Church

I haven't been to church in a long time. Growing up, I used to go to church with my mom every sunday. I remember how bored I always was, listening to the preachers drone on and on and on. At some point, another little girl, Daisy, who was 3 years older than me, started showing up at the same time. And we used to sit together and chitchat and giggle. We became really good friends. and that was when the church was first allowed to reopen after the communist government closed it.

Anyway, back then, the church wasn't full and I remember the balcony upstairs, which overlooks the sanctuary, was reserved for foreigners, and the small hall to the side, where you can hear the sermons but not see the main church, would only be used during Christmas services.

Well, 16 years later, I was back at the church today, meeting up with my friend Daisy again. I was shocked at seeing how absolutely PACKED the church was! There were people along all the walkways, in the garden outside the sanctuary, in the side hall, upstairs in another part of the building which is now wired for sound so the sermon can be hear, all packed with worshipers. There's also a Sunday school now. My mom still volunteers at the church every Sunday and she decorates the main Christmas tree at the church every year, and arranges the flowers for the services every week. She said that the Christmas eve services were soooo packed that they had to have 20 policemen standing guard to help distribute people and ensure peace. There were so many people they had to close the church for a while. But about 30% of the people leave the service after the first half hour. I guess the curiosity wears off and boredom sets in.

Imagine a church being this "popular". Wonder if it's a reflection on the "all thing western must be good" philosophy, or the inadequacy of the communist government. And as I'm typing this, I'm wondering if I'd be detained when I try to go home. Heh.