Happy New Year friends!  

It’s been quite a while since we have shared with you on our Blog and what better time than now to update you with what’s been going on with Team Wong.  

For the past month we have continued with our galavanting around Hong Kong, going to different restaurants, sites and eventually ending up at the Happiest Place on Earth!  Yes, Disneyland!  We love Disney!  It was definitely our happy place.  

As we approach New Year’s in a couple of hours, there is much to reflect on.  There is much to be thankful for.  There is much to consider.  

2017 has been a year of change in our family, if you haven’t guessed already!  Haha!  As I reflect back on what God has done, what He is doing, it’s amazing that we’ve lasted Hong Kong as long as we have.   

Our time in Hong Kong has been challenging in many ways.  We continue to look for a church that we can call home.  I believe that God is working in my heart with regards to this.  Not sure what the lesson is at this moment, however, I do know that I need to be in the Word consistently and be praying more fervently.  Our Family Worship during  this season of life has been way too sporadic, and that’s my fault for not leading better.  This indeed is an area of my life that I need to work on in the New Year.  

As for fellowship is concerned, our SG is growing closer to one another.  We continue to study the book of Colossians and hope to be done soon, however, the time spent digging into the Word together has been meaningful and it’s a joy to lead, even though there are days when I feel so inadequate.  I think the fact that we all (with the exception of one member) have a Harvest Bible Chapel connection has bonded us quickly.  We actually call ourselves Harvest Hong Kong (unofficially) but our love for the Word and Worship that we have all experienced at Harvest Brampton, York or Durham bring us together like family.  

I have appreciated my time teaching at ICS.  The faculty, leadership are encouraging and I absolutely love my class.  My students are so much fun!! Every year, students have given me a number of different nicknames, ranging from Wong to Wongy to Mr. W and now, Mr. Ping Pong, Mr. Kapong and Mida Wong … haha!  There is a family / community feel at ICS which has made the transition so much easier.   Thank You ICS.  

We are also thankful for our 7th Floor family here at ICS as well.  Doing life with friends who are going through exactly the same thing has been a comfort, knowing that we are not the only ones who struggle with life here in HK. God indeed has been faithful.  

My reflection of 2017 does not just start and end with our time in Hong Kong.  I can still remember the lead up to our departure.  Last minute decisions that had to be made, getting together with close friends “one last time”, Malachi running back into our home on July 21 taking a “last look” brought tears to our eyes … and still does when I think about it.  Moving on!!  

Our ride to the airport with our dear friends, the conversation that I had in my vehicle, and I’m sure Gloria in hers.  Our Small Group hosting a farewell party for us, we were super appreciative!  We miss our friends.  We miss Harvest Durham.  We miss good, solid preaching.  

More recently, I had the opportunity to touch base with some staff members back at Norman G. Powers.  Do I ever miss teaching at NGP!  I miss the “off comments, jokes” that we shared, certain staff members who use strong adjectives, the relaxed environment, Friday Treats!! NGP, I do miss all of you dearly!!  Let’s Skype in soon!!  

Finally, to close out the year 2017, we were thankful for the many visitors that we had from home.  It was so special for us to spend time with Vivian, Gabby, Samuel, one of my best friends Dennis and more importantly, my Mom who came to visit and stayed for 6 weeks with us here in Hong Kong.   We miss our friends, but definitely miss our family.  We were able to create new memories with my Mom, our boys spent valuable time with their Grandmother and it allowed us to have meaningful dialogue with one another.  Malachi and Timothy especially miss their Uncle Duncan. We are looking forward to having more visitors in 2018 and to be given the opportunity to grow in our friendships and relationships.  

So what’s next?  Well, as a family we desire to be in God’s Word more consistently with much regularity.  We will continue to seek the Lord with regards to church.  Praying for much fruit with my Grade 4 class.  We look forward to developing strong relationships with our new friends here in Hong Kong.  Praying for our Small Group – to grow in our love for the Lord.  Pray that we would use our time wisely as we mentor / disciple others.  

2018 will continue to be a year of change, a year of growth, a year of dependence on the Lord.  

As a family we just finished looking at Psalm 121.  “I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth … The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”  We learned that God is our helper.  He never slumbers nor sleeps.  He is our shade.  The Lord keeps us.  What better way to enter the New Year than this?  To be reminded that the Lord loves us.  That He is faithful.  He will never leave us.  May we continue to look to the hills when we find ourselves struggling and to know without any doubt, that our God is there to help, encourage, support, love us.  May we continue to lean into God daily.  Praying that 2018 would be a year that our love for God would grow.  

Friends, we miss you.  It was a difficult Christmas season.  Thankful for His provision.  Thankful for His love.  Don’t be strangers … we would love to hear from you.  May we all have a desire to Know Him more this upcoming year.  

You are loved!