(Sorry, Mom.)
* * * * *
Since Monday, August 12, when the Cherry family committed to following Jesus, Mr. Cherry has shared what happened with at least four people. He put two Bibles in his schoolroom and plans to teach his students the good news. He prayed the peace of Jesus over an old teacher, and, at the urging of Becca and Laura Leigh, he also prayed for a friend of his wife’s, Mr. King. Jesus healed Mr. King’s back, and as a result, Mr. King committed to following him. When his father came to visit last night, Mr. Cherry showed him the Jesus film.
All of this freaks me out.
* * * * *
I knew coming to China would be dangerous.
Before leaving, I heard about two concentration camps that were recently built in preparation for the upcoming economic census. (Many believe this census will target those of non-government-sanctioned faith—this includes Christians, but also Muslims, Jews, etc.) US gov’t websites explained that since January, foreigners are liable to “exit bans” where they will be stopped at the border and not allowed to leave until the Chinese government decides it is permitted. The Great Firewall blocks common websites like Instagram, Google, and WhatsApp (unless you have a VPN), only allowing apps like WeChat, which is monitored for content. Past WR teams have even had individual policemen assigned to tail them.
So, when we first arrived, I felt as though there was a hand pressing down on my back, stifling me.
It was only through the intercession of my teammates that the anxiety left. Now that we are staying in a hostel in X, we are having to “mind our mangoes” as we speak, even in common areas. I had to go back and review my blogs to make sure there wasn’t any sensitive information that could cause harm to our dear new family members.
Moreover, our squad has been receiving bi-weekly security updates about the developing situation in Hong Kong. Chinese reporters have implicated western thought as the root of these riots. We are far from the danger, but this situation played a role in the decision to make this month a prayer focus as opposed to relational ministry.
So how do I react in the face of all this? Do I try to warn the family (complicated, since we are no longer face to face), and stifle their ministry with fear? Or do I trust the Holy Spirit to protect them?
* * * * *
This week in X, we are doing a Burn. Burn 24/7 is a ministry that coordinates worship events to keep a constant cycle of prayer and worship going 24/7. Previous teams have participated in actual Burn events, but we had the opportunity to coordinate one of our own for the country of China and our individual cities.
Since Bella (my co-worship-coordinator on our squad) and I are in the same city, we were able to meet up, grab dinner, and talk about our vision for the Burn. During this week, we really wanted to challenge members of our squad to participate in forms of “chirping” (our nickname for worship) and “yarping” (read the first four letters backward) that are unconventional or untraditional. One of these was to meditate on, then rewrite Isaiah 43:1-21.
As I rewrote it, I realized it was like I was reading God’s letter to the persecuted church. This, combined with a team debrief, wherein I shared my fears, has allowed me to release the Cherry family to God’s care. He knows their hearts, and he will protect them.
So this is my prayer over the Cherry family, and over all the people of city X who know him and are looking to the future with worry.
To the Persecuted
Listen up!
The one who created you;
He who formed you,
is speaking.
This is what the I AM says:
“You were in slavery,
but I have bought you back.
I called your name, specifically.
You belong to me.
“When troubles rise like floodwaters,
Do not fear them sweeping over you.
I will not allow them to overtake you;
I will keep your head above the waves.
“When danger comes like an inferno,
Do not fear the flames engulfing you.
I will not allow you to come to any harm;
you will not even be singed.
“I will do this because I AM your God,
The Set Apart One of my people,
and it is my job to save.
I would use the richest country in the world as your ransom.
I would humble the most powerful in your place.
You are precious to me, and honored,
and I love you.
So, if it would spare your life,
I would exchange entire people groups,
I would give over nations.
“Do not fear; I will be with you.
I will not allow my children to stay distant,
but will reach as far as east is from west
to gather them back.
I will command the north to give them up,
And instruct the south not to hold back.
I will say:
‘Bring my sons from the far off places,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth.
Let everyone who would take my name—
those I created for my glory
those I knit together—
gather at my feet.’”
Lead out those who see but are blind,
those who hear yet do not listen.
Assemble the nations and gather the peoples;
ask them which of their gods predicted this future.
Let them call witnesses to prove themselves,
so others can agree they are right.
“If you want my proof,” says the I AM, “just look around.
You are my witnesses.
You are the servants I choose.
Look at your life,
and you will know and believe that I AM.
No gods came before me,
And none will outlast me.
I, even I, am the I AM
Without me, salvation is impossible.
I revealed your sin,
saved you from its power,
and proclaimed you my child—
I, and not some other strange god.
You are the proof that I am God.
From days before time, I AM.
Anything I choose to keep hold of
stays fixed in my hand—
there is none powerful enough to remove it.
Who could reverse a single thing I have done?
This is what I AM says,
the one who bought you back,
the Set Apart One of His people:
“For your sake, I will march against your enemies.
They will be forced to run like fugitives.
The things they prided themselves would never fail
will become instruments of their demise.
I am the I AM, your Set Apart One,
my people’s Creator, your King.”
This is what the I AM says—
The one who split seas
and made a path through the high water for you;
The One who drew out those who pursued you—
all their armies and reinforcements—
and used the very thing they tried to trap you with
to annihilate them:
“Forget everything.
Stop dwelling on the past and look—
I am doing something new!
It is springing up; do you not see it?
I am making paths through uncharted sand
and bringing forth streams in the desert.
Wild animals honor me—
even howling creatures of the night—
because I provide water in the abandoned places
and streams where Life struggles to exist.
But I do not do this for the animals.
It is for those I have chosen,
to satisfy their thirst.
I do this for the people I formed for myself,
that they may bring me praise.”
Rewritten from Isaiah 43:1-21
