Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Daily Grind
May 17, 2010 - May 20, 2010
I want to explain what we did on a day-to-day basis and give you some of the highlights from it. So here it is:
Normal day in china:
Wake up
9:00am Worship together as a team (just the wesley team + MH and sometimes his wife)
10:00am Students arrive at the house, and we all worship together (in chinese and english)
Play icebreaker games
Dance together
Hang out and talk
12:30ish Leave the house and go with our groups to the park/to have lunch
12:30ish - whenever
We hang out with our discipleship group and talk. Some about life, some about discipleship, some about teaching. We
teach. They teach. It's a beautiful thing.
Then the students go home, and we go home to whatever adventure awaits us for that evening.
Highlights throughout the week from discipleship time with the students:
We asked them share their testimonies with us. One of our students started his with "Well... When I was 1 year old I died for 13 minutes." Hahah. I'm sorry what?! Trust me our mouths were all hanging open too. It was ridiculous. He went on to tell us that while he was dead his grandfather told his mom to throw him away. The doctor said he would not live. But his mother believed in the power of God and would not give up. She prayed that the Lord would save her baby, and he woke back up. Not just woke back up... Came back from the dead! And this student concluded the story with "I think it strengthened her faith and love for God." My goodness. I think so.
The Lord really broke down so many communication walls and heart walls within the students. There was absolutely nothing sweeter than to see/hear when the Holy Spirit made everything click within them. And they just got it. Really got it. One of the students summarized discipleship so simply and perfectly. She said "The way we can really teach them (new believers, believers at any walk in their life) is by loving them. And building relationships and listening to what they need encouragement and how they receive love." Thank you Spirit! Because I heard the words we that were coming out of our mouths while we were teaching... and they only got it, it only made a difference because You taught.
God's protection over all of the discipleship groups. One day a police officer came and stood 2-feet away from our group and watched and listened for 10 minutes. Then walked away. Lisa (one of the americans on the trip) later told us that a person had been arrested in the same park where all of us were meeting, for sharing the Bible earlier that week.
Man oh man. It was a really good week with them. It feels so surreal. But I know that even though I am gone, many many people still remain ministering to chinese believers. It neither starts nor ends with me. Praise the Lord!
We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19
Some park-regulars :)
I want to explain what we did on a day-to-day basis and give you some of the highlights from it. So here it is:
Normal day in china:
Wake up
9:00am Worship together as a team (just the wesley team + MH and sometimes his wife)
10:00am Students arrive at the house, and we all worship together (in chinese and english)
Play icebreaker games
Dance together
Hang out and talk
12:30ish Leave the house and go with our groups to the park/to have lunch
12:30ish - whenever
We hang out with our discipleship group and talk. Some about life, some about discipleship, some about teaching. We
teach. They teach. It's a beautiful thing.
Then the students go home, and we go home to whatever adventure awaits us for that evening.
Highlights throughout the week from discipleship time with the students:
We asked them share their testimonies with us. One of our students started his with "Well... When I was 1 year old I died for 13 minutes." Hahah. I'm sorry what?! Trust me our mouths were all hanging open too. It was ridiculous. He went on to tell us that while he was dead his grandfather told his mom to throw him away. The doctor said he would not live. But his mother believed in the power of God and would not give up. She prayed that the Lord would save her baby, and he woke back up. Not just woke back up... Came back from the dead! And this student concluded the story with "I think it strengthened her faith and love for God." My goodness. I think so.
The Lord really broke down so many communication walls and heart walls within the students. There was absolutely nothing sweeter than to see/hear when the Holy Spirit made everything click within them. And they just got it. Really got it. One of the students summarized discipleship so simply and perfectly. She said "The way we can really teach them (new believers, believers at any walk in their life) is by loving them. And building relationships and listening to what they need encouragement and how they receive love." Thank you Spirit! Because I heard the words we that were coming out of our mouths while we were teaching... and they only got it, it only made a difference because You taught.
God's protection over all of the discipleship groups. One day a police officer came and stood 2-feet away from our group and watched and listened for 10 minutes. Then walked away. Lisa (one of the americans on the trip) later told us that a person had been arrested in the same park where all of us were meeting, for sharing the Bible earlier that week.
Man oh man. It was a really good week with them. It feels so surreal. But I know that even though I am gone, many many people still remain ministering to chinese believers. It neither starts nor ends with me. Praise the Lord!
We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19
Some park-regulars :)
Monday, June 7, 2010
sunday sunday sunday
May 16, 2010
HC
Going to HC was an adventure in itself. We split up in groups and left the house at different times, to avoid standing out as much as a whole pack of americans would. Many of the Chinese students that came with us wore hats, and we were all silent when walking down the street their neighborhood was on - to avoid as much attention as possible.
I was shocked, and extremely convicted by the service. Within 5 minutes of worship, we were all dripping with sweat because the windows and door was closed in order to keep the noise from being carried out to neighbors. Within 3 hours, HC was still going strong. And our butts were completely numb from sitting on 1ft tall plastic stools.
I don't know about the rest of the foreigners, but I was restless at best. But here were the Chinese: desperate for the Holy Spirit, clinging to every word that their brothers and sisters were sharing, hungry for the Lord's Presence. I can honestly say that there are few churches in america that would have kept a captive audience for longer than 10 minutes of sweat, in that situation.
And i think that's part of the problem with america's churches - we go as "audience" members rather than as the Body of Christ. Many of us are taking part of a weekly tradition that labels us as "good" people, instead of going desperate to hear something from/about the Lord. We're spiritually bloated from all the religion we are fed, so we aren't hungry for anything. We merely pile on top of a full belly that which we neither think we need, nor do we desire.
Conviction. Ehh. Don't worry, it got me too.
Some really cool stuff the Lord did in HC:
My friend had a vision about the China trip before we left athens. In church we had been talking about revival and how it was like growth. And he had a vision of a big sunflower with a tiny little buddha figurine sitting in the middle of it. The buddha was so small that amongst the new growth of the flower, it looked like a toy. The second vision he had was of a red door being opened.
I had thought about the visions before I left and was being self-centered and thought the sunflower was just because it was my favorite flower and God knew I'd like it (which is definitely possible.. He is my Daddy. And likes to do silly things just to make us happy sometimes :) ) The red door I automatically assumed it was a symbol of the government there opening up.
So i'm sitting in HC looking around, and i look over at the water dispenser in the corner of the room... It's covered in sunflowers... The flower had nothing to do with me, it had everything to do with the revival stemming from this HC and the false idols that were going to be dwarfed by the growth it brought about in its people.
One of the first days I was in Beijing I found out traditionally red was the color for weddings in China. That makes the red door have an entirely different meaning besides the obvious one I could come up with on my own strength. And it all came together in HC. I really feel that vision of the red door opening is the Lord saying that Jesus (the Bridegroom) is coming for His Bride in china (the Body).
Wow. God. You are Good.
a bride taking her wedding picture near the Forbidden City
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you--that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. - Romans 1:12
HC
Going to HC was an adventure in itself. We split up in groups and left the house at different times, to avoid standing out as much as a whole pack of americans would. Many of the Chinese students that came with us wore hats, and we were all silent when walking down the street their neighborhood was on - to avoid as much attention as possible.
I was shocked, and extremely convicted by the service. Within 5 minutes of worship, we were all dripping with sweat because the windows and door was closed in order to keep the noise from being carried out to neighbors. Within 3 hours, HC was still going strong. And our butts were completely numb from sitting on 1ft tall plastic stools.
I don't know about the rest of the foreigners, but I was restless at best. But here were the Chinese: desperate for the Holy Spirit, clinging to every word that their brothers and sisters were sharing, hungry for the Lord's Presence. I can honestly say that there are few churches in america that would have kept a captive audience for longer than 10 minutes of sweat, in that situation.
And i think that's part of the problem with america's churches - we go as "audience" members rather than as the Body of Christ. Many of us are taking part of a weekly tradition that labels us as "good" people, instead of going desperate to hear something from/about the Lord. We're spiritually bloated from all the religion we are fed, so we aren't hungry for anything. We merely pile on top of a full belly that which we neither think we need, nor do we desire.
Conviction. Ehh. Don't worry, it got me too.
Some really cool stuff the Lord did in HC:
My friend had a vision about the China trip before we left athens. In church we had been talking about revival and how it was like growth. And he had a vision of a big sunflower with a tiny little buddha figurine sitting in the middle of it. The buddha was so small that amongst the new growth of the flower, it looked like a toy. The second vision he had was of a red door being opened.
I had thought about the visions before I left and was being self-centered and thought the sunflower was just because it was my favorite flower and God knew I'd like it (which is definitely possible.. He is my Daddy. And likes to do silly things just to make us happy sometimes :) ) The red door I automatically assumed it was a symbol of the government there opening up.
So i'm sitting in HC looking around, and i look over at the water dispenser in the corner of the room... It's covered in sunflowers... The flower had nothing to do with me, it had everything to do with the revival stemming from this HC and the false idols that were going to be dwarfed by the growth it brought about in its people.
One of the first days I was in Beijing I found out traditionally red was the color for weddings in China. That makes the red door have an entirely different meaning besides the obvious one I could come up with on my own strength. And it all came together in HC. I really feel that vision of the red door opening is the Lord saying that Jesus (the Bridegroom) is coming for His Bride in china (the Body).
Wow. God. You are Good.
a bride taking her wedding picture near the Forbidden City
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you--that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. - Romans 1:12
Saturday, June 5, 2010
On Route to our Next City
We traveled from Beijing to the city we stayed in for the rest of the trip. (I can't type the name of the city for security reasons.. Sorry to be so sketchy!)
They warned us and warned us and warned us... But I didn't really believe it until we were thousands of feet in the air and my stomach was up in my throat... Chinese flights are VERY different from American flights. Think about their driving, and put it up into the air. Now you can understand why the flight was much less relaxing, and much more roller-coaster-esque. Our missionary host (who will be known as MH from here on out) thinks that rather than wasting extra fuel (aka $$) to go around the turbulence, like American flights, they just go straight through it. Waste not, want not.
After we arrived, we went to MH's house to meet his family and the Chinese students! We played a name game (my days as a camp counselor paid off after all :) ) And actually got to know all 16 of them. They were so sweet. I also found out who I would be partnering with from our team for the week. We split up into groups, 2 Americans to 3-4 Chinese students for discipling purposes.
Then the MH took us and his family out to their favorite restaurant. Eating in China is an experience and a half. It's much more family-style dining. And it's completely okay to put things on other people's plate, or eat things off of their plate when they offer it. We sat on little chairs about 1-foot off the ground. And threw all of our trash on the floor (as is normal in many restaurants in China)... See I told you mom, my messiness isn't rude. I'm just making myself at home! :)
shortie post. more later.
with Love,
lora
Monday, May 31, 2010
Adventure Part Dos
The. Great. Wall.
Phew. I am tempted to leave this entry at that, because here is NO possible way I can describe our experience on there. It was absolutely insane.
Disclaimer: This adventure was probably the most outdoors-y thing I ever have done and ever will do in my entire life. I in no way claim to be as epic as this post makes me out to be.
We split up into two taxis and rode on wiiiindy roads through villages until we finally got to the little village that we started our hike from. There was a huge sign (see above) warning us, but we still had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
We hiked up to where we made camp on the Wall for the night. And after some adventuring, settled in and set up hammocks and our former boyscout got our fire going in no time.
our campsite
the view :)
Long story short - what we thought would be a 4 hour hike, turned into a 7 & 1/2 hour hike with no water. The Wall is not what the pictures on the intenrnet would led you to believe. The majority of it is crumbling and in need of some extensive repair. Mongols, you're some tough dudes... But the Chinese knew what's up in terms of protection. This is one serious Wall.
Throughout the whole hike, I was so impressed with the group of people I was with. I do not remember a single person complaining, not even once. One thing that I did heare a lot of, was encouragement. Literally we did not go more than 10 minutes without me hearing someone encourage someone else. Whether it was assuring them they were not going to die, or telling them that this was something they could do - that we'd do it together... These are the most encouraging group of people I have ever been around. Really. I saw and heard Jesus through them so many times while in China, especially on the Wall.
I am SO thankful that the Lord allowed us to have this (what we thought to be a) planning error. Had it not been hard, had we not been thirsty and forced to rely on eachother and Him to get us through this - we would have never learned the things He was trying to teach.
I'm thinking there's a bit of a life lesson in here..
Giving thanks that God is so much better than I can imagine
-Lora
Phew. I am tempted to leave this entry at that, because here is NO possible way I can describe our experience on there. It was absolutely insane.
Disclaimer: This adventure was probably the most outdoors-y thing I ever have done and ever will do in my entire life. I in no way claim to be as epic as this post makes me out to be.
We split up into two taxis and rode on wiiiindy roads through villages until we finally got to the little village that we started our hike from. There was a huge sign (see above) warning us, but we still had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
We hiked up to where we made camp on the Wall for the night. And after some adventuring, settled in and set up hammocks and our former boyscout got our fire going in no time.
our campsite
the view :)
Long story short - what we thought would be a 4 hour hike, turned into a 7 & 1/2 hour hike with no water. The Wall is not what the pictures on the intenrnet would led you to believe. The majority of it is crumbling and in need of some extensive repair. Mongols, you're some tough dudes... But the Chinese knew what's up in terms of protection. This is one serious Wall.
Throughout the whole hike, I was so impressed with the group of people I was with. I do not remember a single person complaining, not even once. One thing that I did heare a lot of, was encouragement. Literally we did not go more than 10 minutes without me hearing someone encourage someone else. Whether it was assuring them they were not going to die, or telling them that this was something they could do - that we'd do it together... These are the most encouraging group of people I have ever been around. Really. I saw and heard Jesus through them so many times while in China, especially on the Wall.
I am SO thankful that the Lord allowed us to have this (what we thought to be a) planning error. Had it not been hard, had we not been thirsty and forced to rely on eachother and Him to get us through this - we would have never learned the things He was trying to teach.
I'm thinking there's a bit of a life lesson in here..
Giving thanks that God is so much better than I can imagine
-Lora
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tales from the Other Side of the World - Adventure 1
May 11, 2010
After 4 billion hours on the plane, we finally landed in China.
I was unnecessarily surprised by the fact that everyone was Chinese... Go figure. They were all SO beautiful! And a few of them even reminded me of my dad (haha and sorry dad if you ever read this. But you are Chinese you know.) That's when it really hit me. This place is real. These people are real. God didn't just call us to some Narnia (kathryn :) ). He called us to the other side of the world to these people who He is really in Love with. I couldn't believe that God was going to allow me to go on this adventure with Him. He's so Fun!
We had favor in going through customs and everything went really smoothly. I was shocked at how different the reality of the trip was from what we had thought it was going to be, which was kind of a theme of the trip. (I'll explain more later.)
We met Jason at baggage claim and were whisked off to the bus to start the bus ride to the hostel. I was shocked at how nice it was, and the realization that this whole traveling around the world is something I could easily get used to started to hit me. This is possible. And we are doing it right now. I also had every Asian driver stereotype confirmed over the course of 5 minutes on the bus. In China, if an accident happens - it is the fault of the person who saw the other person. If you didn't see them, it's not technically your fault... I feel like that sort of sums it all up.
The next morning we ate jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) in a restaurant next to the hostel and started out for our tourist-y day. We went to the Forbidden City (see picture), and Tiananmen Square.
Tianamen Square really stayed with me more than the gradeur of the Forbidden City. It was absolutely shocking to think of all that occurred there almost 21 years ago. The hustle and bustle of China has pretty much iced over the tragedy (from what I could tell). It is definitely a tourist attraction that people flock to. We prayed there as a team. That is really when it all sunk in - China's turbulent history, China's changing present, and its Gorious future.
I was comforted by an idea and a picture I believe is from the Lord that centered on this place. Tianamen Square, just like everything else, has hope to be Redeemed. One day it will be a place of worship. God is in the business of taking filth and making it Restored and giving a Future to those things, places, and people who have a past. One day it will be filled with those who love Him, and are drawn to give honor to the King rather than a former emperor or chairman.
Praise Him.
and here's to Hope,
lora
Standing Next to Tianamen Square
This wall has the character for "double blessing" on it (I think). A character that is typically used with weddings. It is thought to bring good luck and a happy marriage to those who rub it... Hence the girls mauling the wall.
In a garden in the Forbidden City
Just a really sweet picture from inside the Forbidden City
*All pictures are from my lovely friend Lisa. I can claim none of them as my own skills. She's the bomb. And so are her pics.*
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Leaving on a Jet Plane
We know where the Spirit of the Lord is
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty
We're Yours and Yours is the Kingdom
We're Yours and Yours is the kingdom
In one day I am going to a place where the Spirit of the Lord is and where spiritual freedom is the only type of freedom that His believers experience. A place where persecution is not a thing of the past, but a daily threat. They are torn away from their families and thrown into prison for doing what God calls everyone of us who call ourselves believers to do. Share the Good News (Mt 28:18-20).
And although I have only caught tiny glimpses into the Lord's heart and His desire for these people, I rest assured in the fact that the same Christ that died for me died for every single person there. As badly as God wanted (and wants) me, He wants them. And God will not relent or waver until He has reclaimed what is His. He is a jealous God, a consuming fire (deut 4:24).
So these song lyrics bring me hope. They remind me of the Lord's sovereignty. The Kingdom of Heaven is His. The entire kingdom on earth and all on it, whether they know it yet or not, whether they deny His existence or worship at His feet... All of it is His. The people of this nation we are going to, they have been ransomed and reconciled. As I await and long for them to be awoken to the Love that cries out to them, the Almighty keeps crying out and will continue into eternity. He is relentless. All He can do is Love His children. He doesn't know any different.
Praise Him.
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