Running the Race in China: August 2008

Monday 25 August 2008

The Forbidden City - Final thoughts

Rapidly coming to the end of our time here, just met with Dengxing and Rocky and concluded our business with them relating to Running the Race in China. Encouraged by their desire to continue to publish sound Christian literature as a foundational aid to continue building the church in China. John and I then grabbed a cab and headed for Tiananmen Square....we walked for some time through the square into Sun-yat-sen Park, stopped in a Chinese tea house for a beautifully presented refreshing cup of blueberry and passion fruit tea, accompanied by preserved plum. We enjoyed these in a very tranquil setting surrounded by pomegranate trees, the waitress appearing from time to time to top up our drinks...we sat there for quite some time!

John will end with a few words. 'We moved from the tea house out of the east gate in the north of the park and came face to face with the southern gate - the Meridion Gate - of the Forbidden City. It impressed with its grandeur, but there was no getting in. It was reminder to us that there is a city which has a grandeur exceeding all earthly grandeur, eternal in the heavens in which all will enter who are found at the last trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. We returned home conscious of the Lord's goodness to us over these days which seemed so fleeting. May the Lord give some fruit to His glory, and may He be pleased to prosper our way.'

N.B As our promotion of Running the Race in China comes to an end we have proposed dates for the US promotional events starting in Atlanta, Georgia in October. Itinerary to follow shortly. Please pray for guidance for these arrangements.

Sunday 24 August 2008

Morning worship with the Beijing International Christian Fellowship

Today we had arranged for John to speak at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship. Arriving at 9.15 for a 9.30 service, we were met at the door of the 21st Century Theater by American Rob Tucker (Pastor of Operations). We had to pass through a security check and show our passports as the church is only open to foreign passport holders. John had the opportunity to speak at 2 services, each attended by at least 500 worshipers. The 9.30 service in English and Mandarin, 11.30 English only. John spoke for about 8 - 10 minutes on each occasion, giving a brief outline of Running the Race (English and Chinese versions), his message then centred on the impact of Eric Liddell. He contrasted the attitude of Eric Liddell to sport and fame with the present day. This was in many ways summed up in an interview by Liddell with a journalist in 1932. He was asked: 'Are you glad you gave your life to missionary work? Don't you miss the limelight, the rush, the frenzy, the cheers, the rich red wine of victory?' 'O well', said Eric, 'of course its natural for a chap to think over all that sometimes, but I'm glad I'm in the work I'm engaged in now. A fellow's life counts for more at this than the other, not a corruptible crown, but an incorruptible, you know.' John went on to speak of the influence Liddell had in his own life, coming to profess faith in Christ. Running the Race was the culmination of a long term interest in Eric Liddell's sporting and Christian life. He explained the title of the book in relation to Hebrews 12v 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 9. He encouraged the hearers to seek the greater prize that these texts spoke of rather than a merely earthly ones; to run the race of faith, looking to Jesus. He kindly thanked the congregation for the opportunity to share with them and prayed the blessing of the Lord on them in these days. Among those who spoke with appreciation to John afterwards was the 1968 800 metres Olympic champion Madeline Manning Mims.

We spent the rest of the day quietly with Joy before her overnight train to Shanghai.

Saturday 23 August 2008

In Tianjin, at the school where Liddell taught

Meeting planned in Tianjin for 11am with Tianjin YMCA. We were taking the new bullet train...so expected a swift journey...half an hour for the 100 miles reaching speeds of 335kph. However instead of making the 10am train, due to a series of delays on route to the station we eventually caught the 3.15pm! Met at the station by the General Secretary of the Tianjin YMCA, were taken to No 17 Middle School, the successor to the school in which Eric Liddell taught between 1925 - 1937 when it was known as the Anglo-Chinese College. We were warmly welcomed by the principal of the school and a crew from Tianjin TV.

We were shown some Liddell memorabilia it was clear that he was fondly remembered in the school. The TV crew filmed and interviewed John and followed us to the small apartment block in which Liddell lived for ten years. There were suitable memorial plaques outside the residence, which was largely unchanged from the time Eric Liddell occupied it. The apartment was not far from the Minyuan Stadium which Liddell had helped design in 1926. It is now surrounded by a strikingly western facade of many Corinthian columns. The track itself is in the same position as it was in Eric Liddell's day, but is now an eight lane all weather surface. We were than taken to a hotel for a meal with the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Tianjn People's Congress. The contacts were valuable and the friendship cordial. After a harassing day we were thankful to the Lord for a safe return on the bullet train at 9.50pm.

Friday 22 August 2008

Meeting the British PM in Athletes Lodge and British Ambassador to China at reception

Two big events happened today. On what was an extremely hot day we made our way to the Team GB Athletes lodge with the prospect of meeting the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. The PM and his entourage arrived at 1.30pm to speak to the British athletes in the lodge...and we mingled with them on the couches provided!. In the foyer we had a stand with large display board of the book cover and several copies of the book.

Around 2pm the Prime Minister came up to the stand along with press photographers and spoke with John for 7 or 8 minutes. He said he had read the book and had long admired Eric Liddell's character and achievements. He spoke of Liddell as one of his heroes. John presented the PM with both English and Chinese versions, which he received with warm thanks. The British Ambassador to China, Sir William Ehrman, made himself know to John and spoke enthusiastically of Liddell as well.

Forty copies of the book had been placed in the lodge for the athletes use though only 2 remained when we left. We met with some former Olympic champions including Denise Lewis, who said she would read it on the plane home! and the Mexico '68 400 metres hurdles Olympic champion David Hemery.

In the evening we went to a reception at the British Ambassadors residence hosted by the Principal of Edinburgh University Sir Timothy O'Shea. Signed copies of the book were given to Professor O'Shea and Sir William Ehrman and also to triple gold medallist Chris Hoy and Madam Dr Xu Lin, Director General and CEO for the office of Chinese Council International. In these events there were good photo opportunities and “casting bread upon the waters”. It was interesting to see how much Eric Liddell was mentioned during the evening speeches. John said Liddell must be considered as one of the best known of all Scotsmen in history, which is remarkable given his distinct Christian testimony.

Thursday 21 August 2008

Official visit to Weifang, the site of Liddell's internment and location of his memorial by the Chinese people

Early start for a 6.50am flight to Weifang, the town in which Eric Liddell with many others had been interned by the Japanese between 1941 and 1945. We were warmly welcomed by officials of the Weifang government and taken to the site of the internment camp. Little is now left of the buildings of the former American Presbyterian mission which had been used as the interment camp. However the Weifang Government had taken great steps in preserving the little that was left and we were shown round the museum they had constructed in one of the remaining buildings.

We were also were taken to the granite memorial to Eric Liddell erected near the hospital building in which Eric died in 1945. In connection with this there was a film crew from Weifang TV which covered the whole visit, including interviews with John and Joy. Joy is our interpreter on the trip but also the translator of the Chinese version of Running the Race, who's help throughout has been invaluable. We were treated to very a hearty meal in a lovely hotel.

Afterwards we went to Xinhu Bookstore in Weifang (part of a big chain across China) We were encouraged that they had ordered copies of the book. We got back to the hotel in Beijing after midnight.

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Visit to Chinese Christian book store and 'Birds Nest' Stadium

Apologies for delay starting the daily posts, had a problem web wise here in Beijing but this has now been resolved.

Today we visited a Christian book shop in Beijing, small but well organised they have recieved many copies of Running the Race in Chinese, John signed all of them. Very friendly and welcoming staff.

We then went on to the Bird's Nest stadium It and the concourse were very impressive, as we paused to get a picture of JK with the book and stadium as a back drop, what should start playing on the PA system but the theme tune from Chariots of Fire!!! Perfect timing. The Chinese authorities have done a wonderful job providing the Olympic facilities. We took our places in the stadium and were privileged to see a World record in the 200 metres by Usain Bolt (19.30) winning the by 5 metres. John noticed the exaggerated celebrations after the win, quite a contrast to the comment made after Eric Liddell's win in 1924 that, 'with every haste he took his leave of the cheering multitude' This just seemed to highlight a contemporary immodesty in success, and we cant help but think that by contrast to this, modesty is a far more attractive quality. Nevertheless, the physical achievements in modern athletics are amazing. Yet, happily, one of the biggest cheers of the night was for a runner who finished last in his 5000 metres heat, some 2 laps behind the rest. His had as good a spirit as any on display.

Thursday 14 August 2008

More Coverage

John Keddie - Live interview on Premier Radio - Saturday 16th August, 10:45
Big Breakfast is presented by Tony Miles and Lizzie Crow.
This is the second interview on Premier Radio.

John Keddie interview for the BBC Today programme. Unknown when this will be aired.

Evangelical Times front page story (September 2008)

Friday 8 August 2008

Eric Liddell Running the race from Piccadilly to Beijing!

Thanks for visiting our blog, we hope you will drop by during our trip to the Beijing Olympic Games and find our daily activities of interest.
Needless to say John and myself are looking forward to it…work of course!!

Photo: Pete and Sebastian Coe (Chairman of London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games)

The right book in the right place at the right time, with the right connections!!

The potential for John Keddie’s new title has always had the possibility to open doors, and so it has proved.
(Lord) Sebastian Coe’s foreword sets the scene for the broad appeal that the Legacy of Eric Liddell still attracts, a great ambassador for sport as a Gold medal Olympian and a man who’s faith was and still is evident for all to see in Running the race.

Photo: Lord Coe and author John Keddie

Following the launch in Waterstones Piccadilly (London) by author John Keddie and Sebastian Coe, we were delighted to hear that the Chinese authorities had given the go ahead to print and distribute a Chinese translation.

With the 2008 Beijing games approaching we quickly put an itinerary together to promote both the English and Chinese versions in the land of Eric Liddell’s birth:

A photo-call has been arranged with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has kindly agreed to meet with us in conjunction with the British Olympic Association.
Depending on itinerary Seb Coe and Colin Moynihan may also join us.

Simon Clegg, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association has given us the opportunity to have copies of Running the race available to the GB athletes in Beijng. The books travelled ahead of us with the BOA.

The Weifang Foreign Affairs Department have graciously invited us to visit with them and guide us to the site of the Internment camp and memorial to Eric Liddell raised by Edinburgh University.

Visit to Tianjin – we hope to visit the school where Eric taught and Min Yuan Stadium; apparently Eric Liddell had some hand in the design. (based on Chelsea Football Club Stadium)

Tianjin TV in China will cover our story in Beijing

BBC Sport will be filming a feature with John Keddie about Eric Liddell and Running the race, to be aired I understand to coincide with 400 metres final (Eric Liddell’s event)

We have had significant coverage from UK and World media:

Nick Mulveeney – Reuters
Brendan Gallager – Double page spread in Daily Telegraph
Book of the week in the Independent
Coverage on Scottish TV
Featured on Breakfast programme on Premier Radio
Doug Gillon – The Herald
Multiple Christian Publications

Don’t worry our future posts to the blog will not be as long!...just wanted to set the scene.

Next post from Beijing! D.V.

Pete