Evangelist sends best wishes, donation
SHANGHAI: American evangelist Franklin Graham yesterday donated 2 million yuan ($285,000) to help the victims of the Wenchuan earthquake.
The CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, established by and named after his father, and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse, said from Shanghai that in the days and weeks ahead, he and his organizations will do all they can to help.
"I will pray, encourage others to pray, and give money," Graham said.
"Our hearts are very heavy for the victims of this massive earthquake in Sichuan province.
"My prayers will be with all the families, not just the victims but also those who are providing care and helping with the recovery effort."
The evangelist, who has recently visited Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai, also said he had seen much development in China over the past two decades.
"I have seen great changes. As well as lots of tall buildings, there are more cars on the roads and I also saw churches, and had the opportunity to speak to pastors and seminary students,
"I am impressed with the changes happening in China. I want to go back to my country and tell the churches there what Chinese churches are doing."
Graham said he was most impressed by how quickly the Chinese government had managed to mobilize its resources in response to the disaster.
Other religious organizations have made donations to the relief effort.
According to the website of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the Buddhist Association of China has donated 1.6 million yuan, the Taoism Association 300,000 yuan and the Islam Association 50,000 yuan.
Various religious organizations in Shanghai have donated about 2.8 million yuan.
(China Daily 05/15/2008 page6)
