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China: Chance Encounter Leads to New Faith in ChristBy Stan Friedman CHICAGO, IL (August 28, 2007) – They were two strangers meeting on a street in China. One woman was from an Evangelical Covenant Church in Oklahoma, and the other a local resident. Neither could have foreseen that what happened in that moment would one day lead Susan from China to Chicago, where she was baptized during Triennial XII earlier this month and carried her country’s flag during opening ceremonies. Susan says she will never forget that day in China. “I said, Hello, welcome to our city.” At first, the Oklahoma woman, Diane, did what was normal for her. She smiled, acknowledged the greeting and kept walking. But this time, Diane felt that she was supposed to turn back and talk with the woman who had just greeted her. Shortly thereafter, Susan was in Diane’s hotel room, learning about Jesus. Susan had heard Jesus’ name several times before in her life, but nothing more. She was having trouble understanding Diane, but was intrigued. “My English was not good, so I understand only half of what she said,” Susan says, smiling. Her new friend gave her a book of Bible stories. Diane, who was on a medical mission trip, would meet up with Susan during a return visit a year later, though this time in a different city. Once again, they sat in Diane’s hotel room discussing Jesus. The American presented her friend with an English-Chinese Bible. Over the coming years, the two would exchange letters. Susan says her coming to faith has been a process. Her baptism during a worship service in front of 1,000 women was one of the greatest moments in her life. “They were complex feelings,” she recalls. “I was so moved,” she says of being on stage. “I think it’s just the beginning of my life.” She looks forward to returning to China. Her faith commitment will need to remain a secret to most of the people around her because, she says, that members of the Communist Party are not allowed to be Christians. Although many Chinese Christians participate in small group studies and attend churches that have registered with the government, Susan says she won’t attend. She is afraid of being seen and reported. Susan could leave the Communist Party, but then daily aspects of her life, including her business, could be made more difficult through bureaucratic interference – or neglect. She will return with a schedule for reading her Bible and may be able to study with a few other people in secret. However, much of the time, Susan says, she will have to study alone. Despite the limitations on living her faith publicly, Susan says she loves her country, observing that freedoms gradually are being extended. “I still feel so proud to be Chinese. I was very proud to represent the Chinese (at the Triennial).” Susan hopes that people from both countries will have more opportunities to meet one another. “That would ease tensions,” she says. “Then people could love each other.” The people of both countries have misconceptions about the other, she adds. From watching American movies, Susan believed that Americans have sex with whoever they want whenever they want. “America is more moral than I thought.” Susan says that the friendship she began with one woman years ago has now developed into newfound relationships with many women in this country. “I am so lucky to have so many friends. I am so lucky to know Jesus.” Susan has suffered one minor disappointment during her time here. She wanted to bring home souvenirs from America, but lamented that she had trouble finding the right keepsakes. “Everything says it is made in China.” Editor’s note: Names were altered to protect the identities of the two women. To read an account of Susan’s baptism, please see Triennial XII. Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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