We began our journey in HONG KONG. All I can say is think NEW YORK CITY and then think even bigger. Welcome to HONG KONG. English everywhere, even the local paper was English. Why? HK used to be British ruled until the year 2000. It was easy to get around, and it felt like I was on vacation…it was quite a site. Tunnels underground that were filled with 5 star shopping. And above ground, much the same. As a matter of fact, every space has 5 star shopping. People are very wealthy and HK has the most millionaires per capita in the world. Simply amazing. Enoy the pics.

It was so bizarre and reality hit as we cleared customs into mainland CHINA. You know you are in a different country RIGHT AWAY. Different country? Yes…the first thing I noticed was NO ENGLISH and unlike HK where people spoke decent English, not here. Barely any signs were in English, where in HK, they were barely in Chinese! It was mainly English! The SECURITY was very tight and plentiful, unlike the looser standards in HK.

You also have to understand that there are 2 China’s, just like the USA. You can go to the best of times or the worst of times. My parents live of course in the best of times. As Americans they live in luxury (for Chinese standards). Starting with the picture where I marked the caption are some photos of where my parents live. I will be leaving the compound for a glimpse of some of the “Real China” tomorrow and will give you some updates as to what that is like.

This place is amazing. But most live on a seriously meager wage that you would find appalling. I will be getting a massage for 2 hours later this week for $7.50! That is ridiculous. And to give them a $10 and walk out would get the worker in much trouble. Check out the pic where there was a guy sitting on the window out my parent’s bedroom fixing their air. Notice how high he is…at least he had a rope holding him on, but are you kidding me? And for like $10 a day wage? You read right.

I have had several conversations with English speaking Chinese. They are some of the friendliest, most welcoming people I have ever met. I am working on how to talk about “the church” into the conversation. Pray for Steven, Edwin, Jonathan and a man from Portugal, Joseph I have met so far. God is opening up very easy conversations and they all seem to speak ENGLISH. I would assume that the people living here have a high education.

We are adjusting to the time change slowly but surely…it hits in waves, but it has been fairly easy after day 1. The food in HK was great, the food here…let’s just call it way more traditional Chinese. My parents just smile at me when I ask about it. They know the few local spots that will work for us…it’s a great diet plan I guess!

Here is my takeaway so far:

I will post tomorrow on the FIRST JOURNEY OUTSIDE this amazing place where they live into some of the real CHINA. Please PRAY! I will be preaching at 2 different places this weekend. Pray for safety and protection. Pray that we will be able to draft some plans and dreams of how to partner beyond my Mom and Dad as I am not sure how long they will be here after their first commitment of 3 years. I want the seeds planted to last forever! Pray also for our health as I am still fighting a stomach bug…and that CHRISTIAN will stop spazzing out…he is FULL of LIFE!!

(Which he should be!) But to mimic the horse jumping course Olympics off the living room furniture was a bit much. Glad Dad was asleep…and yes, the Olympics is on live all the time, but in Chinese…so we just mute it and figure it out.