Homebound

Then it was time for me to go home, after about 6 weeks of leaving home. Thank God, the flight home was really smooth, though I had to sit for hours and my butt hurt like crazy, but it was alright, I got back to Vancouver safely.  
This trip has really opened my eyes.  Everyday I witnessed the grace of God.  And everyday God was there to guide me.  I didn't want to come back home. I've made way too many friends on this trip. 
Thank God, the fun part of this trip wasn't visiting all the top tourist spots, but it was fellowship with the brothers and sisters and listening to their stories.  To know and understand what their lives are like on the other side of the world is truly humbling.  You don't really realize that you're indeed small until you really step out to see what others are going through.  
This journey has been filled with the grace of God, so much that I couldn't exactly describe it.  Thank God.  May all glory and honour be onto His name.  Amen. 

Back to London

The next day was the day to leave Scotland.  The brother brought us to Marks and Spencer’s, and I bought 4 packs of Percy Pigs, only available in UK.  We also visited the Scott’s monument.  It was one of my favourite buildings in Edinburgh.  Otherwise, me and the Australian brother got on the train and went back to London.   

When I got to London, I felt like I was back home again.  And I didn’t want to leave.   

Thank God, He gave us the opportunity to attend the London youth’s campus fellowship on Wednesday night.  It was good to meet the friends I made in AVMWT again.  Thank God.   We prayed for around 30 minutes before the fellowship. And the day also happened to be a campus prayer, so we prayed some more.  But what was really good was the sharing.  The topic that night was “What are you thankful for in the last week?” and “What have you been praying about? What’s your prayer request?” Thank God, it was really edifying to listen to other youth’s testimonies.   

That night, it was time to say goodbye too the friends I made in this trip.  Thank God that I got to meet so many good brothers and sisters in Christ while traveling.  Though our ways may be parted for now, but we will meet in Christ again.  May God continue to guide them and lead all their ways. 

The Edinburgh

The next day we started to tour Edinburgh. (It’s funny how I didn’t tour the city when I first arrived in Edinburgh, but went somewhere else like in France).  We spent the day at Cramond Island, the Edinburgh castle, and Arthur’s Seat (a hill that can oversee the entire city).  The Cramond Island was pretty cool. At the low tides the ground shows and people can walk directly to the island.  We didn’t spend much time there, but it was a very cool small island.   

At lunch, we tried the British roast.  It was all you can eat (expect the meat) for only 6 pounds. And the food was awesome too.   

In the afternoon we visited the castle. It was the first time that I visited a castle. It felt like I was in the movie the Lord of the Rings. Everything was stony and ancient. And there were cannons too.  It was pretty cool.  

Then we went to the highest point of Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat.  Originally we were planning to watch the sunset at the top, but we were a bit late so we couldn’t get to the top. But the hill was really beautiful, and you can see the city from the hill too.  After that, we went down to the pond to feed the swans and the ducks.  It ended up that just about every bird in that pond swam over for the food.  And even when we finished all we had, the birds followed us.  It was the marching of the swans.  

For dinner, we had all you can eat sushi and hotpot.  It was awesomeness.  Also, it was good to see a friend I met during AVMWT again.  Thank God.   

Thank God, it was another good day.  And on this day I said goodbye to most of the youths in Edinburgh.  May God continue to guide them and remember their love.   

Hit the Highlands

On the second day in Edinburgh, the youths brought us to the high lands.  It was basically driving from the east of Scotland to the west, and it took about 3 hours.  The high lands is like what you’d expect, the high lands. There were beautiful mountain ranges covered in snow, and you could see deers and sheep, and frozen lakes too.  The views there were stunning.   

One particular stop had a natural spring water flowing down from the mountain.  And the Australian brother filled up his bottle with the water.  I tried a sip, and it was really nice, although it had a bit of taste of grass in there.  Fun fact: Scotland has the best water in UK. You can drink water directly from the tap, and it tastes like awesomeness.   

That night, we ordered take out and had the dinner at the brother’s flat.  They ordered fish and chips with their Scottish chippy sauce (it was really good), and they also had the kebab pizza (this was really awesome, I really wish we can have this in Canada).  

Overall, it was a really fun day, thank God.  I enjoyed the day.   

Fellowship in Edinburgh

After Paris, I flew to Edinburgh in Scotland.  It was weird coming back to a English speaking country again, where I could understand everything.  Originally I was thinking of going to Amsterdam after Paris, but I decided that I would rather have fellowship with the brothers and sisters in Edinburgh than to go solo in Amsterdam.  Thank God, it was a great decision.   

On Sunday, I arrived at Edinburgh, and a brother I met at AVMWT picked me up and brought me to church.  Edinburgh church has their fellowship and choir on Sundays.  And thank God that I was able to attend both.  In their youth fellowship that day they played a bible trivia game, and there were a lot of hard questions that I didn’t know the answer to – thank God! That means I have to study the bible more! Then came the choir time.  The hymn they sang was really nice, thank God.  Edinburgh church has an organ, but they don’t use it anymore. I took a picture of it, it was pretty cool.  And their chapel was beautiful too.  

Thank God, there was an Australian brother who happened to be on his grad trip as well, and we stayed at a brother’s flat (apartment) for the time we had in Edinburgh.  It was funner when you have more company.  

That night, the youths brought us to an Italian restaurant. And in that restaurant I tried out haggis for the first time.  If you didn’t know, haggis is a traditional Scottish dish composed of oats and animal innards.  I wasn’t bad, I liked it.   

Thank God, it was a good day.  

Sabbath in Paris

Thank God, I had the opportunity to attend the Sabbath service in Paris.  Even though I was sick the day before, but thank God that I felt much better after I got up in the morning.  

I attended the service at the prayer house in the east of Paris.  There were about 20 some members attending the service that day.  They conducted the service in French, and interpreted it into Chinese, so thank God that I was able to understand it.   

In the morning, the prayer house had a bible study, and in the afternoon, they had their general meeting.  They had prayers in the morning and also at lunch time for 15 minutes (I think). And I thanked God that they had a spirit of prayer in the church.   

In the church, during their meal time and tea time, everyone was able to fellowship with other members.  Talking to someone older than you is not awkward in the church.  Thank God.  

That night, they also had a youth fellowship.  They had a bible study over skype, and the preacher taught us on 1Tim4:1-6. I was really edified by v.6, where the preacher mentioned that we are nourished in the word of God only when we carefully follow it and preach it. A lot of times we may feel that some teachings we heard in a sermon was very good, but after some time the movement we had at the moment dies out.  What we need to do is to practice these teachings after we heard them, so the movement we had can really become a part of us.  You have to chew and swallow the food in your mouth, otherwise the food would not go into your stomach to benefit you.   

I had a really great fellowship with the youths in Paris.  Originally I wanted to come to Paris because I wanted to see the prayer house for myself due to the church’s situation there. But thank God, He gave me more than what I had expected.  I was greatly encouraged, because I could see that the members there they gathered there for the sake of the truth.  They wanted to stand on the ground of truth.  And today we must also do the same and stand firm in the truth.   

May God continue to guide the members in Paris, and guide the church.  And may God strengthen everyone’s faith in this end time.  

Sick Day

I spent most of my third full day in Paris sick.  Thank God that a brother from Paris brought me around.  We went to the cathedral Notre Dame first, then Mont Marte, and then the Eiffel tower.  After Notre Dame, I started to feel sick: I felt like throwing up. Thank God, at that time it wasn’t very severe, so I went along with the day plan.  After we toured another cathedral on Mont Marte, we went for lunch.  At that time, I couldn’t really eat. I tried the French salty crepe, and it was really good.  But after I ate a small piece of it I couldn’t eat any more. Even so, I pushed on to the next place at Eiffel tower.  Thank God, I was able to take some pictures at the Eiffel tower, though I felt very sick they I didn’t have the energy to go up the tower.   

That day I was originally planning to go visit a truth seeker with a deacon, but I felt very sick at the time.  After the Eiffel Tower, we went to a coffee shop to rest, then we went home.  May God remember the love of the brother.  When I got to the station, I threw up, and I didn’t have time looking for the washroom (I’m sure the janitor had cleaned it up later). Thank God that this didn’t happen inside the train, or else it would’ve been uglier.   

Thank God, after I threw up, I felt much better. And I waited at the station for some time before heading back to the deacon’s place.  After dinner (I couldn’t have dinner), the deacon asked me if I could go, and at that time I was about to say no because I felt a bit worse.  But we agreed that we would make the decision after the prayer.  In the prayer, I told God that if He would like me to go, please heal me. And at the beginning of the prayer, I wanted to stay back to rest.  But half way through the prayer, the deacon got up and laid hand on me, and then I felt better and better. At the end of the prayer, I felt a lot better and I decided to go.   

There’s much to thank God about this.  Later on after the visitation, the deacon let me know that he wouldn’t have gone if I couldn’t go, since the truth seeker was a lady.  I really thank God for His work. God is really the one doing His work, not us.  

I also did some personal reflections: I think God was reminding me to remember Him, because I’ve been slacked in prayers and bible reading during travel.  Thank God for His reminders and His powers.   

Le Louvre

The second full day I went on a solo trip in Paris. With the suggestions of a brother, I went along with the plan for the day, which is to spend some time in Le Louvre, then walk along Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triophme, and finish the day at the Eiffel Tower.  It was a really fun day. I spent about 3 hours in Le Louvre, and I saw a lot of medieval weaponry, the Egyptian artifacts, some statues of the deceased people (kings, queens, nobles, bishops, ..etc), and of course, the Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa painting was actually quite small, and I couldn't get close to the painting.  But it was still kind of cool. I heard from a sister that the painting Mona Lisa was done with some kind of technique, so the paint lines are not obvious.  And another brother said that Mona Lisa was supposedly pregnant at the time of the painting. Interesting facts.  

In Le Louvre, I thought a bit about the statues of the people that once lived (I think these statues were actually tombs).  No matter who these people used to be, maybe they were kings, or queens, or knights, or nobles, or bishops, they are no longer here today.  All that remains is just some statues we see.  I wondered that wherever they are now, if they see us touring about their tombs, what would be on their minds? What they did during their lifetime didn’t matter anymore, what mattered was where they ended up after they died, no matter how splendorous they once lived. For us today, how shall we live our lives then?  

Brussels

Thank God, He gave me an opportunity to go to Brussels.  Right on the second day I arrived in France, I went out of France.  A sister I met during AMC contacted me and asked me if I’d like to go for a day trip to Brussels with the youths, and I was really glad to go, since I would have companies.   

That day I met the youths in Paris for the first time. And they were warm and welcoming.  And we played games and had a lot of fun on our way to Brussels (it was about 3 hour drive).  

When we got to Brussels, we spent the day touring the old city.  The buildings and the streets there were historic, and it felt very nice.  

The highlights were the food and the art gallery there.  I had the best hot chocolate of my life in Belgium; the Belgium waffle was awesome; it was the first time I tried out razor clams, rabbit leg, and French snails; and the Belgium fries with samurai sauce was awesome. 

In the afternoon, we spent about 1 to 2 hours in an art gallery.  It was interesting seeing that a lot of the paintings were about Jesus and Mary. I wondered that if the painters at that time ever thought about painting other bible stories like David fighting Goliath or Paul preaching to the Gentiles.  One of the paintings that struck me was that in the painting, Jesus’ hand was holding some lightning bolts, with the Father on the right side, and below them a man was very scared.  The name of the painting was divine punishment.  I really wondered that if the painter at the time mixed in Greek mythology into the painting.  It kinda shows that their belief at that time is not genuine to the bible.  

Thank God, I had a good time with the brothers and sisters in Brussels. And He also helped me planned out for the next day, through the help of the brothers there. Thank God. 

Paris! Staying at a Deacon's House

Thank God for today. Today was the last day in Spain. Nothing much happened there, it was mainly packing and travelling. 

Then I came to Paris in the evening. I think I'm gonna like this place.  It feels much like Canada for some reason. 

Thank God that He guided me to stay at a deacon's house. The deacon offered me to stay during AMC at his house after he learned that I was coming to Paris. When I got here, he picked me up from the station too. May God remember his and his family's love. 

Today I once again felt the heavy feeling or guilt in my heart (it had happened many times before for a while now). I've been reflecting on this feeling I had, I thought that it was unreasonable that I would feel this way, since God's will for us in Christ is to live joyfully. 

Thank God, He moved me to think more about His words.  And I felt a lot better when I reflect on His words. Although sometimes I could feel that something was blocking me (the heavy feeling) from thinking about God's word. It's Satan preventing me from reflecting on God's words (thank God that He opened my eyes to this in AMC, and He strengthened me also to overcome it with prayer). There may be struggles still spiritually, but God has given me the faith to continue the fight until I overcome it with His power one day.  

Casa de Campo

Today I went got in touch with the nature in Madrid. First I went down to the river, then made my way to the park Casa de Campo. Thank God, originally I didn't know what to do in my last full day in Madrid. I had no interest in visiting museums, and I didn't really want to see any more cathedrals. After praying about it, I decided to go to the river and the park. Thank God, it was a really great experience. And it was 1000 times better than touring cathedrals. 
First I passed by a park before I got to the river. To my surprise, I saw wild parrots in the park. I've never seen wild ones before, only caged ones.  Thank God, wild ones are much better to behold.  And the internet doesn't really introduce Spain as wild parrot country, so thank God that I was able to see them. 
Then what was very awesome was the park Casa de Campo. I originally thought that I would need to take the metro to the park, but it just so happened that the park was right on the other side of the river. Thank God for His guidance. 
Casa de Campo is the biggest park in Madrid, it's more like a forest than a man-made garden like Retiro park, which is what I really like. There were small hills, grass, trees, and they were all very nice in a sunny day.  When I got to the highest point of the park, I can see city Madrid on the other side -- bricky buildings over the end of the green sea. It was really nice. 
Thank God, His creation is a lot better than our creation. 

Cathedrals, cathedrals, cathedrals

Man, there are a lof cathedrals in Madrid. There's one beside the Royal Palace, and another one I think it's called the St. Andrew (which I got to by accident), and other ones that I happened to pass by. But today as I was visiting the cathedrals, I started to think how these places were used to worship God (well, not exactly), and now people are paying money to get into the cathedral for touring. A place for worship has become a place for business. For us today, when we come to church, do we come for material benefits or spiritual benefits?  

The other place I went to was the Retiro Park. It was pretty big. And in the park there was a crystal palace, which is only a palace looking building made out of glass. Then what's inside of the crystal palace is a cart with creepy puppets in there, what's more was that they were automated, with creepy music and creepy lights too. After I took a video of the singing puppets and some pictures, I went out of the building. And I thought that not all musics are inspired by the Holy Spirit, there are a lot of musics that are inspired by evil spirits.  It probably has happened back then, and it's happening around us today too.  

Thank God, today was a very cold day in Madrid, and it snowed here, which doesn't usually happen in Madrid. God knew that I wanted to test out my jacket and my boots, and He prepared cold weather for me in Madrid. He's funny that way haha. Thank God. 

Sabbath in Madrid

Today I attended the Sabbath service in Madrid. The service here starts at 3:30PM to around 4:30PM because of the members work there. And thank God that He has given me the opportunity to lead the service in Spain. It is truly the grace of God.  He helped me to reflect on His words while I'm travelling. Originally I was a bit concerned because I had to speak for an hour without translation. But thank God that He helped me through the hour. 
The members in Madrid are renting a classroom in a cram school (I think that's what it was). And today there were about  10 to 15 members attending the service, since some members went back to China. 
After the service, a sister invited me with some other sisters over to her house, and we had some snacks and tea there. After the tea, she brought me out to go around Madrid.  I was really touched by her love, and may God remember her love.  
When we chatted, she mentioned that at this moment the members in Madrid are lacking workers. So they don't have a lot of opportunities to have preachers encouraging them through sermons. So we really need to remember them in our prayers.  
May God keep on guiding their faith. 

Way to Madrid

Thank God, I arrived safely at Madrid today. And I wasn't robbed, thank God. 
There was God's wonderful guidance all the way. 
I went out to see the sunrise at the beach at 8:15. The sun was a orange ball slowly rising out of the horizon of the sea, and the sky was a bit pinkish coloured.  It was pretty cool. 
Afterwards I went for breakfast at Mcdonald's (they didn't have a hashbrown in their meal!). Orginally, I was thinking to buy a suvenier from Starbucks on the way back to hotel after breakfast, but I gave up becasue I wanted to save time. Then it just so happened that there was a Starbucks on my way back to hotel. So I was able to get the suvenier without wasting more time. 
On my train to Madrid, I got a sandwich at the bar. And this sandwich needed me to open a small bottle of olive oil (I think?) to add in there. I was struggling with that bottle. So I prayed to God to help me to open it. When I tried again, I was still struggling with opening it. After some moments, a guy by me took the bottle and opened it in one try. Thank God! 
When I arrived at Madrid, a kind person helped me to find my way around the metro. And he also suggested me of what to do in Madrid. Thank God, God dropped down some more plans for me. 
Today, after I got to the place to stay and settled down, I started to feel the power of Satan trying to cause my heart to not believe again. It was probably because I tried to think about how to argue against a heretic teaching, but was having a hard time.  Thank God, after praying twice, I could feel that the power was leaving. 
God has shown me His grace today. May we all be kept in His love always. 

Pickpocketed

Today I was pickpocketed. Wasn't fun. But God was still very gracious to me.  

In the morning I planned to walk along the seaside for the day.  Thank God when I went out in the afternoon, the sun was out and it was quite warm (even though almost everyone on the street was wearing a jacket, including me). For the first part of my journey it was very fun: I saw a cathedral from the outside, and I enjoyed the walk down to the seaside.  
Then I was pickpocketed half way to the beach. The pickpockets disguised as charity workers. It was so obvious, but at that moment I didn't think too much..
All my money in the wallet was gone. (and I gave them .70 euro too)
I immediately realized something was wrong right after they left, I checked my wallet, and sure enough, all the cash was gone.  And it was too late to get the money back. 
I was very angry with myself for a long time for how stupid I was. But I still had half of my unfinished journey.  So I pressed on my way to the beach. 
Thank God, He slowly opened up my mind: only the cash was gone, but all my credit cards, liscence and everything else were still there; and I didn't put all the money in my wallet; they didn't take my wallet either. Thank God. 
For some moments I was able to enjoy the beach more and I felt the joy welling up from my heart. Even though when I thought about it I still felt the pain and blame myself for my stupidity. But as I walked back to the hotel, my heart was much calmer than before. Thank God for this lesson at the very beginning of my journey.  Who knows, I might be foolish enough later to get all my money robbed if not for today's lesson. So thank God!
After I got back to the hotel, I checked the money I didn't bring. To my surprise, I found 50 Euro bills there. And in the morning I was looking for them. Thank God, if I found them in the morning, I would've lost even more money. 
Than God!

Members in Barcelona

Thank God for His guidance, I arrived in Barcelona, Spain, last night. I got on the AeroBus from the airport and missed my stop to the hotel. But thank God that the following stop wasn't too far from the hotel.  Even though the streets were kinda dark around the hotel, but I was safe, thank God.  

And thank God that I was able to get in contact with a brother living in Barcelona, and he agreed to meet up with me that night.  Since his way home happens to pass by the hotel I live in, it wasn't too much trouble for him to get around. 

After we met, to my surprise, he asked me to go to his house. And when I arrived there, his parents offered me dinner to eat (I was actually hungry because I was afraid to walk into a restaurant on my first night in Spain). When his dad brought out the food, I was so touched by their love. The food was very delicious too (sashimi, chaomien, ..) May God remember their love.  

When I chatted with the brother, he pointed out the direction for me to get to the seaside, and it happened that the hotel I booked wasn't too far from the seaside (30 to 40 mins walk).  This is God's grace because originally I didn't have a clue of what to do in Barcelona, but God just dropped a plan from heaven into my lap.  

He also mentioned that there isn't a lot of members in Barcelona, and there isn't a church in Barcelona yet. And this brother is the only youth in that area too. May God help and guide the members in Barcelona, so that the seed of the gospel may spread there.  

In all, thank God that He has provided me with my daily bread and a plan to get around.  And I had an abundance.