I flew from Sydney to Kunming, with a layover in Kuala Lumpur. Spent three incredible days with two American believers who are starting a café business in China. I took China Eastern Airlines to my final destination after four months of travel to Beijing. Beijing is big and fantastic. I stayed 5 minutes from Peking University. I enjoyed visiting the Badaling Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace with company of my new Chinese friends. I also went to an underground church meeting!
I was not expecting the weather to be below freezing. I actually came off the plane in a t-shirt! I was approached by two young guys trying to sell me an “iPhone 8”. I also went inside an extravagant mall and used a squat toilet. I was extremely impressed with the degree of innovation Kunming and Beijing have, along with the massive amount of construction. China isn’t the same as I imagined before experiencing it firsthand.
Duration
3 days
Accommodation
Believers Flat (3 nights)
Favorite Food
Breakfast dumplings
Favorite Site
The Great Wall
Cool Person I Met
Joshua. Joshua is from Texas but is studying abroad in Beijing to learn Chinese. We met at a Bible study. He is so passionate about learning Chinese language and culture. I have great respect for anyone who lives in a completely different environment to become a learner.
Highlight
Meeting in an “underground” church
Big Takeaway
I first heard about the underground churches in 2011 when I read David Platt’s book, Radical. He spoke about meeting with believers in China in a secret setting because the government cracked down against Christians. I pictured a basement that was literally underground with sound proof doors so the believers could worship. In my experience, all of this is true except the rooms being underground and partly about the government.
The church meeting I went to was on the 9th floor of an apartment building. I went with two other Chinese Christians and could’ve never learned about this church if it weren’t for them. We met in one of the sister’s home. There were about 35 of us crammed into the room where we worshipped. Afterward, someone was baptized, and we ate lunch together. It was amazing!
Another day I went to a Bible study, which had soundproof doors. The Chinese government is communist and atheist. They have also put many Christians in jail. Some of the brother’s I spent time with knew of one’s in jail. However, there seems to be a recent shift in the Chinese perspective of Christians. I was told they don’t care so much if you meet to pray and read the Bible as long as you don’t have over like 40 people at once. As a matter of fact, any non-religious gathering of over 40 people is frowned on. The government wants to prevent any possibility of rebellion. I don’t fully know the situation of Christianity in China but am just sharing what I was told. Either way praise the Lord for the beautiful church He is building in China and throughout the world.
Your Turn
What is your view of the underground church in China?
What do you think of China’s socialistic market economy?
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