Last China Update
Tuesday, May 1
Today we had a lot of free time. We went to the May Day Parade (Chinese Labor Day) and then to Lo Shuan, a VERY large market in Kunming.
Wednesday, May 2
We got to sleep in and then we met about 10 for a time of prayer and worship. It was a special time to "recharge" as a team before heading up to the darkness of the North Korean border. We discussed a few themes that continue to pop-up.
1. The Lord is in the details-he has cleared our path many times, keeping us on time and unifying us as a team.
2. Means to an end-the people we meet continue to show us their talents and skills are just a means to show others Christ in their life.
3. Passion in all you say and do-the people we meet do not waste any time in sharing Christ or developing their relationship with God.
The rest of the day we were on a flight to Yanji in the Jilin Province (Northeast China). We arrived late at night and still had 1 1/2 hours by van in to the farm. We arrived safely about midnight.
Thursday, May 3
We toured the farm and prayed over the land farmed by ------- and family. He gave us a beautiful vision of not building the church in North Korea but rather greeting the church when the country opens. ----- (Chief Operator of farm) came for lunch and shared with us prayer concerns for future travel, reuniting of his wife who has cancer and is receiving treatment in California, as well as for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell among the believers. After lunch we had a special time of prayer and song (His Name is Wonderful) for -------, family and -----. Next, we traveled to the NK border. We saw 2 different border crossings. The first was from far away and the second was our chance to get "up close and personal with the land." We went to a border where we were able to walk (escorted by a Chinese guard) on the actual bridge (one of only a few crossings) up to the NK line. As we looked across the bridge, we say the NK guards looking at us watching every move we made. It was a dark place. There we no lights, debris everywhere, people sitting with no purpose on the sides of buildings, no trees on the hillsides and the signs of poverty everywhere. We spent time on the bridge praying for the country, its' Government and the people.
That night we spent the night in Yanji at a very nice hotel. We enjoyed a little Western food (hamburgers and french fries) and hit the sack for our 7 AM flight out.
Friday, May 4
We flew most of the morning and arrived in Beijing about 11. We went to Tiananmen Square in the afternoon. We read the Jericho account in Judges before we marched around the circumference of the square praying for the Government of China, the salvation of its people, the 2008 Olympics and the underground church leadership. Nancy got a little jazzed with a bottle of "holy" water...but that story is best saved for the de-brief. Just a little nugget for incentive to attend.
Late that afternoon we went to a big market area to pick up a few souvenirs.
Saturday, May 5
We left early to go to the Phillip Hayden Foundation (foster care for special needs children). It is about 1 and 15 minutes outside of Beijing. It is a wonderful oasis for children from birth to 16 years of age. They all have special needs that range from cleft pallets to heart conditions requiring major surgery. The staff, grounds and workers were all welcoming. The children have a beautiful place to live that is positive and encouraging. It is a real source of hope for children who have not hope. We prayed as we walked through the grounds and building where the children play and live.
We left about 11 to have lunch and travel to Mutianyu section of The Great Wall. Half of the group hiked up the steps while the other half (who had already climbed the wall previously and said once was enough) took the cable car. Our Chinese friend and guide told us that the Chinese believe that if you climb to the top of The Great Wall you are a hero. So, family members, take note and we'll be looking for your accolades...ha =) It was extraordinary. The scenery, craftsmanship and thought process that went behind the planning of the wall were mind-boggling.
We met with some English teachers for dinner and learned more about their work, mission and needs. We prayed with them asking for guidance and wisdom in their life.
Sunday, May 6
One day left and we are exhausted! The trip has been nonstop but very encouraging. We have seen so much of China and gotten a real taste for the different Provinces, people and beliefs. God has blessed us so much, growing us in our personal walk. We met this morning to pray that we would finish strong, striving toward what is ahead. At 10:30 AM our time, we attended a Three Self Church. This is the "legal" Christian church for China. There are 24 million people in all of Beijing and their are 4, Three Self Churches for the whole city. They have about 4 services a day and the sanctuary seats about 300. The service was very familiar, much like something we would experience in our home church. We sang from hymnals, read from the Bible, heard a sound sermon and shared Communion with other native Chinese. We felt it was a very special time consecrating us for our next task.
The next stop was the Lama Buddhist Temple. It is the largest active Buddhist Temple in Beijing and more than 1,000 people worship there every day. We were assaulted by the strong smell of incense, making us cough at times. There were many buildings, each one containing a different Buddha possessing a different power. As we walked toward the back of the temple grounds, the Buddhas got larger and larger. By the time we got to the last temple, the Buddha was 5 stories tall. It was carved out of a single tree trunk of sandalwood. It was sad and dark as we watched so many, adults and children, burn incense and kneel to this false god. They truly believe they can receive healing, longevity and prosperity by praying to this giant piece of gilded wood hoping someday to become a god themselves. We prayed as we walked through the temples remembering that Satan is the great counterfeiter. He takes ideas that are holy, like the incense that was offered by the High Priest in Moses' wilderness tabernacle, and twists it to feed people lies blinding them from the Truth found in the Lord.
Tomorrow is an early and L O N G day. We leave for the airport at 6 AM our time and travel for 20 hours to come home. We are ready to be in Memphis and see our many friends and family. Thank you for praying. We have been blessed by the prayers and have also been honored to be served by God on our journey.
Today we had a lot of free time. We went to the May Day Parade (Chinese Labor Day) and then to Lo Shuan, a VERY large market in Kunming.
Wednesday, May 2
We got to sleep in and then we met about 10 for a time of prayer and worship. It was a special time to "recharge" as a team before heading up to the darkness of the North Korean border. We discussed a few themes that continue to pop-up.
1. The Lord is in the details-he has cleared our path many times, keeping us on time and unifying us as a team.
2. Means to an end-the people we meet continue to show us their talents and skills are just a means to show others Christ in their life.
3. Passion in all you say and do-the people we meet do not waste any time in sharing Christ or developing their relationship with God.
The rest of the day we were on a flight to Yanji in the Jilin Province (Northeast China). We arrived late at night and still had 1 1/2 hours by van in to the farm. We arrived safely about midnight.
Thursday, May 3
We toured the farm and prayed over the land farmed by ------- and family. He gave us a beautiful vision of not building the church in North Korea but rather greeting the church when the country opens. ----- (Chief Operator of farm) came for lunch and shared with us prayer concerns for future travel, reuniting of his wife who has cancer and is receiving treatment in California, as well as for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell among the believers. After lunch we had a special time of prayer and song (His Name is Wonderful) for -------, family and -----. Next, we traveled to the NK border. We saw 2 different border crossings. The first was from far away and the second was our chance to get "up close and personal with the land." We went to a border where we were able to walk (escorted by a Chinese guard) on the actual bridge (one of only a few crossings) up to the NK line. As we looked across the bridge, we say the NK guards looking at us watching every move we made. It was a dark place. There we no lights, debris everywhere, people sitting with no purpose on the sides of buildings, no trees on the hillsides and the signs of poverty everywhere. We spent time on the bridge praying for the country, its' Government and the people.
That night we spent the night in Yanji at a very nice hotel. We enjoyed a little Western food (hamburgers and french fries) and hit the sack for our 7 AM flight out.
Friday, May 4
We flew most of the morning and arrived in Beijing about 11. We went to Tiananmen Square in the afternoon. We read the Jericho account in Judges before we marched around the circumference of the square praying for the Government of China, the salvation of its people, the 2008 Olympics and the underground church leadership. Nancy got a little jazzed with a bottle of "holy" water...but that story is best saved for the de-brief. Just a little nugget for incentive to attend.
Late that afternoon we went to a big market area to pick up a few souvenirs.
Saturday, May 5
We left early to go to the Phillip Hayden Foundation (foster care for special needs children). It is about 1 and 15 minutes outside of Beijing. It is a wonderful oasis for children from birth to 16 years of age. They all have special needs that range from cleft pallets to heart conditions requiring major surgery. The staff, grounds and workers were all welcoming. The children have a beautiful place to live that is positive and encouraging. It is a real source of hope for children who have not hope. We prayed as we walked through the grounds and building where the children play and live.
We left about 11 to have lunch and travel to Mutianyu section of The Great Wall. Half of the group hiked up the steps while the other half (who had already climbed the wall previously and said once was enough) took the cable car. Our Chinese friend and guide told us that the Chinese believe that if you climb to the top of The Great Wall you are a hero. So, family members, take note and we'll be looking for your accolades...ha =) It was extraordinary. The scenery, craftsmanship and thought process that went behind the planning of the wall were mind-boggling.
We met with some English teachers for dinner and learned more about their work, mission and needs. We prayed with them asking for guidance and wisdom in their life.
Sunday, May 6
One day left and we are exhausted! The trip has been nonstop but very encouraging. We have seen so much of China and gotten a real taste for the different Provinces, people and beliefs. God has blessed us so much, growing us in our personal walk. We met this morning to pray that we would finish strong, striving toward what is ahead. At 10:30 AM our time, we attended a Three Self Church. This is the "legal" Christian church for China. There are 24 million people in all of Beijing and their are 4, Three Self Churches for the whole city. They have about 4 services a day and the sanctuary seats about 300. The service was very familiar, much like something we would experience in our home church. We sang from hymnals, read from the Bible, heard a sound sermon and shared Communion with other native Chinese. We felt it was a very special time consecrating us for our next task.
The next stop was the Lama Buddhist Temple. It is the largest active Buddhist Temple in Beijing and more than 1,000 people worship there every day. We were assaulted by the strong smell of incense, making us cough at times. There were many buildings, each one containing a different Buddha possessing a different power. As we walked toward the back of the temple grounds, the Buddhas got larger and larger. By the time we got to the last temple, the Buddha was 5 stories tall. It was carved out of a single tree trunk of sandalwood. It was sad and dark as we watched so many, adults and children, burn incense and kneel to this false god. They truly believe they can receive healing, longevity and prosperity by praying to this giant piece of gilded wood hoping someday to become a god themselves. We prayed as we walked through the temples remembering that Satan is the great counterfeiter. He takes ideas that are holy, like the incense that was offered by the High Priest in Moses' wilderness tabernacle, and twists it to feed people lies blinding them from the Truth found in the Lord.
Tomorrow is an early and L O N G day. We leave for the airport at 6 AM our time and travel for 20 hours to come home. We are ready to be in Memphis and see our many friends and family. Thank you for praying. We have been blessed by the prayers and have also been honored to be served by God on our journey.
posted by CUMC Team | 6:49 PM
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