Blogging
From Abroad

I’d been on the lookout for a local church that had a service or two in English. It was a bit disheartening after asking around and getting numerous responses of, “Humm, let me get back with you on that.” Luckily my mentor/buddy Tom introduced me to the campus Chaplin and translated “English service at 9AM” for me. (Whew! Sigh of relief.)

Come Sunday, I was really looking forward to the service. I wondered what songs we’d sing, what verses would be used in the sermon, and what locals students would show up (hey, maybe we could start a Bible study?!) As I entered the chapel doors that feeling overcame me. Aww that feeling of entering into a place that feels like home, a place of comfort, a place of God. But once I opened the doors to the sanctuary I only saw one person in the congregation and noticed that something was playing overhead. Shoot I must have misunderstood the time. I walked up to the elder man and asked, “Good Morning, is this the English speaking service?” His head shot up with a huge smile and he nodded a big yes.

Humm. Uh. ok. I sat down and after a couple minutes passed, my eyes tuned into the powerpoint screen ahead playing a televised (English speaking with Cantonese subtitles) church service. After a while the pieces started to fall into place…Oh my gosh, this is the service! It’s going to be a televised church service…and I’m the only one who showed up.

I’ve never been so humbled in my life.
Blown away, I opened up the Bible. I love it when Bibles are in two languages. Looked overhead and thought, gosh this is really beautiful. What a blessing it is to be here!

Once the service ended I gave the typical head nod, wave, and “c-ya later”.
“Yes, thank you for coming.” He replied. As I was about to head out the door he said, “You’re our first visitor.” I stopped dead in my tracks and turned back. I noticed his eyes started to fill with tears. “Every Sunday I come here to be with the Lord. I turn on the service and turn it off. It’s encouraging to have someone else come and worship.”

I don’t think I’ll ever forget his words.

“I’m really thankful this is here. Really, thank you.”
“Feel free to come back anytime, even during the week. It’s always open for you.”
“You bet…See you next Sunday for sure.”