Sometimes I wish my blog would write itself.
I’ve tried to start this blog many times, but I can’t seem to find the words to describe our ministry over these past few weeks.
I read all sorts of world race blogs that portray heartbreak, injustice, perseverance, passion, courage, and strength. But what do you write about when your average day includes dinner dates, bible studies, tiger parks, karaoke, and hanging out with good friends? Friends like Andy, who’s training to become a pastor. Friends like Paris and Polly who maybe aren’t ready to claim Christianity, but still enjoy talking about it. Friends like Iris, who have been Christians for a few months, but still have lots of questions and are eager to hear your answers.
I could give you pages and pages of conversations I’ve had with these people. Stories of Chinese house churches, where not a word of English is spoken. The times I’ve seen the Spirit overtake the darkness in a room and literally feel the atmosphere change through prayer. How visiting a Buddhist Temple showed me the despair and sorrow that fills the city.
Or I could talk about Central Street,with all the people, stores, and Russian influences. I could describe the beauty of Sun Island, and our picnic there. I could write about our visit to the Tiger Park, where we saw hundreds of tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, white tigers, white lions, and a liger… yep, a liger. Or my experiences with Wal-Mart, KFC, and McDonald’s which are so similar, yet so different.
I could write a thousand things in this blog, but what is its purpose? Is this blog merely to give information and facts to people back home? Is it a place to process my thoughts and experiences? Is it just a glorified online diary? Or is it to inspire, call to greatness, and encourage everyone who reads it? I want this blog to reach out to people. To inspire them. To show them where God is moving in the world. To confirm the Spirit’s presence and power in our world today.
Our ministry this month has been pretty easy. It’s not hard for me to meet students around my age and make friends with them. Invite them to Church. Tell them about the Gospel. I do it all the time in the States. We’re not working with orphans. We’re not working with victims of human trafficking. We’re not providing life-saving clean water to a rural village. We’re not doing the “sexy” missionary work.
For me, it can be easy to think that since what we’re doing here is easy, it’s less important. But what are we really doing here? China is a place full of darkness. Full of evil forces tied strongly to their culture, generations, and beliefs. We’re bringing spiritual orphans back to their Father. We’re helping people who are victims of their own sin and showing them freedom. We’re bringing life-saving Living Water to people dying of thirst. Our battle here is spiritual.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12
I can’t believe our time in China is almost done. I feel like we’ve just gotten to China, but debrief begins today. In a few short days we leave for Beijing. I trust God, knowing that our short tie in Harbin was not in vain. That God is moving in this place and drawing His people closer to Him. I thank God for China.
P.S. Pictures of China for the past few blog posts will be uploaded soon, once I get a faster internet connection… I promise
