This past month spent in China has been the hardest thus far. Thailand and Cambodia both had a heavy spiritual feel because of the overwhelming idol worship of Buddha. But here is like nothing I have experienced thus far. In this country everyone is taught there is no God. Atheism is the only acceptable thought along with Confucious Philosophy that is taught here. There is the state church in China but it is controlled by the government and I am not sure what they teach. I learned after leaving China that it is illegal to teach Christianity to children under the age of 21. Buddhism is seen in some areas of China but not as prevalently as I have seen in previous countries.
And because of the pervasive teaching of atheism the devil has found a stronghold here and it is felt every day. I have never experiences such obvious spiritual warfare. Most of our squad has struggled with it also. It has manifested itself in many ways. There was a constant feeling of exhaustion and unexplained tiredness and a desire to hide away in our hotel and avoid any ministry. Some people have struggled with past sin issues being brought back up. I really struggled with deep despair and unexplained desire to sleep and escape.
This month was a struggle constantly fighting the spiritual battles. As I have been processing what the Lord did and continues to teach us through our time there it has come to my attention that we need the spiritual battles. We need to realize that the enemy prowls around us and continues to attack and attempt to draw us away from Jesus. We need to have these times because they cause us to draw closer to Jesus more than the good and easy times do. I felt like I was drowning in the battle but my team reminded me that I was winning the battle because it was pulling me to Jesus. In those times I had nowhere to turn except to the feet of the cross and the word of God and the intimacy and trust that came through that time is precious.
Also while we were there I realized and became aware of the struggle that our Chinese brothers and sisters go through every day. I was only there for a month but they do not have an option to leave or escape their home. And I thought of the missionaries who give up their lives to serve Christ and exalt His name in a place that doesn’t appear to want it. Please remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in China. They are fighting a battle everyday and they need Christ to be their strength and ever present help.
This scripture was found while we were in China and it seemed to fit what was going on while we were there. Some things never change…
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.
2 Corinthian 1:8-11
