It was tough sitting on the train heading for Sydney International Airport for the fourth time in the past two months, all the more since Gill was staying at home this time. Things looked up as I saw Richo's face there and we flew out to Taiwan to see the couple heading up CS there, Chris and Eliah Chon. Chris has been busy! Eliah was pregnant with their first child last time I saw them three years ago and she met us pregnant with their third! First day saw us attend a surfers memorial paddle out for a friend of Chris who had tragically died on the beach last week. Chris told us, "He said he was feeling a bit off and we tried to offer help or to stay with him but he sent us out to enjoy the waves. I saw him sit down, then lie down. Some of his other friends thought he was sleeping until one noticed the waves lapping up against his leg and he wasn't moving. He died of a heart attack. I am able to tell my friends, you never know when your time is up!" We saw Chris moving amongst the 100 surfers who met at the beach, he is obviously well connected and appreciated. Later we visited the only elementary school in the country that has embraced surfing and the principal said, "Chris comes and coaches the kids, they love him and this sport teaches them to not be afraid of the ocean, while expanding their education." No doubt Chris is laying the foundations for surfing of a new generation in this new surfing nation. We enjoyed local treats of natural hot volcanic pools, amazing food, teaching an English class and 'extreme motor scooter'.
After three days we took Chris and headed to a Chinese surfing location which recently hosted both an ASP longboard men's and women's event and an ISA world teams event. The Chinese government is doing all they can to promote the exotic beach life of this tourist destination. Whilst there I probably only saw around 100 surfers, and I swear I saw at least 100 hotels being built! As our contact brother said, "I went back home for a few months and when I returned, the little village I parked my car at to surf this reef break had been cleared and 8 new hotels were being built!" The other obvious thing was that all tourist information was translated into one language...Russian. Apparently this is the playground for the wealthy Eastern Soviets since the 90's and who wouldn't want to escape a Siberian winter!? "This is my first time," exclaimed a heavy set Russian guy with a longboard who quickly found out this new surfing thing was not so easy. It's equally new for the Chinese who have a traditional fear of the ocean but a very western generation are slowly embracing it.
Our brother has had one friend translating 'On the Rocks' and this has caused her to question the Christian faith that she has had little connection with. They were stoked to have some westerners surf with them in the dribbly beach breaks, followed up next day with a surf trip north to "Dog Meat Bay" (literal translation) and whilst we didn't score many waves the potential and the photos with "you should be here for typhoon season" comments convinced us there are plenty of waves. There has been such massive upheavals in the culture and our friend says, "The communist revolution in some ways did the gospel a service as the slate was wiped clean and God has filled the vacuum by mobilising an amazing movement with thousands of Christians today." We were warmly welcomed as CS and our friend was amazed we would come this far just to visit him.
As we flew out for a 24-hour trip home via Taiwan, Rich and I reflected that Chinese surfing is about to boom and how good it is to get in on the ground early to help shape the culture for good and open to God. Feel free to encourage Chris Chon in Taiwan by emailing him and if you want details on China contact Rich.
