Taiwan!

 *Click photos to enlarge.

I spent my first week in Taiwan on the north end, visiting the capital of Taipei and surrounding area with Wayne and Chu Ren. Having heard about this country for years from Dellas Linaman and others, it is wonderful to see it myself. You can hear about a place, read about it, and see pictures of it, but these are nothing at all like being there. God's kingdom is the same, reality and joy only comes from entering in ourselves and I'm deeply thankful for Christ who has made it possible for us to have new life in such a wonderful place for our souls.

Taiwan is a lush green beautiful island. Steep jungle covered mountains rising out of the ocean, bustling fishing ports, sleepy country villages, and packed city streets in Taipei. The sights and sounds are all enhanced by the sweet smell of incense, bright tropical flowers, fresh mangoes, papayas and pineapples, and the tangy salt air of the sea.

The people here are warm and friendly, and have made me feel so welcome in every way. I love the hot climate, the night hours folks keep, with shops, restaurants, barbers and street vendors open until midnight or so, and the rich mix of color, smell and sound found in the tropics.

Yesterday I traveled to the south, and will spend this week on the bottom half of the island. I'll travel with Paul Chiu, Chin Sung and Chu Chin and am looking forward to visiting our friends, enjoying fellowship in Christ, and seeing more of this warm, gorgeous place where I feel so at home.

Hope this finds all well!

 

Dasvidania, Russia!

 *Click photos to supersize at no additional cost!

A few good folk in Russia have kindly pointed out that in my last post I greatly exaggerated the size of the potholes in Russian roads. I have to confess, I did use a bit of artistic license when I said they were as big as a Boeing 747. This really isn't true, they were only as big as a 727. I apologize and will try to avoid such hyperbole in the future. Not having an extra wide angle lens I didn't get a picture of said potholes, but did take one of the bus.

I spent last week on the mainland, with the first two days in the port city of Vladivostok. Ian Rowe, Neil Evans and I walked around on Monday, exploring the shipyards, taking in the train station that is the west end of the Trans Siberian railroad, and watching the Russian people go about their lives.

 On Tuesday we took a bus to Nakhodka, about three hours north. It was a gorgeous drive up the coast, past dachas set in lush green forests and hills, people working in gardens and occasionally folks next to the road selling freshly dug potatoes, onions and radishes.

Nakhodka convention was held at a children's summer camp that was built during the Soviet era. The location is quiet and peaceful, just a short walk from the ocean and a little village on the edge of a small bay.

Convention camp.

Village nearby.

Meeting with the wonderful Russian people was an amazing experience. They have endured tremendous sorrow and oppression in their country, yet have clearly found joy and freedom in Christ. Being with them helped me understand a little better the promise of Jesus in John 16:33 of bringing a peace that transcends the troubles of this world.

Nakhodka convention.

I'm writing this from Taiwan, where I'll spend the next two weeks visiting around the island. I arrived in Taipei yesterday, where Wayne Squair and Chu Ren met me and took me to their apartment. I am already feeling at home here, and being a man who loves hot weather the fact that it's ninety degrees feels like a wonderful bonus thrown in for the last stage of my journey. I'm finally getting warmed up, first time since July of last year.

Hope this finds all well!

East coast of Russia.

 

Goodbye To Sakhalin Island

* Click potholes to enlarge.

My second week in Russia is over, and I leave tomorrow for Vladivostok on the mainland, then travel to Nakhodka for convention. It will be small compared to what I'm used to in the states, just a few of our friends and workers.

The last week has been filled with visits, studies and meetings around the south coast of Sakhalin, with a little walking around Yuzhno taking in the people and sights. I've seen a bit of the beautiful wilderness the island is known for, but only by bus going between visits, so I don't have many good photos from those areas.

Now, you may argue that it's easy to take a photo of the passing scenery as you travel over the smooth asphalt in your fine modern bus. However, when I say "by bus," I mean a forty year old Soviet era bus built like a tank, bouncing through potholes the size of a Boeing 747 with a few feet of dirt road around each one. The driver generally keeps a nicely brisk pace of ninety or so, as does everyone else out passing on blind corners, driving in the ditch, and practicing the various fine arts of Russian driving. I did enjoy occasional glimpses when I was brave enough to unclench my eyes and take a quick glance before going back to wondering what they would say at my graveside next week, and which brothers would want which of my ties or if they would all end up at a thrift store. The first salmon run is on here, and during one of these moments of incredible courage, I opened my eyes and got a photo of a few fellows out looking to land a big one.

Walking around Yuzhno gave me the chance to take a few more shots not possible on the bus. I loved spotting little red tulips planted here and there, seeing rugged shipyards, watching the hardy Russian people, and dubiously viewing the ambulances, which like the buses are Soviet vintage.

Uncle Dennis

Jana's brother Darren and sister Cara were here all week, along with Cara's son Andrew. It was great to have time with their whole family, along with the workers and friends here. Helped me to appreciate the thought of God's great spiritual family, with Christ as our elder brother. Wonderful to think of His great love in uniting us as brothers and sisters. Just like a human family, we are all at various stages of growth in Christ, with some just born, others older but each appreciated and loved equally. An amazing and beautiful thing.

Aunt Carol

Cara

Darren

The Russian food is mighty good, lots of hearty, heavy things to keep warm during the harsh winters. I've had stew with earthy cabbage and potatoes, home made kolbasa sausage, fresh salmon, savory little pancakes called blini served with local caviar, and delicious rassolnik, which is pickle soup, so if you've managed to read this far mention pickles in your comment, all washed down with kvass, a fermented drink made from dark rye bread that is the Russian version of home made root beer.

I love Russia. It's an amazing, vast land with a soulful feel, and her people have touched my heart. I'm looking forward to another week in this great country. Convention will be held at a camp, and I don't believe there is internet available so I'll update next week from Taiwan. Besides, from the looks of the speaking list they are not feeding me borscht to further my blogging efforts, so I'll sign off here.

Initials are interpreter.

Hope this finds all well!