Down the corridor of time,  the few short months  away from the field had all pasted swiftly and it felt like a distant memory. Now it was time to look to the future to the next set of trips, and what God would bring about in hearts and minds of those coming. Students are the future that God gives in order for us to facilitate their dreams, to inspire their passions, to find to their talents, cultivate their minds so that they walk away having been inspired to further greatness for Solo Gloria. Today as I prepare for the upcoming trip to the Philippines I think through all the faces and loved ones there that I will be reunited with.  The sweetness of Christian fellowship and the joys that await us as we serve together.  Sitting down to have lunch at a more American restaurant in Beijing, behind me I could hear the laughter of two young ladies. I was waiting for Hannah to join me.  Suddenly the laughter faded and a question was asked, “where are you from”? I turned realizing they were addressing me;  replying I soon found myself in a long conversation with two young women from Sweden. Smiling I thought this is what I love about traveling and being myself. Always enjoying getting to meet people that providence brings along. Soon we were caught up in discussing Sweden and the issues of cold hearts and minds in the political and social world. From what they shared about their country I was reminded of the great privilege I have to live in America. Not all hearts have grown cold to the knowledge of God, as Christians in America we have a great front line of those standing for truth. That voice is still heard amidst those that would attempt to drown out such clarity. One of the young women was going on about the horrible things that go on in Sweden, (A MOST GODLESS SOCIETY). I asked her what her thoughts were on God? She nodded her head right to left and thought for a moment, then said “well I believe in Karma more,” to which I said “it takes LESS faith to believe in God than Karma.” She thought for a moment and I said “LOOK my friend may you think on that long and hard, have you opened the book of Life recently”? She smiled and said “oh no”, I said “and why not”?, then grinning she said” I hear what you are saying what do I have to lose in doing so!” I thought what a response what can I lose by studying something I haven’t given much time or thought to. Oh there was nothing to lose yet rather I pray eternal life will find her! Before going to China I was not at peace with the original plan to go on our thirteen-hour layover and see the great wall, forbidden city etc. I couldn’t bring myself each time I tried to book the tickets for tours to do so, finally a week before leaving I ended emailing and calling several people to gain their thoughts or recommendations on the subject. I had done my homework and still couldn’t book anything. Interesting in how God works things out for His glory. What I can say is that from that meeting one of those gals is now seriously considering coming on a trip with me in the near future, had we gone into China we might have missed our opportunity to share Christ with such precious souls. I am not in the business of experiencing the world through missions while that is an added benefit. I am in the business of seeking souls for God’s glory and by far providence knows and sees to it that paths are crossed and sovereignty rings loud and clear. This modern age we live in, is yelling at us to run head long into the conflict and bear arms, take up our cross, plant our banner and watch as God works through our weakness. Spurgeon got this completely in the 19th century. Did so himself at just 19 years old. Look I don’t tell you these stories of doors that God opens so you can pat me on the back mentally but rather to give humble examples of Grace and the courage God gives to act upon the Truth. “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see.“ I pray this grace inspire and requires much from you this blessed day! We have a host of examples in how to live this difficult life might we choose to learn from them in order to be a great force that impacts this dark and doomed world!