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We arrived at SEATAC at 5:05 am this morning, Sunday, June 1. It was a smooth, uneventful trip and all of us were able to get some sleep as we flew.  Leaving Beijing required three separate TSA type screenings and one major pat down. I got an opportunity to share the Gospel with a Chinese national on the plane. He was coming to complete his MBA in LA. He said he had no faith but had a girlfriend who is a Christian. I prayed out loud, with his permission, that God would reveal Himself very clearly to him and that he would soon have no more fears about what happens after death.

The Peking duck experience on Saturday night was delightful. People there said that Beijing is the best place in the world to get Peking duck.  After the meal we spent time praying for a young Chinese Korean professional woman who desires to know what God desires for her over the coming years.

One correction we need to make regarding the BBC video clip that many of you watched is that the students at PUST are not necessarily from elite families as it states, but rather they are elite students--very high academic records-- that have had to prove themselves on entrance exams. Some are from elite families but many are from families of various backgrounds including farming.

Thanks to Marla for fleshing out the brief emails that I sent from Beijing, writing the blog entries, due to the fact that I was unable to access this blog from there. I am going to try to add some pictures to the older posts over the next day or so and possibly more details about parts of our trip that have not been covered in the previous entries, so don't forget to check back.

Thanks for your effective prayers.

LEAVING FOR AIRPORT...

...right now!

LAST NIGHT

Rich reports a great meal last night in Beijing at the home of Eric, their guide, and a fun time with his kids and parents who all enjoyed seeing some of his Gospel illusions.  This is the last post from the team before they arrive home as they leave today (Sunday for them) and arrive here early tomorrow morning before they even left there.  Go figure :)

BACK IN BEIJING

Professors at the University of Science and Technology in Pyongyang thanked the team many times for coming.  Each of the 4 men connected with several.  God is working in many ways to open doors for Christians to connect with common people and leaders as well. There will be more to share about these things when the team returns.

After a short night of sleep back in Beijing, they left at 7 a.m. for The Great Wall .  Their amazing wall experience included a great talk with their guide, Eric, learning much about China and what the Chinese think of Americans.

Later in the day they visited a house church, another learning experience.  A Peking duck dinner and prayer with some Christians was planned for evening.

Thank you for all your prayers for this team. God has heard and answered.  Prayers for getting through the airport and flight home early Sunday morning are appreciated also.

SAFE!

Rich just sent word that the team is safely back in Beijing!  As it is late at night for them, for now he wrote just a brief message about their experiences in Pyongyang:

"God is doing amazing things in North Korea.  Doors are opening.  Professors are exceptional, humble and dedicated.  Prayed with and shared encouragement with several."

He promised to write more "tomorrow."  So stay tuned :)

TRAVEL REQUESTS

Rich has asked for your prayers for leaving the Beijing airport, officials, baggage, etc. as well as arriving in Pyongyang airport, customs, etc. Praise for his feet being better as he got up Monday their time after a marathon day yesterday.  He adds that the Chinese Koreans mentioned in the last post were all leaders in hse churches.

TO NK NEXT

Rich says they visited Tiananmen Square and saw the temple of heaven, walking 6-7 miles for several hours.  They shared testimonies and prayed for 7 Chinese Korean adults and 2 children for many hours.  Everyone is in good health with no major jet lag, so that is a big praise.  They will arrive in NK at midnight tonight (Sunday) our time.  Please pray for a meeting with NK government officials and for their connection with professors at the university.

BEIJING SHARING AND PRAYING

The 4 team members spent the whole day today sharing with and praying for 7 Christian leaders, all about 30 yrs. old.  They enjoyed a good lunch at a Chinese food  restaurant.  Jet lag wasn't a problem until after their ministry time ended.  Their access to this blog seems to be blocked, so I'm posting for them from Rich's email.

IN BEIJING

Unfortunately, Rich is not able to access the blog, but he's shared with me that the flight went well with no problems getting through customs.  They were met at the airport and taken to a clean, nice room with air conditioning for the night.  Today a housechurch visit was scheduled.  Jet lag is no problem so far.  Rich apologizes for the lack of pictures.  He says thanks for praying.  Marla

Itinerary & The International Date Line

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-25945931

The link above is to a BBC video clip of the university in N Korea that we will be visiting.  This is part of an amazing story of how God is working in this dark country.

Steve, Don and I leave in an airport shuttle tomorrow, Thursday the 22nd, at about 3 pm.  Our flight on Delta, direct from SeaTac to Beijing, leaves at 7:18 pm and arrives about 12 hours later at 10:05 pm,  Beijing time on Friday.  Crossing the International Date Line is interesting. Dayoung will meet us at the airport there, having arrived from S Korea just 4 hours ahead of us.

We will be involved in ministry in Beijing on Saturday and Sunday, leaving for Pyongyang, NK on Monday morning.  Only God knows at this time what events will take place over those next 4 days but we are excited to find out what they are.

On Friday morning we fly back to Beijing for more ministry there with brothers and sisters. Then at 8:55 am on Sunday, June 1, we leave to return home, Lord willing.  We should arrive at about 5:30 am on that same morning. What a time travel experience to arrive over two hours before we left!

Thanks for praying!
Rich for Don, Steve and Dayoung

One week until arrival.

Thanks for praying.  It is now 7:05 am PDT, Friday, here in Edmonds, but 10:05 pm Friday night in Beijing. One week from today at this time, Steve, Don and I should be touching down at the Beijing Capital Airport. We will meet Dayoung, our team leader, who will have arrived from Seoul a few hours earlier, after we get through customs and receive our 72 hour visa for China.

Three days ago we learned that we have been awarded visas for N. Korea. This was a long process that included much paperwork and contacts with the Swedish consulate at the UN building in NY.

Packing is basically done, tickets purchased, visas now awarded, and much prayer already sent to our Father. This Sunday at CCF, Don and I will be invited to come forward for prayer at the end of the morning worship service, following a short video clip of the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, PUST.

Please pray for health, favor with officials upon arrival, arrival of luggage, miraculous healing of jetlag (we begin ministry with some Christian businessmen on Saturday morning), and hearts ready to serve in whatever way God calls.
Thanks,
Rich

Getting ready.

Dear Friends,

You found me.  If you are here, you probably read my prayer letter. I do not have any new details today but hope to update this site as more info becomes available. While overseas I will update with requests and even pictures if possible. I do not believe that I will be able to add anything during my time in NK.  Thanks for your commitment to pray. Let me know you are praying by becoming a follower of this blog.

Rich