In June, ACCTS' staff conducted an ACCTS Exploration ministry trip to China and Japan. Two West Point cadets sponsored by the Pierce Scholarship met them in Tokyo on June 4th, and spent 5 days meeting with Japanese military Christian leaders and experiencing the majestic culture and monuments of Japan. (The Pierce Scholarship is administered by ACCTS to encourage future military Christian leaders to develop international friendships with military peers, and shape their military careers for Christian servant leadership.) Two Chinese cadets from Valley Forge Military Academy and College joined the group in Beijing on June 10th.
The Director of the China Ministry Team reports: "There is a lot going on, in multiple directions simultaneously. Some of this is coordinated, but all of it is in God's hands. As I entered the country, I was speaking with a Christian lady from Iran who was so encouraging and supportive. When I sat down to dinner, the China-side team -- all-new young Chinese with whom we have as yet no relationship -- asked me to pray for them and the meal.
The past several months have seen growth in our relationship with Chinese cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy, as they mature in Christian leadership. As we travel through China, we see evidence of the legacies, the relationships, and the continuing need to reach out and love our fellow humans with the love that lasts."
June 10: The team assembled in Beijing, and had dinner with a Chinese church leader and his son, who will attend Wheaton College in the fall. This family also has a special relationship with one of our contacts who does leadership development work in China. One member of our team is facilitating an ACCTS leadership development relationship with this leader.
June 11: The team flew to Hohhot, the provincial capital of the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, to participate in a character based leadership seminar on "Trust and Service before Self."
June 12: The team visited the historic Mongolian grasslands north of Hohhot, where the cadets rode local horses and observed a Mongolian Shamanism ceremony such as would have been performed before the Khan rode off to battle. After the performance, we struck up a conversation with our guide Jane about the Bible, since she was quite interested in seeing us carrying one. The conversation continued on the bus, and she learned about Jesus for the first time ever! She was amazed to discover that the Bible demands a response - She is responding!
June 13: we visited the Yili national government dairy company, Wang ZhaoJin's memorial "tomb" (they don't know exactly where she was buried), and enjoyed a local noodle lunch. Then we were off to Taiyuan, our next city. ACCTS' ministry is about relationships, and before departing, we had the chance to speak with Jane about the meaning of the name "Grace." It had a surprising meaning when it was explained to her!
June 14: In Taiyuan, we facilitated the first formal "Pray and Plan" in China over the finances for a partner ministry in China. As we were wrapping up, a staff member came in to announce that they had just received a $100,000 grant! God does answer prayer, sometimes with amazing alacrity.
June 15: The next stop was Pingyao, and a side trip to Beichang, a small village that we have helped for 17 years with love, some old computers, and a few textbooks. God has used these seeds to encourage the villagers to build a new school, complete with a library and computer lab, enhancements not usually found in Chinese village schools.
June 16: We toured the historic Whampoa Military Academy in Guagzhou, which was founded in 1924 by the first president of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-Sen, who was a Christian. Whampoa boasts a unique exhibit on cooperation in China-America relations.
June 17: In Shenzhen, we learned that the character based leadership course we had presented several years ago to 50 senor executives of the largest Chinese developer was the most effective, measurable, and life-changing that they had experienced. Since it was based on the West Point model of achieving high standards through dignity and respect rather than coercion, The West Point cadets were understandably proud.
June 18: Our last stop was Beijing, where we reunited with friends from the National Prayer breakfast. The cadets climbed up the Great Wall, (and tobogganed back down) before meeting with leaders of the Xing/Shi exploring and Culture Group. At the meeting the cadets were invited to return to China for discussions on youth character development programs.
After the trip, the West Point cadets wrote the Pierce family about their trip:
"Thank you for maintaining this scholarship"
". . .Greatly improved my educational and cultural experience."
". . .Opened my eyes ...to listen, learn, and love these two cultures"
"A fantastic experience to open doors that I never thought I would go through."
" A life changing adventure of a lifetime"
"Helped me build confidence in interacting with others when a language barrier is present"
"Please keep this scholarship alive for future cadets."
The Asia regional staff continued on to South Korea where they participated in a Missionary Evangelism Observation program put on by our partners, the Missionary Support Organization. This training in establishing and dtrengthening military Christian fellowships included representatives from 17 countries around the world, including Albania , Israel, and Jordan.
Praise the Lord for His provision during this ministry trip, for the working of His Holy Spirit in the lives of US and Chinese cadets, and for the Gospel seeds planted with Jane and many others!
