I vividly remember the first time I carried a briefcase full of Farsi Bibles into Iran. Culturally, it is very complicated, but the 4 Revolutionary Guards who I had called over whom I was going to ask to arrest me, then took my case and walked me through the inspection process. I was wearing the same cross last night that I wore that day. It is unique. The guards saw it.
Once on the other side of the inspection line, the senior guard himself had carried my case around the table, out of that processing section, through the airport, etc, to the doors, and called a taxi for me. He explained to the driver that I was to be taken to a particular traditional church that is actually legal there, that there would be no monkey business, and then after my visit driven to my hotel.
I do not know what to say about my experience going to this fellowship. I have prayed about it and the Lord put this on my heart to say this.
I find it a surreal Christian experience to walk into a building in my own country, 1 mile from my home where Christianity is openly legal, but to then be treated, because of my age, or look, or manner, or accent, or clothing, or whatever it was, as if I were a leper. I was going to walk over and introduce myself, but when the pastor accidentally made eye contact he diverted his eyes and shunned me.
This is a seeker-circus that is but Christian entertainment held in a huge building that should not put up a sign that says "Welcome." Unless you are a seeker in their age group and have that certain look and wear certain clothing you are not. I was once arrested in China for smuggling Bibles and the officer in charge of the interrogation asked me if he could have one.
He stamped in my passport that I had once been detained, but the reason he did that was so that the next time I was caught they were supposed to escort me to the boarder and throw me out of China.
The Holy Spirit put it on my heart to say this. So, here it is. In my own personal life, both the guards in China on the boarder from Macau and the Revolutionary Guards in Iran at the Tehran Airport were all 100% friendlier than the greeters and pastor in that building. I am sorry, but I think that is hysterically funny. Read the Book of Jonah if you think God does not have a sense of humor. read more