alive @ 2010

What did you do on Friday night during the 2010 Olympic games? Were you glued to your chair watching the 2010 Games? If you are in the Vancouver/Richmond area, you might have attended the three tenors’ concert at the O-Zone or you might have enjoyed the food and drink of one of the many pavilions.

Seventeen Chinese Christians gathered in a Richmond living room to sing hymns, to recite Scripture, to encourage one another with God’s Word, and to pray for the growth of God’s kingdom throughout the world. In addition to the sofas and chairs in the living room, metal folding chairs and plastic stools were set up. The leader, Patrick, played the guitar as God’s people sang the hymns in Mandarin and the “roaming reporters” sang in English. The hymns were not only sung, but then spoken with enthusiastic conviction! “Amens!” and “alleluias” were offered in prayer for God’s forgiving grace and the transforming power of God’s love. Bible passages, memorized through the week, were recited in unison. Participants took turns sharing insights from God’s Word.

Following the 1 1/2 Bible study/ worship time, desserts were set out and everyone enjoyed the Christian fellowship as some of them looked forward to hitting the streets on Saturday so that they might hand out Bibles — the Word of Life!

Canadian flags are everywhere! Chants of “Go, Canada, Go” echo through the streets. Canadians, from all kinds of cultural groups, spontaneously sing renditions of “O Canada”. Laughter, chatter, and cheers resound from the packed restaurants, bars, “entertainment houses,” and pavilions as Olympic goers cheer on Canadian athletes and enjoy entertainment from across Canada and the world. People of all ages can be heard (and seen) squealing with glee as they zip-line high-above Robson Square. Buskers sing, dance, play the sax or trumpet and any other form of sound-making instrument. Some perform magic or stand statue-like — the entertainment is endless and everywhere! One young man even stands in the middle of Granville St. with a “Free hugs” sign and the ladies line up for their hug!

In the midst of this activity are Christians who are handing out Christian tracts, Bibles, Mountie and More Than Gold witness pins, and free cups of hot coffee and hot chocolate. Conversations are initiated as Christians share the message of God’s love for the whole world. The Olympics is an event that brings the world together so that God’s people have the opportunity to share God’s message of love and forgiveness — a message that unites not only people to people, but God to people for all eternity!