Reunification Day, Jul 2009

Today (1st) is a holiday in Hong Kong, the only holiday I am aware of so far in nine months here, since I almost went to work the other holidays until I was warned otherwise the day before by Wife. Also, I received two e-mails today informing me of their last day at work, one by a pastor friend reflecting his transition to a new ministry, and another by an instituition president informing others he was leaving his post. I like the latter's light spirit. The International Herald Tribune reported in an article today that Malaysia’s new prime minister has announced that the country would severely weaken a 40-year old requirement that companies reserve 30 percent of their shares for ethnic Malays, the country’s dominant ethnic group.

With the free time I could update you about the trip I took to to Singapore and Penang last week. We took the subway in Singapore and realize how slowly the local pedestrains were walking compared to their Hong Kong conuterparts. In Hong Kong escalator riders step to the right so that walkers can pass the stationary riders; in Singapore they stood pat side by side blocking the lanes. The next day I realized they were not as slow, but not at the Hong Kong pace. The city is highy rated as an international city, but I do not see as many expatriates on the streets or riding the subway, nowhere near Hong Kong streets. I wonder where they are. The Singapore streets are not crowded at all, not even at its most frequented Orchard street. The crowd is a fifth or less than those at Mongkok and Causeway. In fact there is no crowd or atmosphere. The only thing the two cities - and Penang, too - have in common is that their Starbucks are crowded, which is not a surprise because they are the only businesses savvy enough to offer free internet.

I never took a liking to Singapore food despite visiting Hongkongers' generous praise of it, but what do they know since they are known to enjoy the Malaysia and Singapore food in Hong Kong. Indonesian food is far, far better in Hong Kong. My brother joined us to visit my mother who lives in Singapore. He was more critical than me, if that was possible, saying that Malaysian food and Singapore food are heaven (former) and earth (latter). An Aussie who sat next to me on a plane said that Singapore bak kut teh is watered down. He should know since his wife is from Klang, Malaysia, a bak kut teh stronghold. The two best eating places for me is Vienna Buffet at United Square in Thompson Road and the rojak on fourth floor of Orchard Road's Atrium Square.

Penang life is slow, very much like Macau. The bus I rode on a quarter of a century ago is still operating on the same route, chugging along at bicycle's pace. No wonder the governement has introduced a new bus 101 from downtown to the hugely popular Batu Ferringhi tourist route, but the locals still ride the first bus that comes. Penang food is delicious, especially at Gurney Drive near Gurney Plaza, the most popular local shopping mall, where American stores dominate. I lined up with at least ten other customers for a plate of Char Kwai Teow at Gurney Drive, but even that hawker is not the most popular in Penang, I was told. Holiday Inn Batu Ferringhi is good value but Wife saw a roach that sprinted from the restroom into the closet. We had a tasty M$45 breakfast per head buffet, lounging there three hours for our breakfast and brunch's worth, unlike my brother who ate non-stop for three hours at Vienna's in Singapore. On my two-country trip, I had sampled chicken rice, rojak, rambutan, jack fruit, star fruit, chiku, nasi lemak, rendang, grilled fish, griiled cuttlefish, spicy cuttlefish, satay, roti prata, coconuts - need I say more?

I was encouraged my last message on Luke 12 (Easy Come, Easy Go) has helped a person and provoked a response or two: "這晚上睡得不好，原本想給__電郵說說不平的事情，看完這篇講章，就覺得沒甚大不了，這個世界每天都會發生不平的事情，很多人比我可憐，不用將「我」放得那麼大，應該慶幸自己不是魔鬼的使者，只是受害人…。應該將時間用在正當的事情上，事情自有神看管的，一切都不能越過祂的掌權，就看是「學習的功課」。看魔鬼又能將我怎樣辦？謝謝這篇及時的講章，記念你更能看得明白中文。" Wong
"叶牧师，平安 谢谢您的这篇信息，帮助了我很多，尤其是这个星期日，我的信息也是讲有关奉献的信息，你的数据帮了不少，谢谢。 愿神大大使用您让更多人的祝福。祝健康平安喜乐。" David

For a month beginning last week (2nd) I will be at TST office in the morning for a half day's work but return to teach a night class there. It is my first time teachng an intensive class. TST has its advantage, escpecially I have a lot of things to attend to in the afternoon. To begin with I went to the Revenue Board in Wanchai today to see why I have not received my tax info yet. Not wasting much, I checked the web for good food in Wanchai and ate at netizens' most popular restaurant 再興燒臘飯店, which I admit is worth a try just to see the line for takeout. The line grew from 20 to 30 people by the time I finished my lunch. I was quite a gentleman waiting to be seated but a lady at the back of me sat on the stool a customer just vacated. After lunch I noticed a line was forming at the neighboring Taiwanese restaurant, too, so I'll be back. The officers at the Tax Board was very efficient and helpful. Turns out that they are not ready to tax me yet until next year.

Here is a comment on Psalms 52 (The Last Laugh):
"谢谢您：叶牧师！您每一次送来的信息，读后真是受益匪浅。愿神不断加添您的智、心力、体力和能力，使您成为更多教会的众人的祝福！以马内利" Tian Zhong
"葉牧師,謝謝您的分享, 也是一篇很好的查經題材." Betty

Yesterday (12th) was my last of ten Sunday class sessions I taught at Yan Fook until the next ten beginning September 13th. Yan Fook is the biggest church in Hong Kong, heading to the 10,000 mark soon. The class dwindled from 45 to half, no thanks to swine flu, but the coordinators tell me the drop-off is normal, esepcially for the early first class. Five attendees received a reward for full attendance and students even get to evaluate the teacher. Well, at least I was evaluated by those who were appreciative enough to last the course, so it is not all bad, but the weak in heart better not teach there. I had a good time and a great experience. Since I am merely a guest teacher and not church staff, I have no pressure. I even initiated weekly breakfast with students as early as 7:45 am before class an hour later; later we changed to 7:55 am. The work is minimal since few can wake up that early. Each staff has to be the advisor of one or two fellowships that consist of 200-400 people, isn't that amazing? As guest, I do my best "caring" for them, but "taking care" of such a big group must surely be a headache even for the staff. Interestingly, students in this megachurch hardly know one another before the sessions, so breakfast helps, but I must confess I know less than half of their names when it ended. To lighten matters and encourage participation, I divided the class into lecture (40-45 mins) and group discussion (20-25 mins) and the students loved it. Praise the Lord, I have a new ministry designing group study questions, which is quite challenging in English and Chinese.

One of the most authentic dumpling places is in Tsim Sha Tsui quite far from my office in the same city. Distance, however, is not an excuse for ignorance in your backyard, so I walked in the hot afternoon to Peking Shiu Gau Shop for probably netizens' highest rated dumplings in whole of Hong Kong and ordered a Beijing and Shanghai dumpling combo for HK$26. It was worthwhile seeing dumpling in another style. There were lots of film stars on the glass counter and Northern China snacks on the menu. A couple squeezed next to me on my table in the mini store told me it was their first time there, too. I will return for more snacks, such as the inviting fried spring roll that I saw another customer ordered.

After 11 months in Hong Kong I headed back into the pool this week, twice in fact, including today (18th) with Wife before 7 am to avoid the sun and heat in the outdoor pool. The HK$19.90 is worth spending. We felt like fish returning to water, it feels that good. I did my routine 1,000 times kicking exercise in the pool before swimming two laps in the Olympic size pool. By then my lungs were hurting. In the States I could swim 10 laps in the much smaller LA Fitness indoor swimming pool. My goal is five laps here. Hopefully I can swim at least twice a week from now on. Being sick and having swollen gums four days ago sure motivated me to take better care of my health in Hong Kong as the quality of life and air here is not as good as the States. Besides, the hectic pace and the lack of exercise and rest here may have contributed to my bout with sickness.

Friends and former students wasted no time in responding to my last sermon (God of All Comfort), some were somewhat hilarious. I even received a request for permission to have it republished, praise God:
"老師這收信平安：這是一篇使人心靈得幫助，好像聖靈的風吹在人的心裏，滋潤人的心溫暖人的靈魂的一篇講章，真是棒極了。 謝謝你的這ㄧ篇講章，成為我即時得幫助，請問我可以使用它在我所服事的教會嗎？願神祝福你和你的家。"Melody
"Thanks Victor,I see the environment does help in language skills." TK
"Hey Victor, Did you yahoo your translation? I have to read backwards into English to imagine what you were saying!!!" Ng
"叶牧师,你好我是传扬杂志 http://www.efccc.org/ ....., 我想将你此文删成2500字左右的文章,放在11月的主是文章中,我删好后给你过目.不记得我?我上过你的释经讲道,终身受用.谢谢"
"Thanks so much for this sermon. I just finished my preaching at the retreat of Surrey CBC, Vancouver." Pastor Leong

I am thrilled to hear that TVB will show one of my favorite shows "24," beginning next week. There is a dearth of good free dramas on TV since most of them have migrated to cable in Hong Kong. Maybe CSI would follow.

Working hours are long in Hong Kong, especialy when you are not well and your eyes are on the computer whole day in the summer when school is out. It was so bad my eyes hurt when I close it for a few seconds of rest. As a result, for two consecutive days I exercised in the pool after work and a short rest since the pool does not open till 7 pm. I feel better after catching up to my regular routine in Los Angeles.

Yesterday (23rd) student Carmen gave me and another student passes to attend the Book Convention at Wan Chai Exhibiton Hall. With the passes we bypassed the incredibly long lines, probably due to the cheap HK$10 entrance fee. This is the first time for me and it was quite an interesting experience. The next week (27th) I had to go to Wan Chai to extend my visa and meet a friend there for lunch. His first words when we met were "It was a bad idea" due to the bumper crowd at the Book Exhibition. Going to the Immigration Tower was a nightmare due the Exhibiton next store. The passage was blocked, so we made a U-turn and took another bypass two blocks away. The two hour wait at Immigration was extended another 45 minutes, but at least I got it done.

Internet Ministry Relaunched, Jun 2009

I am a happy man with my Internet ministry relaunched on May 31st, this time with a new face in Chinese and an English version link, which is fitting since I have relocated to Asia. Come to think of it, I have not sent a message out, Chinese or English, for more than nine months I have been in Hong Kong. It's been so long I had even forgotten the password to one of my group lists. The group list's breif malfunction did nothing to dampen my joy.

The kick-off sermon is none other than Job, which is one of my favorites. The feedback is gratifying. A good pastor friend alerted me: "Your sermon got recommended by one of our brothers to the fellowship group -- last Saturday, they discussed the topic of suffering and then Philip saw your sermon... which probably touched him much and so he recommended that to others. This is really something!" Mike

Other heartfelt responses include:
"Thank you Prof. Yap, You are sooooo great! I hope I can learn more from you. How's going out there? May God use you to bring an abundant blessings to all the students you teach there ." Maria

"Dear Pastor Yap, I like your sermon. The truth comforts my heart. Blessings." Zoe

"謝謝葉牧師，信息給我很好的Rhema 與鼓勵，在我目前服事的困難中。您好嗎？忙不忙呢？願神祝福您！謝謝您想到我們。" Alice

"Dear Rev. Yap, Thank you for your message. Thank you for being consistent in preaching His word and preparing good messages. You have set us a great model and you have really inspired me. I am thankful to the Lord that I had a chance to be one of your students. Thank you and may God bless you." Boon Har

"Hi Rev. Yap,Thank you very much to email this to me in Chinese, thanks again for your faithfullness to help us!" Ellen

"葉牧師：多謝你愛心的預備，使我們在網上得很多聖經資料，在聖經上更深認識。但願神加能力給你，在事奉上得勝有餘。阿們。" Ann

Any bit of cheerleading helps. Internet writing is worth something and worth doing. The only snag is Yahoo Groups cannot display the Chinese font, so I have to send mail to 1,400 recipients manually 15 times over two days because Yahoo has limits on daily mail!

The weather is strange lately, but who am I to say so in my first year here? Last week it was so hot that staff persuaded me to use an umbrella, which I am sure I can never live it down. Today (June 8th) it is raining but the humidity has not changed much. I am looking forward to my bimonthly haircut at the end of the month.

The next day I was caught in the rain in Yuen Long without an umbrella, which I refused to carry indefinitely. I stopped in the omnipresent 7/11 store but the price did not change from the HK$44 umbrella I last bought there two months ago. Crossing the street I found a road store that sold one for HK$20. I had no choice since I have a long way to travel to my appointment in Mongkok. Within two months, I had bought two umbrellas, but the rainy season has just started. It is so stuffy, humid and hot in HK that the air doesn't go anywhere even when it is raining nowadays.

This quarter's layman night class at Tsim Sha Tsui ended today. It is the most satisfying night class yet because I found the lay students most eager to learn - far more hungry than day students. Believe me, they did the as much coursework in their 2-unit course as seminary students did with me in a 3-unit course of the same name last quarter. They took turns to take pictures with me, which seminary students had never done. One student - Charles - did not require the class for graduation but audited it upon the recommendation of a fellow student. He even brought a durian for the last class. I think I am most effective with working professionals and older students.

The hot and humid weather is taking a toll on most Hongkongers. I was sweating shortly before bedtime. When I told a colleague I finally gave up and initiated turning the air conditioning on to sleep yesterday (19th) - for the first time, she replied, "Wow, you have strong endurance. We already turned it on days ago." Wife gave up and cut her hair in response but I will hold on for another week, to stick to my bimonthly haircut at the end of the month. Last night we open the windows and turned the fan on and we survived another night without turning it on. Wife's sister admitted she turned the a/c on finally last night (20th).

Finally graduation was over yesterday (20th). The ceremony was a huge success and the speaker Rev. Morley Lee of CCCOWE gave an inspiring address. This year's graduates were quite a handful. Many of them are in their 40s and are parents themselves, so they come with experience, ideas and opinion. The conservative and traditional spirit at school was quite a learning curve for them. Nevertheless I am quite proud of them. I have no choice since this is my first graduating class. My only regret is having them for one year only. I could have done more with more time, but at least I have done my part. Hope they will return for the master's degree.