25 Years and counting....

December 5, 1992

 Twenty-five years ago, at First Baptist Church, Vinita, Ok, Sally and I were united in marriage.

Sally's dad walking her down the aisle.

 Looking back, it seems we were just kids, although we had waited longer than most of our friends to get married.

Her parents, us, my parents.

It has been a wonderful journey that God has led us on; to serve Him all around the world.

A moment of quiet in a busy day.

God has blessed us abundantly.

Audrey's 2nd birthday in Vinita, OK.

 He blessed us with Audrey.

Emily, Me, Audrey, Sally in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

 He blessed us with Emily.

Our family in Mongolia in 2004.

 He blessed us with being able to see His creation.

Beijing, 2004.

And pray for people all over the world.

Hong Kong, 2005

 We have been blessed to live all over the world, too.

Koh Samui, Thailand, 2005

 And enjoy great family adventures together.

My 1st Anniversary as pastor at Immanuel Southern Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK 2008.

 Then, He brought us back to Oklahoma, we He has allowed us to serve Him at "home."

Emily, JD, Audrey, Sally, Rick, Wagoner, OK 2017

 We added John Ellis to the family last year.

At the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Our adventures will continue.

A continuing love story.

Now, with an empty nest, we will continue to serve the Lord. Continue to fall in love with each other even more every day!

Thank you, Lord, for my wife and family. May you continue to bless us that we might be a blessing to others!

Half a Century

Most of my classmates have already done it. My wife has already done it. My best friend, too.

I turned 50 years old today.

Half a century.

Egads! (as my Uncle Bill always used to say)

I didn't really want to, but I didn't have much choice in the matter.

3 months old

Mostly, I'm very happy where I am at 50 years old.  I'm in a very happy marriage and we have two stunningly beautiful godly daughters.  I'm the pastor of a thriving church. I drive a  Jeep AND a convertible (just not at the same time). I have a mortgage-free home!

The parts that I'm not too happy about are: I can't get any publisher interested in my novel; I'm over-weight and out of shape; my eyes are bad, and I have less money now than I did when I was 40.

My best friend, Martin Whipple and me at Little Friend Kindergarten in 1969

I have lived 18,300 days.

By God's grace, most of them have been excellent days!  God is so very good to me. Better than I deserve, actually.

First trip to the Great Wall in 1990

I saw on the news last week, where someone had joined the Senior PGA Tour this year. He had turned 50 two weeks prior.

SENIOR PGA Tour. S E N I O R

Sally joined AARP when she turned 50, so I've already been a member for two years. And don't be fooled, I whip out that AARP card at every restaurant, hoping for their discount!

Wedding Day 1992

 Audrey will fly out of our nest in a month. She starts her freshman year at Oklahoma Baptist University August 16.  Emily will start driver's ed in two months.

Many of my classmates are already grandparents. I didn't have my first child until I was 32.

Our last prayer card as missionaries in West Africa 2002

In my 50 years, I've lived in 28 different houses or apartments, not including the hotels and other temporary housing that we used as missionaries. I've visited 29 different countries on 4 continents and have lived in 6 different countries on 3 different continents. I've officially studied (and passed basic proficiency exams) in 6 foreign languages, although I'm sure I couldn't pass those same tests now.

Tibet 2004

 I've been to the uttermost parts of the earth - and back again.

I have friends LITERALLY all around the world.

Preaching in Ukraine in 2011

I consider myself to be rich. Not with with material possessions or monetary wealth, but with the blessings of family and friends. I may not be where I thought I would be 20 or 30 years ago, but I wouldn't change a thing.

I love my wife. I love my children. I love my church.

Sally and me at the Western Wall in Jerusalem - December 2013

God has blessed me abundantly! If there is  anything good, anything noble at all in my life, it is because God has blessed me with it.

Thank you, Father, for making me the richest man on earth!

Memories of Mamou

I knew better, but I did it anyway.

We were living in Mamou, Guinea. That's in West Africa, for the geographically challenged. Wikipedia says it has a population of abut 76,000 people. It was our first post in Africa in 1998.

Life is fairly simple, but very hard. Poverty is rampant and Islam has stifled  practically every aspect of the Fulani culture. The people were oppressed from nearly every side, but because we were in the rain forest, famine wasn't as bad as in other parts of Africa.

We were living in a house that had been home to missionaries for years.  It was a comfortable 5 room house with 2 bathrooms. It had running water (with a 2000 liter storage tank) and electricity. Well, sort of.

Mamou, Guinea - 1998

City electricity was interesting, to say the least. On the standard 220v 50hz system, sometimes it only provided 20-30 volts. Other times, so much current came through that it burst the lightbulbs in our ceiling fans.

Most of the time, we simply didn't have city electricity. The story was that some official had embezzled the money earmarked for a city-sized diesel generator and had fled to France. Since our "regular" electricity came from a hydro-electric generator at the nearby reservoir, we had "good" electricity during the rainy season, which lasted from July to August. After August, we were rationed until all the water ran out of the reservoir until they simply shut off the city supply. The rest of the time, we used a portable gasoline powered generator.

Things would have been better had we owned a diesel power generator, which brings me to my story.

Our helper, Amadou, told us that our trash pit was full and needed to be burned. I should have just let him to it. (mistake number 1)  The pit was about 6x6x12 and was where be put everything from household trash to cut limbs and other debris from the yard.

Our night guard, Ibrahim, used a little kerosene lantern to shine (usually while he slept) during his night duty. I wish I remembered that I bought a gallon or two of kerosene for his lantern (mistake number 2)

I went out to look at the pit. It was indeed full. I looked around for something to light to catch the pit on fire. I found some rags, but they wouldn't  burn.

In my search, I spied my cans of gasoline that we use to run the generator. I figured that I could pour a little bitty teeny tiny amount in the pit and get the fire going. (mistake number 3)

I found a small little cup and poured perhaps a half a cup of gasoline into the pit. I stood back and threw in a lit match. Nothing.

I found a piece of paper or something and lit it and tossed it into the pit. Nothing.

Reasoning that I simply didn't have enough propellent, I poured in two or three more cups of gasoline. (mistake number 4)

I stood back, lit a match, threw it in and was knocked backwards by the explosion that sent burning banana leaves 20 feet into the air.

The explosion was so loud, that it made the pedestrian traffic stop on the national highway below the mountain to stop, look up, and wonder what those crazy white people were up to again.

Amadou told me to let him burn the trash pit the next time. I told him that I thought that was a good idea.

5 Year Anniversary

Five years ago today we boarded the plane to leave Hong Kong. Five years ago today we said, what we thought, were short good-byes to our friends. Five years ago today we arrived back in Oklahoma into the open arms of our family.

So much has happened in the past five years.  We've done a WHOLE LOT LESS traveling, that's for sure!

We still get frustrated with certain things. We still long for the excitement of international living. 

In many ways, it's hard to believe it's already been five years. It seems like yesterday that we left for West Africa! We haven't been back to West Africa since 2002.

I'm about to take my first trip back to Asia in five years. I'm heading to Hong Kong (among other places) with a group of men for a few days. I'm NOT looking forward to the 15 hour flight from Chicago to HK. I am looking forward to seeing my beloved Victoria Harbour again and having a plate of gong chau gnau haw.  My time won't be long enough there to actually enjoy anything, but I'm going to pack as much in as I possible can!

At least, I'm not waiting as long to see HK as I did the first time I was gone. I lived there from 1989-91 and didn't return until 2004.

This time, it's only five years.

Chinese names finally framed

We bought these Chinese caligraphy interpretations of our English names back when we lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We bought them at Stanley Market in Hong Kong.  I finally got around to buying a frame and Sally and I put it together this evening.  The top picture is our family at Hong Kong Harbour and the bottom picture is of us in Tianamen Square, Beijing.

I am not happy with my Chinese name interpretation as presented, because I actually have a Chinese name, and that is not it.  My Chinese name is:  方偉基 (in traditional characters) and  方伟基 (in simplified characters).  Of course, it was given to me in 1989 when I lived in Hong Kong.  Its rough meaning is "Great Foundation" which gave me ample opportunity to explain that Jesus Christ is the great foundation in my life, since 基 is the first character in 基督 or "Christ".  In Cantonese, my name is pronounced "Fong Wai Gei".

Now, we just need to find a place to hang it...

Christmas in Hong Kong

Here are some pics from our Christmas in Hong Kong:

Christmas Morning - 2006 - Homantin, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

Gingerbread house

Christmas 14 stories up

Deboning the bird

Trip to HK Disneyland at Christmastime

Rick & Sally in Mong Kok

Audrey at International Christian School Christmas Program

Emily at ICS Christmas Program

The Christmas lights in our flat's windows 14 stories up

Skyscrapers properly decorated for Christmas on HK Island

The girls in Shekou, Shenzhen, China

Pray for the Ivory Coast

From HotSpots:

Côte d’Ivoire (Country threat level - 4): On 6 December 2010 the United Nations temporarily ordered all of its non-essential staff out of Cote d'Ivoire amid rising social and political tensions. Crisis mediator and former South African President Thabo Mbeki failed to settle the ongoing election dispute after two days of negotiations. Security and stability concerns have increased in the country amid fears of a return to widespread unrest as post-election tensions increase.

Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo opened the nation's borders earlier on 6 December. Land, air and maritime borders had been closed since 2 December following election-related unrest. A nighttime curfew -- previously observed from 1900-0600 local time -- has been changed to 2200-0600 local time and has been extended until 13 December. In the meantime, opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara has established his headquarters at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan with the help of U.N. peacekeepers who have fortified this location with razor wire and military equipment. Rebel fighters, who support Ouattara, have also taken up posts at the hotel.

Analyst Comment: The likelihood of a peaceful outcome to the current situation is becoming more distant as each candidate insists that he won the election. Recent statements by rebel group representatives indicate that rebels are prepared for war. Reports in the last few years have indicated that both sides have been quietly rearming and stockpiling weapons despite an arms embargo on the country. There is a high potential for a further deterioration in overall conditions in Cote d'Ivoire in the near future. Conditions are such that a return to violence, including to levels seen during the 2002-2003 civil war, is becoming increasingly probable.

***

We lived in Cote d'Ivoire from 2000 to 2002.

Chinese pastor, wife slain at church served by Lottie Moon

I had the privilege of meeting pastor Qin back in 2004.  He was a gracious and Godly man.

 Rick and Pastor Qin in the Old Lottie Moon Church as described in the Baptist Press article below

I'm sorry, but I've cut and pasted the Baptist Press story into my blog.  I have attached the original link to the headlines below:

Chinese pastor, wife slain at church served by Lottie Moon

Posted on Sep 3, 2010 | by Staff

PENGLAI, China (BP)--A Chinese pastor and his wife were slain Aug. 31 at Penglai Christian Church, where Lottie Moon, an icon of Southern Baptist mission work, served in the early 1900s in Penglai, China.

Pastor Qin Jia Ye and his wife Hong En He, both in their 80s, were killed in the church's office on Wednesday.

The suspect -- a 40-year-old former church member -- was arrested within an hour of the early morning incident.

The couple's violent death is a shock to many, both in China and the United States. The church was closed for 49 years after communists came to power at the end of World War II, reopening in 1988 with only 20 people.

Qin reported 300 baptisms several years in a row. Today, there are 3,600 members.

Chinese newspaper accounts state that the suspect entered the church office carrying an axe and struck the pastor and his wife, killing them both.

The church eventually outgrew Moon's original structure and built a modern 1,500-seat sanctuary next to it with the help of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga.

"From the moment I met Pastor Qin, I could sense a Christ-like spirit," said Bryant Wright, Johnson Ferry senior pastor and current Southern Baptist Convention president. "We are incredibly saddened by this tragic event, but we know one of the Lord's faithful servants is with Him forever in Heaven."

Qin graciously acted as tour guide for a large number of Southern Baptist leaders passing through Penglai who wanted to connect with the community where Moon served.

Wanda S. Lee, executive director-treasurer of Woman's Missionary Union, visited the church during a 1997 China tour. In spite of numerous church responsibilities, Qin and his wife welcomed the group warmly, Lee said, and it was obvious they were well-loved and respected.

"We are deeply grieved at the news of [the] death" of Qin and his wife, Lee said. "It is a great loss to the Christian community."

Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU, took seven college students to China in 2008 to experience firsthand the history and work of Southern Baptists. Penglai Christian Church was a stop on the tour.

McIntosh remembers admiring Qin's humble and quiet strength as he prepared for worship, as well as his ability to state the message clearly for all to understand. After the service, Qin spent a great deal of time talking with the team of young women about Moon's legacy.

"He was so encouraged that younger women were there, learning about the history of Lottie Moon and the Chinese church," McIntosh recalled. "I know the legacy of Lottie Moon will live on, but one of its greatest communicators is no longer with us. I know Qin's legacy will live on, too."
--30--

Happy Birthday, Sally!

.

John, Sally's Mom, Juanita, and Sally Photo by big sister Mary circa 1968

Sally playing in the snow on furlough in 2002

Birthday Surprise in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 2001.

Sally driving her 1975 Toyota in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Fixing Thanksgiving turkey in Thailand 2005

Sally at OBU in Shawnee, 2010

Happy Birthday, Sally!  I love you!

Missions Presentation at KBA

I was honored to serve as camp missionary this year again, at KBA.  Tuesday was about Thailand, Wednesday was about West Africa, Thursday was about China, and Friday was about Disaster Relief.

Dressed up in my Guinean Bu-bu

In my Disaster Relief Chaplain's Uniform

A Very Good Day

Sally and I took at trip to Oklahoma City Wednesday night and returned last night.

The main purpose of the trip was to attend a missions conference.  I attended, but to be honest, I didn't attend any of the break-out sessions.

I stayed in the commons area and spoke with my friends.  We caught up on the past three years and I truly loved it.  Many of them said many kind words and encouraged Sally and I greatly.

It was a three day conference, but I could only go the one day.  It looked to be a top-notch conference and I'm sure God will bless it and multiply the efforts.

While in OKC, Sally had an interview with Teacher Review Board so that she can get her teaching license.  She nailed it.  They verbally told her they would recommend her for licensing.  PTL!

I suppose the thing that I came away from the conference is the knowledge/conviction that I am exactly where God wants me to be.  Formerly, every missions conference I have attended, I felt as if I should be serving overseas.  But, I came away with this without that feeling. 

Oh yes, I still miss the excitement of being an ex-pat.

I love the travel.

I miss my friends.

I miss the excitement of cross-cultural ministry.

But, I know my place of service, at least for the moment, is right here in Wagoner, OK.

I have no plans to move, change ministries, or quit what I'm doing.  I love pastoring more than I ever thought I could.

I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him, no matter where in the world I may be.

The Gamaliel Foundation

The post below resulted in my interest in a previously unknown to me socio-political organization called the Gamaliel Foundation. Here are a few talking points of what I found out about it.

• It is a Left-Wing activist group.
• It is multi-faith, meaning it includes Muslims, Buddhists any anyone else in its governing leadership.
• It was formed in Chicago in the 60's to assist an African-American organization fighting to "protect homeowners on Chicago's West Side who had been discriminated against by banks and lending institutions."
• They desire to make the government provide civil rights and healthcare to our nation's illegal immigrants.
• They assembled a large number of left-wing religious leaders in 2003 to organize a voter drive to oust the incumbent Pres. Bush from the White House.
• Their "Yahoo Group" describes themselves as "... an affiliate of The Gamaliel Foundation, a power organization, which has affiliates in 22 different states and South Africa."

To me, it looks as if this is just another liberal pseudo-religious organization out to undermine the foundation of the government of the United States of America.

Am I against immigrants having healthcare? No. Am I against ILLEGAL immigrants having healthcare? Most definitely YES! I was a legal resident of 5 different countries. I had a million hoops to jump through to remain a legal resident of those countries. Was I afforded any of the benefits provided to citizens of those countries? NO! Why should we foot the bill for folks who are unwilling to go through our legal system to live legally in our country? I surely can't answer that one.

The Gamaliel Foundation just made my personal "watch list". I think it is bad for America.

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Very first photo, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

As of today, I no longer have any kids with only a single digit in their ages. That's right! Emily turned 10 years old today!

Helping Daddy on the computer in Dakar, Senegal

It seems as though we've dragged her all around the world. But instead of making her weird, it has made her a well rounded mature young lady!

Enjoying the pool in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Learning to ride the bike in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Posing on the rickshaw in Hong Kong

Riding a camel in Mongolia

Posing at Tienanmen Square in Beijing, China

I am most proud of Emily for her maturity in her relationship with God. She understands the principles of grace and love better than many adults I know.

Happy Birthday, Emily! Your Daddy loves you!