Dear Family and Friends
Ok … let’s try this again. My last blog was super short, didn’t make a whole of sense, so I’m hoping this one will. Are we still tired? Yup! Our boys have been sleeping on average, 8 to 10 hours every night since we’ve been here. Summer Camp, long nights have definitely been part of the slumber! Here we go … a short / brief recap of this past week.
Aside from landing in Hong Kong which was quite eventful we, as a family, have had an extremely busy time. We still don’t have a cell phone number, working on banking, and basically using our school’s wifi. Hoping to get on the rest of the stuff tomorrow – which is Saturday – or at least next week.
We began the week with a super welcome from ICS with breakfast … which was basically everyday for our whole family and new faculty. Monday we had to obtain our HKID cards. This was quite the experience. Surprisingly, not a lot of paper work, however, there were so many people at the “office” that both Gloria and I were a bit overwhelmed. Later that day the school treated us to Dim Sum and we ended the day with laptop distribution. For all my NGP / Durham peeps … this is the way to do it. Every teacher gets a laptop. Thankful! That evening, again, ICS treated us to some KFC dinner!! Not exactly Chinese but still hit the spot!
Tuesday through Thursday was basically the same … breakfast, devotions and then some kind of in-service regarding school philosophy / motto, tech, school tour, lunch, Elementary School time, a tour of City One, Mah On San, Sai Kung, Tsim Sha Tsui, more eating and some shopping. It was most definitely busy. Our boys were troopers too! They spent the entire day at Camp and then were still able to come out on our evening excursions!
Today … is Friday in Hong Kong. Today was a bit different. We had our morning routine, however, we then took a bus ride to somewhere in Hong Kong, landed at a spot called Crossroads (check out their website: https://www.crossroads.org.hk). I think some of you will find this interesting and perhaps something to get yourself involved with. At Crossroads, we were educated about poverty, and other issues that exist in our world. This is not new. For those of you who know me, I have always had a heart for reaching the lost. The director spoke to us about being the hands and feet, making a difference. We were put through a simulation of people living in the slums. Our task was to make paper bags. There were of course restrictions, some structure, however, at the heart of it, was for us to have some empathy to those who live in these conditions. It was difficult at times. I would say that all of us were impacted. I had to “sell” one of my kidneys for money, and Gloria was sold to the landlord to be his second wife.
7 billion people live on earth. 3 billion live on less than $4US a day. Our challenge was simple: what are you going to do?
One of the reasons, Gloria and I decided to come to Hong Kong was this. How can we be salt and light to the community here in Hong Kong? What ministry can we plug ourselves into? Remember, it’s only Day 6 of being in Hong Kong, however, God is slowly showing us the reality of Hong Kong. There are slums, homeless villages in HK. We need to move. We need to be the hands and feet of Christ. Friends, don’t get too comfortable. We were both reassured of our calling to Hong Kong today. Not only will I be teaching, discipling kids / families every day, there is also an opportunity to serve the people of Hong Kong.
Our prayer is that we continue to focus on the Lord, be available to do whatever He’s asking of us. We know that He has plans for us, for our boys … it’s only the beginning!
You are loved!
