China is a vast country with 1.3 billion souls. It has been thirty years since I was there as a student. My grandfather immigrated from southern China (Zhongshan, Guangzhou) to Hawaii around 1900. I realize how blessed I am to have been born in California, know Jesus, and what a responsibility I have to share what God has given me.
We were in China doing a leadership camp. Our mission: Build relationships with students to show the love of Jesus, but here are the restrictions: Do not initiate conversations about God or Christ unless asked. Don’t mention God or the Bible in your presentations. Avoid religious language and praying or worshiping before the local people. In the words of St. Francis of Assis, “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words.
As a Christian that serves in a church I take for granted that we can pray, teach the Bible, and experience love and support of brothers and sisters. What we did in those eight days with students from all over the country was to create a “Christian Family” atmosphere without mentioning God.
Many of the students were loved and cared for, built friendships, and learned to trust others and share dreams and hurts from their lives with strangers. This is something that is rare in the culture.
Here are some snippets of conversations I had with students: “ Sara” is studying international business and finance. We were talking about how to define love. I explained to her my definition of love from Jesus, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” I then wrote John 3:16 in her notebook. She said at her school there are several ethnic minorities and that she respected religion. I hope one day she can see God as the source of love, not just religion.
“Maxine,” a female student that was studying the philosophy of Marxism. I told her that the basis of most of Western philosophy and culture was based on the Bible, and that she should read it. I Pray she will start to read God’s truth.
“Joe”. He is studying electrical engineering at the university where the camp was held. One of the speakers talked about loving others. He finally realized that we were referring to Jesus as the source of love. I ask God for an open heart as I still am in contact with him.
Compared to other places in the world I have complete freedom to share the Good News with people. I was able to plant seeds on ground that is softening. Now that I am back in sunny SoCal I want to make the most of every opportunity. Preach the Gospel and use your freedom to explain the truth!
