So after I got over my flying fear, I was in the land of my forefathers: China. I'm part Indian and part Chinese and I was intrigued to see what this place was all about. Even though I was there on work mode, I absorbed it all in like I was a tourist on vacation. The people were fascinating and truly hardworking from the young to the old. Everyone was busy doing something. Contrary to what I had heard China is quite a modern place and the architecture was amazing.
Now let me advise you immediately, it would be way easier if you knew some basic Chinese. While there are English speaking folks, they seem to be more in the main cities like Shanghai; so if you are going off road you are likely to need a translator. If not a live one, try the app Pleco.
I was lucky enough to have some locals with me so this enhanced my Chinese experience. They showed me the best places to shop and eat. What surprised me was that while walking along a park at the end of one work day, we found some people who walked up to us and of course mentioned something in Chinese. At least two persons did that and I just assumed they wanted money or to sell us something but it was quite the opposite. So in my curiosity I inquired and the answer shocked me. They wanted to know if we were interested in knowing more about the Bible! Mind blown. Imaging travelling half way around the world, to a country that is suppose to be communist and instead finding Jesus.
But I was sorely mistaken, apparently China has a rich history of Christianity as evident by this beautiful Church that was in the heart of a shopping district I was passing through. It was built by early missionaries. They must have literally taken up the mission in Mark 16:15. Even on a Sunday while many people were busy shopping around, the service was going on with a packed out crowd. What I loved about it was they were simply dressed and so an outsider wanting to just come in for a moment could without feeling like a misfit.
Their people were also strongly convicted of their beliefs and were putting up red crosses to the top of their churches. In areas where the government was pulling them down due to building codes, they just simply put them back up. They would not be shaken.
At this time, I was thoroughly enjoying this place. I felt comfortable. The people were super friendly. The opportunities were endless and my preconceived notions on China were gone. This was a place I could come back to and fit in just nicely (but I needed to learn the language). My God was here and when he created this people and place he did it with such beauty. Stay tuned for more on China and my culinary experience.
But I was sorely mistaken, apparently China has a rich history of Christianity as evident by this beautiful Church that was in the heart of a shopping district I was passing through. It was built by early missionaries. They must have literally taken up the mission in Mark 16:15. Even on a Sunday while many people were busy shopping around, the service was going on with a packed out crowd. What I loved about it was they were simply dressed and so an outsider wanting to just come in for a moment could without feeling like a misfit.
Their people were also strongly convicted of their beliefs and were putting up red crosses to the top of their churches. In areas where the government was pulling them down due to building codes, they just simply put them back up. They would not be shaken.
At this time, I was thoroughly enjoying this place. I felt comfortable. The people were super friendly. The opportunities were endless and my preconceived notions on China were gone. This was a place I could come back to and fit in just nicely (but I needed to learn the language). My God was here and when he created this people and place he did it with such beauty. Stay tuned for more on China and my culinary experience.
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