wfn.org | Taiwan's Central Government Postpones Casino Decision

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2645, November 10, 2002
Reported by Gu Hao-ran & Pan Huei-lian. Translated and rewritten
by David Alexander

"The Lord is a God who hears prayers!"	The ministers and elders
of churches in the Peng Hu Archipelago, midway between China and
Taiwan in the Taiwan Straits, are rejoicing that a pending
decision on declaring their home county a "casino zone" has been
delayed.  They call on believers in the area to continue in
watchful prayer.
  The Rev. Wu Wen-chong, of Peng-hu Baptist Church described the
current situation. "In recent years there has been a lot of
discussion about setting up a casino zone in these islands.  The
parliament has held hearings, scholars and legal experts have
been called, and much has been presented.  Although some people
believe that opening tourism and gambling will advance the
economic development of these remote islands, there are also
scholars who say that gambling is not necessary. They say it will
elbow aside or devour other avenues of development."
   The churches of Peng-hu have again spoken up in opposition of
the zone, and called on the government to maintain its middle
position between the investors and the public, to explain how,
after the benefits have been exhausted, public investment will be
made.  Some clergy call for the islands to be cleansed and
purified, and urge corporate prayer and protection.
  After the delay in the decision was announced, Rev. Wu said,
"All political representatives in these islands have approved the
establishment of a casino zone, but all the churches are
opposed.  Christians must pray, stand on our faith in God, and
leave the results to the Lord.	We thank God for hearing our
prayers."  He added that, whatever the eventual outcome, the
Christians of Peng-hu County will continue in prayer for their
homeland.

For more information:  Peng hu Baptist Church
pbchurch@ms26.hinet.net
					 TEL +886 6 927 0414
					 FAX +886 6 926 1745