The two Chinese students are the first to be sponsored under the UBS Opportunity 21 (O-21) program. The achievement is being seen as a key step in the development of Bible work in China.

“These are the first students from China to be trained to this level in biblical studies and translation,” said Kua Wee Seng, UBS Asia Opportunity co-ordinator.

Needs

“China needs trained Bible teachers because many among the older generation of Bible experts are retiring. There is also a great need for qualified Bible translation advisors to help with the translation program, especially for the minority languages.

“It is a privilege to be able to support the Chinese Church in this crucial area of training Bible teachers and translation advisors.”

Commenting on her time at the Zhejiang Theological Seminary where she studied first, Hu Hui Ping said that at first she had found having to read the Bible systematically every day difficult.

“I was slowly able to enter into the realm of the Bible and experience God's Word affecting my life and those daily devotions and Bible readings became my life’s greatest enjoyment. This is the most fundamental training for every theological student.”

Shi Wen Hua is convinced that a Bible Society will be set up in China in the near future.

“God will prepare a group of trained workers who have the burden to be involved in translation work,” she said.

Praying

“Our brothers and sisters in the minority group will eventually possess the Bible translated into their own language. I am praying towards this end and I will commit myself to this purpose. Please continue to remember us in your prayers.”