Hello all! I’ve enjoyed getting various comments and questions from some of you about my new blog. Internet technology definitely has its advantages. Well, I’m still on the Xu Zhiyong watch of internet sources. Not much happening, aside from this tasty treat from the Far Eastern Economic Review:

“In a year that’s seen the arbitrary detentions of Chinese legal activists and government critics like Gao Zhisheng and Liu Xiaobo, the Aug. 23 release of Xu Zhiyong, the head of the Open Constitution Initiative (Gongmeng), should be cause for celebration. There is of course profound relief that Mr. Xu has emerged from custody physically unscathed and after only a few weeks in detention—unlike Mr. Gao, whom we believe, based on his writings about his past detentions, has probably been tortured, or Mr. Liu, who is now in his second decade of being politically persecuted for his activism. But there are few other reasons to celebrate. Even after the release of Mr. Xu, the larger picture is one of Chinese government assault on the rule of law and civil society.”

The Chinese government assault on the rule of law and civil society…… It sure seems that way, which is a complete 180 degree turn from where it seemed they were going. This Sunday I’m leaving for my next China trip and I’m really looking forward to talking with Chinese people in Beijing about Xu and get their opinions. As I get the ‘on the ground’ perspective, I’ll be sure to post the findings here on the blog.

In the meantime, I’m getting so excited about this China Trip. Back in China, among good friends, great (real) Chinese food and the distribution of 5000 Bibles, impacting 25,000 Chinese for Christ. Then I’m off to Singapore, which I’ve never been to before. I’ve got several meetings with sending agencies based there who are interested in using my book. I also have two dear American friends there and their families, so It’ll be great to reconnect with them.

So stay tuned, as I plan to blog quite a bit while on my trip!