We are days away from celebrating Chinese New Year. This is the year of the Pig. Doesn’t sound too flattering, yet the Pig is usually associated with
wealth and prosperity in the Chinese culture – so they say.

Recently, our family travelled to Chiang Mai, Thailand for our Christmas vacation. It was a much needed time to get away – to wind down, to re-focus and to spend time with our family – away from the busyness of Hong Kong. We were indeed thankful. Some of you followed our daily posts on IG or Facebook, however, our pictures did not do justice to the sights and smells we experienced. We spent the bulk of our time in the Old City of Chiang Mai, experienced the Saturday and Sunday Market, drank a lot of coffee, had street food, ate fried chicken on more than one occasion and we really didn’t want to come back to Hong Kong.

Part of being an ex-pat and living overseas truly allows us the opportunity to travel and to experience different countries and cultures. We are thankful that our boys enjoy the journey and the adventure.

We are now approaching the 2-year mark of living in Hong Kong and counting down the days until we get to go home, to Canada, for the summer – yes, only for the summer. Team Wong will be returning back to Hong Kong for another season. We have been praying and seeking the Lord with this matter, and truly believe that God is not finished with us here. There were definite hiccups along the way, however, God is in control. He is the one that leads and directs our steps, no one else, no matter who they think they are.

Recently with my Grade 4 class, for our morning devotions, we went through the book of Esther. It was such a good time of reading and digging into the Word, as much as we could, at their level. We did take home a few nuggets:

1. We need to be humble, like Mordecai and Esther
2. Hold true to our convictions.
3. God is in control over all circumstances.

So what? How does God’s truth guide our lives here? We need to be faithful to what God has called us to do. We truly believe that God is asking us to share the Gospel here in Hong Kong. God has allowed us many opportunities despite some of the hurdles that we have faced.

I also believe that by being here in Hong Kong, we have seen God at Work – in our own lives, but also with those who we have connected with. If we had stayed home in Canada, we would have missed all that we are experiencing. And so, we look forward to another season in Hong Kong. We wait with anticipation to all that He will do, and continue to do.

In the meantime, Chiang Mai is now a recent memory but we’re awaiting for our time in Penang, Malaysia as we celebrate CNY!