Isn't Life Interesting!

Trip Start May 03, 2005

Trip End Jun 08, 2005

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Flag of China Kunming, China
Wednesday, May 18, 2005

On my third morning at the hotel, I was going to down to breakfast, when I came across an unusual site in China, namely a Salvation Army (SA) Officer, stood right in the middle of the reception area in uniform! As I approached I could see that the gentleman was a Lieut. Colonel of Chinese descent. I introduced myself explaining that I worked for the SA in the UK, and that I was surprised to find him standing there and asked what he was doing here in Kunming?

He explained that he was there for the consultation previously mentioned in the travelogue, and introduced himself as the Officer Commanding the Salvation Army - HongKong and Macau Command. He informed me that the SA were hosting the consultation, right there at the hotel the following day. Those taking part in the consultations were YINGO's - Yunnan Province's Official State apparatus for accrediting overseas NGO's - CCP, the State Women's Federation, Save the Children China, JTF - an NGO with a Christian ethos, a TSPM (Three Self Patriot Movement) Church from Kunming, and other Christian and non Chriatian NGO's. (This is certainly an interesting group)!

He informed me that the consultation was arranged to discus issues around HIV/AIDS, Orphans and Vulnerable Children and how Human Capasity Development, can benefit and help in building sustainable communities amongst those suffering with HIV/AIDS, and those orphans and vulnerable children within society.

We discussed my reasons for being in China, my work, and my involvement in NGO/Charity work, and he invited me to participate in the consultation, given I had some free time, as he thought that my experiences and expertise might be valuable, and that I might be interested in the topics being discussed?

Not half!

So again my plans have been changed by a unique set of circumstances, that some would call fate, but I prefer to refer to as divine design. As a result, I will write up more of my travelogue after the conference which ends on the 20th, but I will certainly now need to change my plans, and route, given this obvious yet welcome intervention.