Visitors

One of the fun things about living here is the privilege to entertain guests. 

Recently a man named Paul from Romania had contacted Mark about coming to see the city. So last week, for about a day and a half, we had the opportunity to show Paul around the city and hear his story. He grew up in a believing family during the years of communist Romania. If I remember correctly, his father spent several years imprisoned during that time. While here he wanted to learn about the Xn climate and meet with some Xn lawyers. We had a great time with him not only talking and fellowshiping but also realizing the connection we have with the body of Chr around the world.

This past Sunday we met two young fellows, Hendri & ‘Wayne’, from Holland who recently graduated with their MBAs from university in Wales. They have been good friends for about 10 years, growing up together, going to university together, and now traveling China together. Before they settle into ‘real world’ work, they wanted to travel and see China. They planned a six-week trip around the country with about 5 days in Beijing. We met them at BBC. They felt it important to take a day to worship and rest so in the midst of their 5 days, they joined our body and stayed for an inside picnic lunch. We even got together later in the evening to walk Ghost Street and have Beijing Roast Duck at Hua’s Restaurant. Fun to hear their stories too. How encouraging that they value a Sabbath Day and the importance of connecting to a local body during their year in Wales and even on a trip. They related how they became involved in a local church while in Wales and attended the three services during the week – two on Sunday and one on Wednesday evening. They encouraged our hearts.

Since Friday we have had Pastor Steve & 19-year-old Dahlas from Massachusetts with us for 5 days. Mark went to Vladivostok, Russia, with Steve two years ago. Steve and Dahlas are on their way to Vladivostok, spending time here first then about three weeks there. This is Dahlas’ first trip ever out of the country – and a big one at that. Once he got over jetlag, he has done pretty well. Funny how traveling and being in new situations help us depend on the L much more than we might otherwise. I think this trip has opened Dahlas’ eyes to another culture. Yesterday when they went to the Summer Palace, he saw idol worshipers for the very first time. It’s one thing to hear about people bowing down to idols; it’s quite another to actually see it. It’s one thing to study Chinese in an American high school; it’s quite another to hear it on the streets and in the shops. It’s one thing to use chopsticks at an American-Chinese restaurant once in a while; it’s quite another to use them at every meal. I’m afraid Steve and Dahlas may lose weight here.

One thing that has surprised Steve is the amount of capitalism and western influence in this city. So many times we have impressions of places based on TV documentaries, textbooks, media, etc. Yet when we enter the culture, things are not always as we thought. Beijing is a modern, thriving metropolis. I remind them that Beijing is not China. The countryside, however, doesn’t necessarily have the same modernization and economic growth.  Although communism is still here and a part of the political structure, so is capitalism and economic success. In addition, we do find a certain amount of Xn freedom, yet not like what we are used to for sure. The challenge is that, as we all discussed yesterday, communism and Xn-ity cannot co-exist because the worldviews are so opposite. There is only one G and He is not the State or its leaders. He requires full allegiance, as the Word says to worship Him only. We hope that someday even the country’s leaders would recognize that transformation by the Word would make the country not only economically better, but socially better.