The end of the 27-year civil war in Angola — which began in 1975, when it gained its independence from Portugal, and ended in 2002 — brought ruin and significant economic problems to the country. Though oil production increased, the business climate was sluggish. Angola needed money to rebuild its infrastructure and develop socially and economically. Where would the large amounts of money needed to rebuild the destruction come from?

After appealing to allies, the needed help came from China, the one country that did not impose objectionable conditions. And so, in addition to loans, Angola receives a large number of Chinese workers who work night and day to rebuild this southern African country. Buildings, houses, roads and many other construction projects are carried out by these workers — around 259 thousand, in a country whose native population is 20 million.

These Chinese citizens, along with some Vietnamese, are being touched by the persistent outreach of the Universal Church in Angola.

A recently opened church now has a Sunday attendance of 40 Chinese and Vietnamese people, who understand the pastor’s message with the help of two translators. The main meeting is held at 4pm, a result of the long work hours at the construction sites in the city.

The continued outreach to Asians is going smoothly and bearing fruit. We just married our first Chinese couple.

Peoples’ thirst for God is being quenched by a single language — the language of faith in the Lord Jesus.

Here is a photo of the ceremony.

Jaqueline Correa