Zhuhai, China

Across from Macau is Zhuhai, China, one of the 3 regions specially designated as Special Economic Zone by late Chairman Deng in 1978. From a small sleepy fishing village, Zhuhai is home to more than a million people today.


With the prosperity boom, how does one spot a rich man in Zhuhai? By the car he drives? By the clothes he wears? Nope. There are actually 2 simple ways. First, by the number of children one has. Second, by the fact that one has a DOG! Why? Cuz BOTH cost $$$$$$ to "maintain". (Fyi, the penalty is RM150,000 for a second child.)


I was told Zhuhai has a unique population anomaly - the ratio of man to woman is 1:5!!! So what is the odd of 2 men together?!


Typhoon Neoguri, a Category 2 hurricane packing winds up to 97mph, hit southern China while I was in Zhuhai, the earliest arrival of a typhoon since 1949! So what is the odd of THAT?!!


So part of the trip was done under incessant rain & high wind...


Which resulted in some unscheduled stops... like this great looking historical home of a warlord... WRONG! This is actually an upscale foot massage center :P


Zhuhai (珠海) is literally "Pearl Sea" in Mandarin. And indeed pearl production is a major industry here. There are major factories here producing pearl jewelries and pearl related cosmetic products.


In fact, the symbol for Zhuhai is this "Pearl Lady". There is a beautiful legend behind this lady... too long for me to elaborate here but the story is something like "The Little Mermaid"...


But my interest in oyster or clam is only limited to the type u can eat one ;)


This is one of the most famous night street in Zhuhai. Both sides of the street are dotted with small drinking stalls. As u walk along, the bar ladies will constantly SCREAM & SHOUT trying to get u to come over for a drink.


And as the night gets darker, u will see other illicit business activities all along the street. Scantily dressed ladies chasing men around soliciting for "business", at the same time, woman beggars with dirty toddlers running around begging for alms... Very very sad.


Praise God my flight wasn't delayed coming back home. Macau airport was closed the day before due to the typhoon. O home sweet home.

Macau - the Casinos

But most people go to Macau for ONE reason only. Nope, its not to see the UNESCO sites unfortunately. It is gambling. I was told this casino above is the very first casino in Macau founded by Stanley Ho 40 yrs ago.


I got a chance to go inside...to eat ;) No, not at this glittering restaurant. Another one a few stories above.


But there IS a casino that I really wanted to visit in Macau - The Venetian. It is the LARGEST casino in the world. The building itself is also the 3rd largest in the world. I have estimated that u will need at least 2 days just to explore "all" corners.


The inside is simply stunning. The huge spaces & the intricate deco will blow anyone away.


No, I am not here to marvel at this man-made wonder (well, sorta). As a friend blurted out: "This is heaven!", I quickly corrected: "No, this is hell. This is SIN city." This humongous structure exists solely to gratify & exploit the sin nature of mankind. Perhaps this building could even be deemed as one of King Nebuchadnezzar's grandest achievement in the ancient Babylon! Why not?


Even the symbol of the Venetian is literally straight out of Biblical texts in the description of the Babylonian Empire:

And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings... (Daniel 7:3-4)



The concept of a gambling den has evolved much over the past decades. Combining a mix of services & attractions to "soften" the negative impression most of us would have.


But I WAS interested in this one attraction - Venice. Yes, a replica of the city of Venice INSIDE the Venetian.


It is simply quite stunning. For those who have been to any one of the major theme parks in the world, the wow-effect is probably less. The technology involved is nothing new, but rather it is the excellence in the execution of the vision, the exquisite details, & the intelligent layout. Spare no expense indeed with the USD1.8 billion.

If only there are pigeons in this replica of Piazza San Marco... ;P


What is Venice without the canals & the gondolas? I think they have like a mile of canals inside the building separated into different sections. And yes, the gondolier does sing in Italian too.


Throughout the day, and throughout the casino, there are live entertainments round the clock. All are superb performances.


Obviously this is THE way forward for "Family Entertainment" or "Family Holiday". Genting has been trying for years to transform itself from "pure gambling" to premier "wholesome family vacation spot". So are the many casinos throughout the world. And so are the new ones coming up, trying to outdo each other. Like the ones coming up in Singapore.


U can't get a "cooler" food court than this.

Therefore, here lies the deception & the danger. The world is trying to integrate the worst values and packages them into something fun, entertaining & wholesome. They are trying to paint a positive picture of an evil habit.

Almost like the way how homosexuality is now deemed "natural" in most countries...the result of decades of disinformation by interest groups & mass medias.


I was told that every casinos is designed with Feng Sui principles that the building acts like a cage or trap or a vortex that will only sucks fortune in but never out. Just to clarify, as a child of God, I am not subject under the authority of Feng Sui. But for those who are living under the power of the kingdom of darkness, obviously they are subject to its "rules & regulations".


For instance, this new Lisboa design is as such: the round base is the head of a man; the funny looking skyscraper is the sword that stuck itself halfway into the head. So for those gamblers gambling inside - ur minds are severely wounded, dude! So bad until u will lose all ur money down to the last penny.

Folks, gambling is BAD for u. Period. At the end of the day, u would only find sorrow, brokenness, despair, regrets at the end of the road.

Truth is, even I was "seduced" by all these glitter & glamor. No wonder the underground churches in China are NOT asking for prayers for relief from persecution. But rather, that their children would not be sucked into a glamorous & lustful world out there in the cities.

Macau - Churches & Food

It has been a while since I last step into a Catholic Church. Even longer when the Church is VERY old. Like 1587!

St Dominic Church is an UNESCO World Heritage site. It was a spooky experience actually. All those idols & spooky lighting effects actually make the place quite dreary.

Kinda like visiting one of these above ;P

I guess the original intent was to bring AWE to worshipers or pilgrims. Trying to portray a sense of beauty or glory of God humanly possible. But the Word of God says:

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them... (Exodus 20: 4-5)

Instead of focusing on the Word of God, in the Dark Ages, the Church did the exact opposite - they forbid the Bible to be read by common folks. It was DEATH sentence for a common folk found to be READING the Bible!

Wait a sec...that kinda sounds like what is happening in the USA today too...where the Bible is forbidden in many public places... But thats a topic for another day...


Yup, by the grace of God I was in Macau last week. Behind me is yet another UNESCO World Heritage site - the famous ruins of St Paul. Built in 1582 it was burned down 3 times. The last was caused by a typhoon... Hmmm, wonder any "meaning" when I was there and Macau was hit by Typhoon Neoguri...

A friend asked me how to differentiate a RC Church and a Protestant Church. A RC friend volunteered the answer: "The RC cross has a human figure on it." Funny but sorta true.

Well, I guess a better sign is the one above - "Mater Dei", Latin for "Mother of God", right on top of the main entrance.


As recommended by my world jetting buddy TW, he suggested that I need to try out the special Portuguese Egg Tarts. I did. But I couldn't taste the "special" part. It was nice but so are those found in Malaysia.


The other must-try food is the Pork Pao. Regret to inform I was too full to try. Next time perhaps.


The streets in front of the ruins of St Paul are really busy. The stores fronting the streets ranged from the ultra hip to the very traditional. A great mix.


Not to mention all those historical sites.


Btw, I did pass by a reformed church. Here's a photo. Behind the window grill are these words: The LORD is risen!

Amen.

Donuts!

Whenever I travel outside Kuching, whenever possible, one of the items I will try my best to buy and bring back home is - Donuts. Serious. I love donuts. Even all the way from Bali once! O...those Krispy Kream were heavenly.

So, when tHe Spring opened in Kuching, one of my hope was to have at least a Dunkin Donut stall inside. Imagine my disappointment when there wasn't any donut stall.

But TODAY when I open my newspaper, imagine my JOY when I read that there is a new DONUT stall, Big Apple, opening inside tHe Spring!


From the long Q, it is obvious there is more than just me, a donut lover, in Kuching. Praise the Lord!

Remembering Dad

It has been 2 years and 3 days since dad passed away. It has been much longer since my mom passed away. So technically I am an orphan :)

A couple of nights ago my wife asked me: "Ben, what do u think dad is doing now in heaven?"

Well, I told my wife dad could be in a Bible college right now doing "catch up". But come to think of it, dad could be doing so many things! Beside beholding Jesus face to face, which is the GREATEST fulfillment, he could be worshiping at the throne room, or having picnic with my mom by the river eating fruits from the Tree of Life, or he could be touring the "almost finished" New Jerusalem, or he could be checking out the massive banquet hall getting ready for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, or making friends with the apostles & the Patriarchs...

but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."
(1Co 2:9)

Well, I am SURE dad is eagerly awaiting for the arrival of me & his loved ones down here! I bet he can't wait to "show off" & be a tour guide ;)

Or could he be checking out the awesome spectacle of the assembly of innumerable angels before the throne of God, fully dressed in shinning white robes, with archangel Michael leading at the front with the trumpet of God at his side... awaiting for the command?

Or don't tell me he is peeking & scanning thru the Lamb's Book of Life to see if...???

Well, I am sure dad is fully enjoying himself up there. 

Praise the LORD for His grace & mercy.

Feast of First Fruits 2008

This is the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. This is reputed to be the actual tomb where the body of Jesus was laid to rest for 3 days after His crucifixion.

And it is EMPTY today. Why? Cuz Jesus is RISEN! 

What is the significance of His resurrection?

The death of Jesus on Calvary was NOT an accident. Bible says it was planned BEFORE Adam was even made! God is omniscient. He knows the end from the beginning. Because of His great love & mercy, knowing full well that men would fall, God already ordained the salvation plan for humanity since the foundation of the world through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, the Cross was a VICTORY. It destroyed forever the power satan had over mankind. It also fully satisfied God's righteous judgement on sin. Jesus, the Lamb of God, carried upon Himself the sins of the world and was fully punished for us.

But how do we KNOW for SURE that God was completely satisfied with the payment for sins? Well, the Bible says:

He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was RAISED because of our JUSTIFICATION. 

(Rom 4:25)

Hallelujah!

AiPing's new friend, Helen. 


Once more, glad to see all the loved ones are gathered together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.


...except may be Evelyn. She was REALLY FOCUSED this morning trying to "solve/handle" some of the technical issues, I think.


Wonderful to see Professor Mark here whom I have not seen for a couple of weeks (or longer) ever since I started to attend Mandarin service more.


Or Jane - children's FAVOURITE auntie cuz she always pass out sweets!


Since I haven't seen pastor & Irene for a while too... are those new hair-do? Really nice. Pastor Kuek gave a simple yet powerful message this morning - 100% Christ centered.


These are definitely new hair-do...


And the Line Dancing presentation this morning had a really creative finish with this 3-D "human cross"!


The worship this morning was really anointed. More than a few times I just gotta stop shooting & be still to worship the Almighty God.


Here's AiPing been prayed for by Pastor.


Praise the Lord for this day, the Feast of First Fruits, foreordained since the foundation of the world, foretold in the Scripture thousands of years before the birth of Jesus, and fulfilled exactly on the appointed day.

"Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'

(Isa 46:9-10)

The awesomeness of God. And He is MY FATHER! Hallelujah!

For more pix, pls check out the Church's Blog.


A video slideshow of the service.