A lot has Changed

Wow!! A lot has changed since my last posting.

I can't believe how much has changed when I look back at my posts earlier this year. In July, I turned in my resignation to Big Blue (a.k.a. Maersk Line) and started to volunteer full time with Secoast Church (www.seacoast.org).

After going to Brazil last year, I really wanted to sell everything and move down there to be a full time missionary. The problem...my husband was not up for the same challenge. Since I knew that God did NOT intend for us to separate, I spent 6 months frustrated with God. I prayed, prayed and prayed some more from Oliver's heart to change. It didn't! Then I got a little ticked off at God and all the while found my job less and less fulfilling. It was a good job, but not one that I could pour my heart into.

In July...things changed! I found out our church was starting a new 'campus' in North Charleston that would focus on ministering to the inner city. It would be modeled after the Dream Center (www.dreamcenter.org) in Los Angeles. The entire idea is to find a need in the community and meet it. It was FINALLY a chance to join a missions field in my own back yard. It had been there all along, but it took making a major life change for my eyes to open. God wanted me to take a step in faith before opening the door.

Now...2 months into it, I find myself in charge of getting the Children's Ministry off the ground. Thank God I have a great team of friends, family and volunteers to support me. It is amazing the people that God brings alongside you through these adventures.

I hope now to write more about Amie's Amazing Adventures.....God style and hope you will join me for the ride.

Remember Bull Riding?

This pic is for my family, so everyone else please bear with it. Eric insisted that I take it. We were walking downtown Singapore on Sunday evening and saw this little contraption. You sit on it and it wiggles you around. Eric called it payback for his bull riding back at the Wayne County Fair. It was sooo funny that they had this thing there, but it was definitely not a bull ride!

Sailing in Singapore

On Sunday I had the joy of going out with some friends from work on the water and really relaxing. Thanks to Eric (he says hi to the family), we went out on the water for some fun and relaxed at the sailing club. I kinda felt like the lifestyles of the rich and famous. We didn't take too many pictures, but here's one of me in a completely relaxed state.

A Chinese Table

I've never taken a picture of the typical table for dinner in China and I thought the place we went for lunch was beautiful and probably the biggest table that I have sat at in China.

You will always sit on a round table for formal dinners in China. The food is served family style on a HUGE lazy susan in the middle and then the games begin. The challenge with chopsticks is that you have to have good hand/eye coordination. In principle, you would think that I would be good with that, but NOPE! I am going to buy us all a set of chopsticks and we are going to get good at this before my next visit.

The Old and The New

China is a country that is largely caught in between the old and the new and I thought this picture captured some of this struggle. They are emerging at a rapid rate and like a child, has growing pains. There are some great things about their culture that we can learn from and apply.

In general, the Chinese are still largely focused on their family. The children live with their parents and they respect their input on their lives. They also turn to take care of their parents after they are older. It always makes me thankful for my parents, but I don't think I could live with them at peace (sorry Mom and Dad)! :)

New Year's Decorations

Chongqing By Night

A peak of Chongqing at night. The pictures don't do it justice. There are lights everywhere. This weekend was the last days of Chinese New Year and they decorate like crazy. It was great to see the city decorated for the holidays! This year is the year of the P I G! You can find little piggies everywhere.

A View of the World's Largest City

This is in the city center in Chongqing. The city was surprisingly clean on the streets, but it ended there. China has a serious challenge with air pollution and today on the news they announced that China has surpassed the U.S. for the emission of green house gas...SCARY!

The Largest City in the World

Ok, I'll be honest. I had never heard of Chongqing before this trip, but do you know it is the largest city in the world based on the number of people...31 million! To give you an idea to compare to...that is the population of Japan. (Mount Pleasant has a population of approximately 60,000 if I remember correctly)

As we travelled the streets in Chongqing, I could not help but think that there is A LOT of God's people in this one location and that has to mean something. The other point I will make, there isn't a lot of visible signs of God in this area.

I only have 8 minutes before I have to be downstairs, but I wanted to post some of the pics of Chongqing. I'll write more later today. (Out sailing with friends in Singapore) :)

Love Everyone!

Asia Schedule

Shanghai: 2/26-2/28
Chongqing: 2/28-3/3
Singapore: 3/3-3/6
Ho Chi Minh: 3/6-3/9
Hong Kong: 3/9-3/12

Shanghai Surprise

Hey everyone! I made it to Shanghai without any major snaffoos. (Thanks for all the journey prayers)

After 24 hours of traveling, I am beat with a capital 'B'. We have one night in Shanghai and then get on a flight tomorrow morning out to Chongqing, China. The Shanghai skyline is incredible, but unfortunately I haven't had a chance to take any pics. I will try and start some picture taking tomorrow and posting!

Miss you all already!