Sunday in Xiamen - Church!

All week we looked forward to Sunday, when we could go to Xiamen International Christian Fellowship and get connected with some English-speaking Christians. Sweet Gina, from Christine's work called the church and helped us get directions on how to get there. She said she would like to come with us, and even though Chinese are not allowed to attend, she thought she could if she came with us. Between walking and taking the BRT (fast bus), it took us over an hour to get there. We counted bus stops to make sure we got off at the right one! Gina met is at the bus stop, and had already cased out exactly where the church was, and we did the 10 minute walk together. When we got there, we had to show our passports, and sadly, Gina was not allowed in. The church is registered with the local authorities, who require participants to be foreign passport holders or married to one. So Gina waited for us outside -- made me sad!


The service was delightful, and so fun to be with such an international mix of God's people! Quite a variety of music with just one guy at the piano and everyone very into singing and clapping. A few little medleys of songs that go way back! Good preaching (we think the preacher is Indian, but that's just a guess), and very friendly people. A couple people who recognized Kynza from school came and talked to us, and the people sitting around us were most welcoming. The actual church is on the third floor of this building.

We had lunch with Gina afterwards at a Chinese noodle restaurant. Was fun to be on Xiamen Island and see a different part of the city. And was fun to visit with Gina.

The church has what is called an English Corner on Friday night, and we are hoping to go to that, since it is very close to where we live. It's a place for Chinese people to practice their English. I actually met a man walking down the street who came up and started speaking to me because he wanted to practice his English, and found out he goes to this English Corner on Friday nights! His name is Steel. Should be fun.