I know that technically I have written a blog that acted as a summary of the year, kind of wrapping things up all nice and pretty. I also know that most of you probably have no idea what actually happened in China, or at least I never told you. So here is a retroactive blog. And just so you know, my story continues on past the race, and I would love for you all to continue to be a part of my story.
There were major cultural barriers looming directly in front of us as we entered into China. As you all know, Communist China is less than friendly towards Evangelical Christians. They basically do not want us there at all. So we were unwelcome guests in their country. I felt kind of like James Bond, or better yet, Austin Powers…International Man of Ministry, going all undercover to bring the gospel to a hungry nation. So we went to an undisclosed destination high up in the mountains. Our team was based at 10,000 feet in a very beautiful mountainous region. It was in the mountains of China that we met out contacts, our “M’s”, who were actually from Peru and Mexico. So I had to revert back to my role as a translator, speaking Spanish deep in China.
Now with the language barriers, our contacts spoke only little Chinese, and I could only say hello and thank you, our ability to establish relationships with people was extremely difficult. And if people did ask us questions as to why we were there, we had to be very round about with our answers, usually being very vague and mysterious.
Our main ministry was prayer and the encouragement of the long term missionaries that were established in China. Prayer was our most effective tool for ministry here. And I frequently journeyed out into the surrounding mountains in order to find a quiet place to pray. It was a fantastic place, incredible beauty, and God spoke to me clearly while I went to those lonely places to pray. One of my favorite experiences of the entire month was on one such hike to solitude. I referenced it in my last blog, but I was led by the Lord to withdraw and pray. I had been quite unsettled about the impending future, the unknown of returning home and the comfort (really?!) that the race brings was coming to a close. I went for what I thought would be a short jaunt up a hill to pray. But God kept telling me to go further and higher. Tired, I felt like I had gone far enough, but God kept drawing me further, “I have something for you.” He kept saying. So on I went. Onward and upward, until I was just about at the top of the highest point possible, when an enormous bird flew overhead. It must have had a 7 foot wingspan. In the shadow of its wings, I distinctly felt the presence of something very powerful overwhelm me. And it was then that God whispered to me, “That was just for you. You are exactly where I want you to be.”
God gave me complete peace that day about my future and what I would be doing, even though I did not really know what that would be. So here I am at home now, looking eagerly toward the future. I have quite a few ideas and some things that I am excited about, all of which I will reveal to you in due time. But for now I thank all of you for joining me in this incredible journey around the world. Your support, your prayers, and your encouragement through all of this has meant more to me than you can imagine. So many lives have been impacted throughout this year. And my very own life, has been radically changed. Thank you for being a part of God’s transformation in my life. And may you continue on seeking the Lord in your own lives and being continually renewed and transformed in Christ. My blessing goes out to you all!
