Blessings....

So, for those of you that don't know, I got my final bag on Friday! I was so excited. Thank you all for your prays and concerns... they did take my M&Ms (and possibly my jewelry) but it doesn't matter and I finally feel more settled. We went with our program yesterday to the Forbidden City, Tian'namen Square and the Temple of Heaven, but this blog is not about that. I will post my response paper about the day later.

I had the opportunity to go to a Christian church this morning. My friend in the program, Charlie, heard about it and found out where it was. His girlfriend came here two years ago and met a guy, who came to pick us up this morning and take us. He is a Korean-American student studying in China. His name is He Sung. He actually is very involved in the church and did the sermon today.

For those of you who don't know this, churches in China are not allowed to acquire new property. However, any churches that existed before the PRC was founded (late 40s) is able to rebuild, expand, or just stay the same and conduct worship. The church we attended has owned this peice of land for more than 100 years. It is called the Beijing Haidian Christian Church. We were told more than 4,000 people attend and they have several services every Sunday. We were able to go to an English service. It is actually set up much like CofC and many of the same things are done. I didn't expect to know any of the songs, but actually knew them all - When I Survey the Wonderous Cross, It is Well with my Soul and Lord I Lift Your Name on High. I know I have traveled a lot and I know that Christians exist all around the world, however, I feel that this sentiment wasn't fully understood until today. It was so amazing to see Christians, Chinese, English and other foreigns alike all come together to praise God. We had several songs and opening prayer, a scripture and then the message. Because of the disastrous effects of the earthquake and the magnitude of people affected, the sermon was targeting toward dealing with suffering - Phil 2: 2-11. It felt like many sermons taught in the States after 9/11. - very moving. After the message, they have all the newcomers stand and actually have a song of welcome - it is simply geared toward the new people and asks for God to Bless them (well for today - us too!)

They then recite the Lord's Prayer and conclude with some fellowship.

We were sitting next to two Chinese girls and one Chinese male.... we talked to them for a while after church and actually went to lunch with them. Again, it was another great experience to work on my Chinese. I have been so blessed to meet new people in the city and work on my language skills. The girls have been studying English for many years, but still aren't fluent (which continues to worry me!) But it was great to be taken to a local spot and spend time with some local Christians. The three of them didn't quite understand the entire sermon, but the Chinese service is often so full that many ppl come downstairs (our service was also full... probably can hold about 800 ppl and it was full with ppl standing) The girls are both attending university and we (Megan, Charlie and I - the ones that went to church) are planning to come to their university for English Corner - which is an open class for ppl to talk and discuss in Chinese and English. They have many of these through the week and throughout the city.. it is a neat experience to see and converse with so many ppl... hopefully this will be exponentially benefical to my Chinese. Anyway, I'm getting tired of writing.. not used to this diary thing, but wanted anyone interested to learn more about Christian churches in Asia.... hope you are more informed... Email me if you want to ask more. We will definately be attending every week! So great to have this in China and slightly odd that this type of church doesn't exist in England but does in China. God is good!

Will be posting pictures and info about our travels through Beijing soon! XOXO