Last Post from Beijing

We are headed home this am. The trip has been incredible with so many sights and sounds from a city and its people trying as best they can to welcome the world. The officials even promised to allow web visitors in the country to have access to Amnesty International and Voice of the Martyr's websites (www.amnesty.org and www.persecution.org) during the Games. I just checked both out and they do work fro here in this apartment.

Yesterday we visited Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven sites. I did not know if these were now cultural sites only or if open worship took place there. Much to my dismay and sadness, Lama Temple has plenty of idol (Buddha) worship still going on. Its also a big business on the temple grounds and it surrounding businesses selling incense to be burned. Many people offering prayers for a variety of reasons I am sure to lifeless carvings, the largest one was a 60 foot Buddha carved from a single piece of wood. As we toured the sites I noticed that varying images were for varying things such as prosperity, peace, love, etc. The very things many prayers are prayed each day. I was almost overcome with the hopelessness of it all as people bowed and rendered worship to wood that cannot ever help. Yet in this place, no one would dare speak aloud of Jesus Christ, the only One Who is Hope and Love and Truth. The only One worthy of praise. 

As we walked and talked yesterday taking all of this in, we realized that apart from the Lord, everyone is lost and hopeless. In His grace and Mercy, believers have been granted pardon and freedom. Remember the litmus test, "He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son, does not have the life" or "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Apart from Me, no one comes to the Father". There are no degrees of "lostness". Those who do not know Jesus are as far away as anyone worshipping idols. At least they realize they are seeking help from beyond themselves. 

The underground church of Christians here are on the move. God is doing a miraculous thing among them. I am committed to pray for the people of China but have a renewed sense of urgency  for those on my Andrew List and those around me. For that, I am thankful. 

We wrap this up today with a really long flight leaving here around noon (Beijing time, midnight at home) and fly to Korea. We have a 3 hours layover and then fly until 7pm EST to Atlanta. Then we will drive home from there. That will take a few days to get over!!

Oh Well, Now we know how the New England Patriots feel

Oh well, after being undefeated the entire Olympics which includes 2 wins against Japan, we had a poor offensive showing last night and lost the Gold Medal game to Japan 3-1. Normally you'd think a team with 2 losses would have to beat you twice but that's not who round robin softball is played. It's kind of like the Super Bowl, regardless of your records, the title game is all that counts. That really hurts and we were frustrated but not as much as the coaches, players and families who have invested so much to have one of the best teams in the history o the sport. Sadly, this was the last Olympics for softball (unless their appeal reverses the situation and even then it will be 8 years before they can play again..all these ladies will be retired). Although none of them will see it, I would like to thank them for the class acts they have been over the years and the hours of enjoyment we have received from watching them play and visiting several of them at camps. They've been nothing but class, no controversies, no failed drug tests, no scandal, just excellence that has started with Coach Candrea and permeated throughout the team. Thank You Ladies.

Yesterday was a slow day for us prior to the game. Caroline did not feel well all day (the game helped a lot there) so Pat and I just did a little market shopping. It rained off and on all day, including interrupting the game. Fortunately it cooled off the city and helped with the smog. 

We hope to make the temples I referred to yesterday and do a bit more shopping before catching the plane home in the morning. I do dread that flight!! 

Cough, Cough..Now I know What They Mean

In the run up to the Olympics much news has been made regarding the weather and air conditions. I am writing this on Thursday am Beijing time (Wed nite at home) at its raining. If I recall correctly, the Chinese had proudly proclaimed that had figured out how to control the weather and promised no rain. Not only is it raining, this is not the first day of rain. Looks like God's way of saying Booya!! Actually, rain is a good thing after yesterday's coughfest. The air quality yesterday could be compared to pea soup. It burned your eyes and throat and we weren't the competitors!! Rain does help push the smog down.

Yesterday was a super day for us at the games in that the US Softball team beat Japan in an international tie breaker (win or lose I hate those things). The win put the US in the Gold Medal game today if they are able to play. Hopefully the rain will stop. 

We also took in the Forbidden City and shopped in a market with a couple million of our new friends. However, I'm ready to bag the Gold in Softball and come to the house. People like our friends Casey and Mal and others grow in stature in my eyes as they go and live in foreign cultures for extended periods of time. After almost 2 weeks, I have grown weary of being away even with all the fun we have had. I have discovered 1 thing the Chinese don't import to us...mattresses. Here are few of the things I am ready to reconnect with:

1. My son

2. My home, including bathroom, clean water to drink and brush teeth in (rather than using bottled water to brush and clean brush..try that if you don't believe me), mattress, English speaking tv (we have 2 english channels...CNN is worse here than home), refrigerator, more than 1 room, yard, etc.

3. My extended family

4. My church family and friends

5. My job and pals there

6. Wades and home cooked meals

7. A place of no stupid security checks (like airports and Olympics venues. I was really ticked off at the security forces at the softball venue yesterday who took my sunscreen...kind of the straw that broke the camels back. If you've heard of a security threat with sunscreen I'd like to know). I have had the lecture about being an ambassador etc. Just ticked me off and took a while to adjust!

8. USA..home soil 

I think that about says it. Visiting a foreign country is a blast. Experiencing the different culture I would not trade and have thoroughly enjoyed. However, it does wear me out after a while. 

Today we hope to visit the Lama Temple and Temple of Heaven before the softball.

Big Day in Beijing

Today was our busiest day of the trip. We purchased tickets to Tuesday night's games at the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) on Monday night at the official web site. We had heard that they allot a few everyday for purchase for people from a few nations. So our day started early having to locate somewhere to print out our receipt and find our way over to their office to pick the tickets up in person. From there, we hoped to find a cab driver who spoke some English for a hour ride to the Great Wall (Badaling). We devised a plan to catch a cab to the Forbidden City where many English speaking students ask you to pay them to give you a tour. However, our first cab's driver was fun and spoke some English pretty well. He agreed to take us and we were on our way to the "country side" (a word we taught him). I am going to post a photo (maybe a video of us talking later). Beautiful scenery heading up to the steep mountains in Badaling where tourists usually see the GW. With the Olympics here, there were a large number of foreigners as well as Chinese on the Wall. Walking on the Wall is very steep as it matches the terrain of the top of the mountains. It was also very hot and humid which was exhausting. In a matter of moments I was soaked in sweat. It was exciting to be there and we took some good shots as well as candid ones.

From the GW, we returned to the room to eat and shower before heading to the National Stadium, affectionately called Bird's Nest, and to take in the Olympic Green which also has the National Aquatics Center (the Cube) and the National Indoor Stadium (Basketball, etc). This huge area is secured from the visitors such that to enter you had to have a ticket to an event for that day. On the same property is the athletes quarters. Security is tight. 

The actual grounds and facilities are incredible. I wold love to see the plans for the property and facilities and shapshots of how it all came together. The vastness of size, the ability to handle the crowd securely considering all who would want to visit, all of it was well planned and is a source of much pride among the people. We were able to go into our games (Athletics or Track and Field) in the Bird's Nest. We were able to see USA athletes receive their Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in a sweep and see the flags raised to the National Anthem. We saw many events as well. Incredibly exciting night was had by all. Seeing the Olympic flame and realizing that we saw the opening ceremony from home while sharing a cook out meal with my discipleship group a week and a half ago was really cool.

More later but now to a softball semi-final...USA vs Japan.  GO USA!! 

Let the Games Begin

Well actually, the games began a number of days ago but we're here now having seen 2 softball games where the USA dominated. Monica Abbott pitched a perfect game last night against the Netherlands. A perfect game is when the opposing team had no one reach base, no hits, no errors, no walks, and obviously no runs. It may sound boring but it was anything else. Today we saw the USA dominate China 9-0 with all 9 runs being scored in the first inning. Cat Osterman pitched the first 3 innings and was relieved by Jennie Finch for the last 2. Normally softball games last 7 innings but they have a 7 runs mercy rule after 5 innings so both were cut short. We didn;t mind today because it was scorching hot!!

Last night's trip to the ball park was a "cultural experience" in that we rode the subway to the game. The trip took about an hour and a half from our apartment. China has "volunteers" everywhere and some speak English. They were very helpful for the most part in getting us there. The bus from the subway stop was no where to be found by many of us so we did have to complete the last leg by cab. Today we skipped the experience completely and took the cab from McDonalds near our apartment. The cost was 63 RMB (yuan) or about $10. That's an hour cab ride! Not bad pricing by any standard. 

Our new apartment is small but nice in a gated neighborhood occupied mostly by ex-patriots. We feel very safe. They also have a convenience store and laundry on the property. Very nice for snacks since we are avoiding most of the "local fare". There is a place we might try before leaving but not yet. 

We have been practicing prayer opportunities that I learned from Mal B. Since we came here 4 years ago I have prayed for China, for the people of China and their leadership. Riding the subway I remembered Mal saying something like "its one thing to pray for a group but another to look at a person and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to them in a personal way, to cause them to seek Him and to save them eternally. You may very well be the only person who has ever prayed for that someone in their entire life". As we travel, tour, attend events, we have been practicing that discipline. It occurred to me today that it works the same way at home!!

Much has changed since we were here 4 years ago. Jesse said then that the place needed a pressure washing Guess what? Most of it got one!! The venues and people have been shined and readied for this "coming out" party. One look past the glitz and the same poverty that most of the people face is still there. The people are very proud for this moment. They also are enjoying the commerce it has brought and I suppose when life is scratched out, that's fair. However, the lostness of people will not be changed by commerce or pressure washing. The people on the street are mostly still shocked to see us (westerners) on their streets. They stare, not rudely, but as if to say "what in the world..". 

We were able to use Skype yesterday and make a phone call home. Even cooler, Caroline's Macbook has a camera and she was able to vido message with a few friends and see each other as they talked.

Too long for now. Until tomorrow GO USA!!

 

Ni Hao (Hello) from Beijing

Greetings from my internet connection (yeah) from Beijing. We arrived yesterday afternoon for our "cultural experience" in an apartment Pat found online that belongs to a Chinese guy who lives most of the year in San Francisco but is a Canadian resident. Our first events take place today in seeing the US Softball team. I told Caroline now that she's here, the team is complete!!

We do have to move around noon today to another apartment but I would be glad to just stay here. The bad news we have received (but will surely test) is that tickets are scarce and expensive and that its illegal to sell them at the venues. I made a decision to not purchase more at home since they were outrageous...actually ridiculous in price. We'll just have to see. We will see the other venues today, at least from the outside. 

We will have our own church service here today and hope your's tomorrow am will be a time where God speaks to your heart. 

Last Day Hong Kong..Headed to China

In case you're reading the headline and thinking "Isn't HK in China?" Well, unfortunately it now is a part of China (Great Britain gave it back in 1999). It operates for visitor purposes as a separate country (like you don't need a visa to enter and many people own private property), however; China now controls HK and limits freedoms. 

Anyway, yesterday was a huge day for us visiting HK Disneyland. The weather was hot and humid as it has been all week. However, HK Disney is small in comparison to Orlando. It's easily doable in 4-5 hours and much fun. I wondered if Mickey would peak English or Chinese. He speaks both! The funniest thing was the castle. Typically, Disney names the imposing castle for one of the princesses (like Cinderella's Castle in Orlando). This one must be the dwarf's castle since it was short and anything but imposing. 

Last night we also took in the musical Around the World in 80 Days at the HK Center for Performing Arts. Decent performance but Caroline and I were tired. 

Closing images and thoughts before heading to Beijing this am(Sat):

1. They show churches in print ads but I have only seen 1. Numerous shrines but 1 church. Several are advertised. However we do have a Chinese New Testament provided in the room.

2. Saw a multi-tier golf driving range yesterday.

3. More hot cars.

4. Beautiful harbour city, bustling, hurried, but they do know how to stand in line.

5. Still getting used to right side driving cars driving on the left side of the road.

We are headed to Beijing shortly. I don' know if we will have internet or email access since we are staying in an apartment instead of a hotel and they have a highly monitored system called the Great Firewall....

Out and About...Trying to Beat Jet Lag

Today we felt a bit better but still have ground to recover due to jet lag. We understand why the Olympics teams come over a week or more early. Our "body clock" still hasn't adjusted completely but progress is being made. As we catch shuttles, cabs or walk around the city, we are struggling under sweltering heat and humidity. 

As we travel around Hong Kong (including the areas of Kowloon and Stanley), we have noticed increasingly that amidst the exotic buildings, upscale houses, and really hot cars that get all of the press here, there seems to be little or no middle class. Everyone else here seems to really struggle to scratch out a living. Wages have to be considerably higher than in mainland China and people do have their own places to live, often in poorer high rises which probably cost most of what they make. 

We were able to travel to the other side of the island to an area called Stanley. When we were here 4 years ago, we travelled to this area where there is a large outdoor shopping area. Some items there are really nice, many others are more like an upscale flea market. The travel to and from there is beautiful with  beach, golf course, marina with large and small boats, even sail boats, and mountain apartments and estates. Once there, we also noticed several shrines that I didn't see previously (although they are very old and were here).  We respectfully entered one of the shrines to see what was there but didn't shoot any photos. There were altars to various oriental gods with incense to burn to each along with kneeling pillows at each altar. 

We crashed last night after dinner and watched what Olympics they show here. I told Pat and Caroline that it frustrates me to be "physically closer" to the Olympics than anyone in the states but not seeing nearly the coverage that you are. Unless an Asian athlete is in the event, we usually do not get to see it. We did see the US men's basketball game last night.

Big Ol Jet Airliner

If you remember that old Steve Miller Band song originally, you're old!! Maybe just into oldies! That song was playing in my mind for a while on the trip over to Hong Kong. It's been great to come twice now (last time was 2004), but it hasn't gotten any closer. I hear from time to time that the world is now smaller (a reference to its global nature) but if you get on a plane it doesn't feel closer. 

We awoke in Atlanta at 7am Monday morning to be at the airport by 8. Even though the flight wasn't until 11:20am. International flights require you to be checked in 2 hours in advance. We knew this airport and traffic would be heavy for Monday morning so we allowed 3 hours. 

The flight got underway at 11:20 and headed west over St Louis and the Dakotas, over Victoria British Columbia toward Alaska. We "peaked" over the Bering Sea at Alaska and started down over the edge of Russia, over Japan then a right turn over to Seoul, South Korea. That's 15 hours in the air non-stop, fortunately. After a 4 hour layover in a really first class airport, we boarded a Korean Airline flight (best airline I have ever flown on) to Hong Kong. Our trip in 2004 was Korean Air all the way. The flight attendants on Delta should take some lessons from their Sky Partner!! We arrived at 11:30 pm HK time on Tuesday (12 hours ahead of EST). If you count it up, that's 30 hours since we got up in Atlanta Monday. Needless to say, we were whipped and ready for bed. 

We are staying on Victoria Harbour in the Kowloon section of Hong Kong with a room overlooking the beautiful harbour. Pat has been our tour guide on all our trips and again hit a home run. This harbour is one of the busiest in the world with tour ships as well as local fishing vessels and container ships headed to points all over the world. They have a boardwalk that we spent time on yesterday as we walked around getting our bearings. 

We were still feeling the effects of jet lag as well as the heat and humidity that rivals New Orleans and Charleston. We caught the shuttle and did some shopping as well as just walking around taking in the city. We had to take a long nap in the afternoon and then came in pretty early. Tomorrow will include a trip to Hong Kong Disney that opened after we left in 2004 and more shopping. 

Of course we are watching the Olympics but not like our friends at home. We realized pretty quickly that all the coverage on NBC makes sure you see all of the Americans doing well. They really don't care to cover all of the Americans here, choosing instead to cover such exciting sports as ping pong since Chinese are doing well there. Its hard for them to avoid Phelps but not much else. Yesterday in a shopping area we saw a crowd gathered like at home in a tv store on a college football Saturday. When we walked up to see what was on it was a Chinese female ping pong match from the Olympics. Hilarious! 

  

Here we go for Gold

Well, the long awaited trip to Hong Kong and then Beijing to the 2008 Olympics has begun. We are in Atlanta tonight heading to the airport in the morning. My intention is to blog daily regarding our experiences, hopefully with some photos. The reason I say "my intention" is that I do not know what internet access I will have (to say nothing of sharing a laptop) in China. Hong Kong should be no problem but China may be another story completely. I have read much criticism over the past few weeks regarding the Chinese government's broken promises, made in their Olympic bid 7 years ago, to allow complete access to the internet. Their fear of people sharing information, ideas, criticisms, religious world views, whether positive or negative, is but a part of the overall darkness and oppression hundreds of millions face as a part of their daily lives. 

Yet, China is a proud country. They have long awaited this "coming out party" to show the world a "spit shined" Communist country. Their ancient architecture combined with modern facilities are a message to the world...a rebirth so to speak. The Chinese people we met and and encountered 4 years ago were curious, friendly, and accomodating. We look forward to meeting others this trip, especially the family in Beijing we are supposed to stay with the first night until the apartment we rented is vacant. 

My prayer for a few months now has been that the Lord would use the spotlight the officials have so pursued to show the world exactly what goes on there with the people. I pray that the spotlight would be "unmanageable" in spite of all of their efforts and that the same freedoms known in many former Communist countries would be theirs. 

We are not going to the games for a political or religious reasons. However, prayer walking and being the Lords people wherever we happen to visit is always a part of who we are. Thanks for your prayers for our safety. Pray also for believers there and for the lost. As I pray for these things, I realize the same prayers are desperately needed for so many in our own country. 

Been a Long Time

The fact that it's been a long time since I wrote in this blog should not be interpreted as nothing happening. In fact, too much has been happening to quickly.

We have spent the summer working and getting ready for two major events: our trip to Hong Kong and the Olympics next week followed by moving my daughter Caroline into Wofford College as soon as we return. We are excited about both events though I admit that college is met with mixed emotions for me. I am thankful she will receive a great education in Spartanburg (not Texas) but when you leave you really never come home again. Its been a fast 18 years as I have been reminded by one of my life heroes Steven Curtis Chapman this summer.

We had the privilege of seeing SCC last fall and immediately fell in love with his new song Cinderella. It is a reminder of the brevity of life with your kids and to redeem the time. Tragically in May, Steven and Mary Beth Chapman's adopted daughter Maria was killed in their driveway by a car driven by one of her brothers. This devastating event has so hurt my heart for their family, especially Will Franklin, the 17 year old brother. Seeing the interview with the family from Good Morning America renewed my passion to pray for them as they live out the faith by holding fast to Hope in Jesus. Steven even added a verse to his song Yours (new album that contains Cinderella) as well as changed the closing line to the song Cinderella. The new Yougs can be purchased on iTunes. I suppose all of this puts into perspective my Cinderella moving to college.

As I said last year when Jesse moved, they have been a tremendous privilege..a gift from the Lord...my favorite people.

Perspective

The past couple of weeks have in some ways had their challenges but bright spots as well. I was reflecting yesterday at lunch with my friend Mike Chibbaro, a solid brother whom I love and just never get to spend enough time with, on some of the highlights related to opportunities I have had.

During this period, I had the blessing of Laura Story's cd release party and mini-concert at Christian Supply in Spartanburg (www.myspace.com/laurastory). It was such a blessing to me and my family to be there amoung friends and hear a precious sister lead us in Praise to the Lord and see Martin, her husband and cheerleader who is continuing to recover from a brain tumor, there as well.

I had a lunch meeting Tuesday sponsored by my friends William and Lisa Renfrow where Jim Dismore, a former Walmart exec. who has for many years consulted businesses who would like to know how to do business according to God's plan.

I had a conversation with my friend Richard Smith, a Spartanburg pastor at Hope Point Community Church (http://www.hopepoint.org/). As always I so enjoy being able to chat with Richard even though we really only see each other a few times per year.

At a recent wedding shower for Deb Mathis and Jason Read (Deb is one of my favorite people and Jason is a fine dude and very fortunate), I had the opportunity to talk with Caz McCaslin (http://www.upward.org/), Rick Mathis, one of my heros and dad of another hero David Mathis, main man to John Piper. Dave Edwards, the Toyota man not the comedian, was also there and such a blessing as always. (Deb, hope that was better!)

I also had communications with my friend Alexia Newman, a sister in Christ (http://www.carolinapregnancy.org/) regarding her upcoming banquet with Ken Davis (April 15th). As always it will be "The Event" of the year in Spartanburg. Always a blessing, the event and especially Alexia. She's also one of mine and my family's heroes.

Pat and I also had an incredible tour of Milliken & Co. Research in Spartanburg where so many friends work. Our friend Jeff Lane blew us away with all that we saw. Quite impressive and we saw Tom Hamilton while touring.

Crossfire on Wednesday nights in the Hangar (http://www.lifewaylink.com/templates/cusfbspartanburg/details.asp?id=21501&PID=119293) have been incredible worship services lead by Seth Buckley and the Hangar band in with help from the Media team. Wow! These guys do an awesome job!

As I said, I have just had an unusually blessed few weeks. Then I read a note from a friend who is away right now...way from friends and family being stretched in ways that are frightening to most of us. The note puts into perspective the "softness" of my life which leads to complacency. Bless you my friend for faithfuless, like Paul, and needed perspective. May your Easter be blessed.