Published: August 16, 2008 09:49 pm         

Life-changing trip

Joyce Eckelbarger said her trip to China helped her realize her calling

Joyce Eckelbarger’s journey to Dalian, China, was a life-changing event, one she said produced many miracles.

Eckelbarger visited three underground churches in the city and preached the Gospel to more than 400 people. But she could have gotten arrested because the Chinese government disapproves of New Testament teachings.

Miraculously, she also baptized 73 people along the Chinese Sea as a licensed minister of the Church of God. The work was dangerous, she said.

“It’s against the law to get baptized,” she said.

Eckelbarger visited the city from July 8 through 29. Her 23-year-old daughter, Jessica Burnett, and her 22-year-old son-in-law, Leevi Burnett, teach English at a school in Dalian, which is at the southern tip of Liaodong peninsula in northeast China. The couple began teaching in January.

Eckelbarger said the schools have just started teaching both English and Chinese languages for children beginning at six months old.

Eckelbarger, who traveled with her sister, Georgia Gunn, from Hillsboro, Ill., had hoped to visit the site of the recent earthquakes while she was in China, but she didn’t because of the cost.

Her church, East Main Street Church of God, ended up collecting $800 for victims of the disaster, though.

Eckelbarger said the trip proved the strength of her faith. She met and prayed for people from all parts of China.

She also shared the story of Joshua with parishioners.

“God told Joshua every place that he walked on, God would give him that land,” she said. “I said, ‘Who will stand up and claim their land for the Kingdom of God?’ Every single person stood up.”

Eckelbarger said it was one of the most powerful experiences she’s had in her life.

She met a man from Mongolia who felt lonely because he was the only person in the area preaching the Gospel. Eckelbarger said he wept that day because he was able to worship with others of the same faith.

“He was very poor and very lonely, and he just cried and cried,” she said.

They prayed for another man who was paralyzed on one side of his body because of an accident.

“He had to forgive the people who caused the accident to heal,” she said. “And he did.”

Eckelbarger and the parishioners prayed for people with many ailments. One man had cancer.

“He was so frail,” she said.

Eckelbarger said every seat in the churches were filled.

“They were so eager to hear the word of God there,” she said. “For them, it’s a privilege to preach God. They can’t wait to get to church.”

When the individuals were baptized, Eckelbarger said, it was one of the most significant events that happened in their lives.

While in Dalian, Eckelbarger toured the Great Wall of China, Summer Palace, Seashell Museum, Dalian Olympics Center, Forbidden City and the Ming Tombs.

“The China Wall, I can’t even explain,” she said. “The massiveness was breathtaking.”

She said she had to walk 1,000 steps to view the wall, then travel a half mile on a donkey.

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” she said.

Eckelbarger made daily entries in a journal. She learned about Chinese culture. For example, the people of China go out and dance every night. And fancier restaurants feature red carpets.

Eckelbarger has recently shared stories of her journey at her church, and she plans on sharing the adventure at more local churches.

“God showed me that I’m called to Evangelistic work,” she said. “People in other countries are so eager to hear the word of God.”

She said she planned on taking another journey to Dalian in the future.

“God still works miracles,” she said.

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com