We have arrived...

Just wanted to let everyone know we arrived safely in Hanoi around 10:30 pm local, that's 10:30 am your time. All is okay, just everybody dead tired after 30 hours in the air. Will post more tomorrow when awake!

Stop-over in Korea

My morning began in Cincinnati at 4:30 am this morning. Arrived Cincinnati airport at 6:15 am. Board plane to Chicago at 8:30 am, arriving Chicago at 9:30 local or 10:30 am Ohio. Boarded Korean Air at 11:00 am for a 14 hour flight to Seoul South Korea, arriving at 4:00 pm local or 2:00 am Ohio. We have a 3 hour lay-over then back in the air for the last 5 hour hop to Hanoi.



This is the view from the Seoul airport terminal... Notice the Incheon Mountains in the background.


Watching several natives in traditional dress as they wander through the airport.


Eating a Korean Whopper at the airport... Didn't ask what kind of meat, but they made it my way!


More tomorrow from Hanoi!

Location:Unseo-dong,Incheon,South Korea

Off to Vietnam...

Finally, after months of planning and praying, we are off to Vietnam. I plan to spend Monday evening at son Ben's condo in Mason, Ohio, then am scheduled to arrive at the Cincinnati airport at 6:30 am Tuesday morning. I will spend almost 30 hours in airplanes and at airports!

Just wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate their thoughts and prayers, and their support.

Be sure to check this blog daily as I plan to try and post to it during our journey... Follow me to Vietnam!!!

Vietnam Countdown...

Yes, I am counting down the days and the hours. I will be flying out of Cincinnati next Tuesday morning at 8:30 am, then to Chicago, then a 14 hour flight to Seoul South Korea, and finally a 5 hour flight to Hanoi, Vietnam (altogether, some 20 hours of flying!). It has been two years since my amazing journey to Vietnam, and I am very anxious to renew friendships with the Vietnamese United Methodist pastors and their congregations, and to see more of their amazing country.

We will be spending a few days in the Hanoi area, doing some sight-seeing (including Ho Chi Mihn's tomb and the "Hanoi Hilton" POW facility, and Ha Long Bay) before we fly to DaNang to pick up our motorbikes. From DaNang, we will ride through the mountains and Central Highlands, visiting cities big and villages small, meeting with pastors and congregations as we are welcomed into their churches along the way. Our bike ride will take us to Ho Chi Mihn City (formerly Saigon) where we will spend a few days at the United Methodist Center in Vietnam. At the end of our motorbike journey, we will give away our bikes as gifts to Vietnamese United Methodist pastors to take home to use in their ministry.

My prayer, my request, is that you would keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Lift up this mission, the volunteers who I will be traveling with, the Vietnamese pastors who are courageously giving of the time and talents for God, for the small but vibrant and growing congregations, and especially for the people of Vietnam who have yet to meet Jesus personally.

Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Follow the 2012 Mission team through the Vietnamese countryside. I plan to do my best to update this blog daily, to keep you informed as to our location each day, and the highlights of our mission. So, stay tuned for Adventure!

Valentine Thoughts...

Yes, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Time to express love and devotion to the one you love. This year I offer a poem for your enjoyment. Not that I consider myself to be a poet laureate by any stretch of the imagination... but when inspiration strikes and you find the words to convey something you are passionate about, well, then let the words speak for themselves.

Further, I would invite anyone who has a desire to dabble in the mire of poetry to share their views and their prose. Feel free to post your own Valentine offering for our reading entertainment.

For Valentine's Day 2012, I offer for your reading and thought provoking pleasure, a poem I wrote some time ago about things that pique my interest and my passions...

Evening Star

As day draws to its weary end and sunlight fades away,
I slowly lift my eyes to seek a heavenly display.
The sun gives way to purple hues, as shadows cast their spell;
The evening star shines bright above, with stories yet to tell.

As prelude to a wondrous sight, the evening star sets sail;
Promises of more to come begin now to unveil.
An other-worldly show takes place before my very eyes;
Suns and moons and galaxies all twinkle in the skies.

I watch enraptured as the heavens slowly come to life,
And for a while I put aside all troubles, cares, and strife.
I stand amazed at all I see, and wonder at the night,
Of places far beyond my mind that glory in my sight.

Quietly, I turn aside, and slowly walk away,
And cast my eyes along the path that culminates my day.
Before me shines my evening star, a beauty to behold,
And with each step, she draws me close, and promises unfold.

My evening star, with hair so soft, and eyes of starlit fire;
A vision now before me forms, and fills me with desire.
Her presence near, the night unfolds, with promises to share;
Heavenly bodies now embrace in love beyond compare.

Passions spent, the weary souls await the newborn day,
And rest assured, secure in heart, that love will find its way.
The evening star, its quest fulfilled, awaits in patient need,
Till evening approaches once again, and destiny takes heed

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY