It is hard to comprehend, over a feature story that covered one of China’s Maga Infrastructural projects- The Belt and Road Initiative, in a foreign newspaper I wasn’t subscribed to. And I was totally indifferent to the project’s progress from the beginning. Evidently, the project aimed to boost China’s connectivity to the world, economic growth, and global influence. However, if China’s Ancient Silk Road were first placed on its construction drawing board, or if the most economical/practical approach were to resurrect this ancient corridor, I would envision that the best philosophical reading of the doctrine of Yin/Yang should be the RBI. As a Christian, BRI can testify that my Lord, Jesus, is the “God of Time and Space.“
From draft to draft, it seemed that I couldn’t find a way to share my thoughts. Suddenly, an invitation to join a brief family trip (12-18/December)to China opened. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make rash decisions because of concerns for our health. Finally, we decided to exercise our faith to make travel plans. And three family members are celebrating birthdays in December. In the peak season, in the last minutes, scoring two seats required a miracle. Finally, we had two open seats, but no guarantee we’d sit together until we reached the airport check-in counter, three hours before take-off. We both had peace. As my husband travels in a wheelchair, we were sure that we would be able to win a sympathy vote for a change of seats, but it was God’s faithfulness that prevailed.
We have family members from three countries were planning to go to Shanghai, all of whom are arriving around the same time. Airport transfers and hotel check-ins were smooth as silk. Immediately, I realised we’d taken one piece of luggage that didn’t belong to us. That’s an unpardonable oversight on my account. We didn’t lose our cool, but the excuse was that I couldn’t find the luggage key during a rush pack at home. It left me no choice but to ask the check-in staff to wrap the small suitcases in a giant plastic bag. The wheelchair attendant graciously took our bags while I held the wheelchair. We spent less than 30 minutes making reports. And decided to have dinner first. It was ‘in His time,’ HE made our bag with the hotel Bell captain, before we returned from our dinner.
There are more impossible journeys that follow. The mapped out itineraries were for seven of us travelling by rapid trains, with stops in Hongzhou and Nanjing. In peak season, for local travel to secure seven point-to-point, direct, fast-rapid-train tickets requires another miracle. In the end, we had all the tickets; the trade-off was paying more. My husband and I were first in Hongzhou and Nanjing twenty years ago; there was no fast-train access. The changes in these two cities are beyond recognition now. In 2015, we took an impressive, high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an that felt like a modernised version of the Tokyo bullet train. Ten years later, both the interior and exterior of all trains that we rode on were in mint condition. The services, punctuality, and wheelchair access were impeccable. The waiting lounge offers many thoughtful features and comforts. The arrival meeting areas are as large as some airport arrival halls.
God was gracious enough to give me more than I could dream of: a fast train ride in China as part of the BRI encounters. On the day we left Shanghai, I felt deeply as we bade farewell to my loved ones. Every family reunion became more critical as we grew older. I followed wherever the wheelchair attendant led my husband; in a few minutes, we were at the front of the lane. As I looked up, it read “Belt and Road Lane.” I knew I wasn’t allowed to take a photo in a restricted area, but I knew I was allowed to weep discreetly with heartfelt thanksgiving. Hardly know how to describe my five-and-a-half-hour flight home, no mood to catch any in-flight movies, and spilt a whole cup of tea on myself. It was a full flight. I was blessed to use the front-cabin toilet for my casualty.
The next day,19 December, is the day for my husband’s medical review after six months of KIV (keep in view) of his condition. I was at peace; the specialist didn’t say a word, for we didn’t seek his green light to travel. After the examination, he confirmed the condition is still in its early stages and that there is no need to increase his medication dosage. The first time, I didn’t immediately unpack our things after a trip; I didn’t have the bare minimum of Christmasy decorations set up in our place, except to find a way or a timeframe to work on my latest draft. I had the framework in mind, thinking of all sorts of ways to bring it to a close.
Twice, my work suddenly disappeared from my eyes’ watch. I was frustrated and panicked, so I called tech support to recover my piece, only to be told it was a tech problem. Tech problem? I wonder if I did something right that displeased the evil one? Immediately 1 John 4:4 came to mind. I paused because what if it were divine intervention. In the meantime, I went shopping for flowers, groceries, and a wreath made of natural pine, holy, and other festive elements. And the next morning, 21 December, we left our place at seven to attend the Church Christmas Celebration (Peral Of Great Price – http://www.newcreation.org.sg). All the extraordinary song selections, particularly the one with lyrics, ‘Love Has Come Down,’ brought tears to my eyes for days that followed. In devotion, in prayers and in chewing on His word that gave me the peace to share my view of ‘Onnectivity-BRI’ on Christmas Day, 2025. From glory to glory, my family reunion trip and rapid train rides in China gave me the boldness to share my communion with my dear Lord, Jesus, on the last Sunday, 28, December 2025.
The Light Of Faith 