[freedominChrist]

it's easy to forget that believing in Jesus comes with a price.
it's easy to love and serve a Jesus that's present every few blocks.
it's easy to pursue a God that people around you talk about.
it's easy to loose sight of the freedom we have to worship our creator.
but in China, it's not so easy.
i can't articulate today. but here's my best effort.
we went to church today, and our guide/ director ellen, was not allowed to attend with us. not because the church doesn't want to include her, but because, if she attends, this church would cease to exist. don't get me wrong, there are a few Christian churches 'above ground' that a chinese citizen can attend, but all the material is censored and must be approved by the government. complying with chinese law, international churches run by 'foreigners', can only allow people with foreign passports to attend. there are also 'underground' churches that are a combination of the two, but are not registered with the government, but essentially these churches are illegal.
needless to say, a wave of emotions ran through my brain as we began the service, and i was overwhelmed with gratitude that i get to experience how great God is. i was also moved by the freedom i have to express my relationship with God. but above all that i felt so loved that Jesus sought and choose me to be his daughter.
onto the message. we talked about the prodigal son. and i've heard this sermon many times, but today it came to life in a whole new way. i'm not sure if this was because my heart was in a different place, but i do know that "true repentance is to be found by the father", who so deeply longs for a relationship with each of us.
after, there was a time of fellowship. this was unlike anything i've ever experienced before. my toes were frozen cold, but i was warmly welcomed into this new community. these people genuiely want to know you and help you grow in your relationship with Christ through community. i'll make a bold statement and say, the community i experienced today was the closest thing to the community of the holy spirit talked about in Acts that i've had the privilege to encounter. its safe to say, that God is moving here. but i think that leads me to my prayer requests
- pray that the holy spirit would have a resurgence through the city and churches of Hangzhou, and reach the unreached and touch the untouched.
-pray that this community continues to minister to the needs of the people in the community
-pray that my pals and i could call this place or another place my 'home away from home'
-and for daisy, melinda, and jonathan, who are also students at Zhejiang University this semester, that they continue to pursue the Lord while they are here