Bethany Well

I attended an alumni event for the teaching program I was on this past Sept-Oct.  The turnout was on the low end because many people have already started the migration back to their hometown for Spring Festival.  However, I was able to meet two of my old students and some of the other teachers and program directors that helped plan the teaching program.  The night’s program entailed a video screening and discussion of an interview with Catherine Rohr at the Global Leadership Summit.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Summit or unaware of who she is, I highly recommend that you check it out!  http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/2008/speaker-CatherineRohr.html

Her story of selfless sacrifice, steady faith, and soaring success was an encouraging reminder to me of the perfection of His plans and a bold message of her beliefs to the students.  It paved the way for insightful and incisive discussion and as a “free agent” I had the liberating opportunity to share my thoughts without reserve.  I’m always amazed when I go to events where I should be serving and I leave so fed, encouraged, and blessed.

Sunday, January 18^th

I visited Joy’s parents home and had the rare opportunity to witness something I have only heard so much about.  I wish you could have seen what I saw.  I wish you could have been there to feel their infectious passion.  I don’t think my words will do justice to this precious experience.  I was invited by Joy’s mother to come share about what it’s like to be a believer in the U.S.  I was privileged to have the opportunity and humbled by their warm reception and hospitality.  Some of the questions asked during the Q&A session were reflective of how young this faith is.  I was reminded me that, however fervent their faith may be, it is still a new concept that is still in its first generation of believers.  Prudent guidance and bible-based teaching in their walk after they accept is vital, which is why I am all the more grateful for people like Joy’s parents.  Their stamina, conviction , and service are astounding. 

The Sunday worship closed with an early New Year feast and that was. . . delightful! J

I got to the Delirious concert late because well, I was eating, so I missed the opening act but I got there just before Delirious glided onto stage.  I’d say there were about 500 people, standing room only.  Delirious had been in India the night before, but they flew over night and landed in China for the first time several hours before performing.  The concert was limited to an hour because of regulation changes for all foreign performers after the pro-Tibet crusade at Bjork’s concert (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,334770,00.html).  Only several of their songs were approved by the government, so we listened to most twice.  Nonetheless, everyone present, including the band, were grateful to be able to have the concert in this nation at all.  As Delirious lead singer, Martin Smith, so rightly pointed out, to sing ‘History Maker’ in a land where there are so many living history makers in our midst was especially moving.  To be in a sea of fans, worshipping together, right after I had witnessed what happens when God works and passes His message from faithful neighbor to faithful neighbor… it was priceless.

Tuesday, January 20^th

Harlem, Atlanta, Memphis, Pasadena, New York City, Los Angeles … CNN got live feeds from cities all across the United States of America, but what wasn’t captured were cities around the globe that paused, no matter what hour of the day (or night), to see history in the making.  I, along with about 200 others, American and non, camped out at a Western café in the area to watch CNN’s coverage of the inauguration of Barack Obama.  At 1am, silence fell in the smoky room when his speech began (non-smoking laws haven’t been introduced yet…) and Obama closed to roaring applause and cheers.   To be nearly 7,000 miles away from my homeland on such a historic occasion was disappointing, but I think witnessing this moment amidst such different surroundings amplified some of the privileges I take for granted back home.  Freedom – real freedom – tasted a little sweeter last night.  I also want to reference a brief portion of his speech:

“What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.  This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.”

I’m not sure that this would have crossed my mind if I were back in the Land of the Free, but the impact of what I have witnessed and experienced over the past couple of days made this question inescapable: “What is the price and promise of our citizenship in heaven?”  It’s almost uncanny, but when read in a different context, what is demanded of us as citizens of heaven is not so far off from what Obama describes.  Are we ready to gladly seize our responsibility of giving our all to the greatest task before mankind (Matt 28:19-20)? Because the command is clear… God has called on us to help shape the uncertain destiny of many.

A Few Final Notes

At church this past Sunday there was a highlight on Kyrgyzstan and I learned about a law that was passed on 1/14/09 that requires religious gatherings of 200+ to be registered, prohibits children at religious gatherings, and makes proselytizing illegal.  Religious freedom around the globe is sadly regressing in some nations

The coldest day so far in Beijing’s winter is approaching.  The low for tomorrow night is 0°F.  Brrr

In the distance I hear loud bangs.  At any hour of the day.  When I actually bother to look out the window, sometimes I can see the colorful sparks flying in the air.  As the New Year draws closer, the bangs will become louder and more frequent.  Firecrackers supposedly go off more or less non-stop for the 3-4 peak days of the holiday.  Caaan’t wait

Written by: bethanywell on January 21, 2009.