China Journal
Oct. 25
Left Lubbock via S.W. Air to L.A. Met with my brother Frank and his wife Gill at the Los Angeles Hilton. Had an enjoyable visit. Dinner and conversation in room and breakfast. Frank had read "The Path" (Laurie Beth Jones) and developed his mission statement. "To enlighten and entertain with literature." (His novel, "River Rising" is both enlightening and entertaining, a historical novel about the Cherokee Indians, check it out at Cherokee7.com.
Oct. 26-27
Met Steve and Melonie McVey (Steve wrote "Grace Walk" and "Grace Rules") at LA Airport for marathon flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Stop over briefly at Osaka, Japan. Finished reading "China Awakes" an enlightening book on the changes in China. Sarah read Grace Walk. Approx. 18 hour flight arrived Bangkok about midnight Wed. Oct. 27.
Oct. 27-28
Stayed at hotel at airport-got about 5 hrs of sleep-refreshed and ready to go. Still not really feeling like I'm halfway around the world-just on a long trip. Thankful that I had no claustrophobic attacks on the plane. I felt on the edge a couple of times on the trip but "took every thought captive" focused on the truth and thanked Jesus for His presence and comfort.
A few months ago, I am not sure I could have made this trip without great anxiety. The truth does set free.
Met a young man from Australia our row mate on the trip. Prior to arriving in Bangkok, I shared my testimony and the Gospel. He was cordial and seemed to listen. He had zero spiritual background. I gave him a "Big ID" kit and a business card with my e-mail.
Oct. 28
Arrive Beijing Airport after 1 hour plus delay at Bangkok to repair the plane. Picked up luggage and gifts, wondering what clearing customs would be like. It seemed as if no one was even working customs. We went straight through, I didn't see anyone stopped at all. We were able to get two large suitcases with Bibles into China.
We were met at the airport by two young people, Sunny and John. Sunny spoke English. Checked into Holiday Inn Crown Plaza downtown Beijing. A 1st class western hotel.
John and Sunny took us to dinner, a private room in a restaurant close to hotel. We talked about ministry in China.
Oct. 29
Joined Steve and Melonie for "Chinese" buffet breakfast; different!
Spent morning driving around Beijing and shopping. Pearl "factory" and street shopping.
After lunch spent two hours in hotel room meeting with two pastors. What a special time.
One was 80yrs. Old and spent 23 years in prison, hard labor and suffering for being faithful to the gospel.
Other was late 20's early 30's had been a believer for 8yrs. Went to Singapore Bible College.
Spent the evening walking around town near hotel, saw "famous food street"; cooking booths mounted on three wheel cycles lined up side by side cooking and selling unusual Chinese food-crickets, scorpions, sparrows, assorted bugs plus regulars like corn and vegetables-only observed and "smelled."
By contrast one block down a "Times Square", bright modern shopping area, street closed to traffic, multi story shopping mall, McDonald, Pizza Hut, and even a "Popeye's" fried chicken. For real-biggest one I've ever seen-two story. Ate a 2 piece with biscuit.
Returned to hotel coffee shop for pie and coffee and visited with Steve and Melonie concerning the incredible testimonies of the brothers and sisters we had heard.
Also discussed the contrast of modern Beijing with what we haven't seen,but know to be true-poverty and hard life of the average Chinese and the present suffering of the Family Church in China. Many are still being imprisoned for their faith.
