see how he constantly submits himself to God through all of life s journeys with much personal sacrifice has been inspirational.
I m truly honoured and proud to know him and to have been able to contribute to his life-changing work for these precious children in China.
- Ning Kam, award-winning violinist
This is a story that needs to be told; one of perseverance and faith, of walking and growing through pain; and of God using broken vessels - which we all are in so many ways - to His glory and for the blessing of many. My wife Christine and I deeply honour David Gotts for his commitment to China s orphans and for his determination to stay on course with God s call on his life, despite many personal difficulties and ministry pressures.
It would be impossible to quantify the impact for good that has taken place through ICC s direct and indirect influence in China, and the orphans lives in particular that have been changed for the better as a result. The issues David and Linda have had to walk through in their own lives only add to the poignancy of that.
We also deeply appreciate that David s obedience and perseverance have paved the way for many others to follow their own China call, not to mention other ministries that have been launched.
- Ross Paterson, Founder, Antioch Missions/Chinese Church Support Ministries, and Director, Derek Prince Ministries China
I had the great honour of meeting David and Linda Gotts and the ICC team in the spring of 2016. It was an encounter with living saints. These are men and women who have said an unqualified yes to God s intent to restore his beautiful but broken creation.
The story of David s vision for the neglected and abandoned children of China, and his collaborative work with the Chinese government to provide loving care and nurture to these children, is one of the most riveting and inspiring of our age, or indeed any age. Step into these pages, into this story, and see for yourself.
- Mark Buchanan, author, Your Church is Too Safe
This book provides a poignant window into what life looks like when it s lived for something larger than self; for things God cares deeply about. China s Oasis overflows with aspiration and ache, grit and glow, progress and pain.
- Jedd Medefind, President, Christian Alliance for Orphans
Some stories need to be recorded and retold, and this is one of them. This tender and compelling biography of David s life not only melted my heart but rekindled in my spirit what inspiration and courage look like. It documents a remarkable life lived with faith and passion in the face of trial and adversity. Simply inspiring!
- Terence Rolston, President, Focus on the Family Canada

Text copyright 2018 David Gotts and Richard Harris
This edition copyright 2018 Lion Hudson IP Limited
The right of David Gotts and Richard Harris to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by
Lion Hudson Limited
Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Business Park,
Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 8DR, England
www.lionhudson.com
ISBN 978 0 85721 901 5
e-ISBN 978 0 85721 902 2
First edition 2018
Acknowledgments
Cover image: ICC/Dave Delnea
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder Stoughton, a member of the Hodder Headline Group. All rights reserved. NIV is a trademark of International Bible Society. UK trademark number 1448790.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Chapter 1 Rose
Chapter 2 The Early Journey
Chapter 3 Walking in the Footsteps
Chapter 4 Making a Commitment
Chapter 5 Where is Changsha?
Chapter 6 A Pine in the Wasteland
Chapter 7 China s Oasis
Chapter 8 From Neglect to Family
Chapter 9 This is China: A Mission Journey
Chapter 10 Hope House
Chapter 11 Living Stones Village
Chapter 12 Transitions
Chapter 13 Dispute
Chapter 14 Betrayal
Chapter 15 Opportunity
Chapter 16 A New Oasis
Chapter 17 Starting a Spring
Chapter 18 New Growth
Chapter 19 Support for the Family
Chapter 20 The Spring Flows
Chapter 21 A New Day Dawns
Chapter 22 Changed Lives
Chapter 23 Building the House
Chapter 24 The Goodness of God
Chapter 25 This is the New China
Epilogue
Endnotes
Acknowledgments
T he authors would like to thank all of the people who have consented to be interviewed and to have their stories told. We would like to thank Chloe Banks for transcribing many interviews into a first draft and Joy Tibbs of Lion Hudson for turning the final draft into a professional production.
This book does not endeavour to tell every tale and cannot mention everyone by name; however, this story and all that has taken place belongs just as much to you as it does to those named in these pages.
We have been as faithful to the story as possible, without softening the impact, because our message is that faith in Jesus, love, and persistence - through adversity - have been the key to our longstanding work in China. We have done our best to be accurate and authentic, so we have not glossed over mistakes made in building ICC because they were opportunities to learn - for us and perhaps for readers too. On occasion, we have distanced individuals from their actions by using assumed names. We have also used assumed names for children to protect those in vulnerable positions. Adults who have given interviews and or remain in ICC s care are named.
This book is dedicated to all those who have been a part of building ICC. We recognize the fortitude of the ICC overseas volunteers through hardship and their selfless giving of themselves, sometimes paying a high personal price. We are even more thankful for the local Chinese staff, who frequently resist the pressures of family, friends, and society to work for the disadvantaged children who make up the ICC family. Together, we carry the privilege and burden day to day, of caring for each precious child. You can follow what ICC is doing today on the website that accompanies this book (www.chinasoasis.com).
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