Beverly GillamBeverly has lived over 11 years in Asia. She lived in Xi'an, China for four years researching the Chinese characters. She visited the following sites significant to her study: The first Christian church, built A.D. 638 by the Nestorians is located inthe countryside west of Xi'an, China. The Nestorians brought the gospel to China and the Emperor bestowed land for a church. The Nestorian monument that was erected 143 years after the church was built, has been moved. It is now housed in the Bel-lin Temple in Xi'an, China. The large ancient stone is inscribed to commemorate Emperor T'ai Tsung (627-649 AD) affirming the truth of the Gospel, lauding the cross and praise to the Three in One, but not the 'Crucified Lord'. Banpo is a Neolitic village, located on the outskirts of Xi'an, China near the Wei River, perhaps the cradle of Chinese civilization. The village was discovered in 1953, and dates from approximately 4500 B.C. The remains of many well preserved mud huts, a large defensive moat, communal burial areas, kilns and pottery were discovered at this site, showing some of the early Chinese characters. Han Gu Pass is located east of Xi'an, China. Lao-tzu, a Keeper of Archives at the Zhou Dynasty court, weary of the moral decay, left the city travelling west to Han Gu Pass. There he was recognized by the guardian of the pass, who begged him to write what has become known as the Dao-de Ching, the foundation of Daoism. She also visited Xi'an's, and Beijing's ancient Temple of Heaven where sacrifices to the singular God Shang Di (the Above Emperor) was conducted until 1911. Read More Read Less