I Promise To Do Everything I Was Told Not To

Written 3/10/11

These words are forbidden for us, in China:

Church

Bible

Missionary

Ministry

Evangelism

Jesus

The World Race did a wonderful job of preparing us to watch
what we say and how we act when we get into China, for the sake of our
contact’s safety. Being a Christian who is not a member of the Christian
government church, is pretty much illegal, and punishable by banishment from
the country (for foreigners), or prison camp for the Chinese.

So we were all very much aware of the words that came out of
our mouths. We didn’t want to mess it up or endanger anyone. On the train ride,
I almost “slipped� a couple times, but caught myself before letting those
“curse words� come out.

After our 40 hour train ride, we arrived at the Harbin
station. We were met by our contacts. A beautiful, and vibrant young couple
from America named Jake and Steph (names changed due to protection). They gave
us as warm a welcome as possible, and we loaded our backpacks into two mini
vans.

Steph turned around and started talking to us casually,
asking us questions, and telling us about what her and Jake are doing in
Harbin.

We could hardly believe the words that were coming out of
her mouth… The forbidden words were rolling out like snowballs! It went
something like this…

“Jake and I started our church ministry about 4 years ago.
We tell the people we meet that we’re Christians. God has been so good to us.
Jesus is so wonderful. We are starting to do much more open evangelism. We have
tons of Bibles where you are staying.�

O.k. maybe it wasn’t exactly those words….but it was close.
The whole time I was thinking “Is this Chinese man driving the van a Christian?
Does he speak English? What if he’s a spy for the government? Or a police
officer?�

Steph kept on speaking boldly and with such freedom, peace,
and warmth.

Basically, everything that we were told NOT to do in China,
my team WILL be doing this month.

Jake and Steph believe God has called them to speak about
Jesus openly and publically to who ever they meet.

We will be doing a children’s outreach event. We will be
going to villages and finding home church pastors. We will be going to English
corners (where Chinese college students practice their English), and will be
sharing our life stories with them… which of course includes how Jesus
changed our lives.

I even feel awkward writing this information down on this
blog, because we have been told how illegal the underground church is here in
China. Which it is…but Jake and Steph are taking a super bold approach to
sharing about how amazing Jesus is. And giving the Chinese an opportunity to
hear about the love of Christ, and the internal freedom that comes with Him.

They asked us how willing we were to take the risk of
getting kicked out of China. We all decided we would fall right in line with
their vision. We won’t change who we are, we will follow the Holy Spirit’s
promptings, and we will love the Chinese with the life transforming love God
has bestowed on us.

It’s exciting, and God knew exactly what He was doing in
sending our crazy team here. 
Doesn’t He always?

Yes it’s jaw freezing, ear frigid, frostbiting cold… but
there is no other place in China I would rather be than right here…right now…in
the center of God’s will.

There are many Christian missionaries in China, whom God has
called to serve Him in various ways, and through various methods. Jake and
Steph have been called to serve in this way.

BTW… their real names are Jake and Steph… and they are
putting their trust in God for their safety and His providential will in this way of life that He has called them to.

Good lesson for all of us to reconsider… Nothing or no one
can harm us, or get to us, unless it is approved by our Heavenly Father first.

“ Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord
means safety.�

 Prov. 29:25

Here we go!

Who knows, the next blog may be written prematurely from
Thailand.. =)

Agenda: Love,

Bethasida