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Tuesday June 2, 2009 Today I woke up much more tired than I have been. I am not sure if the jet lag has finally caught up to me or what. However, I was still excited about the new experiences of God I would have today. First, we went to the Nanjing Massacre Museum. The Nanjing Massacre took place for six weeks from December 13, 1937-January 1, 1938 during the Japanese-Chinese war. Japanese military forces came in and raped and slaughtered 300,000 Chinese women, men, and children. They put them in a device with nails on the inside and rolled them back and forth. They took women and children into a dark room and forced them to take off their clothes by day and rape them at night. They lined up Chinese men and women and ... read more

Sunday May 31, 2009 I woke up several times throughout the night thinking it was time to wake up, which it wasn’t. I got up at 6:30 and got ready for the day. We went downstairs for breakfast, and what a spread it was. It was completed with fried rice, baked beans, fresh fruit, bacon, ham, sausage, bread, cereal, rice pudding, and many juices. Then we went and got ready to leave. We attended worship services at Hope Church in Shanghai. They are a part of the China Christian Council who we are partners with here in China. It was wonderful seeing everyone show up to church in various ways- in cars, bicycles, on foot, motorbikes, and being pushed in a wheelchair by a fellow brother or sister. People came dressed in many ways-from wearing stilettos ... read more

Greetings from Newark, New Jersey! This morning I began my travels by traveling from Oklahoma City, OK to Newark, New Jersey. When I arrived at the airport I immediately met my roommate, Rebekah, and we caught a shuttle to the hotel. Upon arriving I met our Global Ministries leaders-Julia Brown Karimu, who will be accompanying us on the pilgrimage; Robert Shebeck, who only came to introduce us to Global Ministries and send us off; and Xialong Zhu. We spent the afternoon discussing Global Ministries (ministry of the UCC and DOC) and how we will bring our experiences back to our seminaries and congregations. The priority of Global Ministries is CRITICAL PRESENCE. Relying on the leading of God's spirit and responding in faith to the challenge of an ever changing world. Critical presence is "to be timely ... read more

Welcome to my online journal of my travels through China on a People-To-People Pilgrimage with Division of Overseas Ministries with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Follow my journey from my doorstep "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). What is a People-to-People Pilgrimage? "A People-to-People Pilgrimage is an exciting adventure, not only for those who participate in the pilgrimage, but for the entire congregation. The experience is contagious and may result in a revitalization of your congregation. Global Ministries has as its priority and emphasis on Critical Presence" which is understood as meeting God's people and creation at the point of deepest need:spiritually, physically, emotionally, and/or economically. A People-to-People Pilgrimage provides opportunities for individuals to participate in a ministry of critical presence by visiting with and accompanying our ... read more