Nancy and Franklin Chang celebrated their first anniversary with a week long visit to Lanai. Nancy lived on Lanai 2000-2003 teaching Bible Studies and directing a project to fight youth drug abuse on Lanai. This was Franklin’s first trip to Lanai. They golfed at the two signature golf courses at Koele and Manele and also at the free Cavendish course where Nancy was first taught golf by then 82 year old Noboru Oyama. They preached at the Church of God to the Sunday congregation and to the youth. Franklin prepared delicious meals for our hosts Randal and Chris Costales and for the Church of God Youth Group. It was a wonderful week of ministry, golf, meeting old friends and fine dining prepared mostly by Chef Franklin:):):)
For those of you who didn’t know, we have been on the mainland since July 7 and won’t return to Hawaii until Sept 8.
We just returned to the Bay Area from a 4000 mile road trip to the national parks of Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, Colorado, Arches, Bryce and Zion. Everything has been wonderful as we traveled w/ Nancy’s cousin Florence in her Honda Hybrid Accord (35mpg). Nancy’s highlights were the animals where Franklin almost had a heart attack as when we spotted a big Brown Bear, Nancy jumped out of the car and went running up close to get pictures and even as many times as I’ve seen bears in Alaska when fishing along the trails while fishing, I’ve learned that these are not teddy bears that you can pet, they can bite! She was at least 30 feet away, when you are supposed to give them 50 yards distance. I’ve aged 50 years since our trip! In Yellowstone we also got closeup views of bison strolling down the side of the road, a raven, bear, deer, bald eagles, wolves, antelope and elk. Franklin’s top choice was the presidential sculptures at Mt. Rushmore and the evening patriotic program. We were all amazed by God’s handiworks in the beauty of nature.
We had just two trials, but as usual God worked it out for good.
We didn’t book our lodging ahead of time because we didn’t know how far we would travel in a day. When we arrived at Buffalo, Wyoming, we found out there was no room at the inn - in the entire town plus the next two. After searching for an hour, and dinner, we decided to drive directly to our next destination, Rapid City, 200 miles away departing at 9:30 pm! I had perfect peace as Franklin drove on the divided, deserted 4 lane highway, praising God, and God blessed us w/ a lightning show in the distance the entire way and we arrived at our destination in 3 hours! Thanks also to Florence’s son for his GPS - absolutely a must for traveling
The other trial occurred at the rim of the Colorado National Monument when the 2005 Honda started dying on us at the elevation of 8000 feet. We were able to get to the visitor center where we called AAA. It wasSat night but fortunately there was a Honda dealer in nearby Grand Junction so we left the car there until the dealer opened Monday morning. Sunday morning we decided to walk over a mile to the nearest church, a Four-Square. The entire way I was praying that some nice couple would offer us a ride back to the motel (90 degree heat) . After the service, the couple in front of us asked, “Would you like to go out to lunch?” Praise the Lord! God answered more than we expected! Our newfound friends treated us to a very nice lunch, took us to the Honda dealer and led us to a good gas station (we suspected that the cheap gas we got in Denver was the problem) and then back to the motel. Our trial turned out into a very nice day of rest.
Monday morning they found nothing wrong w/ the car so we went merrily on our way to Arches National Park. God determined our route as we had been praying whether or not we should go to Mesa Verde, Col., and now it was a definite “no” because of the lost day, but Zion and Bryce Canyon were beautiful side trips.
We spent a weekend in San Diego enjoying fellowship w/ Franklin’s sister Shirley and husband Joe, then lunch July 28 with Nancy’s 90-year old Aunt Fanny in LA, dinner w/ Franklin’s friends Ken and Jane in Santa Maria and back by midnight the same day to the Bay Area . Next week we fly to D.C. to see Nancy’s daughter Rona and family. We’ll send you a report from our East Coast journey. Please write us to let us know how you are doing.
Love,
Nancy and Franklin
Ahn Young Ha See Yo (Korean word of greeting),
God’s plans have been unfolding since we left Hawaii on March 6. Even in Xian His loving hands were protecting us. We were on the second floor of a two-story building in an internet cafe on Skype when we felt the first tremors of the devastating earthquake 400 miles from the epicenter. The floor started to move, and Franklin said, “Everyone get downstairs!” We made it down the buckling stairs, and even as we stood outside, the sidewalk was still moving back and forth. Locally, in Xian about 40 - 50 people died, mainly construction workers in high buildings.
From Xian we flew to Guilin where we had a leisurely 3 days with no ministry, only sightseeing. We took the 4 hour Li River cruise, and Franklin took a record number of pictures - 600, because he was awed by the breathtaking views around each curve. We flew out of Guilin on May 16, back to Hong Kong, where we felt like we were “home” - almost. We stayed at the wonderful Salisbury YMCA again. Sunday we said aloha to the church family in Hong Kong, and then spent a leisurely 4 hours with Robbieana while we waited to go to the airport for our midnight flight to Seoul, Korea. Thank you to Robbieana who took our excess luggage to Hawaii as we were limited to 44 lbs each for our Korea flight.
We arrived in Seoul at 4:30 am. While Nancy was looking for a shuttle, Franklin sighted a man holding a sign “Korean War Veterans Revisit Program”. Mr. Lee had come to the airport beyond the call of duty to greet this straggling couple, as the main group arrived 12 hours later. The Korea Revisit Program had been started by the Korean Government approximately 20 years ago as a gesture of gratitude to all veterans of the Korean War. Franklin and many of his surviving war buddies had always said through the years that Korea held many bad memories of friends lost in battle. God again has initiated His plan for healing. We stayed at a four star hotel with three gourmet buffet meals every day and a planned daily schedule of events. One of the most difficult and sad days was a revisit to the former front line of battle overlooking Panmunjom, where Franklin and many of his buddies occupied the hills surrounding the peace talk site. Despite the armistice, 57 years later, Korea is still divided. It was kind of eerie to be bussed to a site where there are still armed guards, barbed wire, and mine fields. The attached picture shows what it looks like today - that’s Franklin and Bill Duffy, both in the same Company of the 1st Marine Division. The 2 blue buildings on either side were where the peace talks were held 57 years ago - half of the buildings are straddling North Korea and the other half straddled the South. The guard you see is ours facing toward the North, and if you look close, you’ll see only half of his body is exposed - that’s how they stand guard, night and day all these years. In the background is a gray building that is in North Korea with all kinds of cameras and telescopes; we have the same thing on our side of the line. That afternoon we went to the war museum and memorial of the fallen from all the different countries with individual names engraved. It was a very difficult time as many names were recognized, and harsh memories recalled.
On the positive side, hopefully some of the ghosts of the past have been dispelled, as the S. Korea of today, is not of sadness but of youth and laughter. Busloads of all ages are being taught and introduced to old customs and the history of their country. The middle school girls’ faces lighted up when they read our Korean War Veteran nametags - they thanked us giggling, “I love you!” All the veterans upon looking at modern Seoul and the happy faces of the children agree, “The war effort was worth it.” We were honored at a sumptuous banquet hosted by the Korean Veterans Association with many representatives from the government and the embassies. All attending veterans were awarded a beautiful Ambassador for Peace medal.
The group left Seoul on Saturday, May 24, but we could not get a flight out until Monday, May 26. Again, God was totally in control. We “happened” to be here for Kristen Suh’s ordination as an Every Nation pastor. Her husband Simon is gone so much in his service for the Lord, Kristen is left on the home front to pastor and preach. She was already doing the work of a pastor, but this service was a time to honor her officially. Pastors Scott and Naomi Douma of Japan and Larry Matsuwaki from Singapore were here to conduct the service. Sunday services were held at a picnic along the Han River where there used to be only one bombed out bridge. Today modern Korea has 27 with another one in the works. What a contrast with banners, prayers, worship held in a park openly.
As you read this, we will be flying home to Honolulu after 3 months sojourning. We will be happy to be back in the U.S. with lots of stories and pictures to share. (Don’t mention pictures when you see Franklin). Hope to be back at tennis the day of arrival:):):)
With Warmest Aloha,
Nancy and Franklin
