One world one dream - half an hour to go

As we approach the multi-million dollar Olympic opening ceremony, my nerves are tingling. I can’t quite pinpoint exactly why. The following may be some of the reasons:

The expectations of the people of China.

I was in China in July 2001 when the Games were granted to Beijing – even then there were fireworks displays and street parties. The Chinese people genuinely believe that this festival of minority sports indicates the true rise of China on the world stage. Thousands of Chinese couples have chosen this auspicious date to tie the knot, legally registering their marriage. Even Chinese friends in the UK are having ‘Opening ceremony parties’. As the Chinese get excited, I can’t help but catch a little bit of their enthusiasm and zeal.

The pressure and pronouncements from overseas

Already this week, there have been killings, demonstrations and arrests. In Xinjiang, 16 Chinese policemen were brutally murdered by people claiming to belong to the East Turkestan Independence Force. Four Westerners have unfurled a Free Tibet flag near the Birds Nest Stadium. This morning, another Brit has suspended a pro-democracy sign from a Hong Kong bridge. An American competitor has had his visa revoked due to his pro-Sudan statements. George Bush, prudently or not, has made unhappy noises about China’s human rights record. Even allegedly Christian activists have been removed from Tiananmen square – although they claimed to speak for Falun Gong, which is surprising for most of the Christians that I know. How will China respond, how much will the protests and demonstrations continue, and even overshadow the cultural and sporting celebration. I am nervous because I don’t know.

Evangelical Christians in China – number 9 terrorist threat.

Will the Olympic festivities be a boon or a bust for the church in China? They are listed as number nine in an internal government document of potential terrorist threats at the Olympics. I am praying, and hoping (question of faith?), that festivals, social outreach, hosting, etc, will demonstrate to the country’s leadership that the church is a force for good, and not a force for danger. There is, of course, an overspill of this issue into the lives of many of my friends in China. Will visas be granted so that ministry can continue? Let’s wait and see.

British medal prospects

It’s much more mundane, I guess, but I am very expectant that Britain will do well. The media has done a great job of stirring me up and making me believe that we will out-medal our athletes in Athens and Sydney. Cyclists, sailors, rowers, track and field – we have so many prospects. As a natural sports fan – I am nervous. I also wonder, sometimes, whether or not I should be supporting Christians from other countries – Han Duan in the Chinese ladies football, Allison Felix, the American sprinter. After all, isn’t my citizenship in heaven? It would be interesting to tot up a medal chart of devout believers, be they Muslims, Christians, Hindus, etc.

All of this goes towards my nervous excitement and expectation. Hopefully, these Olympics will see God glorified in the world and in China, and a few medals for the Brits, and for God’s people.

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