On 6 June, 1996 4 weary travelers landed at the Macau International Airport. Nathanael, who was not yet 2 years old started crying while we stood in line at the Immigration counter. We were later teased about pinching him at just the right time so that the Immigration officers, always eager to move screaming kids along as fast as possible, would speed us along. The reality is that he was simply exhausted from the nearly 28 hours we had been in transit.

We hauled about 500 pounds of luggage off the conveyer belts and through customs. You might think 500 pounds is an exaggeration but it may have been more. We had 13 pieces of checked luggage, all packed to the maximum weight. Weary travelers.

As we exited the sliding glass doors we were met by a group of people we had never seen before - the Mission family. They were only the first of many, many people who would become family to us in Macau. We have been richly blessed and helped by scores of people in Macau and in the USA over the years. You can't travel this far without help.

Today we mark the 10th anniversary of our arrival. Here's an interesting thought. These past 10 years are the longest that I have ever lived in one place. And even here I have lived in 3 different apartments. After 10 years, I can honestly say that I couldn't have chosen any better place to live. I'm very grateful for the years we've had in Macau. I look forward to the years we still have in Macau.

Then

Now