As the COVID-19 virus and fear continue to sweep through the city of Wuhan, Christians are boldly emerging from the underground to share the Good News, shining Christ’s light and hope into the darkness.

In a country where believers are often persecuted, “courageous Christians” have taken to the streets to give out surgical masks, which are now extremely valued, and Gospel tracts, according to a report by The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) on February 5.

“They share the love of Christ and point to Jesus to bring hope to them and their families, and the whole of China…” reported CBN News Asia Correspondent Lucille Talusan. “This is really a breakthrough.”

武汉教会弟兄姊妹在街头免费发放口罩、传福音🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/WVnqwuBhuZ

— 劉貽牧師 (@Frfrancisliu) January 27, 2020

武汉南京路教会的骆传道带领弟兄姐妹向街上行人发口罩。兵荒马乱、瘟疫横行正是中国基督徒见证荣耀神的美好时机。 pic.twitter.com/zjKXwWV5a7

— 土豆妈（方鸿） (@fanghong00) January 31, 2020

Videos posted on Twitter show Christians, some in yellow protective suits, distributing masks to pedestrians and motorists on relatively empty streets, while audio Gospel tracts play loudly in the background.

Others are even broadcasting encouraging sermons from their balconies at home. 

An open door

In a blog post by a missionary to Wuhan, the author, who only identified himself as P.Z, noted that these acts of kindness by Christians have helped them gain favour in the city, even among the authorities.

At a time when people are desperate and money is useless, since it can’t buy them a mask, Christians are sharing hope and comfort from God.

“They just do what a true Christian should do in this situation: Preaching the Gospel and being witness of the true peace and true hope that come from Jesus Christ in front of the non-believers who are in panic and hopelessness,” he wrote.

He added that even police officers have become open to the Gospel: “They are the ones who used to be concerned about the message. But now they come to Christians for help, and they bow down to our God…. Christians gained the respect they never had because of their willingness to risk their health to serve.”

As of yesterday, China has seen almost 64,000 cases and more than 1,300 deaths as a result of the virus. The city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, remains in lockdown.

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