2010 Central China Trip Part 2 |
|
Hello Partners, Pt 2—Lets go to Central China! Rain, snow, sleet or hail, nothing stops our…Faith to the Nations (FTTN) Team!!! After several days of border crossings, restocking the storehouse with hundreds of teaching books and Bibles, the team loaded them into bags for the long train ride to Chengdu. The team left Hong Kong after our Faith Family Church baptism and barbecue, then travelled to Guangzhou, arriving at their hotel at 2am. After 4 hours of sleep, they were up again and on the way to the train station. The team received an early morning shocker as they entered the train station and were confronted with a gauntlet of Security Police—some armed with automatic weapons—and looking very Grim! Steve said he’d never seen this much security at any train station before. He said he found out later that the G20 meetings, the Asian games, and the anniversary of one of the atrocities committed by the Japanese during WWII, all happening at this time, had the Chinese government on edge. …they weren’t the only ones on edge!!! The team made it safely into the train station with their 500 lbs. of Christian material and waited eagerly to board the train. Then suddenly, almost like the start of a 400m race, someone blows a whistle—and they’re off! The team races up and down stairs and walkways to their train car, “Show’em your ticket”… And at last…you’ve made it!...Now get comfortable for the 30 hour train trip… Arriving in Chengdu the team reverses its entry strategy, to an escape plan. Racing through more throngs of Chinese, up and down ramps and stairs, the team emerges into a swarm of couriers, travelers, and police. Steve, as inconspicuously as possible (although at 6’4”, was not very successful at being completely stealth), connects with our Chinese contact. A few introductions and… Let’s Get Rid Of This Stuff!!!...the van pulls up…60 seconds loading…We’re Outta Here!!! As always, what would a trip to Chengdu be without visiting the Panda Bear Research Center…Hmmm… On our last day, the team travelled to Mianyang to visit and encourage Brother Aaron and his family and their growing ministry. First, their team shared testimonies of how they’ve been reaching the people in Mianyang and how miracles and healings have occurred when they prayed for the people. Then Steve shared (and preached) to the many young laborers now helping Aaron. He encouraged them to be faithful to their calling, and to persevere—especially in hardship! It seems that every time we visit, Aaron and his wife have added another member to the family. This is their most recent addition, Elly, now one of three brothers and sisters (see middle picture below). We showered them with gifts and supplies that cannot be purchased in China (most of them brought by the team from Atlanta). Then we all squeezed together for one more picture. Why do all that work, carrying heavy loads of materials, enduring long train trips, eating strange food? …because there’s over one billion people who’ve never heard the Gospel, most not even once— Who’s Going to Tell Them???...
The team returned to Hong Kong via Chengdu Int. Airport (picture below, on left)—and due to flight delays got to bed at 2am. But bright and early the next morning, team is off again... Led by, “I was once a lowly satanist priest, but now—I’m The Man,” brother Edwin, and “HK Fashion Authority”—our son Naiah, the team heads to the Hong Kong waterfront… …and encounters a formal Chinese wedding party amidst a photo shoot… Not to be out done, they compose a chic photo shoot of their own… Later, arriving at The Peak, (a famous attraction overlooking the city on the HK side of the harbor) the team encountered a new sight, the new International Commerce Center that people are now calling “the Golden Building,” glowing like a golden beacon. The ICC tower is now the 4th tallest building in the world, and it was recently discovered that in the winter solstice, the setting sun reflects perfectly off the building for all on HK island to marvel…(picture below, Fischer children, Jael, Naiah, and Jasmine) Christmas is now in full swing and the newly revealed decorations have cameras—and iPhones—clicking away… We say thanks to the team from Atlanta; and from Hong Kong, the Fischer family wishes wish you all a joyous Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
We love and appreciate you so much, and consider ourselves an extension of you here, |
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
