Knocks On The Door
Our day begins with Sam (our team leader) taking Hannah to the clinic. So, Victoria, John, Austin and I are at our apartment having quiet time with God. Some time goes by and we are all dispersed throughout the apartment. Then I hear a knock on the door and my heart drops to my stomach. I go look at the peep hole and it’s a Chinese man. I run to Victoria’s room and get her then we run upstairs to Austin and tell him. As he’s walking to the door, he tells us to hide the bibles. My heart is beating so fast. About 10min pass while dealing with the language barrier until we realize that it was just a couple next door telling us that our upstairs shower was leaking into their house.
I felt so convicted afterwards. I felt like God was slapping my heart asking me why I was so scared. Where was my peace. That I can’t move like this all month here. The remainder of my morning when I was reading God was just highlighting scripture of safety to me, and answering so many of my personal questions I had been asking him recently.
Police Station
It’s a rule that all foreigners in the area have to register at the Wuhan Police Station. Our host told us we could slide in but unfortunately, we had issues checking in and drawled too much attention to ourselves and front desk told us we had to go. So, we walked a mile in the heat to the station and singing the whole way from songs that were stuck in our head from worship that morning. We get there and wait in line for a while and eventually are told that we have to come back on Monday. We were so relieved that nothing really went down at that time.
The Bus Stop
We are leaving the police station and see that there is a metro station across the street. The metro station in Wuhan is a bit tricky so we figured this would be a good opportunity to figure it out. There are a lot of people at this bus station but there is one man that really was highlighted to me. He was tunnel visioned in my sight and every time I looked in his direction, I couldn’t see anyone but him. I felt like I should go and say something to him, but I hesitated. I didn’t know if this was God telling me to or if I was just being a stereotypical Christian because he had growth defects on his face. Then eventually he gets on the bus and leaves. As soon as he leaves my teammate Hannah opens up about how she felt led to go and talk to him too. And how she was also hesitant and asked God for confirmation if she should by showing her red roses. She then immediately sees a woman with a dress covered in red roses. Then she asks for another confirmation and sees another woman with a red rose on her shirt. After she shared this with us Austin then shares that he also felt led to talk to the same man.
After this we talked to each other about how we need to be bolder and not over think and evaluate Gods voice. How it’s a gentle whisper. To step out regardless if it is ministry or promoting love and his kingdoms growth.
Then as we are standing there talking, I’m just playing with a rock under my shoe and it starts scraping the ground. I then feel the urge to spell out Jesus on the ground. As I start the letter J Austin is looking at me and says “Are you about to write out Jesus, cause I was literally about to do the same thing”. So, I continue and I’m trying to be inconspicuous with my foot but it was not working. Then I said screw it, crouched down and started to use my hand and was trying to go as fast as I could. Still right across from the police station. My hand is cramping and I scratch my hand but I finish. Im looking down at it and start praying over it and then my teammate John tells all of us we need to leave immediately and he looked so concerned. We start speed walking out of there so fast. John later tells us that some older Chinese men were watching us and walked by us a few times, got angry and one got on the phone walking towards the station pointing at us. He also informs us that before all of this the same police cars had driven by us 3 times while we were trying to figure out the metro.
This was probably so stupid. I mean I did as an undocumented foreigner graffiti illegal propaganda on the side walk outside a police station. But do I regret it… No! At first, I felt so bad about possibly putting my team in danger but they were so supportive of that decision. It wasn’t a thought I questioned for a section in the moment which is odd for me so I don’t want to question it now. I pray when we go back on Monday it’s still there. And I pray God use those words for confirmation in someone else’s life at that bus station.
But the days not over
Security Guards
China is a spirit led month. Meaning there is no designated ministry scheduled. Each team is supposed to pray intently asking the Lord what they should be doing. The typical ministry partners in China didn’t pull through and we assume it’s because of the increased hostility in China right now towards Christians. Before arriving in China Sam had a dream that our ministry for the month would involve college campuses. So we have all been praying into what that would look like. On the walk back from the bus stop we search the colleges around our apartment and come up with a few. Our plan was to go back to the apartment and pray into which one we should go to. As we are walking back, we immediately end up talking to this group of people selling gym memberships. Of course, they are students of one of the colleges. So we have our answer and continue talking to them more. As we do, about 4-5 security guards start surrounding us and listening into our conversation. It got super sketchy so we said bye and left.
This regularly has happened to us since being in China. Being followed. Police, security guards or people coming and standing by us wherever we are. Eyes and cameras on us literally everywhere we go. It was so frightening the first few days but whatEVER! All we can do is be wise, walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. To walk where he steps and do what he asks us. Whether that be a month of prayer or doing risking things, we want to do it. All I know is I can’t walk in fear these next few weeks. Cause he is before us in all things!
So all in all of this long blog of this long day. Please pray for us 🙂
With Love,
Jewel
