Shenzhen

This past weekend we were able to spend one night in Shenzhen!  We hopped on a two hour bus, not knowing much of what we were going to do there.  Our only goal, was to find the Shenzhen branch and attend church on Sunday.   When we arrived in Shenzhen a group of us decided that we were going to roam the streets and just find an adventure for the day.  It was so much fun!  We found a frozen yogurt shop called Hello Yogurt.  The owner rushed outside to meet us and gave us a sample.  His name was Ken and he happened to be from New York.  He was so excited to meet us and be able to talk to us about America, and Utah.  It was their opening day and everything was half off!  It tasted just like Red Mango or Spoon Me.  You can probably imagine how happy we were at that moment.  I also bought a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses for an incredible price.  That's right.. only 5 American dollars!  It was such a steal, and I was very proud of my purchase!  When it was time for us to head to our hotel, we had to take a bus to get there.  The bus ride itself was quite the experience.  There were so many people crammed onto that tiny little thing.  People were smooshed up against the door!  You barely had any room to stand, yet even breathe!  We decided that you have to have really good balance while riding the bus or else you will fall completely on your face. 

On Sunday, we got all dressed in our church clothes and headed to the Shenzhen branch.  We had a few directions, and just hoped that they were correct.  We asked a few different people if we were headed the right way and we were!  It was amazing to see how easily we were able to find the location.  The branch was located in a gated off community.  It was the nicest neighborhood that we have been in so far.  There were trees along the roadside and the neighborhood had a special calm feeling to it.  It was really neat because the Shenzhen branch was in one of these houses in the neighborhood.  It doesn't have a separate building, like our church at home.  Immediately as we walked in we were overwhelmed by the spirit and kindness of the ward members.  Everyone came and introduced themselves to us and made sure that we felt welcome.  The spirit was very strong in the room and it was good for me to see the hand of the Lord all the way over in China.  It was also interesting for me to see how many young, white families attended this branch.  Most had moved here for business and had been living here for a couple of years.  It made me wonder to myself if as a mother, I would be willing to pick up my life in America and move to China.  I admire these mothers who have the courage to do this.  I know that it would be a rewarding experience, but also very challenging at times.  I feel extremely blessed that we were able to attend Church and hope to be able to go back. 

For those who are interested, there are two districts in China and 12 Branches. The government does not allow the church to preach the gospel, distribute Books of Mormon or talk to the Chinese people about the church in China at this time, but they have however allowed LDS members of the church from other nations to be able to gather in branches. And we obey the laws of the land wherever we are. From talking to the people in the Shenzhen Branch, most of them seem to be young couples, families, and older couples working over here in China.  Brother Smith, a member of the Shenzhen Presidency, met with us after church and explained that we get to be a part of something miraculous.  We are at the forefront of the gospel here in China and it is a beautiful thing. 

It is amazing for me to see the little ways that the Church is being built in China.  Even though members of the LDS faith can't preach here, thousands of Chinese students attend Universities outside of China where they may have the chance of meeting a missionary and becoming a member.  I think about all of the people who are members of the Church who are working in China, or teaching, or have any close contact with someone living in China.  I know that these righteous people can be examples to those who reside here.  I am making an impact on those I become in contact with.  We make an impact and our examples are being watched, whether we know it or not.  I know that the doors are slowly being opened up and when the time is right for the Lord, the gospel will be opened up here.