ASIA DOWNLOAD - II

Day 6 - Into Shenzhen, China. Shenzhen is a city of over 12 million people - and the remarkable thing about it is ... 30 years ago it was only a fisherman's village. Today it is a city with skyscrapers that run for 30 miles down the coast. Amazing. That's a lot of concrete, trust me.

We had another 'dim sum' lunch while in Shenzhen, which is an amazing assortment of hors d'oevres type Chinese food served on a huge lazy susan at a round table. The game is to transfer the food from the lazy susan to your plate with a set of chopsticks before the food circles past you - no small feat, but a lot of fun. One of the highlights of lunch were these deep-friend shrimp, head and everything - on a long toothpick skewer. You just eat the whole crunchy thing, head and all. Guess what? I did. No problem.

We met a pastor of one of the home churches there in China. The Chinese Christians have a ton of passion for God. We would be jealous. The estimate is that most home churches in China - not endorsed by the government - have 20-30 people in each. Because of the size of the nation and the relative undercover arrangement of the house churches, it is impossible to know how many Christians are really in the country, but we KNOW it is growing, as does the government. In fact, Chinese 'missionaries' are taking over Africa and the Middle East. The word is that the U.S. has pretty much sealed its fate in the Middle East and the country that will send missionaries in to transform that part of the world for Christ is China. The Middle Eastern nations and Arab Northern Africa are embracing the nation of China (as end times predict) - but the GOOD NEWS is that they will also embrace the Chinese missionaries and they will make spectacular gains for Christ in those countries in the coming years. We have to help the Chinese get trained to do that, since our presence will be less welcoming in those places. It's still missions, just a new 'face' on it.

A very few of us on the trip met privately with a man -- (and I have to be careful what I say here) -- but he had been in prison for over 30 years and had been chained, bound and beaten for years -- all because he was a believer - no other reason. He had been released from jail and I cannot tell you how much joy he had. He counted it a privilege to suffer for the cause of Christ. His testimony made me emotional and he was such an example of what a true believer is. China is filled with such believers.

That evening we had some ministry at a certain place filled with young professional adults within China. They were eager to hear the Gospel and about subjects related to the Gospel. We spent about two hours ministering to them that night. Very powerful moments.

Day 7 - We went shopping in Shenzhen at the most 'brutal' market I have ever been to. The sellers there would not leave you alone - touching you, grabbing you, calling you over. My 'extreme height' didn't help me at all. I have been to other such markets in Mexico, India, Barbados and other places, but this took the cake by far.

In the evening, we got back to Hong Kong for our evening flight to Manila, the Phililppines. When we arrived late that night, the heat knocked me over. Ninety degrees at night - and steamy hot. WOW! My roomie for the rest of the trip was my friend, Sam Farina.

Day 8 - Ministry at THE LORD'S ASSEMBLY in Manila for me and Don and Rick. The rest of the crew split up and went to other churches. THE LORD'S ASSEMBLY is led by Pastor Peter, a great man of God. I spoke on "LOVING GOD WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH." It was a great morning of ministry for us all. Afterwards we went next door to a Chinese restaurant where we had a terrific meal, including that black fish I mentioned in the October 12th blog and some mango shakes. Delicious!

Day 8 - I discovered that California Pizza Kitchen, Chili's, Krispy Kreme, Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonald's all have 'homes' in Southeast Asia. Fun. We only ate at the FIRST one though. We had supper at CPK with Russ Tierney, head of the Asia A/G Missions Department. The rest of the afternoon Sam and I worked on our presentations for the Christian Businessman/Pastors' Conference in Manila coming up.

Days 9 & 10 - Christian Businessman's and Pastors' Conference in Manila -- The businessmen we brought with us from America ministered to the Filipino businessmen -- and then the pastors on the trip ministered to the Filipino pastors the following day. This, for me, was the highlight of the trip. I loved rubbing shoulders with these great pastors and felt that our ministry was well-received. We spoke on topics such as "Breaking the Poverty Mindset," "Dreaming Bigger than You Are," and "Fulfilling Your Life Purpose."

We met Pastor Ray Calusay, who leads a great church in Roxas City, the Philippines. He is the General Superintendent of the A/G Philippines and is a little spitfire of a man, full of the Holy Spirit, passion and faith - and what an awesome communicator! A great pleasure.

At lunch, we all broke up and sat at separate tables to help those pastors sitting with us develop their own Life Purpose Statement.

Day 11 - We visited the ASIA PACIFIC A/G HEADQUARTERS in Manila. Just down a couple of floors is Mike Williams, supported by our church for many years - who heads up ICI (International Correspondence Institute) in Manila. He toured us thru his office headquarters.

I wanted to buy Joelene a pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings while in Manila (famous for pearls). So I'm a hit at home right now.

On our final day, we toured Old Manila Fort, used before and during the Spanish American War by the Spaniards as a Dachau-style concentration and killing camp. What a way to END the trip, huh?

Hey - a couple of times, I even got to work out in one of the hotel gyms. So it didn't ALL go south for those 2 weeks. Most of it did, but not ALL of it.

All in all - it was an awesome life experience. Wouldn't have traded it for anything. Can't wait to go back someday.


P.S. -- If you are reading this, A.H., (you know who you are) - YES - I REALLY WAS IN CHINA. :)


And be blessed.