The Lord really moved! The church retreat for LIFT, the 20s and 30s community at Evangelical Church of Bangkok was a great experience. I won't forget it. I was priviledged to play a part in it. There were about 36 young people who attended. We learned about how to grow deeper in faith by following the Christian disciplines. We talked about more than prayer, fasting and Bible study. We talked about the cost of discipleship: dying to ourselves. We have to give Christ everything: heart, soul, mind and strength. I feel energized. I want to do more and be a better witness of the love of Jesus Christ and the hope that lives in me.
The highlight of the retreat for me was that a friend accepted the Lord. Ice and I talked about what it means to be a Christian, and then she made the decision. Tan and I have been praying for her for a long time. We are so happy that she has decided to claim Jesus as her Lord and Savior. This is not easy to say in a country where about 98 percent of the people claim to be Buddhist. Please keep Ice in your prayers. It will not be easy, but it will certainly be better. Please keep all Thai Christians in your prayers. In a sense, they are foreigners even in their own country.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Thursday, October 20, 2005
World Series!
I can't believe it! I remember when the Houston
Astros were called the "LASTros" cause they were
always the worst in their division. Maybe it's time
for them to win the Series.
I'm going on a church retreat this weekend. I've been
helping organize it. We'll be talking about spiritual
disciplines and how to grow deeper in Christian faith.
Please pray for us. There will be about 40 young
adults attending the retreat for three days.
Love,
Steve
__________________________________
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Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Chinese Acrobat Show
The Chinese Acrobat Show was the most impressive thing I have ever seen! They kept doing things which are impossible until you see them happen with your own eyes. The show started with young women spinning tops on strings. The tossed them in the air and kept them spinning. Then they flipped and caught them. They jumped on top of each other and caught them. They passed them to each other very quickly.
The next act was two young men doing tricks with pots. They balanced them skillfully. They dropped one on purpose to show how heavy it was. Then one of them would throw it up and catch on it his back and then on his head. Then he balanced it for a long time.
After that a man and woman suspended themselves by tying a ribbon around them that was hanging from the ceiling. They flew around the stage doing amazing tricks.
Then a contortionist came onto the stage. She did a headstand while balancing burning candles that girls put on her. Then there was a juggler who was very good. He also walked up and down stairs bouncing balls on each step. He had six going at once at the end.
The most impressive act was a man who balanced on a board on top of a cylinder. He did handstands and flips before landing on the board again. Then he put another cylinder under the board. Then he put another. He ended up with four of them. Then he put the board on top. Then he balanced and rotated the board around 360 degrees. That was incredible! I would watch it again if I get a chance.
The next act was two young men doing tricks with pots. They balanced them skillfully. They dropped one on purpose to show how heavy it was. Then one of them would throw it up and catch on it his back and then on his head. Then he balanced it for a long time.
After that a man and woman suspended themselves by tying a ribbon around them that was hanging from the ceiling. They flew around the stage doing amazing tricks.
Then a contortionist came onto the stage. She did a headstand while balancing burning candles that girls put on her. Then there was a juggler who was very good. He also walked up and down stairs bouncing balls on each step. He had six going at once at the end.
The most impressive act was a man who balanced on a board on top of a cylinder. He did handstands and flips before landing on the board again. Then he put another cylinder under the board. Then he put another. He ended up with four of them. Then he put the board on top. Then he balanced and rotated the board around 360 degrees. That was incredible! I would watch it again if I get a chance.
Bejing Food
We ate like kings on our tour. Every lunch and dinner we sat around a table with a “lazy Susan” that was filled with delicious food. We tried Beijing (Peking) duck several times at different places. It was the best duck I’ve ever had. The meat was so juicy. It reminded me of ribs back home in Texas. Another time it was served with rice paper and thick black sauce that poured like molasses. You put what you want inside the rice paper and make something like a taco. We also had pork in green bell peppers, nuts with chicken, three kinds of mushrooms with spicy red peppers, bacon with tofu, asparagus and lots of vegetables and more. This was for one meal. One of my surprising favorites was fried eggplant stuffed with pork.
We also had Coke, Yanjing beer, and sometimes rice wine. Rice wine is more for cooking than drinking. It was awful when I tried it. It burns and has no taste. Will, a father who came on the tour, called it rocket fuel.
While we were eating, it was funny sometimes because someone would turn the wheel while someone else was trying to get their food with chopsticks. We each had to learn quickly how to master chopsticks. Luckily, Will was from Hong Kong, and he taught us how to use them. But it was still a bit difficult. Sometimes food you wanted kept going past you. If Caleb, Stephanie, Jaron and I had eaten with just Chinese people, maybe we wouldn’t have gotten to eat anything. All of us dropped something at every meal without fail. It was funny and frustrating. I was getting the hang of it by the end. I developed my own method of holding them, and it worked for me.
We also had Coke, Yanjing beer, and sometimes rice wine. Rice wine is more for cooking than drinking. It was awful when I tried it. It burns and has no taste. Will, a father who came on the tour, called it rocket fuel.
While we were eating, it was funny sometimes because someone would turn the wheel while someone else was trying to get their food with chopsticks. We each had to learn quickly how to master chopsticks. Luckily, Will was from Hong Kong, and he taught us how to use them. But it was still a bit difficult. Sometimes food you wanted kept going past you. If Caleb, Stephanie, Jaron and I had eaten with just Chinese people, maybe we wouldn’t have gotten to eat anything. All of us dropped something at every meal without fail. It was funny and frustrating. I was getting the hang of it by the end. I developed my own method of holding them, and it worked for me.
The Lama Temple
The Lama Temple is Beijing’s largest temple. Numerous Tibetan monks once lived there. But I only saw a few black robed monks with yellow belts. Emperor Quianlong devised a clerical system that used the Lama temple and another one in Lhasa to determine the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama, respectively. The Dalai Lama is believed to be the reincarnation of Buddha by Tibetan (Lama) Buddhists. This was a useful way to control the Tibetan people. The current Dalai Lama lives in exile.
I’ve seen countless temples in Thailand, but this was different in a striking way. Our tour guide from Thailand said Feng Shui was used to design the temple. It was divided between buildings and large public squares. There is a balance, like yin and yang, between outside and inside areas. She also told me this allows the seasons to change the look and atmosphere of the temple. Nature was an integral part of their religious practices.
As in Thailand, there were many Buddhists who came to burn incense. But at this temple they had to do it outside. The Lama Temple had many interesting statues that looked different than those found in Thai temples. Besides the portly, happy Buddha there were statues that had multiple arms and various expressions. No one explained their meaning to me. Some statues showed Buddha at different stages: past, present and future. There were also guardian statues that had long beards and a fresco of the Buddhist paradise. In one of the last rooms there was an 18 meter high statue of Buddha clothed with yellow satin. A sign said it was carved from a single block of sandalwood. Photography was restricted inside the buildings, but I managed to take a few anyway. Click “My Travel Photos” link on the right to see them. (Much of this information comes from Lonely Planet’s Beijing City Guide.)
I’ve seen countless temples in Thailand, but this was different in a striking way. Our tour guide from Thailand said Feng Shui was used to design the temple. It was divided between buildings and large public squares. There is a balance, like yin and yang, between outside and inside areas. She also told me this allows the seasons to change the look and atmosphere of the temple. Nature was an integral part of their religious practices.
As in Thailand, there were many Buddhists who came to burn incense. But at this temple they had to do it outside. The Lama Temple had many interesting statues that looked different than those found in Thai temples. Besides the portly, happy Buddha there were statues that had multiple arms and various expressions. No one explained their meaning to me. Some statues showed Buddha at different stages: past, present and future. There were also guardian statues that had long beards and a fresco of the Buddhist paradise. In one of the last rooms there was an 18 meter high statue of Buddha clothed with yellow satin. A sign said it was carved from a single block of sandalwood. Photography was restricted inside the buildings, but I managed to take a few anyway. Click “My Travel Photos” link on the right to see them. (Much of this information comes from Lonely Planet’s Beijing City Guide.)
Beijing Trip Summary and Reflections on China
Here is a quick summary of what I did on my trip to Beijing:
On day one (Friday, 7 October 2005) the tour group left at 1 am from Bangkok on a Air China flight. We arrived in Beijing around 7 am local time. Beijing time is one hour ahead of Bangkok time. We went to Lama temple. Then we ate lunch. Then most of us took a nap. Then we saw an acrobat show. On day two we went to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. On day three we went to The Great Wall, a Chinese Traditional medicine company, a Jade company, Dr. Tea company, and shopping at Wangfajing walking market. On day four we went to the Temple of Heaven and its park. Then I met Chris Johnson at lunch. He’s a friend of mine who teaches English an hour away from Beijing. We then went to a pearl company. Then we went shopping again for three hours. After that we had dinner. Then two of my friends left to catch a train to Shanghai. The rest of us went to the airport. I got back to Bangkok at 1 am local time on Tuesday.
Before I give more details I want to write some of my thoughts and questions about China.
Is China a country forgetting its past as it creates its future?
I’ve wondered how much contemporary China has preserved from its ancient past. China was once mainly Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist. Nearly all of that is gone. My tour guide and other people who have been to China told me it is an amoral society. It could be because of communism or Maoism. Mao Zedong (sometimes spelled Mao Tse Tung) came to power in 1914 (I need to check this date). The Cultural Revolution wiped away many intellectuals and traditions of the past. The cultural change also could be attributed to the economic boom.
How will communism and capitalism mix in the capital of China?
"Socialism with Chinese characteristics" is the phrase many scholars use to describe China's political and economic model. It doesn't fit into any category exactly. Communism in theory means everyone is equal in terms of their standard of living. China is surely not that today and never really was. But certainly it has many institutions controlled by the government. Deng Xiaoping led reforms to privatise many of these. In Beijing the system seems to be working well. The city looks modern. The government seems to be firmly in control of society, yet most are prosperous. Of course there were still beggars in the city. But overall, Beijing looked impressive and poised to host the 2008 olympics.
Will I witness any public government crackdown on dissent? Will I feel watched?
I only saw a few minor conflicts. A cop chased some young men who were passing out advertisements printed on small cards. A man in Tianaman square shouted at cops and pounded his hand against a van parked in the square. A crowd was forming to watch but I didn't see what happened because the cops motioned for us to disperse.
All tours to Tiananman are required to be filmed. I don't know if this is because they are used to identify foreigners or if it is simply to pressure tourists to buy the video. I didn't try to test the government and find out how much I could do.
Chinese Economy
Many economists predict China could have the largest economy in the world by 2020. Meanwhile, America has a huge trading deficit with China. Obviously, America’s status as a world-superpower is being challenged.
The China Yuan Renminibi or RMB is the most widely used currency. Currently, the exchange rate is 1 US dollar to 8 RMB. (1 USD is equal to 8 Hong Kong dollars.) The RMB has only recently been changed so that it is not pegged to the dollar. American economists have been complaining that the Yuan is still too low in value. They also say it creates an unfair advantage in the global economy. Chinese labor is very cheap because there are so many Chinese workers and the government has not allowed unions or forced companies to raise workers’ salaries very much. As a result products are usually cheaper as well.
Beijing certainly looked like a booming metropolis. My first major impression of Beijing was how big everything was. The roads, skyscrapers, malls, temples, and parks are huge. Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest public square according to a Lonely Planet guidebook.
I read an article from Reuters. It said that China has the seventh biggest and the fastest growing economy. Experts warn that inequality in China is a major problem for the future. If China is to maintain its economic boom it will need to spread the wealth. Protests and mass discontent could stop economic growth and also topple the Chinese Communist government. The Chinese government recently approved a five year economic plan to address the problem.
Beijing and Bangkok
I could not avoid drawing comparisons between the two capitals. Beijing is much cooler in October. I’m glad I brought a long sleeve shirt that I have worn on only a couple of trips to Northern Thailand. Beijing is better organized. The traffic was much better. The whole time I was there I didn’t experience any traffic jams like the traffic nightmares in Bangkok. Many people riding bicycles there. I only saw a few motorbikes and Chinese “tuk-tuks.” Tuk-tuks in Thailand are motorbikes with carriages attached. The Chinese ones are thinner and less noisy.
There were also less street vendors. Some guys sold apples that were very dry and bland. One stall by a large shopping mall sold caramelized fruit. I spotted some stalls in a back alley selling things like squid on a stick. In the same alley there was a vendor of pirated DVDs. They were even cheaper than Bangkok.
Here are some quick facts about Beijing below.
Population: 13.8 million
Number of cars: 2 million
Number of taxis: 63,000
Number of high rise buildings: 2000+
Expat population: 50,000
Information from the Lonely Planet Beijing City Guide.
On day one (Friday, 7 October 2005) the tour group left at 1 am from Bangkok on a Air China flight. We arrived in Beijing around 7 am local time. Beijing time is one hour ahead of Bangkok time. We went to Lama temple. Then we ate lunch. Then most of us took a nap. Then we saw an acrobat show. On day two we went to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. On day three we went to The Great Wall, a Chinese Traditional medicine company, a Jade company, Dr. Tea company, and shopping at Wangfajing walking market. On day four we went to the Temple of Heaven and its park. Then I met Chris Johnson at lunch. He’s a friend of mine who teaches English an hour away from Beijing. We then went to a pearl company. Then we went shopping again for three hours. After that we had dinner. Then two of my friends left to catch a train to Shanghai. The rest of us went to the airport. I got back to Bangkok at 1 am local time on Tuesday.
Before I give more details I want to write some of my thoughts and questions about China.
Is China a country forgetting its past as it creates its future?
I’ve wondered how much contemporary China has preserved from its ancient past. China was once mainly Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist. Nearly all of that is gone. My tour guide and other people who have been to China told me it is an amoral society. It could be because of communism or Maoism. Mao Zedong (sometimes spelled Mao Tse Tung) came to power in 1914 (I need to check this date). The Cultural Revolution wiped away many intellectuals and traditions of the past. The cultural change also could be attributed to the economic boom.
How will communism and capitalism mix in the capital of China?
"Socialism with Chinese characteristics" is the phrase many scholars use to describe China's political and economic model. It doesn't fit into any category exactly. Communism in theory means everyone is equal in terms of their standard of living. China is surely not that today and never really was. But certainly it has many institutions controlled by the government. Deng Xiaoping led reforms to privatise many of these. In Beijing the system seems to be working well. The city looks modern. The government seems to be firmly in control of society, yet most are prosperous. Of course there were still beggars in the city. But overall, Beijing looked impressive and poised to host the 2008 olympics.
Will I witness any public government crackdown on dissent? Will I feel watched?
I only saw a few minor conflicts. A cop chased some young men who were passing out advertisements printed on small cards. A man in Tianaman square shouted at cops and pounded his hand against a van parked in the square. A crowd was forming to watch but I didn't see what happened because the cops motioned for us to disperse.
All tours to Tiananman are required to be filmed. I don't know if this is because they are used to identify foreigners or if it is simply to pressure tourists to buy the video. I didn't try to test the government and find out how much I could do.
Chinese Economy
Many economists predict China could have the largest economy in the world by 2020. Meanwhile, America has a huge trading deficit with China. Obviously, America’s status as a world-superpower is being challenged.
The China Yuan Renminibi or RMB is the most widely used currency. Currently, the exchange rate is 1 US dollar to 8 RMB. (1 USD is equal to 8 Hong Kong dollars.) The RMB has only recently been changed so that it is not pegged to the dollar. American economists have been complaining that the Yuan is still too low in value. They also say it creates an unfair advantage in the global economy. Chinese labor is very cheap because there are so many Chinese workers and the government has not allowed unions or forced companies to raise workers’ salaries very much. As a result products are usually cheaper as well.
Beijing certainly looked like a booming metropolis. My first major impression of Beijing was how big everything was. The roads, skyscrapers, malls, temples, and parks are huge. Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest public square according to a Lonely Planet guidebook.
I read an article from Reuters. It said that China has the seventh biggest and the fastest growing economy. Experts warn that inequality in China is a major problem for the future. If China is to maintain its economic boom it will need to spread the wealth. Protests and mass discontent could stop economic growth and also topple the Chinese Communist government. The Chinese government recently approved a five year economic plan to address the problem.
Beijing and Bangkok
I could not avoid drawing comparisons between the two capitals. Beijing is much cooler in October. I’m glad I brought a long sleeve shirt that I have worn on only a couple of trips to Northern Thailand. Beijing is better organized. The traffic was much better. The whole time I was there I didn’t experience any traffic jams like the traffic nightmares in Bangkok. Many people riding bicycles there. I only saw a few motorbikes and Chinese “tuk-tuks.” Tuk-tuks in Thailand are motorbikes with carriages attached. The Chinese ones are thinner and less noisy.
There were also less street vendors. Some guys sold apples that were very dry and bland. One stall by a large shopping mall sold caramelized fruit. I spotted some stalls in a back alley selling things like squid on a stick. In the same alley there was a vendor of pirated DVDs. They were even cheaper than Bangkok.
Here are some quick facts about Beijing below.
Population: 13.8 million
Number of cars: 2 million
Number of taxis: 63,000
Number of high rise buildings: 2000+
Expat population: 50,000
Information from the Lonely Planet Beijing City Guide.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
I'm back from China
I got back in Bangkok at 1am local time. I'll write about the trip soon. I took lots of pictures as well. Take care.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Blah blah blah
Thank you for your birthday wishes. I had an excellent birthday. I don't feel much older. I think it will be a big deal when I turn 30. I'm excited because one of my friends, Chris Johnson (Melody Gantt's brother), will be in Beijing when I visit, so I'll probably get to meet him while I'm on my tour. I'm no longer planning to go to Cambodia this month. I will probably work at an English camp when I get back from China.
I have recorded some songs on my computer with my guitar. I'll put them on my website if you want to check them out. Take care.
I have recorded some songs on my computer with my guitar. I'll put them on my website if you want to check them out. Take care.
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