Macau has a very unique claim to fame, though not everyone has heard of the small island peninsula west of Hong Kong in the Province of China. It was the starting point of Protestant missions to China in the 1600’s, where the first Chinese convert was baptised and the first Chinese Bible translated. It is also the first Christian territory in Asia to become non-Christian by the 21st century, going from 95% Catholic in 1600 to 3% in 2010.
Macau’s reputation today is a “City of Sin” that surpasses Las Vegas. It was one of the richest cities in the world during the 1600’s, now it is dominated by gambling, prostitution, substance abuse, and tourism. There is still religious freedom but it is very difficult for outsiders to live and work there. Churches have very little outreach and the people are isolated. Pray that this small little country will return to their Christian roots which brought them blessings and prosperity in the 1600’s.
