My time here in China has been good. Traveling by train has been a completely different experience than that of India. I have spent my time here in the western part of China where only about 10% of the countries population resides. Out here there are no mega cities, the people are some of the most generous and helpful I have met thus far, and the food has started to blend into Chinese / middle eastern cuisine (making for some very spicy meals). The team I am with this month decided to spend part of their three weeks here in the city of Jiayuguan and the other part in the city of Tulufan (also known as Turpan and Turfan). Both cities are filled with a rich history. The city of Jiayuguan is known for being the end of the Great Wall, which is the western most point. This portion of the wall snakes up a mountain and leaves you overlooking the Gobi Desert.
The city of Tulufan is known for being the hottest in China! An average day ranges from 105 f – 115 f. Being a desert city along the silk road it is one filled with a lot of history. The climate of the area has allowed preservation of many ancient artifacts that have been unearthed by archaeologists dating back to ancient civilizations. I found myself in a city museum yesterday to escape the heat. As I searched through the exhibit rooms I could not help but ask myself, “God where were you in this civilization.” To which I was reminded of Acts 14:16-17, “In the past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but He never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance he sends you rain and good crops and give you food and joyful hearts.” I felt God say through this piece of scripture, “I was there all along, can you not see that?” The area was predominantly Buddhist in its earlier history and then shifted to Islam as caravans of traders traveled up the silk road to bolster the city’s economy. In all of this however I know God has had his hand on this area. Although I am an accountant and not an archeologist, I would even venture to say proof of Him resides in this desert region waiting to be unearthed.
Our ministry during this time is what we like to call creative engagement. This month we have been asked to avoid connecting with local missions. By connecting with them we risk exposing them and causing damage to what God is accomplishing through them. Therefore, we have been seeking creative ways to use the talents God has gifted us in to engage with the people we meet. We are seeking to establish relationships and find open doors to present the Gospel.
Dang, I am lucky to be with a team full of talented people this month! We have been very fortunate in that God has provided many opportunities for us to interact with people here. We have been able to teach English in coffee shops which has helped us build relationships as the people here continually seek to improve this skill. Through our home-stay we made friends in the area and attended a few potluck type events at people houses and schools. One such event we were able to bring things to make American dishes for the locals (my dish was French toast sticks). Just before sharing a meal we were able to bring prayer into their house as they allowed us to bless the food. It has been the little things and small ways in which we are able to bring Jesus into things that has made China such a fun place to be.
Most recently I have begun to work on poetry using Chinese calligraphy. I found one day as I was journaling in a park that people were naturally curious as to what I was doing. I was able to share that I was writing poetry about my relationship with God to the few that walked up. If just me journaling in a park sparked such simple conversations, I was just imagining if I had been writing in their language. They could have read for themselves the good things God has been doing in my life.
Pictures to come soon!
