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.