My journey to China started on a Sunday evening at church. A visiting pastor spoke at the service about his heart for China and his experiences there. A friend came to me afterwards and said that we should find out a little more about it. Initially I was just going ahead because my friend suggested it. But as we were waiting to chat to the pastor, I felt a definite stirring inside - a kind of nervous excitement, which I took as confirmation.

Both my friend and I contacted the CCSM office here in South Africa. Everything was going smoothly until my friend’s leave was turned down by the company we work for and mine was approved. My first thought was, “Oh well, this is not meant to happen.” 

However, after spending some time in prayer and getting encouragement from some friends at church, I decided to go ahead. Everything just flowed from then on, as only our Heavenly Father can ensure.

Based on my own perceptions of mission (I had never been on a mission team before!) and on some other people’s comments, my head started to swell a little, and some pride snuck in. I began thinking that I was the chosen man of God to go in and save China single-handedly! I had the idea that the team would be made up of young men and women, dressed in black, leopard-crawling under electric fences with Bibles strapped to our backs!

When I arrived in Hong Kong, all my false ideas were quashed. I met the team of 15 awesome men and women of God of all ages. They were all filled with the love of Christ and all wanting to help wherever possible. We bonded quickly and were thoroughly blessed in the two weeks we spent together. As we spent so much time travelling, we got to chat to the other team members and share stories and experiences. We also met everyday to pray and have devotions, which further cemented our unity.

It was amazing to me that we were able to carry in over 1000 kg of Bibles and Christian books during our two-week trip. We were also able to meet with Chinese Christians and various international contacts in China. We were so blessed by being able to talk to them and pray with them. I personally witnessed miracles happen in front of my very eyes. And in all this, God also allowed us to have fun and fellowship: with a ride in a rollercoaster, a trip to Tiananmen Square, a walk up the Great Wall of China and bargain shopping too!

I could share so much more of my awesome experience in China. I could write a book! But let me sum it up by saying I was incredibly blessed by the trip. God spoke to me in new and powerful ways. I will definitely be going back early next year, and God willing, every year after that until I join our Father in Heaven. See you in China!