Source: www.ChinaAid.org
Date: April 20, 2022
 |
| Mayflower members tending to the flooded room (Photo: Elder Wenshen Wen) |
The Wilderness Life of Exiles
Due to the rain last night, the place we use for Sunday Worship and as a classroom was flooded with water.
When our members found out about it, they came down quickly. Some took brooms, some mops, buckets, and other tools and came down. My heart was joyful to see this scene.
Our church has been established for almost ten years, and I have been in this church for ten years. When something like this happened, we didn't react this way in China. At that time, although each of our families lived very close to the church, everyone had their things to do and their social circles, so church matters did not come first.
However, the Spirit of God moved us to leave China and go into exile, to a place that was completely new to us. We couldn't find enough places to live, so we lived in a house with two families. We began a painful yet joyful life together. Although we had been believers for many years, we had never tried to live with one another like that. We were two families living together, and for six months we shared a kitchen and a bathroom.
We could not escape our sins in such an environment, but by the grace of the Lord, we learned to discipline each other to repent during it. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) Now we have completely lost our old social circle, and we have established a new social circle which is a fellowship with God as the center and brothers and sisters as friends; with the church as the center of our lives, and with worship to link each family together. Although we are far from the complete fellowship in heaven, we are already on the path. Trust that God will bless those who are close to Him and honor His Word.
This is the epitome of our life in exile in the wilderness. There are all kinds of hardships and more joys; there are all kinds of lack and more accompanied by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. We admit that we are foreigners and strangers on earth. We are longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Amen!
Elder Wenshen Wen
April 14, 2022
To read previous entries, visit the Pilgrim's Progress page.
ChinaAid exposes abuses in order to stand in solidarity with the persecuted and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law. If you wish to partner with us in helping those persecuted by the Chinese government, please click the button below to make a charitable donation.
