I have to give credit to my adventurous wife for accompanying me on this journey. So far three times we have had to endure bugs. All kinds of creatures: ants, caterpillars, salamanders – we can handle, but infestations of roaches, was not only surprising but unwelcome. I must have killed a dozen lives that night! Glad I’m not a buddhist. I’m thinking these creatures appeared after the fall of humanity and they will not be in heaven.

are just some of the adjectives I would use to describe district 5 of Vietnam. 24 hours ago, I would have written off this place. But God is directing our steps. Without knowing the area, we found ourselves worshipping with folks that just happened to be living 5 minutes from our nephew’s place in Vietnam. Considering he’s 1st generation Korean, who we didn’t think we’d see, I’d say God is speaking pretty loudly! Raise a Hallelujah!

I believe Benjamin Franklin coined the phrase, but it’s roots are in the word of God. Proverbs 31:15 tells us that a capable wife gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do. On our trip, our kids tell us they miss mom’s cooking. She has shown her love continuously by being so devout. Out here, we’re both getting up early, and enjoying the fullness of days. Spending time with God and his creation first thing before anything else allows a captive mind guided by the Spirit. Yesterday we walked to see the sunrise and spent the day touring the islands on the southern part of Thailand. Then just as quickly the sun had set! How fast the day goes by when it is devoid of TV, netflix, etc and filled with God’s goodness, all the things He created and called good.

We spent a day traveling to YWAM Bangkok and visiting with them. Once again, humbled to know that there are those who have answered the call to reach the 99%, who have yet to hear the gospel even once. We take the gospel so much for granted!

There’s a story in Scripture when Balaam and his donkey set forth on a journey, but God is actually blocking his path. We could have forced our original plans to be in Shanghai by taking a day out of the schedule, going to the Chinese embassy in LA and obtaining a visa, all the while losing thousands of dollars in the process or being surrendered to an alternate plan that led us to being in Thailand early. The alternate plan had us meeting Christian leaders not on the original schedule as well as attending an evangelism conference and participating in healing the sick. The first original plan was to walk the history of my grandfather. The second plan has been one where we are walking according to the Spirit of God.

fake Shanghai background as we pretty much have no touring time in China but transfer to Thailand earlier than expected

John 3:16, we know it so well! It’s not that God loves cities, it is God loves His creation, from the plants, to animals, to His favorite – people. God is showing us this world that He so loved, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life. As we travel around the world in 70 days, He is showing us His beautiful creation, connecting us to His people, and giving us an even greater heart for why He gave His Son. So many are caught up in endless cycles, their smiles fleeting, their joy being robbed, yet within each individual is the capacity to have this joy back, the joy of the Lord! The Sabbath was full of God’s joy as we worshipped with brothers and sisters in Christ in Bangkok, Thailand!

Our authority comes from God, not from human beings, not from our wealth, not from our backgrounds, our past, or our mistakes, but simply because God calls us as his apostles out to the world He so loves. Today we participated in an evangelism seminar and those who had ailments came forward and those who felt called to pray for them were also asked to come forward. An elderly man came forward and told me he had a pain in his leg that hindered his ability to walk. After praying for him, I commanded the demon that had afflicted this man with pain to leave, by the authority of Christ who by His stripes heals us. In seconds, the man was slain in the Spirit and God delivered him from his pain. Praise the Lord!

Tony Stark? No, though I can see glimpses of his opulence here. Thailand is an explosion for the eyes! I’ve been to many places, but never have I seen such incredible beauty in so many different ways! From the colors, to the attention to detail, to the smiles, hard work, and servanthood, we are blessed to be here. At the same time, there is an enormous poverty that is literally side by side anywhere you go. What makes a person smile? What makes them different, no matter what their income level? Why is one person gruff and another willing to share their time and care?

Imagine coming into the gates of heaven, you’re in line, you’re excited, the trip you’ve been planning is finally coming into fruition. You get to the ticket counter, you hand over your documents, you’re smiling, you’re told your baggage can go on for free. No charge. But wait … “do you have a visa?”

“A visa?” I replied. “My understanding is that a visa is not required for China, if I’m staying less than 72 hours in the country.” Response from the ticket agent: “that only applies if your flight is direct and involves one city – you have a stopover.”

Can you imagine the fine print in front of God? Huh? I wonder if this is how Moses felt when he looked at the promised land. “Really, I’m going to be denied entry.” Thanks be to God, that Moses wasn’t denied entry into the kingdom of heaven. Yet, I wonder how many will be. For there will be a separation of the goats and the sheep. And He will say to some, “away from me you evildoers, for I never knew you.”

So the first week was time to decompress and spend time with Pearl & David in VA and then Jackie in CA. I figured I’d start blogging after that. Well it’s now 3:23 am in the morning in Thailand. Wait! Weren’t you supposed to be in China at this time? As I said, the adventure begins! I’ll explain in due time, but for now, we are in a wonderful place and giving thanks to God for his wonderful provision. I almost don’t want to share and save this for a sermon illustration, but I’m telling you God provides!