Mission Trip to Asia 2007, VBS 2008, VBS 2009, VBS 2010, Mission Trip 2011, VBS 2012

August 1st:  Our trip to China was anxiously anticipated.  We had an hour and a half travel time in a comfortable train.  We were looking forward to seeing the "real" China in contrast to Hong Kong.  Hong Kong is very developed and is very dense.  Lights and life is evident up to the wee hours of the morning.  Public transportation is readily available and people tolerate the body-to-body busyness.  Traffic laws are respected and the courteous manners are portrayed by the drivers.  Generally speaking, the public system in Hong Kong runs smoothly.

As we were approaching the border of Hong Kong, New Territories and China, my heart became uneasy...for the unknown.  I had my stereotypical ideas about China.  As we crossed the border, I saw barbed wire fences, gates, and security symbols.  My whole demeanor changed as we passed a national policeman in his olive uniform contrasted with red insignias.

The intent of our visit to China is to be exposed to the Chinese people in their everyday life; to understand them, to walk the streets and "feel" them.  We witnessed the sharp contrast between Hong Kong and China.  The elaborate city lights, the high fashion, the massive public transportation, the orderly traffic were drastically changed as we crossed the border.  Pollution and poverty became more evident.  The sadness came as I realized that the churches are not as common, not as free to worship.  There are many beautiful architecture styles of the buildings, old and new.  But not one sign of Christianity or religion (idol worshipping, maybe.  There was a block of shops selling memorabilias about people they adore from sports figures to movie actors).

We walked along the streets as we did in Victoria Park.  We prayed specifically about the people of Guangzhou, the city we visited just north of the border.  The city is modern in many ways, which was a big change from the countryside.  Many people use their bicycles as a form of transportation; and they are fearless!  The traffic laws are obeyed to a certain degree.  The rest, just make sure you don't hit anyone or get into an accident. 

I was surprised, to my chagrin, to experience the friendliness of the Chinese people we've encountered.  My thoughts of Communist China, the rigidity of its philosophy, the fear imposed by its government, were taken away by God's peace as we prayed for them.  I am thankful that the Hartwicks always plan these prayer walks with the groups they work with to expose us to  the people we are praying for...right where they are and not from a distance.  How easy is it to pray for someone from the comforts of our own homes but not understand them!  How easy is it to criticize or how do we encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ if "we have not walked in their shoes?"

Another thought came to mind.  Sometimes I have a hard time praying to God to send someone to a particular part of the world so people will hear the gospel.  Now I understand that fear because God may burden you and you may be the answer to that prayer.  But because I have obeyed God's call to do our part in this mission trip, I am confident that when I pray, asking for God's grace on these people, He will send someone.  It may be me or someone else.  But I know I have to pray; I know I have to do my part wherever I am; I know I have to obey.

As I reflect on my experiences here in Asia, I can never express our gratitude for your financial support.  But most importantly, we could not have done this without your prayers.  I understand and appreciate that more now than ever.  I have seen God's hand in what we're doing and I know nothing could have been accomplish without prayer.  Thank you.  To God be the glory.  Your continued prayers are appreciated as we make our final plans to come home.

Please pray for the ministeries that are still going on: HBC, ICM, the churches and people we've ministered to in the Philippines.

August 2nd:  We had the opportunity to visit the largest sitting Buddha in the world.  I wanted to visit a temple and the Hartwicks took us to Lantau Island.  It was an amazing sight to see this statue from a distance since it was the prominent object in the area.  As we approached the statue, I was amazed at the size of the statue and the number of steps we needed to climb.  There were about 300 steps.  It was also amazing to see the number of people that were there (either visiting or going there to worship).    As we toured the "visitor's" area, we saw what Satan has done and how he blinded these people (2 Corinthians 4:3-5).  Worshippers come and pay homage to the spirit of Buddha's teachings.  Some pay money to bury the ashes of their beloved in this site. 

Then we visited the temple where the monks worship.  It was amazing to see the offerings to the different gods to apease them.  Many buy "sacraments" or sacrifices and burn them in big incense pots.  They would bow down and pray in front of them.  The saddest part is when we saw children and adults kneeling down in front of these idols, praying, crying, and very sincere in their worship.  We heard the reading of the prayers while the monks lead the group.  We saw parents and grandparents teaching their children/grandchildren what they need to do as they prayed and worshiped.  In the middle of the temple are stores selling materials for worship and tourists taking pictures.  I was surprised at the commercialism of the temple.

Several thoughts came to mind.  These people believe this is the right way to heaven; to know God.  They grew up in this culture which influenced their thinking.  How hard it must be to see or understand another belief...in our case, Biblical Christianity.  Do all of them that grow up in this culture believe this way?  What about the people who live in a "Christian" culture?  Will they eventually become saved?  This brings me back to the subject of God's grace.  Only through Him would one know, understand, and believe (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 2:5).  God will work out His perfect will.  Our responsibility is to share the gospel.  The rest, I don't have to worry about.

Being in the field gave me a better understanding and a greater burden for the lost.  It was overwhelming to see the need especially knowing my limitations.  Again, I am reminded.  It is God, not me.  God is in control.  God will save (1 Corintians 3:6-7).

August 4th:  It's been good to be able to sleep in our beds, taking showers in our regular bathrooms, cooking in our kitchen, driving, just doing our normal things.  It's hard to believe that our summer ministry has come to an end.  But as we reflect about what God has done and the experiences we've had (especially looking at hundreds of pictures), the thought always comes back to us..."God is good."  At the same time, we know that God will continue to bless the ministry in Asia.  We are looking forward to hearing what God will be doing in the ministry and in the lives of the people we were able to be a part of this summer.

What a blessing it is to our family ministering and partnering with you.  We have felt God's power through your prayers.  We know that many of you have prayed for us.  You have expressed it to us.  We thank you.  Thank you also for the many encouragements you have communicated to us. 

When we arrived at the airport, we were met by Cassie's parents.  What a joyful sight!  We couldn't stop talking, at least Cass and Mikaela =)  When we arrived home, we were met by my brother Jon, his wife Danette, and my nephews Jaden, Noah, Micah and niece Shaylin.  The smiling faces and the warm embraces were very welcoming.  We were surprised by my brother-in-law Jarrod and his wife Julie and my niece Olivia.  What a reunion!  It is so good to see family.  We are looking forward to reunite with our "family" both in church and school. 

As we are getting over our jet lag and being acclimated again to our normal schedules, we will be adding our final updates within the next couple of weeks.  We are very excited to share everything that God has done in our lives, how God has used us, how God's name was glorified through our partnership.