China (MNN) — Few globetrotters view international travel in the same way today as they did before 2020. In case you missed it, here’s our coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When COVID broke out three years ago, it started in Wuhan, spreading quickly to the rest of the world. China was the first country that shut travel down,” China Partner’s Erik Burklin says.
A laboratory worker takes a swab test for COVID-19.
(Photo courtesy of Mufid Majnun/Unsplash)
While many countries eventually eased lockdowns and opened up, China remained closed. At one point during the pandemic, “we [wondered] if we would have to shut our doors because our main focus has always been serving the Church inside of China,” Burklin says.
“If the government is no longer allowing foreigners to come in, you’re kind of stuck.”
China Partner supports local churches with training, resources, and more. In the past three years, “we’ve done [many] trainings through the Zoom platform, but that’s not sustainable over the long haul,” Burklins says.
“There’s only so much you can do online.”
Thankfully, China eased its restrictions and reopened to foreign tourists last month. Burklin says, “Christians who have been praying for us and China felt like, ‘oh! Our prayers have been answered; this is amazing!’”
Better yet, the tourist visas that Gospel workers obtained before the pandemic can still be used today. Praise God for His faithfulness. “Everything is in God’s hands. We [only] have to wait upon Him and trust Him,” Burklin says.
“He’s sovereign over everything, including China.”
Header image depicts Wuhan citizens buying masks in February 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)
