Articles
Mission Trip to China
11/18/07
My Missions trip to China:
October 27 - November 11, 2007.
terra cotta soldiers of Xian 01
I was blessed to join Johanna P. in China, who was there one week earlier than me.
terra cotta soldiers of Xian 02
First of all, I want to reflect that, I am still awed by flying. It amazes me every time, that -I - Rita Humm can get on an airplane and be transported
terra cotta soldiers of Xian 03
half way around the world to China! And once there, by doing simply what comes naturally (i.e. walking-one step at a time- and depending on God for every moment) can be a part of something huge and extraordinary for God’s kingdom. (YES - YOU too can do missionary work - using ordinary, mundane talents! - An idea from Charla’s book that has stuck with me, “In God’s work it is not what you are obviously qualified for that He calls you to but what you are willing to do” - that’s the heart He is looking for!) [Charla's Children by Charla Pereau]
The trip was - amazing, incredible and at times, in fact, actually awesome -not just in the terms of the current teen vernacular - but truly, by God’s hand, awesome.
We had great success, even though not all our passes over the border were without obstacle! We got to see the Father do some amazing things and get books and messages to those who might not have received them otherwise!
The highlights involved actually getting to fellowship with a few friends. Meeting and hanging out with people is often too risky for them so we do our “thing” and then spend the afternoon sightseeing. There is usually very little time allowed to visit with anyone.
This trip offered two incredible encounters. One trip to Xian, where the now infamous terra cotta soldiers were unearthed, has a number of westerners doing ‘humanitarian’ work. They get to work closely with the locals. One relatively young man from ------, farmer’s hat and all - shared his heart in learning Chinese (which is not easy) and is now able to actually deliver the message, integrate and communicate really well. He shared a story about the woman driving the van we were loading. I’d expressed how the Lord was opening my eyes to realize how I had no point of reference in any part of my life that made me able to know the sacrifices the Chinese must make in order to choose Jesus. It humbled me - and made me ask God, “How?”
a tremendous meal
He said, because the Lord shows up here! This woman’s father was a believer and would take his family to fellowship when possible. One Sunday, the wife who was NOT a believer went with him complaining all the way there and back! The sermon had been about giving, so she apparently was railing about how “all they ever want is money - there’s no God, just greedy people” or something like that, when suddenly the woman’s mouth froze shut. This went on for a few days. She literally could not open her mouth or speak. The husband gave her the bottom line, “You know why this is happening. Just repent, receive forgiveness and give your life to the Lord or you will be like this always.” Well! The woman apparently relented, told god that IF in fact this was Him, and if he would release her mouth - she’d repent and serve him all the days of her life. You guessed it. Her mouth unfroze immediately! With a heritage like that, how do you not see the hope of a risen Christ and powerful God! ‘Wow’, I thought, ‘they are rewriting the New Testament right here in China!
The other most significant blessing was in a province right up against the North Korean border. We were told that they are preparing this area to host the 2008 Olympics soccer venue.
There were a few people there with very good English so we were able to discreetly share testimonies and hear some of their stories. They prepared a tremendous meal - hosted by a restaurant with pictures of a gentle man depicting familiarly biblical themes on the walls, and an occasional cross in an open but careful manner. Truly amazing - the boldness of this and the protection on them is nothing short of miraculous. We were in the back on the second floor and friends arrived one and two at a time over the span of about an hour. After an incredible time of sharing and singing - they even brought in a robed choir - incredible - they all disappeared in the same manner, without our noticing. Within thirty to forty minutes after ‘dinner’ we suddenly realized we were nearly alone again. Then we made our way down to the exit and the last few literally disappeared into the night!
I wished there was a way to accurately describe all of this in order for you all to ‘feel’ the magnitude of the event. If you knew, you’d not stop praying for the persecuted church. You would remember to be exceedingly grateful to be living in a country where Jesus is FREE to us - We can worship freely, and our Sunday school teachers are not in direct violation of the law against teaching children any form of religion or especially about God. They are in the worst danger, absolutely punishable by imprisonment, likely subject to unbelievable punishments. The aim is to brainwash them back to ‘reason”.
There is much more to be told but we still have to be very careful.
Every trip is life changing to some degree but this time for me the ‘cultural’ re-entry and jet lag were the worst I can remember experiencing. Am I getting older, or just more sensitive to the futility of the mundane? Doing ‘good work’ for the Lord’s purpose and seeing it so directly applied; ‘working’ and ‘fighting’ in the spiritual, praying to outwit the stern presence of the enemy, beats wrangling a parking space at Ralph’s any day!
I continue to be unspeakably blessed and, oh-so-humbled by “fellow citizens” I get to meet world wide. From the gathering of nations, working side by side with brothers and sisters from Denmark, Holland, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, France, Australia and even Texas - to meeting the ‘locals’ who face unimaginable obstacles - all in one language: Jesus. It’s beyond my comprehension, my spirit cannot contain it, my words inadequate.
Your continued prayers and support for the persecuted church and those with missionary hearts (I. E. Johanna, in this case) are vital. Please do not stop praying.
And, ask the Lord if there is a place in this exciting work for YOU …. don’t be afraid. You will be blessed in unimaginable ways. Being a Missionary is essentially what we are ALL called to be - Living a life that contributes to the spreading of the Gospel- at home and world wide. It is all about Jesus!
With love, Rita
Johanna enjoying a cup of tea
Rita and Pastor Samuel Lamb
