HONG KONG TO MACAU TO JIANGMEN

Persephone met me at Mei Foo at 9 am and we traveled together by MTR and then by Turbo Jet ferry to Macau. It was a good chance to share our stories. She from a corporate background, now in a human care position here in Asia. It’s good and challenging for her as she coordinates all of the teams who come to the Hong Kong/Macau area.

Oct. 30  ON TO MACAU

Part of Asia that I’ve never much experienced is Macau. Today was the day. And I really did not experience much except a restaurant and the Concordia English School. Sharon Owens took me out for lunch at a Portuguese restaurant. I’ve known her for some 20+ years both in her ISM position in Lincoln, NE, and in her work in Asia. She’s adopted two wonderful children in the past 10 years. Conversation was fruitful and lunch was delightful. Portuguese rice stuffed chicken and another dish like a beef stir fry. The Macau beer was on a scale of average.

By mid-afternoon, I was at the Concordia English Center where I spent time with the two GEO’s presently teaching at the school. I participated in the staff Bible study in the late afternoon. Ate a characteristic “pork chop on a bun” for my evening meal and then waited for the free English conversation time at 8 pm where I introduced myself and answered questions. We broke into smaller groups for discussion.

Tonight I’m housed somewhere in Macau with the Taiwanese vicar, Dan Ho (haven’t met him) and Pedro, a volunteer from Taiwan here until the end of December. He speaks only minimal English. No internet, basic bed (in a room with stored furniture). Pedro carried my suitcase the six flights up (no elevator) – believe me, I was thankful for that. Honestly, I’ll be glad to be on my way to Jiangmen in the morning.

Oct. 31:  BACK IN CHINA

Cars on the right side of the road; neatly landscaped expressways; small farm plots; buildings everywhere; I’m back in mainland China.

The bus is taking me from the border crossing at Macau to Jiangmen; 59 RMB. One of the very first signs that I see is the top line in Chinese characters with the following words underneath:  WELCOME TO WANZAI NEXT TIME. Now I know that I’ve really arrived. I’m in the front seat of the bus…maximum bus speed on this four lane highway; 100 km per hour. Over that speed, the odometer is all in red.

On the bus ride we passed hundreds of fish ponds some totally covered with plastic, similar to a greenhouse. Most every inch of tilleable ground was producing something and it wasn’t hard to spot the many “peasants” who work hard producing the food that feeds the immense population of China. My guess is that this southeastern part of China is a huge breadbasket.

After an hour and one-half of travel, we’re off the expressway and into the city. The number of bicycles, motorbikes, motorcycles, and other manner of transport never cease to amaze me. I’m looking forward to seeing Hilda and Lily again – they’ll be my “tour guides” and translators while in Jiangmen.

I thought that I would be teaching two Bible classes today. Well, that was right, but they were two classes with Chinese participants (and the medium of conversation was also Mandarin). I shared The Divine Plan and a study on the Emmaus disciples - both things I've done before. 

In between, I got a haircut, changed money, settled into the hotel, ordered a new pair of glasses, ate lunch, and reconnected with some of the people at the English school here.

Tonight I'm beat and will be in bed by 11. I've taken few pictures so really have nothing to post at this time.

A SCHOOL DAY AT SIU LEUN

During my stay at this primary school, I taught eight 40 minute classes in addition to being a resource person during recess and lunch break. My classes were all in sections of P1 and P3 (grades 1 and 3). The challenge was to communicate the story of Zacchaeus along with singing some appropriate songs to affirm the message of that story. The story was told line by line with the teacher translating after I finished my line. That seemed to work really well. In fact, I was IMPRESSED with the intentional listening during the telling of the story.

In the last class, I figured out the teaching process. You need to move from one song to another without a break. A break gives children time to act up and begin talking, and then you have to get control and attention once again. So, of all the classes, the last was the best. And best yet, we closed with a prayer that word by word was repeated by the students in the class.

The gardener prunes trees before the school day even begins.

Students wait patiently in line until the bell rings. Parents hold backpacks until the children are ready to into the school.

Phy-ed class is a ritual all over the world.

 Recorders are enjoyed so much that practice even takes place during recess time.

Six floors of classrooms for six grade levels. This school has about 800 students.

 The classroom is where it all happens.

The class is over and we're off to recess (of course we wait in line for the teacher and then we follow our teacher to the lowest level).

We're excited about being able to learn!

Albert Lau is an evangelist at the school and the worship leader for Holy Word Lutheran Church. He's become a good friend since I first met him in 2009. We ate noodles together.

Hard at work with the maze and the follow the number pics for the Zacchaeus story.

The typical classroom - around 25 students each.

My visit to Tuen Mun would not be complete without a walk to Butterfly Park located right on the water between Hong Kong and Macau. Miraculously the water seems clear and free of a lot of debris.

You'll never find the park empty, but never is it really crowded. Four or five musical groups are scattered around the area gazebos. People listen, jog, play with kids, or just relax. I think I know why I enjoy it so much.

The constant splash of the waves is relaxing.

She may not make it to the big stage, but she's really enjoying what she's doing.

TOMORROW IT'S ON TO MACAU..............

LUTHERAN TSANG SHING SIU LEUN SCHOOL

The first two days of the working portion of my "mission" are in the elementary setting. I have two responsibilities:  the first is to be present during parent arrival and recess times, to interact with the families and the students (primary 1 - 6) and the second is to teach a Bible story and sing songs for four 40 minute classes (today I had three P1 classes and one P3 class). Challenging to say the least.

Most students are extremely diligent, but  there are always those who are problematic. Some of the students at Siu Leun come from the Mainland. They were born in Hong Kong and so can have Hong Kong citizenship. But their life is difficult - some of them ride a bus two hours each way to be able to attend school (but the school system is much better in Hong Kong). During the final period of the day, I noted that two of the first grade girls were sleeping at their desks.

Parents, grandparents or helpers develop warm friendships by bringing the children to school and then picking them up following the school day. "Helpers" or domestic employs comefrom the Philippines, Malaysia, or Indonesia come to Hong Kong to earn money, much of which is sent back to their families back home

During morning assembly, most of the children gather for announcements and opening worship. I led the song (1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us.") this morning following the morning prayer (the teacher is praying in Cantonese and the children are praying in English). While it looks like many are "just doing it," there is some real faith development taking place at this school. Many of the children do not come from believing families.

Recess is everyone's fun time.

Recess takes place with the confines of the barred metal fence. There's both outdoor and indoor space. The outdoor space offers fish pond wildlife and a variety of potted flowers and greens. It gives the school a "human" face rather than simply concrete and steel. Kids have access to the purchase of food and snack items; they can play basketball, soccer, or table tennis; or there's opportunity occasionally to watch videos or listen to music.

It is enjoyable to work with younger children, but it also takes tons of energy. My preference still is to work with adults.

 The blue flower is a lily from the one of the two ponds and the moss roses are located in a pot.

Tonight, Karen Lee treated Eric and me to sushi. The shop was "economy" with a moving server, but the sushi was good. I'd go back!

Every seat is filled around the sushi conveyor. When spaces empty, the receptionist finds the exact number of people to fill the spots just vacated. And, the stools are mighty close together so that you are literally rubbing elbows with your neighbor.

Watch it go by, but don't touch!! Each plate will cost you 8 Hong Kong dollars.

MY NEIGHBORHOOD

Prominent in my neighborhood is a three story shopping center. I always go there for my groceries and occasionally have a meal there at one of the restaurants.

I added commentary to this video to make "my corner" easier to comprehend.

A Japanese restaurant next to the ever present McDonalds.

Steamed buns of all sorts are easy to find.

Need a pair of shoes?

Hair salon.

Restaurants never seem to be short of business.

Racks of coats and tables of shirts.

Some of what is available.

This Chinese restaurant always seems to have chairs for those who have to wait.

In the old days, these would simply hang out in the open air booths.

Even though I am not physically in front of this "herbal and dried foods" store, I can still get the smell clearly identified in m

THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP

What a day....we celebrated the arrival of the first LCMS missionary to come to China in 1913. Pastor Arndt served in Hankow until his death in 1929. One hundred years of ministry.

Evangelist Albert Lai (right) meets with a family before the church group heads off to Concordia for the huge festival worship.

Chinese and American pastors participating in the worship celebration and processional pose immediately before the service begins. You'll see me in the white alb on the left.

l-r: one of the three pastors from Macau, Dr. Alan Yung, president of the Hong Kong Synod, and Dr. Jeff Oschwald, proclaimer for the worship.

 Pastor Daniel Lee leads a prayer with pastors and choir before the worship.

Rev. Carl Hanson (Hong Kong) flanked by two pastors from Macau.

The processional hymn remembered the Lutheran Reformation.

A portion of the choir selection

Dr. Jeff Oschwald shared a wonderful message on Psalm 111.

A few words from his message

Dr. Alan Yung brought words of encouragement and greeting from the office of the president of the China Hong Kong Synod.

What a beautiful song of praise from Psalm 111. You can't help but catch the joy!

I pose with Pastor Daniel Lee (this is Lee Meyer's good friend).

Sean Harlow tries to make friends with six month old Martin.

CONFERENCE DAY

Today we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Lutheran missionary to China, the Rev. Edward Arndt. To give thanks on this day, and to look toward the future, speakers were asked to come and meet from 10 to 3, sharing reflections, vision, and excitement about what is happening in China. What follows are some of my notes from a few of the speakers. There are no notes from David Kohl, a historian, who just published volume one entitled Lutherans on the Yangtze;  A Centenary Account of the Missouri Synod in China.  The book recounts the story from 1913 to 1949 with anecdotes, personal interviews, excerpts from letters, many pictures, and some statistics. From what I can see, it will be an interesting read (not a theological treatise). Volume two will come out later this year.

Conference:  Lutheran Mission works to the Chinese People, past, present, and the future.

DR ALAN YUNG:  (President, Lutheran Church of China Hong Kong Synod) Opening words on the Great Commission. Three points:  1) Jesus has all authority which also means that we have His authority.  2) Everywhere not only means in every country, but also in everyone’s heart.  3)  Promise is the comfort that Jesus will always be with us.

Lutheran mission in China began 100 years ago; now we begin again. We continue on the blessing of the past and ask forgiveness for what we missed. Dr. Jung is excited about how the Hong Kong Synod will continue the work of the past long into the future.

DR. JEFF OSHWALD:   (professor, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis):  Shared some of Luther’s reflections of Paul, Apollos and Stephen as missionaries. Luther’s comments on Acts: salvation through faith alone (surely not to him a book on mission). Nevertheless it is we through whom God accomplishes all of his work.

Paul, Appolos, and Stephen did not have ordination as “preachers.” Any Christian should feel obligated to speak and act on behalf of the Lord. (Acts 18). Stephen and Philip were only ordained for the ministry of the table, but only spoke on the need of the people with whom they met. They were not ordained as pastors.

Many men in the book of Acts were not called or ordained to speak/preach, but their words had great effect for the Kingdom. The Gospel has been proven effective in areas long before any “preachers” were present. “Little preachers” (the non-ordained) were present.

THE WORLD OF THE LORD WILL RUN AND FLY WHEN WE LITTLE EXPECT. WHEN THE TIME COMES THERE WILL BE MANY CHILDREN AS A RESULT OF THE SPEAKING OF THE WORD. (Faith comes by hearing; the Word does not return void; never discount the working of the Spirit through the Word)

SUMMARY:  All men/women can/should preach whenever there is opportunity. Let the laity “preach,” but also let the clergy preach.

BUT, Luther is also adamant about the preaching office. Yet, he still focuses on the “little preachers,” the laity who also proclaim the Word.

 It is understood, when one thinks about the millions of Christians who came through the Cultural Revolution, that there were few pastors. The sharing of the Word (preaching) was done by the laity. It happened without many clergy, but with many “little preachers.”

DR HENRY ROWALD (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and longtime China missionary):  1952 – the end date when all missionaries were out of China (but really 1949). In the 1980’s is when “mission work” began once again in the Mainland. There were very few LCMS who overlapped from 1949 to1980. A few faithful few served in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Dr. Roy Suelflow (doctoral thesis) wrote “We have no confidence that we ever established a church in China.” But now, we realize that the seed was sown. Hank Rowald recently met several pastors in China who had been trained in our former LCMS related theological school. He also met the wife of a deceased pastor who served faithfully as “evangelist” holding together a congregation where her pastor/husband had once served.

“Theological is for ALL of life and for ALL of God’s people,” not only for a select group of people. Refer to Martin Luther and his teaching about theological education in the very home. Three kinds of theological education:  spiritual, academic, and professional.  Home, leaders in congregations, and then seminary.

Greeting my brother, Michael. Each trip, we travel together sharing presentations. He's a pastor/evangelist originally from Taiwan. The woman is Roberta Hildebrand, interim business manager for the LCMS missionary presence in Asia.

 

Sharing with Rev. John Mehl, former regional director for the LCMS in Asia.

Rev. Carl Hanson (left) moderates the question time following Dr. Rowald's presentation

Rev. Joel Scheive shares a moment with two participants.

Dr. Steve Oliver (left) from the Taiwan Lutheran Seminary shares conversation with one of the three Wisconsin Synod brothers in attendance.

The MTR on my way to Tuen Mun where I will stay for the next three days. After this train, I still had to take the light rail for another 20 minutes to arrive at Siu Leun School.

You might say "I'm washed up." You an hardly tell that I have a halo, and my guess is that this 3 year old poster will soon need to be replaced with something FRESH!