Written 3/10/11
So the cold has had a bit of a shell shock on our immune
systems. I’m currently sitting on the top bunk of our warm apartment here in
Harbin, while my other teammates are resting up in various places around the
apartment.
systems. I’m currently sitting on the top bunk of our warm apartment here in
Harbin, while my other teammates are resting up in various places around the
apartment.
We are trying to combat the colds that have snuck up on us.
I haven’t had this feeling in quite some time. Stuffy/runny nose, sneezing,
cough, and extremely sore throat.
Jake and Steph were understanding and kind enough to let us use today as
a rest day, to recoup, and combat these evil germs inside us.
I haven’t had this feeling in quite some time. Stuffy/runny nose, sneezing,
cough, and extremely sore throat.
Jake and Steph were understanding and kind enough to let us use today as
a rest day, to recoup, and combat these evil germs inside us.
I’m a bit annoyed at the timing of this cold, because we
were supposed to go to a village today and share with the Chinese people there
about how awesome God is. But since it would require us to walk around in the
cold for hours, John made a wise decision for us to rest, and go to the village
when we are all feeling better. Makes sense… I have a good leader.
were supposed to go to a village today and share with the Chinese people there
about how awesome God is. But since it would require us to walk around in the
cold for hours, John made a wise decision for us to rest, and go to the village
when we are all feeling better. Makes sense… I have a good leader.
Last night we were privileged to attend the underground
church meeting. It was SO amazing.
church meeting. It was SO amazing.
They sang worship songs in Chinese, James shared his
testimony, we sang while Amanda played the guitar, and one of the men at the
church preached. There was freedom there. There was peace there. There was
boldness there. There was joy there. There was spiritual hunger there. God’s Spirit
was there.
testimony, we sang while Amanda played the guitar, and one of the men at the
church preached. There was freedom there. There was peace there. There was
boldness there. There was joy there. There was spiritual hunger there. God’s Spirit
was there.
The Chinese government is not very fond of foreign
missionaries. Their name for missionaries is “cultural invaders�. One of the main reasons that the
Christian government churches exist, or so they publically say, is to protect
the Asian culture. They don’t want there to be an uprising of people to rebel
against the government that is currently established. They like to know that
what is being taught in the churches is not defiling the government, or
planting seeds of revolution in the Chinese people.
missionaries. Their name for missionaries is “cultural invaders�. One of the main reasons that the
Christian government churches exist, or so they publically say, is to protect
the Asian culture. They don’t want there to be an uprising of people to rebel
against the government that is currently established. They like to know that
what is being taught in the churches is not defiling the government, or
planting seeds of revolution in the Chinese people.
This is the reason used as to why the underground church is
illegal. And why the “cultural invaders� are such a threat to the Chinese.
There is this false belief that to become a Christian means you will abandon
the Chinese culture, and so the “cultural invaders� must be uprooted. Any
Chinese involved in the underground church are committing some type of treason,
and need to be punished.
illegal. And why the “cultural invaders� are such a threat to the Chinese.
There is this false belief that to become a Christian means you will abandon
the Chinese culture, and so the “cultural invaders� must be uprooted. Any
Chinese involved in the underground church are committing some type of treason,
and need to be punished.
Seeing the underground church first hand, I can of course
see how none of their culture was stifled. They sang, spoke, and worshipped in ways that were extremely
cultural. But they also have the freedom to ask questions, search for truth,
grow deeper in a personal relationship with God, and know God as someone who
wants to be involved in their daily life… not just someone they talk to once a
week.
see how none of their culture was stifled. They sang, spoke, and worshipped in ways that were extremely
cultural. But they also have the freedom to ask questions, search for truth,
grow deeper in a personal relationship with God, and know God as someone who
wants to be involved in their daily life… not just someone they talk to once a
week.
Jake told us that the Chinese people in leadership at his
church, are fully aware that they may be sent to prison camps, if the
government finds out. But they have counted the costs and are willing to take
the risk for the sake of serving Jesus.
church, are fully aware that they may be sent to prison camps, if the
government finds out. But they have counted the costs and are willing to take
the risk for the sake of serving Jesus.
Jake had a shirt on with big Chinese characters that said
“Bad Guy�… which is what people on the street can see clearly…but in smaller
Chinese characters it said “I Am Not A�
“Bad Guy�… which is what people on the street can see clearly…but in smaller
Chinese characters it said “I Am Not A�
I pray that the love of God through the Chinese believers
here in China, would actually start a revolution…
here in China, would actually start a revolution…
One of Love
Then maybe one
day the government would see that Jesus is not such a bad guy after all.
day the government would see that Jesus is not such a bad guy after all.
“ Look I m sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as
shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over
to the courts…You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are
my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other
unbelievers about me. When you are arrested don’t worry about how to respond or
what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not
you who will be speaking- it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through
you.�
shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over
to the courts…You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are
my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other
unbelievers about me. When you are arrested don’t worry about how to respond or
what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not
you who will be speaking- it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through
you.�
“If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are
not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if
you give up your life for me, you will find it.â€� �”Jesus (via Matthew 10:
16-20;38)
not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if
you give up your life for me, you will find it.â€� �”Jesus (via Matthew 10:
16-20;38)
Agenda:Love,
Bethsaida
