I grew up on a bike, literally, in “bicycle kingdom”– China. In 2008, my salary as a college lecturer was about US$180 a month. Living in a mammoth metropolis like Beijing, with six rings of highways encircling the city, I needed transportation to take my son to and from school and go to work three part-time jobs in different locations. My only affordable “modern” vehicle was a 26-inch women’s bicycle. I rode bicycle to take my son to his kindergarten and elementary schools for eight years; 10 miles round trip, two times a day, four seasons a year. I rode bicycle to the hospital with my son when he suffered pneumonia and ran high fever.
Two years ago, I arrived in a small town tucked in the mountains of Idaho. For some unknown reason, I stubbornly wanted to have a bicycle. It was not a practical idea as my planned stay in this town was for only two months. Yet, this thought lingered in my mind, so, I walked to town and paid US$250 for a used bicycle, my usual model – 26 inch women’s.
The first morning as the proud owner of my new, used bike, I decided to ride into town for brunch. At the traffic light, two roads diverged. One was the road I walked every time; the other was a small path, quiet and less traveled. Again, for some odd reason, I felt compelled to choose the quieter path.” After about 10 minutes riding, I stopped by a beautiful building. It looked like an art gallery to me.
Nicely dressed people were entering the building so I thought it could be a reception for a new art exhibit. I parked my bike and stood by the entrance, hesitating whether to go in. While I was pondering what to do, a lady, who seemingly had been watching my indecision all along, approached me from nowhere, to the point that I was a little startled. She looked at me and smiled sweetly; she opened the door and gently said: “After you!” Once in the lobby, the lady asked me, “Do you know where you are?” I shook my head. She beamed and said, “Welcome to church!” I was astonished. How had this happened? While I had plans to look for a local congregation to attend during my stay, I had not set out looking for a church that morning, yet, there I was.
In my life, bicycles have been not only an important transportation means but also, I truly believe, part of God’s plan for me. In China, I was forced to hide my Christian faith even from my family for many years. I rode my bike to go “sneak” into church, and also to secretly take my students to church on Christmas day.
In a country, China, where freedom of religion –along with other liberties- is an ill-conceived myth, I took “the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference.” Later, that kind lady baptized me and became my Godmother in my Christian faith. Now, I live in the United States and am free to go to church and worship every Sunday. The fear of being exposed as a Christian is gone.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
