The author was raised in Newport News, Virginia where he attended public schools. After graduation he joined the United States Air Force and learned Chinese Mandarin. After service he attended The ...view moreThe author was raised in Newport News, Virginia where he attended public schools. After graduation he joined the United States Air Force and learned Chinese Mandarin. After service he attended The American University and received a BA degree in economics. He then had a career with the Defense Intelligence Agency retiring in 1989 to attend Southeastern Seminary and received a Master of Divinity degree. While at DIA he was active in to Toastmaster International, improving his speaking and leadership skills. After a short visit to China he followed up with visits to deliver bibles and teach English as a second language. He has previously written articles for the Oxford Public Ledger, and completed an ancestry study which was published for close relatives.view less