Summarising 19 years in one Skype chat

It’s 3:40 in the afternoon UK time, 10:40 in the evening Hong Kong time. Whisperer notices that Daniel is on Skype and asks if he can have a chat.

[15:40:08] Whisperer says: OK - here we go. If you weren't Skyping me - what would you be doing right now?

[15:40:32] Daniel says: Probably sleeping. It is almost 11pm here in HK you know! Either that or working on my email inbox

[15:41:34] Whisperer says: You must really love reading email!

[15:42:24] Daniel says: Have you heard of the little girl who was reciting the Lord's prayer? She prayed, 'And deliver us from email'! I sometimes really feel that! While email is a great aid in communication, I think the other thing I have noticed is how people want and need more information now before making a commitment. For example, a few years ago we had a team come to China who wanted to see a photo of the toilet that they would be using during their summer

[15:44:01] Whisperer says: Now that’s preparation for a summer trip! Did you have a busy evening before now?

[15:44:19] Daniel says: Tonight I was spending time with some PRC Chinese scholars studying here in HK. We were studying Matthew 1 together. The genealogy of Jesus may not have been the most engaging passage in the NT, but got into some interesting tangents of 'Do you know your ancestors' and 'What qualities makes somebody a Chinese' (ie when you meet an Overseas Born Chinese) and you think 'they are not really a Chinese', what makes you think that'.

[15:48:12] Whisperer says: Is that your job, then? Engaging with PRC scholars?

[15:49:21] Daniel says: Actually sometimes I feel that I retired at the age of 29 as a Software Engineer, and for the past 18 years living in China, I am just living life to the fullest. But 'my responsibility' now is mobilizing and recruiting and overseeing the candidate process for professionals coming to China.

[15:49:58] Whisperer says: You've been in China for 18 years!

[15:51:17] Daniel says: I look forward to the day when I meet a uni student and he asks me 'How long have you been in China', and I can reply 'Longer than you!'

[15:52:11] Whisperer says: Not long to go now… Is there a big group of people to mobilise from in Hong Kong?

[15:53:24] Daniel says: Yes, there is, but that is not my major role. I do a lot of international travel. In the past year I have spoken at churches and conferences and university groups in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. And looking forward to soon visiting the UK. I have visited between 21 and 25 countries - depending upon how you count them!

[15:54:14] Whisperer says: Where in the UK are you going to?

[15:54:57] Daniel says: All over – Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham, London, Kingsbridge, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Bradford, Derbyshire… I’ve never been to the UK before, so I’m really excited about being there.

[15:57:36] Whisperer says: What has been your highlight of the last six months?

[15:57:57] Daniel says: I have lived in China for 17 years now. I have led teams and clusters in China that are very international - from many different countries. I have enjoyed in the past 6 months visiting several places for the first time (Korea, Malaysia, Australia), and have been able to see and participate in the church in those places, I’ve got a glimpse into the Christian culture and just the 'normal culture' in some of those countries. Also, when I travel, I love to talk and meet with people interested in serving God overseas. It has been a treat to be able to come along side of them briefly during their journey, to walk with them, to get to know them, to share life with them, and see how God has used me in their life.

[16:01:27] Whisperer says: Same question, different time period - what has been your highlight of the last 17 years?

[16:03:24] Daniel says: When I first came to China 17 years ago, by the third semester I was all by myself, with no other foreign Christians around me. I had a real feeling of abandonment. God used that experience to prepare me for the job I have done the past 8 years of being the cluster leader in the city where we now send our new people to. Seeing them not just 'survive' (as I felt I did those first couple years in China), but really 'thrive' has probably been the greatest highlight of the past 17 years, and doing it in a spirit of unity and grace.

[16:04:09] Whisperer says: You make that sound easier than it was - what challenges did you face with the unity and grace thing?

[16:09:32] Daniel says: I think grace and unity go 'hand in hand'. In some ways, this may sound strange, but I wish we had more Christian workers who did NOT come from a Christian background. I think when we realize how much we have been saved from, that allows us to be filled with thanks for the forgiveness we have experienced, which then allows us to extend grace and forgiveness to others. One of the biggest challenges of living abroad together in a team is conflict and disagreements. I understand why that happens. They come naturally. But in that environment we need to make sure we decide to use lots of grace and forgiveness.

[16:07:00] Whisperer says: I like all this worthy chat, but let’s get a little lighter now… what was the last film you saw and was it worth it?

[16:10:42] Daniel says: Last film in the cinema was Spiderman 3. Was it worth it? I can't remember, so I guess not

[16:10:58] Whisperer says: OK. Thanks. Pandas or polar bears?

[16:11:19] Daniel says: Tough question - I love them both. They really both are cute

[16:11:28] Whisperer says: But can you commit to one?

[16:11:52] Daniel says: sure I can commit - but let me ask you first - do you love your mum or your dad more? Do you want to move on to the next question?

[16:12:18] Whisperer says: OK - I'll change tack, you tricky man. Three cheese or Hawaiian?

[16:12:48] Daniel says: Hawaiian pizza is the best!

[16:13:37] Whisperer says: What do you miss most about the States?

[16:15:08] Daniel says: Singing the grand hymns such as 'All Hail the power of Jesus name' and 'It is well with my soul' and 'Praise to the Lord the Almighty' with a pipe organ and the 3.000 other people from my church. If you want a less spiritual answer, I guess I would say 'Blueberry Cheese cake'

[16:15:37] Whisperer says: And what are you looking forward to most in the UK (because you may not get either of those)?

[16:16:15] Daniel says: Any chance to meet the queen?