Jet lag, while I never like to admit it, got the best of me this time. My nights begin about 7 pm when I can no longer stay awake. But day by day, I'm getting back to normal.
The flight home from Hong Kong to Chicago went smoothly, even a little bit less than the 14+ hours that was originally scheduled. Brehanna was caught in Chicago by an agriculture department sniffing beagle with an orange in her carryon. No fine, just a check on her customs form.
We pass through the customs exit doors to continue our bags to Appleton. But Ashley said her mother had told her that our flight was cancelled. Some bags had already been checked through. And indeed, the flight had been cancelled.
The best scenario was to have the four girls travel by Wisconsin Coach Lines to Milwaukee, there to be picked up by family. Bags would have to be claimed the following day.
Brogan and I were able to book a flight to Central Wisconsin (airport not closed) about 5 pm. Later that flight was cancelled. Found out at that time that the 6 pm flight to Appleton was going, but had 11 stand by passengers. The agent said that we would be bumped up in the line since rank is determined by the cost of the ticket. We ended up 4 and 5 on the list.
We never thought that we would make it, but we did. And at our arrival in Appleton, discovered that our luggage had followed us on the same plane.
Karol had decided to drive to pick us up even though we were willing to stick around for another two hours and ride with the Panama team (they returned at 8:15 pm). Was so good to see her again.
Roads medium poor, but a safe trip back to our home.
In about a day, our newsletter will be posted at http://uwsp.edu/stuorg/peace under the mission trip section. I'd encourage you to take a look at it to judge the blessing (especially for us) of the trip.
Our next trip is to Tokyo, Japan, from February 22 to March 2 where we will be participating in the closing worship and party on Feb. 26 for the POPV/VYM program. I served with POPV from 1966-1968 in the program that has functioned for some 47 years. God be with you all!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
STUDENTS
Wrapping Up
The beginning of the end is usually something to look forward to, but it can bring a sense of sadness if you don't want the end to come. The team is realizing in a most real way that our days of being in China/Hong Kong are numbered - and today was the last "work day." I've heard one member say, "I'm not ready to go home."
This morning, we again participated in The International Culture Fair on the ground level. The same booths were up, but some had replaced their contents with easier material. Kindergartners and families were invited to the two hour event. Lots of fun, many new people, an excited principal greeting each new family, teachers talking excitedly with the new folks, and kids all over the place enjoying a good time.
Sharply at 11, we hopped into a van with our student partners and a couple of teachers. We were headed to the Lutheran seminary (ELCA) settled on the top of Tao Fong Shan in Shatin, New Territories. It was on this mountain about 100 years ago that two Buddhist monks came to rest after their service in China. A missionary came to share Jesus, and the temple that these two monks build has become a church. You see, the monks came to know Jesus. Their ministry consisted of reaching out to other monks who came from China for a period of R and R.
Today the white-walled buildings of the seminary sit in close proximity to the former temple. A huge cross sits on one side of this mountain. Students from Burma (Myanmar), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong come to study here. Our guide was from Burma, his wife and three daughters left behind at home while he studies. He will return to his homeland and back to the seminary there to teach.
I've never been to a class one restaurant in Hong Kong, but today we visited one. Great service, a beautiful place setting, and delicious food. All because Principal Li had membership at this restaurant.
We left for monkey mountain where rhesus monkeys roamed freely. While they can be dangerous to people, if you keep your distance, it is usually safe. One monkey charged Billy, our male Chinese teacher, and jumped on him. Being scared of such a sudden attach was all that came of it, but our team learned that those monkeys were not to be messed with. One said, "It's much better to watch them in a zoo behind glass."
A tour of a restored Hakka village - the native people of Hong Kong - ended our afternoon. Displays showing rice planting, and many of the primitive tools used were all around the small compound. A nice glimpse into life 50 or so years ago.
We waited until 6 pm to go out to dinner - this time totally on our own - no local, American or Chinese, to accompany us. We headed for a Taiwanese restaurant and enjoyed our meal. An ice cream shop beconed us to enjoy blueberry cheesecake, mango, yogurt, and vinalla flavors following.
Our team meeting and devotion; the preparation of a print for Lynette; evaluations for our time in Hong Kong; and a recap of tomorrow's schedule concluded our evening. Judging from the looks around our circle, tiredness had caught up with us all.
This morning, we again participated in The International Culture Fair on the ground level. The same booths were up, but some had replaced their contents with easier material. Kindergartners and families were invited to the two hour event. Lots of fun, many new people, an excited principal greeting each new family, teachers talking excitedly with the new folks, and kids all over the place enjoying a good time.
Sharply at 11, we hopped into a van with our student partners and a couple of teachers. We were headed to the Lutheran seminary (ELCA) settled on the top of Tao Fong Shan in Shatin, New Territories. It was on this mountain about 100 years ago that two Buddhist monks came to rest after their service in China. A missionary came to share Jesus, and the temple that these two monks build has become a church. You see, the monks came to know Jesus. Their ministry consisted of reaching out to other monks who came from China for a period of R and R.
Today the white-walled buildings of the seminary sit in close proximity to the former temple. A huge cross sits on one side of this mountain. Students from Burma (Myanmar), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong come to study here. Our guide was from Burma, his wife and three daughters left behind at home while he studies. He will return to his homeland and back to the seminary there to teach.
I've never been to a class one restaurant in Hong Kong, but today we visited one. Great service, a beautiful place setting, and delicious food. All because Principal Li had membership at this restaurant.
We left for monkey mountain where rhesus monkeys roamed freely. While they can be dangerous to people, if you keep your distance, it is usually safe. One monkey charged Billy, our male Chinese teacher, and jumped on him. Being scared of such a sudden attach was all that came of it, but our team learned that those monkeys were not to be messed with. One said, "It's much better to watch them in a zoo behind glass."
A tour of a restored Hakka village - the native people of Hong Kong - ended our afternoon. Displays showing rice planting, and many of the primitive tools used were all around the small compound. A nice glimpse into life 50 or so years ago.
We waited until 6 pm to go out to dinner - this time totally on our own - no local, American or Chinese, to accompany us. We headed for a Taiwanese restaurant and enjoyed our meal. An ice cream shop beconed us to enjoy blueberry cheesecake, mango, yogurt, and vinalla flavors following.
Our team meeting and devotion; the preparation of a print for Lynette; evaluations for our time in Hong Kong; and a recap of tomorrow's schedule concluded our evening. Judging from the looks around our circle, tiredness had caught up with us all.
Friday, January 14, 2011
A Chinese Apartment Experience
A rare and precious opportunity tonight; an invitation to a meal with Joe and his family in their 20th floor governmnt-owned apartment.
Joe is 9 and quite an English student. His family chose to invite 1/2 of the team for an evening meal in their humble home. Miss Wong (Celeste) accompanied us as translator. Michael, Joe's father, works as a McDonald's driver; his mother works at the border crossing between Macau and Hong Kong as a health representative; his 18 year old sister, Yoyo, works as a cleric in a financial institution.
To say the least, their home is tiny: it enters into an small entryway - Yoyo's bed is the top bunk in this entryway. The next space (there really is no room) is the eating area, TV space, family room (no more than 10X20 - Joe's bed is in this area - folds up into a sofa. The parent's bed is sandwiched between two walls (no door) off of this room (storage underneath covered by a wooden 4/8 piece of plywood. The tiny 5X5 kitchen is a room by itself (although I don't think it had a door on it). At the far end of the room was the entry to the open porch - a 6X4 bath room to the right of this area.
To be honest, it is hard for me to believe that four people live in this apartment. There is NO privacy - for daughter or for the couple. If you move around, you have to be running into one another. There were only two slight folding chairs and three metal stools. Abby and Emily sat on the edge of Joe's bed. Our dining table was a simple wooden table covered by a clear piece of plastic to give cleanliness to the eating area.
One table for the TV and computer and a large hand built hutch for clothes, etc. were the only other furniture in the room.
BUT, other than the family feeling uncomfortable about our visit in their small apartment, we had a great time. Shoes off when we entered (we slipped on plastic slippers that we took out of the store plastic bags.
The girls, Joe and Celeste made Chinese dumplings while I visited with Michael. For the meal itself, we had dumplings, a cold barbeque beef, cold fried pork to be dipped in mustard sauce, bok choy, a whole fish, rice, and the treat was probably the clams (called elephant clams because they have a trunk like protrudence). Coke was served with the meal. And slices of melons served as dessert.
How definitely generous of Joe's family to have us over for the meal. How blessed we are with living space in warm homes (there is NO heat in the apartment - recently when it was 38 degrees outside, it was 38 degrees inside).
Joe is 9 and quite an English student. His family chose to invite 1/2 of the team for an evening meal in their humble home. Miss Wong (Celeste) accompanied us as translator. Michael, Joe's father, works as a McDonald's driver; his mother works at the border crossing between Macau and Hong Kong as a health representative; his 18 year old sister, Yoyo, works as a cleric in a financial institution.
To say the least, their home is tiny: it enters into an small entryway - Yoyo's bed is the top bunk in this entryway. The next space (there really is no room) is the eating area, TV space, family room (no more than 10X20 - Joe's bed is in this area - folds up into a sofa. The parent's bed is sandwiched between two walls (no door) off of this room (storage underneath covered by a wooden 4/8 piece of plywood. The tiny 5X5 kitchen is a room by itself (although I don't think it had a door on it). At the far end of the room was the entry to the open porch - a 6X4 bath room to the right of this area.
To be honest, it is hard for me to believe that four people live in this apartment. There is NO privacy - for daughter or for the couple. If you move around, you have to be running into one another. There were only two slight folding chairs and three metal stools. Abby and Emily sat on the edge of Joe's bed. Our dining table was a simple wooden table covered by a clear piece of plastic to give cleanliness to the eating area.
One table for the TV and computer and a large hand built hutch for clothes, etc. were the only other furniture in the room.
BUT, other than the family feeling uncomfortable about our visit in their small apartment, we had a great time. Shoes off when we entered (we slipped on plastic slippers that we took out of the store plastic bags.
The girls, Joe and Celeste made Chinese dumplings while I visited with Michael. For the meal itself, we had dumplings, a cold barbeque beef, cold fried pork to be dipped in mustard sauce, bok choy, a whole fish, rice, and the treat was probably the clams (called elephant clams because they have a trunk like protrudence). Coke was served with the meal. And slices of melons served as dessert.
How definitely generous of Joe's family to have us over for the meal. How blessed we are with living space in warm homes (there is NO heat in the apartment - recently when it was 38 degrees outside, it was 38 degrees inside).
International Culture Day
What a wonderful event at our primary school. Already yesterday and especially this morning, final preparations came together for the special cultural festival. A month ago, the idea came to some of the teachers to utilize us while here, so this festival came into being.
There were 12 stations anywhere from singing the Lord's Prayer, to identifying geographical sites, to naming animals, to little English games. Students filled passports at these stations when they accomplished the "English speaking" task. Six to eight stamps meant that you could redeem your passport stamps for a prize.
I happened to be stationed at #11 station where students threw a bean bag on five different birds. Depending on which bird it landed on, the students had to name the bird, identify it's color, and indicate what it could do (fly, swim, etc.). The challenge for me was that my booth hosted birds from New Zealand (Kiwi, Black Swan, etc.). It was also a learning experience for me.
This morning in the auditorium we sang for the assembly of grades 1 - 3. Classes 4 - 6 were having some special training in the upper classrooms. Emily boldly shared her testimony of how God was faithful to their family when it came to the illness of her younger sister. The students listened attentively.
In the late afternoon, we each recorded a short video clip about our time here at this school, had our pictures taken. Now we are awaiting the time when we will, in teams of three, visit two homes for the evening meal. A fairly fluent student will accompany us to his home: Joe and Al.
Tomorrow we do the cultural fair for prospective kindergarten students. Ought to be interesting since little English will be known. I'm sure that this will present the school in a very good light.
Still glad the team is holding up well. Personally, I'm getting tired, but I can on quite well.
There were 12 stations anywhere from singing the Lord's Prayer, to identifying geographical sites, to naming animals, to little English games. Students filled passports at these stations when they accomplished the "English speaking" task. Six to eight stamps meant that you could redeem your passport stamps for a prize.
I happened to be stationed at #11 station where students threw a bean bag on five different birds. Depending on which bird it landed on, the students had to name the bird, identify it's color, and indicate what it could do (fly, swim, etc.). The challenge for me was that my booth hosted birds from New Zealand (Kiwi, Black Swan, etc.). It was also a learning experience for me.
This morning in the auditorium we sang for the assembly of grades 1 - 3. Classes 4 - 6 were having some special training in the upper classrooms. Emily boldly shared her testimony of how God was faithful to their family when it came to the illness of her younger sister. The students listened attentively.
In the late afternoon, we each recorded a short video clip about our time here at this school, had our pictures taken. Now we are awaiting the time when we will, in teams of three, visit two homes for the evening meal. A fairly fluent student will accompany us to his home: Joe and Al.
Tomorrow we do the cultural fair for prospective kindergarten students. Ought to be interesting since little English will be known. I'm sure that this will present the school in a very good light.
Still glad the team is holding up well. Personally, I'm getting tired, but I can on quite well.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A Satisfying Day
Wednesday is almost past, but as I look back, it was a blessed day.
We got ourselves ready by 7:45 a.m. so that we could be down in the entryway of the school to greet the students and parents as they arrived. Students hardly come alone. They come with mom, or a grandparent, and sometimes a dad. The adult carries the bag until the child enters the porch area, then quickly transfers the bag to the child's back, dusts off the child's coat, and straightens anything that needs to be done. The child is ready to enter the school.
Before they get to the front doors, we try to greet them with a smile, a handshake, a high five, or some other kind of a welcome. It usually elicits a smile or a greeting. As they move through the doors, they move right or left so that they can swipe their card over the sensor that registers their attendance (also done at the end of the school day).
Today was "excursion" day - all classes in the school boarded busses or coaches to travel to some sightseeing/fun place. I was with the fifth grade group that headed for the Hong Kong Cultural Museum. Before we arrived, five children had tossed their breakfast (the teachers said that they weren't used to riding on a coach bus - the driver was also rather sporadic in his driving).
A docent met a group of us (about 50) at the entrance of the museum, and proceeded to lead the children on a tour of a display area called "New Territories," the northernmost part of Hong Kong, and the last to be developed. It still has large wild areas of mountain and marshland, and so is a great area to study. The museum showed archeological finds as well as how the place looks today. After a half hour of listening, the students began to fan out and look on their own. But they did know that we would meet one hour later for a picture in the entryway.
While the children looked, we chatted with them when we could, and later went out on our own with Maisie, one of the teacher leaders. Abby and Emily and I viewed some of the beautiful scrolls and then some of the ceramic area, and lastly went to the children's hands on area. A great museum with lots of translation in English.
For lunch, four students had been chosen to eat with us. Joe, Niki, Al, and Sam at first were shy, but quickly opened up. The conversation around the meal was great, and I was impressed at the ability of these 10 year olds to speak English.
We headed to the Christing bookstore in the mall, then to a candy store, and finally to the grocery store to pick up a few breakfast supplies: yogurt, bananas, apples, milk, and juice. We are pretty standard on breakfast.
In the late afternoon, we headed to another primary school via light rail to have pizza with the GEO's (Globally Engaged in Outreach). Also at our supper was Albert (from last year), a wonderful evangelist and great friend. Coming just a bit late was Valerie Vaitl from my days at Calvary Chapel, Madison. She had taught in Slovakia, and is now a teacher here in Hong Kong. Married to a man from New Zealand and has two children.
Home to our rooms for the day's evaluation, devotions, and preparation for teaching primary classes tomorrow morning. The night will go quickly.
Wow, the team is doing great. Tonight, Bre was recounting all that she had eaten: eel, squid, goose, and more. All are eating well and serving with a great amount of energy.
We got ourselves ready by 7:45 a.m. so that we could be down in the entryway of the school to greet the students and parents as they arrived. Students hardly come alone. They come with mom, or a grandparent, and sometimes a dad. The adult carries the bag until the child enters the porch area, then quickly transfers the bag to the child's back, dusts off the child's coat, and straightens anything that needs to be done. The child is ready to enter the school.
Before they get to the front doors, we try to greet them with a smile, a handshake, a high five, or some other kind of a welcome. It usually elicits a smile or a greeting. As they move through the doors, they move right or left so that they can swipe their card over the sensor that registers their attendance (also done at the end of the school day).
Today was "excursion" day - all classes in the school boarded busses or coaches to travel to some sightseeing/fun place. I was with the fifth grade group that headed for the Hong Kong Cultural Museum. Before we arrived, five children had tossed their breakfast (the teachers said that they weren't used to riding on a coach bus - the driver was also rather sporadic in his driving).
A docent met a group of us (about 50) at the entrance of the museum, and proceeded to lead the children on a tour of a display area called "New Territories," the northernmost part of Hong Kong, and the last to be developed. It still has large wild areas of mountain and marshland, and so is a great area to study. The museum showed archeological finds as well as how the place looks today. After a half hour of listening, the students began to fan out and look on their own. But they did know that we would meet one hour later for a picture in the entryway.
While the children looked, we chatted with them when we could, and later went out on our own with Maisie, one of the teacher leaders. Abby and Emily and I viewed some of the beautiful scrolls and then some of the ceramic area, and lastly went to the children's hands on area. A great museum with lots of translation in English.
For lunch, four students had been chosen to eat with us. Joe, Niki, Al, and Sam at first were shy, but quickly opened up. The conversation around the meal was great, and I was impressed at the ability of these 10 year olds to speak English.
We headed to the Christing bookstore in the mall, then to a candy store, and finally to the grocery store to pick up a few breakfast supplies: yogurt, bananas, apples, milk, and juice. We are pretty standard on breakfast.
In the late afternoon, we headed to another primary school via light rail to have pizza with the GEO's (Globally Engaged in Outreach). Also at our supper was Albert (from last year), a wonderful evangelist and great friend. Coming just a bit late was Valerie Vaitl from my days at Calvary Chapel, Madison. She had taught in Slovakia, and is now a teacher here in Hong Kong. Married to a man from New Zealand and has two children.
Home to our rooms for the day's evaluation, devotions, and preparation for teaching primary classes tomorrow morning. The night will go quickly.
Wow, the team is doing great. Tonight, Bre was recounting all that she had eaten: eel, squid, goose, and more. All are eating well and serving with a great amount of energy.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
News from Hong Kong (thanks for your patience)
HONG KONG, WE’RE BACK!
Following a stormy ride (swells from 4 – 6 feet) we got off the ferry at the Hong Kong terminal. Fortunately several of the team had taken Dramamine. Customs in the Mainland was not easy: Brogan’s passport stamp was not clear – the date couldn’t be read – so we had to wait until they decided what to do. Finally, they cancelled the old stamp and gave him a new one. We still had time to spare, but we didn’t have opportunity to check our luggage; had to carry it on.
Because the ferry arrived early, Lynette had not yet arrived, so we just hung out. During our stay in Hong Kong, Lynette will be our “leader. She’s minimal in Chinese and as she tells it, “Directionally challenged.” So, it will be an adventure.
At Concordia International School, we were welcomed by Hong Kong Synod president, Dr. Young (sp) who gave us information about the church body. In recent years, it has developed an outreach attitude so that there is great energy to share Jesus. Schools, social missions, and congregations all work hand in hand to be intentional in their outreach.
The principal of the school, Dr. Chan, met us a bit later and talked about the school. He appeared to be a dignified man, dressed in a herringbone sport coat and good looking scarf around his neck. 100 students, 10 teachers, high standards, but no religious curriculum. In fact, it seemed that the Christian faith was rather “absent” from their programming. No after school Bible study and a feeling of avoidance of the topic. But Dr. Chan did introduce us as “missionaries” and invited us to talk about faith freely. Interesting to note is the connotation of missionary is “one who forces the Bible upon you.” We hope that we can do just a bit to soften and maybe even change that image with the students at CIS.
Our lodging for our Hong Kong stay will be at Liu Cheung Kwong Lutheran Primary School (only about 10 minutes by car from where we stayed last year). Two classrooms were emptied for us; some heat is available in those classrooms, and a special computer room has been set aside for our use. The school staff has been more than gracious in welcoming us to our new quarters.
Walked to the grocery store for breakfast items which for the next four days will be paid for by CIS. Our team picked out cold cereal, juice, milk and fruit. Pretty standard. Later had dinner with Lynette and two new GEO’s (Globally Engaged in Outreach), Judy and Ashley, both from the Omaha area, in fact, both from the same congregation. That congregation is intentionally planning for a mission start among the many Asians in the Omaha area.
Slept on fine mattresses on the floor in the middle of this big classroom; girls had their own separate classroom across the hall.
SUNDAY #2
A week has passed since the last “day of rest” and now we’re in a new community where the Gospel can be freely shared, and we can speak openly about the Faith. Seems strange that a three hour ferry ride can make such a significant difference. And here in Hong Kong, there seems to be a situation where many people are not on fire for sharing the Good News. Of course, there are exceptions.
Yesterday, Lynette shared the story of Albert (whom we had met last year). Albert came to believe while in high school, joined the Baptist church and grew in faith. Several years ago, he discovered the Lutheran church and became a part of it. Now, even though he has finished pastoral studies, he still is not ordained, but serves in a mission station at one of the schools. Albert is significant because through his witness, his mother, in her dying days, confessed Jesus and was baptized. Before she died, she implored her family to come to believe. Today many of his siblings, his father, and a host of others through his testimony at school have come to know Jesus. Oh that such fire were a part of all of our lives.
While the service last Sunday was fairly free and Spirit-filled, today the service will most likely be Spirit-filled, but rather traditional. You see, like the churches in Japan and Taiwan, missionaries brought TLH for worship. And while that liturgy does not necessarily fit the culture, it is the one that is normally used. I am a believer that an indigenous form of worship, letting the church discover its own expression of faith, would be best.
Yesterday, we visited Stanley Market on the north side of Hong Kong’s main island. Lunched. Took the van to the peak. Walked the one hour circle path around the peak. Esaclated to observation deck where we were able to see all of Hong Kong island and also Kowloon – both islands filled with many 25 story apartment buildings and business skyscrapers. From there we headed to dinner at a Japanese sushi restaurant and then spent some grueling hours walking through the “Ladies Market.” Of course, our women shopped. Returned to the school at 9:30 pm, my legs aching.
CIS (CONCORDIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL)
Monday morning at a high school. I’m bowing out in deference to the students on the team because I figure that they will relate better with the 7th to 12th grade students.
When they returned from the first two periods, I heard: our seventh and eighth graders were very quiet; could hardly get them to talk; the 10th graders were bad – they talked and didn’t listen; only three in the class responded – teacher said that it was the worst class here in this school.
And so the morning will go for our team. At lunch we head out with some of these students and enjoy eating time with them. Should be interesting.
Last night, we watched “Inception” with Lynette and the two GEO’s. Interesting movie; don’t know if I really understood what it was trying to say. Enjoyed popcorn and a beer…kind of a nice touch.
We’re now at Tuesday morning, back at CIS. Yesterday went wonderfully well. We went out with five chosen students for lunch and had a great time interacting with them: Miko, Chester, Christopher, Bonnie, and Kathy. A great Chinese meal of sharing dishes (usually they don’t do this for their lunches – Kathy said that she only shares meals with her mother): noodles, fried rice, and a rice and pork dish.
I am wonderfully blessed with a special team. Even though they could be picky eaters, they are brave and adventurous. They have tried cuttlefish (known by us as squid), goose, pig stomach, all kinds of tofu, eel, chicken feet, frog, pigeon, lotus, and more. Coming on the trip, I didn’t know if they would be so willing to try the many different foods served here.
The team visited another afternoon class and then at 2:30, there was a badminton “kind of” tournament. Ashley and Brehanna participated on behalf of the foreign visitors. A fun event. Today following class there will be a kind of talent show. We’re singing as a group, Brogan will do a solo, and I will make up a story about my right bicep (big because of a torn bicep muscle) and being Wisconsin’s arm wrestling champion.
Last night we went out with the two GEO’s who live at our primary school, Ashley and Judy. We ate at a Korean restaurant – hard to order the traditional dishes because the Chinese characters were there and then an English translation. Jap Chae, bibembop and bulgogi were hard to order because of the interesting translation.
After dinner, we went to the big grocery store to simply look around and if something was desireable to individuals, they could purchase it. Brogan likes to purchase Kinder eggs (German) – they have a neat surprise inside. Not sold in the U.S. because they have parts that you could choke on. Inside there is a paper with warnings in about 25 languages. His prize was a little red dinosaur coming out of an eggshell. Others bought chocolate, sweets, sushi, drinks,
The staff at the primary school is gracious….they go out of their way to make sure that we are comfortable and have everything we need. There is heat (not very common in Hong Kong either), hot water in the showers, a “pantry” to store our food, and computer access (that seems to be a necessity in this day and age).
The hardest part of this trip was our time here at CIS. The hard was because we were informed that the high school students here came from wealthy homes (each student pays 13,000 American dollars in tuition) and that there were other students who were “spoiled” and just kind of did their own thing. But to our surprise, once there was an opportunity to warm up and interact with the students, barriers came down. But mostly, I was surprised at how well the team eagerly left the teacher’s lounge to carry out their assignments. They also creatively designed materials to use in the classroom that would appeal to these students (from the Mainland, Japan, Singapore, India, and one from America).
Friday, January 7, 2011
Back to Hong Kong
…in transit…
Travel consumes hours of time. The Cobalt rolled out of our driveway at 3:31 am early today. An on-time arrival at ATW (Appleton) assured us that we’d be in plenty of time for our 6 am flight to Chicago. While Brogan and I weren’t the first ones to arrive, it wasn’t long before the six of us had checked in at the service counter, said our farewells to family, and headed toward security. No troubles.
In Chicago, we assumed that we’d have to take a bus to a different terminal, but due to gate changes, we arrived within six gates of our departure waiting area. And the wait there was short. Boarding the Boeing 757 for San Francisco went quickly, and soon we were on our way for a 4 hr. and 15 minute flight. Some turbulence and good flight attendant service made for a “quick” trip.
The approach to the San Francisco airport is always exciting. You fly low over the water and suddenly the runway approach is upon you. Arrival time; 11:01 am.
Since the final leg of our trip left before noon, we had to do a bit of fast walking to get to the international terminal. Brehanna was feeling the stress on her shorter legs (she must be about 5’ 2”). Boarding by zones also went quickly and we left with an ontime departure. You’re counting the hours, aren’t you – close to five in the air already.
Our big 747 is packed, mostly Chinese-appearing people, and if one could speak the language, it wouldn’t be hard to figure it out the nationality. To be honest, I’m only hearing foreign languages from where I sit. This flight is 14 and ¼ hours long – much more than I had anticipated. As I write, we’re now under 10 hours to Hong Kong. The sky is darkening because of the setting sun. We’ve eaten a meal and had several beverage rounds, and now all we do is wait.
I don’t think that I’ve ever been in the air for such a long stretch. And I’m not sure that I want to take this route again. We left San Francisco and headed north along the coast all the way to Alaska, passing near Anchorage and then heading west. It is almost exactly the same route that the Detroit/Minneapolis/Chicago flights normally take. While the snow-covered mountains are beautiful to look at, one doesn’t see much indication of any kind of human life.
And so we catnap, watch movies, read, color, or talk, I just don’t think we can make the time go any faster. It will be a mighty long trip.
The Ferry
On the afternoon prior to the New Year, we boarded the ferry to travel to JMen. The bus will work, but the ferry is much quicker. While waiting for the appointed time of departure in the cavernous terminal, a tourism student came up to me with a survey. She happened to be in her second year of college and was doing the survey work to pay her college tuition. Her questions were read from a sheet protected questionnaire and recorded on a hand-held computer. It didn’t take long but for me, it was interesting.
Team members were nervous about seasickness because Brogan had shared his experience from last year and we had just eaten at the food court in the ferry terminal. I thought that my dumplings and wontons were really great – and topping it off with blueberry cheesecake made the meal really gourmet. Tickets were purchased, bags were checked, and at 3 o’clock sharp we were on our way.
You can probably imagine the feeling as we sat at the stationary floating dock. Bobbing, moving side to side, the swells moved us in all manner of directions. And the air conditioning was sooooo cold. So we were glad to get on our way.
Initially we bobbed past tall apartment buildings and shipping docks. All manner of watercraft were busy traveling to somewhere as we set our sights for the Pearl River basin, there to take the ferry up the river to our destination. Huge container ships, small motor boats, hydrofoils, soil carriers, fishing boats, other passenger ferries, all headed in various directions, gave us lots to look at. The shoreline changed from constructed facilities to rugged mushroom looking islands to open water with no land visible.
The movement of the boat changed to regulated swells and a rather sleep inducing monotony. Little catnaps, conversation, bathroom breaks (accompanied by lots of animated talk about conditions) punctuated our three hour journey.
We passed Macau on the way to JMen. Macau, a former Portuguese colony, now a SAR (special autonomous region), is known for its gambling fame. At the horse track, already many years ago, more money passed hands than at all of the horse tracks in the U.S. Today, casinos invite all manner of high rollers from all of Asia.
Finally we arrived. Hilda, sister of Lily our present Chinese coordinator, met us with great exuberance. She’s a real extrovert, a new Christian, and a woman with a servants heart.
Drug Rehab
The van ride to the adjoining city took only 45 minutes, but it took us from solid suburban to thinner populated countryside. Suddenly the van driver took a right on to what looked like a glorified “cow path.” That dirt track led us to a parking spot by a bricked building housing three toilets (all squat of course – much to the dismay of our female team members). We tumbled out of the full van to meet the cold winds – only in the low 40’s today and to top it all off, mighty humid. The humidity later turned into raindrops.
The drug rehab center presently housed three residents. Nine had gone home for a holiday, and, as we later learned, more than likely would not return to the center but return to their drug habit. The facility, four buildings that resembled four stone sheds from a farm-site, were used for this center. Originally operated by a grant from a church in Hong Kong, this site now struggles to exist. The addict’s families need to pay one half of the total cost for each addict’s support. The others come from their meager profits from a nursery and from gifts from donors (now almost non-existent).
We listened to one of their testimonies, sang songs, Emily shared her testimony (touching to Hilda, our translator), and enjoyed some very hot water together.
Team members later expressed appreciation for the new view of addict’s challenges. And we vowed to pray for the men and their leaders in this place.
THE TEAM
This team likes to shop! From guitar parts and tuners to shoes and scarves to different kinds of snack, there’s a lot of interest in looking around for a bargain. And I love the team for having such interest in the culture of this country. Because as they shop, they run into people and ideas that are changing their lives. Poverty, the crowds, smells, pollution, friendship, and many varieties of foods tempt team members to rethink their world view. And that certainly would be one of the purposes of this trip!
At the same time, team members are pouring out their energies and their hearts to serve the people of JMen. They bolt somewhat under my words of admonition to prepare, prepare, prepare, but they perform admirably when asked to serve. Tonight I had to simply compliment them on the way that they interacted as individuals who touched many lives with their touch of love.
The example was when we stood in a big group for our evening activity. No two team members stood near each other, but positioned themselves so that they could support the English learning. While they like to be a group, they intentionally choose to “de-group” so that serving can be done more effectively.
We joke with each other. They’ve seem me in a different light – maybe more of a pastor wearing human clothes – who, by the way, can also screw things up royally. We laugh together and we pray together. In fact, I’ve been blessed by the way that their prayer life has grown; much more freedom in praying out loud.
And no one has complained too loudly. There’s always a comment or two about the food, but magically enough, team members have tried most things (tofu, pigeon, spicy food, coconut, and many other “first time” foods). They’ve been bold to venture into the unknown and uncomfortable. I thank God for that unique blessing.
TRAVEL DAY (January 4)
A one hour trip took us to a country congregation on the outskirts of JMen, perhaps even into another city. We were across the border from Macau. The area gets many visitors both from within the Mainland and from Macau – so there is much opportunity for sharing the faith. The congregation of 68 was represented by their Evangelist Paul and by six older members of the congregation. They meet in a “storefront” and sometimes when they worship 70, they sprawl out on to the front sidewalk and beyond.
We heard the history of the church, begun in the late 1800’s. It visibly disappeared during the Cultural Revolution and returned about 1987. Their church property had been turned into a school. Recently, they regained a portion of their original property from the government, and as funds allow, they plan to build a church facility. We walked to the land as the member’s spoke of a good outlook for the future.
We then traveled another 15 minutes to the second site for the congregation, a house in a small village. About 15 people met us, the majority older, but the welcoming committee also included a 16 year old Christian young man. They were very happy to see us; foreigners are VERY uncommon in their village. I was under the impression that we were the first foreigners that some of them had seen. More conversation and pictures.
At each of the sites we sang and prayed. The students were most gracious In shaking hands and expressing joy at meeting these sisters and brothers.
Way past our scheduled departure time, we headed back into JMen city for a late arrival at the elderly center. We forfeited a lunch to accommodate the excess time we had spent with the two congregational communities.
The Elderly Center houses 11 senior citizens who lack family and a means to support themselves. It seemed that one man had mental issues, a woman perhaps experienced a lack of memory, but several of the men seemed coherent. We sang, gave out warm socks for them, and put together the snowmen that Emily had brought along. Abby shared her personal artwork with them. All to the joy of the residents.
Tonight we eat at some teahouse and afterwards will go to have a foot and back massage (which didn’t happen for Brogan, Abby, and I because we had spent so much time in a tea shop sampling tea – and of course team members made purchases there).
FOOD
There’s never a shortage of food here in China. The organization that we serve with figures that we can eat for about $15 per day – and that is getting much more than we actually need. Each meal has 8-10 different dishes, three or four of which are with meat.
We’ve eaten at Korean, Thai, Chinese (obviously), and Portuguese restaurants. Hot pots, lunch boxes, carry out, and the morning buffet. Spicy and bland. Noodles and rice. We’ve mealed with staff at the Center, with GEOs, and most often Bryn and our own Lily and Hilda – our special translator friends. It’s no less than a grand adventure.
TEACHING
Today was our last teaching time in JMen, and what a marvelous event it turned out to be. Yesterday and today, we visited Pei Ying High School (a senior high school with 3000 students). They have never had a team visit there – only now does one of the GEO’s teach there. We split into groups of two and, with lessons planned, spent three 40 minute periods in English. That means that we touched about 450 students in those three periods – about 50 students or more in each class. In between, like rock stars, we were inundated with requests for pictures, autographs, and email addresses. It was a rare opportunity for them to meet a native speaker, and a marvelous opportunity for us to encourage their English studies.
I do believe that the visit was mostly motivational – and that is important. Within the last few years, China has added an oral English section to their university entrance exam, so what happens in these classes determines much for an individual student. Additionally, there were many boarding students at this high school who had come from northern China to get a better education.
We ended the day (January 6 – and we did remember Epiphany in our morning devotion) at a hot pot restaurant. Boiling water and broth was placed in the center of the table. As we talked over a two hour period, we put meat and vegetables into the boiling water for our dinner.
I hope that the comments give a bit of a flavor of our time here in JMen. We are well and the team is growing together.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Dec. 31
Tonight the team will do their first class work. They're nervous, but I believe are getting prepared. I want them to be overprepared so that they have enough material and can do the work well.
It's cold in the buildings here so I wear my jacket. Maybe will wear my sweater tomorrow. Even though the sun is shining.
Love and happy new year. Greeted in the new year as it came to China.
Carl
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