Listener Responses from China

Topic of the Month - Difficulties in Corresponding with Station

In December 1996, China raised postal charges a lot. To send a registered air mail to us, listeners have to pay RMB5.00. The cost was only RMB3.00 before. The rate of increase for an air mail is even as high as 250%, from RMB0.80 to RMB2.00. Some of our listeners can't afford high postage and write less. There are also other obstacles hindering our correspondence. We therefore thank God for the safe arrival of every piece of mail as it really means much to the writer.

It's a financial burden to me

Your programs are really good. I listen to them attentively from six o'clock every evening because every program is beneficial to me. I could not write to each of you personally because the postage is very high. A registered mail costs me RMB6.50. This amount may not mean anything to you. Yet to me it's a financial burden.

(#8853 Zhejiang)

It's difficult to write to you

It is quite difficult for us to write to you because the postage is very high. Every letter costs more than RMB2.00. I am not even sure if you will receive it.

(# 9579 Jiangxi)

I will not write often

My family and I live in a village. My father has been suffering from a heart ailment for eight years. His health problem has totally drained our already meager family savings. His aggravating condition, my failure in examination and then jobless worsen the situation. When my spirit and hope were at the lowest, I accidentally tuned in to your programs. Since that moment, I have been listening to them until now. The postage is about RMB2.00, which is much to me. Thus I will not write often and feel sorry that I may not be able to get your good booklets. Yet I will continue listening to your programs.

(# 10011 Liaoning)

It's out of our range

At present, the postage is very high. The more we write, the more we have to pay. For a letter with several sheets of paper, we are asked to pay almost RMB20.00. It is totally out of our range.

(#10343Jiangsu)

Air mail service is not available

Air mail service is not available at the local post office. I have to go to a larger post office, far away from my home, to send a letter to you. Owing to inconvenience in transportation, it takes rather long time for the mail to reach you.

(#10307, Guangdong)

Letters are censored

It is difficult to mail letters to Hong Kong. The letters are censored and the writers will get trouble. Therefore it is not easy for you to receive our letters. Yet, many people always listen to your programs.

(# 10610, Guangdong)

We cannot get international standard envelopes here

We cannot get international standard envelopes here, which are available in city only. We do not go there unless there are important business to take care of. Yesterday I wrote a letter to a friend there and asked him to buy some for me. Because of this inconvenience, I apologize for not writing to you often.

(# 11190, Anhui)

Fax is fast and reliable

Although we cannot meet each other, we are close to each other in Christ. In the course of our correspondence, may the Lord unite us as one in spirit and faith. Fax is expensive but fast and reliable. Though my income is limited, I am willing to travel to

the post office in town to send a fax to you.

I prepare for a long time to send one fax

I live in a remote mountainous area. It is very inconvenient for me to send a fax. I need to go to the town 200 kilometers away by train. As I cannot return on the same day, I need to stay overnight in a guest house. The train tickets are expensive. I need to prepare for a long time in order to send one fax.

(#09797 Heilongiiang)

On 21 April, I sent a fax to you in the town post office. It cost me RMB60.00. You know, I have struggled hard before I made the decision. Thank God, I manage to contact you finally.

(# 10873 Shandong)

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