GiANT Experiences Values Forum Beijing, China

While most of my China trip was fun, exciting and enjoyable I had one very dark day. I caught a very bad cold as we arrived in Beijing, our last stop on our tour. My cold was really bad and it was affecting my voice. However, I was scheduled to speak two of the three days we were in Beijing.

When I woke up the next morning my cold was worse, my voice all but gone and I was scheduled to speak in about 8 hours. Then the scheduled changed. I got a text telling me to be in the lobby in 30-45 minutes, we were to meet with some more business owners. I had to refuse to go…I was just too sick.

After I refused to go, I came under a tremendous attack. I became very frustrated, disappointed and depressed. I felt like I had let my team and the Chinese business leaders down. I sent my wife a text and told her how down I was. Raynell knew I was sick and she had been praying for me. She asked me if I could read my emails. I sent her a text that I could only get email in the hotel lobby and restaurant. She insisted I go read my emails. I told her I was too sick. She kicked my butt, as only a wife half way around the world, forced to use text to communicate, could do.

So, I took a shower, got dressed and went to the restaurant and started reading my emails. The emails were prayers and well wishes from tons of my friends that she had asked to pray for me and write to me. As I read them, the hotel sound system started playing the best Christmas Hymns (in English) and within an hour my entire attitude had completely changed. My negative attitude was transformed into a positive one. God spoke to my heart through the prayers and music. His spirit moved in me. My cold subsided, my mind became clear, my confidence was restored and I got ready for my speech.

A couple of hours later I was at the meeting with the business leaders and speaking about my core values and how I believed God was the reason for the success of Bank2. He was the reason for my success that evening too!

God promises to be with us, to fill us with His comfort, His strength, His power and it was never more obvious to me than December 9, 2011. I thank God for a loving, supporting, caring wife that somehow knew, I was in need. For a large group of friends that took the time to pray for me and send me encouraging emails. I thank God for the great Christmas Hymns that suddenly began to play over a hotel sound system in downtown Beijing, China!  Only God can orchestrate those events. I also thank God for my team that supported me through it all.

I may have been in Beijing, China but God was with me, loving me, healing me, providing strength and encouragement. God provided me with a young man named David to translate for me. He was full of energy and he loved my comments. He enthusiastically translated my message and made my message better. Thanks David.

Yes, I had one very dark day that God turned into a GLORIOUS BLESSED DAY as he taught me anew to turn to Him, trust Him, and seek Him. He will provide.

Ross