There is nothing more important to me than wife, health and ministry - in that order. Wife will have a check up next week to determine what the shadow on the other side means. Ministry is at a crossroad because I may have to return to the States by summer to prove domicile in sponsoring my siblings, which the immigration department announces is close. Maybe it is God's way to prevent me from getting too involved in local ministries. I am looking forward to teach my first D. Min. course in Taiwan come June 2011. On the health front, hopefully I can lose some weight as my gut had expanded a few inches since arriving in Hong Kong. Preachchrist.com made a dramatic jump to 49,717 hits last month, which is more than twice 18,403 hits on the last month of 2009. My new book and overseas teaching have certainly helped spread the word. Hopefully by the end of the year it will top 60,000 hits. I have befriended a number of neighbors, and by God's grace I hope I can lead them to Christ or to church.
I had a good start to my teaching and preaching mentoring program. After teaching a dozen of young coworkers over three hours, I had individual tutoring for two of the bunch. They were quite receptive, the atmosphere was great and the two were very teachable. I was bothered by a friend who warned me that I may suffer the consequences if the coworkers do not improve in their teaching and preaching, but I discarded that kind of negative thinking. I remind myself that failure is not a big loss if I tried to help.
We celebrated Wife's birthday this first week of the month. She did not feel like dining out on the big day since we have done it the night before and she was worried about her health, but I persuaded her to go, and we were surprised by the good quality of a restaurant in the village that we have not tried before. We talked a lot this week about what the future is like, especially if I have to return to the States to prove my domicile. I sent out the letter yesterday (8th).
This morning (10th) Frontiers missions organization did a presentation at the chapel that made me pause and reflect on missions. It was not an emotional appeal but it gave me plenty of food for thought. Maybe God is inviting me join missions full-time because the harvest is truly plentiful but the workers are few. I might know quickly enough since my attempt to sponsor my family to the States have ran into a snag. Well, never say never to God.
To my horror today (11th) I realized I wrote five new sermons only last year, two less than what I managed in the first 16 months in Hong Kong. Looking back, I am glad one of the churches I help has designated Scripture passages, making me work harder on passages I missed or avoided. The next day I had a throat infection after mentoring the younger pastors, but it was worth it seeing how much they enjoyed it.
I unexpectedly got the flu traveling to Sha Tin to preach today (16th). It was a bummer because I also had a sore throat four days ago that had not gone away. The good thing after worship was meeting Wife for lunch at Tsing Yi, where I added a salad bowl and a drink to my lunch for HK$23. At first I was critical why customers were allowed one serving only, but later I enjoyed piling all the food in one bowl, which requires a lot of skill, more than going for seconds. This goes to show that moderation can be more enjoyable in practice. The next day the doctor told me I have throat infection, so I am following the medication closely.
Yesterday (19th) Wife resumed her Bible study with Mainland students that was cut short by her illness ten month ago, when she felt something wrong with her body while waiting for the students to arrive. This time the students were an hour earlier. Wife treated the two boys and herself to dinner after the study. It is one of her few unfulfilled dreams left - to start a Bible study group with them.
Today (24th) was an emotional day for me at school as I preached on Gen. 45, where Joseph reunited with his brothers. I shed a few tears singing the song "Psalm 19," which was a special song because that was the song that moved Wife after surgery when she returned to North Point's English worship for the first time. The best thing was a student was touched by the message. If not for North Point's strict preaching calendar and text, I would have no new messages.
Yesterday (28th) I made the decision to accept the challenge of missions. Maybe turning 50 has something to do with it. Local ministry is too slow and stifling. I actually felt relieved and relaxed. It is better to put out the notice earlier so that there is more freedom to explore.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Gentleland, Dec 2010
I returned from my 10-day trip to Gentleland today (10th). It got off to a worst possible start. My ride thought I was coming a day later, so I had to find an inn nearby. The next day (2nd), I taught 60 excited M.A. students over the 20-hour weekend how to preach.
The next week, I was taken to a new location to teach 28 B Th students. Unlike before, where I was staying with a family in a spacious apartment that has a bathroom with enough exercise space, I was downgraded to slum-like conditions near some run-down factories, for less visibility. Churches here are very out in the open, their worship music travels to the streets, and "emmanuel" signs are all over the church exterior.
It was both a boring and a blessed experience. The backward living conditions are similar to the poorest Hong Kong neighborhoods in the 60s. Students live a very simple life. All basics and necessities are met but all else is stripped away. Still they bring their own snacks. They use a basin for washing but, nevertheless, they have meat to go with vegetables.
Since nobody but students live on-campus, I have to request for coffee, fruits, and a ride out. I have a makeshift reused fruit juice glass bottle for a cup to use in class and in the kitchen I use a bowl for coffee. The restroom soap is big and unsightly. The locals do not use toilet rolls; they use wafer-thin sheets of paper the size of our handtowels.
It's been an unforgettable five days with the 25 youngsters ranging from 18 to 25. So far, I have trained 88 students, which would take me 15 years to do in
Hong Kong! Many of them are bright but lacking opportunities. Since it is held in a low-key location, there is nothing to do but sleep during the afternoon recess of 2 hour and 15 minutes, including lunch. Nights are almost unbearable. No TV, no company, no transport. I am virtually a prisoner, but I am thankful for internet. It would have been unthinkable without it. It was time to leave after adjusting to my lodgings. To counter the hard bed and thin mattress I folded the mattress for more padding since I do not need to use the other half of the mattress. On the last day I heard prayers reverberating throughout the building, but to my shock I saw only four women praying. I am tempted to visit elsewhere in the future seeing the field is ripe for harvest. After this ten day trip, I have a fresh appreciation for missionaries ten years in the field.
Today's 8 degrees C (16th) is the coldest day I have experienced in Hong Kong yet . I had three layers of clothing and I was still shivering without head protection when the cold wind blew. The low temperature, however, did not stop me from my pool exercise or a lunch appointment with a student. It was hard to concentrate at work during this lull holiday break without the students or chapel. I was excited over my sermon on Genesis 45 preached last Sunday because it completes my 30 messages on Genesis, which I hope to be published in English for a change.
I thought the cold could not get any worse, but it did and got personal, giving me a full-blown cold today (18th). I have not sneezed like that for a long time. My nose was running and my eyes were red, so I took a nap after lunch to get rested before today's pre-study, which we thought was canceled. My only hope is that Wife would not be infected. Tomorrow we are headed for early worship so that she can join a school party. At night I-Cable showed my favorite Stephen Chow movie just as we were about to rent the last Harry Potter movie, which we missed. We also signed a new contract today with the new landlord that will increase our monthly apartment rent from HK$7k to HK$8,400. There is no stopping inflation or rent in Hong Kong.
It is Christmas day today (25th) and we went for breakfast with a friend visiting from SF. On the way home I figured out how to text 17 friends from my phone contact list a Christmas message, which took me a full 15 mins to type and send. Tonight we will have dinner with a friend who is returning to No Cal after two years of ministry in HK. It did not work out because he has to return to care for his wife and daughter who have medical conditions.
The day after Christmas was mostly relaxing. We spent time with a church coworker and talked for more than three hours. After that we had lunch and a walk outdoors before we headed home. The pleasant day was interrupted rudely by a flu I caught after swimming. I sniffed and sneezed for the next four hours, causing pain to the right side of my stomach each time I sneeze during the final hour. It was so bad I debated if I should see a doctor tomorrow. Let's hope Wife does not catch it from me.
Today (29th) is my last Wednesday off this year before I sign up to mentor pastors in teaching and preaching next Wednesday onwards in the new year. We were lounging around in the Elements' Starbucks when an alumni called me up for lunch. Wife said I had used both days off, including last Saturday, to benefit other people in our sharing. Thinking ahead, I expect work and ministry to be tough next year.
Finally the last day of the year is here. I have been busy restoring the broken links on preachchrist.com. I have no idea what is in store for the next year, but nothing could be rougher than this year. All is good as long as Wife's health keeps up. It has been cold for a few days, so yesterday I got some thermal wear for both of us.
The next week, I was taken to a new location to teach 28 B Th students. Unlike before, where I was staying with a family in a spacious apartment that has a bathroom with enough exercise space, I was downgraded to slum-like conditions near some run-down factories, for less visibility. Churches here are very out in the open, their worship music travels to the streets, and "emmanuel" signs are all over the church exterior.
It was both a boring and a blessed experience. The backward living conditions are similar to the poorest Hong Kong neighborhoods in the 60s. Students live a very simple life. All basics and necessities are met but all else is stripped away. Still they bring their own snacks. They use a basin for washing but, nevertheless, they have meat to go with vegetables.
Since nobody but students live on-campus, I have to request for coffee, fruits, and a ride out. I have a makeshift reused fruit juice glass bottle for a cup to use in class and in the kitchen I use a bowl for coffee. The restroom soap is big and unsightly. The locals do not use toilet rolls; they use wafer-thin sheets of paper the size of our handtowels.
It's been an unforgettable five days with the 25 youngsters ranging from 18 to 25. So far, I have trained 88 students, which would take me 15 years to do in
Hong Kong! Many of them are bright but lacking opportunities. Since it is held in a low-key location, there is nothing to do but sleep during the afternoon recess of 2 hour and 15 minutes, including lunch. Nights are almost unbearable. No TV, no company, no transport. I am virtually a prisoner, but I am thankful for internet. It would have been unthinkable without it. It was time to leave after adjusting to my lodgings. To counter the hard bed and thin mattress I folded the mattress for more padding since I do not need to use the other half of the mattress. On the last day I heard prayers reverberating throughout the building, but to my shock I saw only four women praying. I am tempted to visit elsewhere in the future seeing the field is ripe for harvest. After this ten day trip, I have a fresh appreciation for missionaries ten years in the field.
Today's 8 degrees C (16th) is the coldest day I have experienced in Hong Kong yet . I had three layers of clothing and I was still shivering without head protection when the cold wind blew. The low temperature, however, did not stop me from my pool exercise or a lunch appointment with a student. It was hard to concentrate at work during this lull holiday break without the students or chapel. I was excited over my sermon on Genesis 45 preached last Sunday because it completes my 30 messages on Genesis, which I hope to be published in English for a change.
I thought the cold could not get any worse, but it did and got personal, giving me a full-blown cold today (18th). I have not sneezed like that for a long time. My nose was running and my eyes were red, so I took a nap after lunch to get rested before today's pre-study, which we thought was canceled. My only hope is that Wife would not be infected. Tomorrow we are headed for early worship so that she can join a school party. At night I-Cable showed my favorite Stephen Chow movie just as we were about to rent the last Harry Potter movie, which we missed. We also signed a new contract today with the new landlord that will increase our monthly apartment rent from HK$7k to HK$8,400. There is no stopping inflation or rent in Hong Kong.
It is Christmas day today (25th) and we went for breakfast with a friend visiting from SF. On the way home I figured out how to text 17 friends from my phone contact list a Christmas message, which took me a full 15 mins to type and send. Tonight we will have dinner with a friend who is returning to No Cal after two years of ministry in HK. It did not work out because he has to return to care for his wife and daughter who have medical conditions.
The day after Christmas was mostly relaxing. We spent time with a church coworker and talked for more than three hours. After that we had lunch and a walk outdoors before we headed home. The pleasant day was interrupted rudely by a flu I caught after swimming. I sniffed and sneezed for the next four hours, causing pain to the right side of my stomach each time I sneeze during the final hour. It was so bad I debated if I should see a doctor tomorrow. Let's hope Wife does not catch it from me.
Today (29th) is my last Wednesday off this year before I sign up to mentor pastors in teaching and preaching next Wednesday onwards in the new year. We were lounging around in the Elements' Starbucks when an alumni called me up for lunch. Wife said I had used both days off, including last Saturday, to benefit other people in our sharing. Thinking ahead, I expect work and ministry to be tough next year.
Finally the last day of the year is here. I have been busy restoring the broken links on preachchrist.com. I have no idea what is in store for the next year, but nothing could be rougher than this year. All is good as long as Wife's health keeps up. It has been cold for a few days, so yesterday I got some thermal wear for both of us.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
School Newsletter, Dec 2010
務要傳道
本院碩士科主任
葉福成博士
當我仍在美國時，有一間福音機構邀請我加入他們的夏季短宣教師團隊。我當時幾乎要答應，但一想到是要前往亞洲，我心中有保留。雖然當日我沒有答應，但這次的邀請並沒有白費，因為這就成了我和我太太兩年前決定移居到香港的影響。當日該機構向我們發出呼聲：「釋經講道是今日華人教會最大的需要！」
可悲的是，當今的講道滿有智慧又風趣，但缺乏「道」。講員花那麼多時間講一些對經文沒有直接關係或經文沒有記載的東西。傳講神的道是沒有捷徑，也不能繞道而行。一個人如想得到釋經講道的「產品」(the sermon)，就必須瞭解研讀的「生產過程」(the study)。這個過程是最具挑戰性的，但大多數講員很自然又直接的方式是看參考書，而不是閱讀聖經，因此我們認識註釋家比聖經更多。
今日華人教會講道的弱點就是對於經文的文法和文學缺乏瞭解，而這卻是釋經講道的特色：先運用歷史 (historical)、文法 (grammatical) 和文學 (literary) 的方法，來尋找經文的主題、大要概念或中心思想，然後才把它們應用在聽者的身上。 可惜，許多講員不知道怎樣以超過人物、地點和事物的原則，來表達講章的主題和大綱。
在歷史方面，參考書當然有其適當的位置，但教科書 (textbooks) 絕不能取代經文 (text)。聖經 (Bible) 是我們的首要材料，書籍 (books) 是第二的。牧師和神學生必須先是聖經學生，然後才做聖經學者。
在文法方面，如今傳道人可以使用最新的軟件，幫助他們理解原文的語氣 (mood)、時態(tense) 和語態 (voice)。我建議傳道人可以試用一些免費的分析工具（scripture4all.org，http://bible.fhl.net），特別是找出經文中的三大「I」，即是：命令式 (imperatives)，不定詞 (infinitives) 和直說式 (indicatives)。
在文學方面，識別經文的鑰字（比較、對比、重複、漸進），能彌補我們有關文學技巧的能力。我建議傳道人能花 80％的時間做釋經的工作，而不是80％做應用，因為「觀察」錯誤，會導致「解釋」和「應用」的錯誤。
好的釋經講道者能教導、吸引、啟發聽眾。著名的釋經講員邁爾博士 (F. B. Meyer)，分享早年他的導師比樂博士 (Dr. C.M. Birrell)，如何鼓勵他走出專題式講道，同時指導他朝著釋經講道的道路和方向邁進。在一次聚會的結束後，比樂對邁爾說：「今晚你講道的信息非常好，可惜它是一篇專題式的講章，如果你要以專題式講章作為你講道的模式，可能很快你會用完那些主題，接下來你要怎麼辦呢？因此我建議你可不要像我過去三十年的做法。不如讓你自己成為一個釋經講道者吧！這樣你會一直保持神話語原有的新鮮感，並且建造一個健康有力的教會。」 (Listening to the Giants, Warren Wiersbe 97, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980)
本院碩士科主任
葉福成博士
當我仍在美國時，有一間福音機構邀請我加入他們的夏季短宣教師團隊。我當時幾乎要答應，但一想到是要前往亞洲，我心中有保留。雖然當日我沒有答應，但這次的邀請並沒有白費，因為這就成了我和我太太兩年前決定移居到香港的影響。當日該機構向我們發出呼聲：「釋經講道是今日華人教會最大的需要！」
可悲的是，當今的講道滿有智慧又風趣，但缺乏「道」。講員花那麼多時間講一些對經文沒有直接關係或經文沒有記載的東西。傳講神的道是沒有捷徑，也不能繞道而行。一個人如想得到釋經講道的「產品」(the sermon)，就必須瞭解研讀的「生產過程」(the study)。這個過程是最具挑戰性的，但大多數講員很自然又直接的方式是看參考書，而不是閱讀聖經，因此我們認識註釋家比聖經更多。
今日華人教會講道的弱點就是對於經文的文法和文學缺乏瞭解，而這卻是釋經講道的特色：先運用歷史 (historical)、文法 (grammatical) 和文學 (literary) 的方法，來尋找經文的主題、大要概念或中心思想，然後才把它們應用在聽者的身上。 可惜，許多講員不知道怎樣以超過人物、地點和事物的原則，來表達講章的主題和大綱。
在歷史方面，參考書當然有其適當的位置，但教科書 (textbooks) 絕不能取代經文 (text)。聖經 (Bible) 是我們的首要材料，書籍 (books) 是第二的。牧師和神學生必須先是聖經學生，然後才做聖經學者。
在文法方面，如今傳道人可以使用最新的軟件，幫助他們理解原文的語氣 (mood)、時態(tense) 和語態 (voice)。我建議傳道人可以試用一些免費的分析工具（scripture4all.org，http://bible.fhl.net），特別是找出經文中的三大「I」，即是：命令式 (imperatives)，不定詞 (infinitives) 和直說式 (indicatives)。
在文學方面，識別經文的鑰字（比較、對比、重複、漸進），能彌補我們有關文學技巧的能力。我建議傳道人能花 80％的時間做釋經的工作，而不是80％做應用，因為「觀察」錯誤，會導致「解釋」和「應用」的錯誤。
好的釋經講道者能教導、吸引、啟發聽眾。著名的釋經講員邁爾博士 (F. B. Meyer)，分享早年他的導師比樂博士 (Dr. C.M. Birrell)，如何鼓勵他走出專題式講道，同時指導他朝著釋經講道的道路和方向邁進。在一次聚會的結束後，比樂對邁爾說：「今晚你講道的信息非常好，可惜它是一篇專題式的講章，如果你要以專題式講章作為你講道的模式，可能很快你會用完那些主題，接下來你要怎麼辦呢？因此我建議你可不要像我過去三十年的做法。不如讓你自己成為一個釋經講道者吧！這樣你會一直保持神話語原有的新鮮感，並且建造一個健康有力的教會。」 (Listening to the Giants, Warren Wiersbe 97, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Coping, Nov 2010
Wife's experiment with Chinese medicine got off a good start. The doctor we see has no lack of patients. She got six small packs of medicine the first time, and 12 last Saturday (Oct 30). I am getting good at boiling the medicine in claypot, which requires 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes heating time. Yesterday (Oct 31) my heart was blessed by one thing and touched by another. The blessing was a note my wife received from a congregation member at a church where I was a guest speaker for the last year. The note says, "I pray for you and your family...You are not alone." The second, the plight of a resident, whose kid is autistic, moved me. The father has not worked for two years to care for his son. I hope to find a church and help for the 8 year-old.
It rained boxes from heaven yesterday (3rd). We could be moving anytime now that the owner has told us he wants to sell his property, but we had thrown the 20-odd boxes that came with us from the States for fear that dust from the boxes could complicate Wife's recovery when she was sick. Last week Wife expressed doubt on how we could manage without the boxes - 14 of them. Yesterday on the way home from swimming I saw a couple throwing some boxes away, and I asked them if the boxes are good, to which they replied they threw them because they just moved into the neighborhood. It is heard to purchase boxes in Hong Kong, unlike in the States, where you can buy them at almost all stationary stores. Here most people do not owe a car, so transporting them home is out of the question without delivery fees.
I need lots of prayer this Sunday (14th) as I am up to my neck in preaching. The three worship services are in three different locations, from 830a to 1030a to 1215p. The early worship was a last minute call on Monday (8th) from a megachurch. The second one is a church anniversary, cannot avoid that or disappoint a friend, too. The last one is an English one, where I excel. The hop to the third one, from Tsuen Wan to North Point, is most challenging. May as well stretch myself and see if I survive. Actually I like last-minute substitutions, at least the panic is just for a week.
Yesterday morning at 930am (9th) I received a call from a church secretary saying that they double-booked speakers for this Sunday, so the pastor's wife suggested dropping me instead of the other speaker (who is a friend I had dinner with last week). I had no problems with the arrangement, since I had my hands and plate full with three sermons one day. I thought prayers were answered and called Wife to tell her the latest. At 1038am the secretary called me again, saying the pastor wanted to speak to me. He asked me if I would like to preach instead, seeing the other speaker had spoken at the church before. I said OK. When I logged into my computer, Wife indicated in her e-mail that she was glad I was dropped to lessen my load. When I wrote that it was on again, she replied with a terse "Oh!" By the second day (Tuesday) I was calm and today I am spending my day off in Macau, working on translating my sermons into Chinese. I feel like my anonymous, low-profile and off-the-radar days are over with the release of my new book.
It's been an exciting and busy day today (14th) rushing to speak at three churches, from a mega church to a church anniversary, from Tsuen Wan to North Point. After my first stop, at the megachurch, a friend in the congregation texted me and said, "A very good job. Though a little bit nervous. Pray for you." The anxiety evaporated by Wednesday, the day after the second call. I also discovered one thing about myself. I am still the person who could handle one thing without ado and a few things the same way. In other words, this stretching exercise was good for me. The best response, surprisingly, was at the last stop, where a few members came up to me and said the message spoke to them. We celebrated our relief by going out to dinner tonight. The next day, I signed a new contract, transitioning to a four-day work week. I have no idea if it works. It is deja vu time, like starting all over again.
Today (17th) is my weekly day off. In the morning I called a friend to encourage hi. Next, I did sermon preparation at Starbucks for my given next sermon on Genesis 45. I finished the first point on the uplifting story of Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers. After that I met with a church to discuss the possibility of using my day off to mentor incoming pastors. Lastly, I picked up my ticket at Mongkok for my coming overseas teaching trip. A friend texted me this piece of mental health advice: "Take vitamins, talk to two people, and play brain games on the web."
Wife gave me the news Thursday morning (18th) that all is not well with the other side of her body. At the morning chapel tears slipped from my eyes. The next day, we had a good talk about how to face the future in the (1) worst scenario, (2) bad news, or (3) no change. We have peace. Life offers no guarantees, especially after the 2.4 earthquake that hit yesterday. This morning (20th) I woke up before 4 am and tears welled up before 5 am. I couldn't imagine life any other way.
Praise God, we survived the checkup yesterday (23rd). Wife's doctor said her mangled hands are the worst she had seen and that she could not determine if her other side was cancerous as well. The nearest date for a mammogram screening appointment is, no kidding, in 2012! The alternative is for testing at a private hospital, which is our next step. Reading Hezekiah's sickness and prayer (Isa 38) in the morning comforted me. At night we celebrated with a buffet, which is out of our body's reach at our age and in her condition. At night, we slept well. Another storm passes for the time being.
I had a gum inflammation scare two days ago (24th), but last night (25th)my back gave way and I could not lie straight sleeping, curling to the side at times and waking more than a few times. This morning I went to my Chinese masseur to rub over the pain, followed by a visit to a medical doctor to certify I have back pain, topping it with spa at the club after an afternoon nap. The last was most special because it was Wife's first trip to the pool, where she exercised for twenty minutes spotting short hair in public for the first time. I was assigned the task of preparing dinner while she returned to her nap after the swim.
It rained boxes from heaven yesterday (3rd). We could be moving anytime now that the owner has told us he wants to sell his property, but we had thrown the 20-odd boxes that came with us from the States for fear that dust from the boxes could complicate Wife's recovery when she was sick. Last week Wife expressed doubt on how we could manage without the boxes - 14 of them. Yesterday on the way home from swimming I saw a couple throwing some boxes away, and I asked them if the boxes are good, to which they replied they threw them because they just moved into the neighborhood. It is heard to purchase boxes in Hong Kong, unlike in the States, where you can buy them at almost all stationary stores. Here most people do not owe a car, so transporting them home is out of the question without delivery fees.
I need lots of prayer this Sunday (14th) as I am up to my neck in preaching. The three worship services are in three different locations, from 830a to 1030a to 1215p. The early worship was a last minute call on Monday (8th) from a megachurch. The second one is a church anniversary, cannot avoid that or disappoint a friend, too. The last one is an English one, where I excel. The hop to the third one, from Tsuen Wan to North Point, is most challenging. May as well stretch myself and see if I survive. Actually I like last-minute substitutions, at least the panic is just for a week.
Yesterday morning at 930am (9th) I received a call from a church secretary saying that they double-booked speakers for this Sunday, so the pastor's wife suggested dropping me instead of the other speaker (who is a friend I had dinner with last week). I had no problems with the arrangement, since I had my hands and plate full with three sermons one day. I thought prayers were answered and called Wife to tell her the latest. At 1038am the secretary called me again, saying the pastor wanted to speak to me. He asked me if I would like to preach instead, seeing the other speaker had spoken at the church before. I said OK. When I logged into my computer, Wife indicated in her e-mail that she was glad I was dropped to lessen my load. When I wrote that it was on again, she replied with a terse "Oh!" By the second day (Tuesday) I was calm and today I am spending my day off in Macau, working on translating my sermons into Chinese. I feel like my anonymous, low-profile and off-the-radar days are over with the release of my new book.
It's been an exciting and busy day today (14th) rushing to speak at three churches, from a mega church to a church anniversary, from Tsuen Wan to North Point. After my first stop, at the megachurch, a friend in the congregation texted me and said, "A very good job. Though a little bit nervous. Pray for you." The anxiety evaporated by Wednesday, the day after the second call. I also discovered one thing about myself. I am still the person who could handle one thing without ado and a few things the same way. In other words, this stretching exercise was good for me. The best response, surprisingly, was at the last stop, where a few members came up to me and said the message spoke to them. We celebrated our relief by going out to dinner tonight. The next day, I signed a new contract, transitioning to a four-day work week. I have no idea if it works. It is deja vu time, like starting all over again.
Today (17th) is my weekly day off. In the morning I called a friend to encourage hi. Next, I did sermon preparation at Starbucks for my given next sermon on Genesis 45. I finished the first point on the uplifting story of Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers. After that I met with a church to discuss the possibility of using my day off to mentor incoming pastors. Lastly, I picked up my ticket at Mongkok for my coming overseas teaching trip. A friend texted me this piece of mental health advice: "Take vitamins, talk to two people, and play brain games on the web."
Wife gave me the news Thursday morning (18th) that all is not well with the other side of her body. At the morning chapel tears slipped from my eyes. The next day, we had a good talk about how to face the future in the (1) worst scenario, (2) bad news, or (3) no change. We have peace. Life offers no guarantees, especially after the 2.4 earthquake that hit yesterday. This morning (20th) I woke up before 4 am and tears welled up before 5 am. I couldn't imagine life any other way.
Praise God, we survived the checkup yesterday (23rd). Wife's doctor said her mangled hands are the worst she had seen and that she could not determine if her other side was cancerous as well. The nearest date for a mammogram screening appointment is, no kidding, in 2012! The alternative is for testing at a private hospital, which is our next step. Reading Hezekiah's sickness and prayer (Isa 38) in the morning comforted me. At night we celebrated with a buffet, which is out of our body's reach at our age and in her condition. At night, we slept well. Another storm passes for the time being.
I had a gum inflammation scare two days ago (24th), but last night (25th)my back gave way and I could not lie straight sleeping, curling to the side at times and waking more than a few times. This morning I went to my Chinese masseur to rub over the pain, followed by a visit to a medical doctor to certify I have back pain, topping it with spa at the club after an afternoon nap. The last was most special because it was Wife's first trip to the pool, where she exercised for twenty minutes spotting short hair in public for the first time. I was assigned the task of preparing dinner while she returned to her nap after the swim.
Friday, October 1, 2010
My New Book 比喻人生 (Life of Parables), Oct 2010
I am looking forward to see the response to my new book 比喻人生 that will be introduced at this year's Christian book fair in Tsim Sha Tsui from Oct 14 for a week. It is so unreal that the publisher (Tien Dao) could get it ready in four months. Not bad for a two years' and counting sojourn in Hong Kong so far. The excitement died down after I got hold of a copy, which goes to confirm the journey is better than the end. By the grace of God, I hope I could generously put them into the hands of pastors, who truly are in need of encouragement more than ever. Despite the book, the month began with a bad dream last night (1st), featuring my brother, that kept me awake from 3 am on. Middle age has its angst.
On my day off (6th) I went with Wife to Tsuen Wan's mega J store for the first time and bought two new pants, my first after two years here. I was supposed to get HK$142 change but on the way out I realized I only received HK$112. I returned to tell the young men at the counter, who then told me they would return the HK$30 only if they have extras unaccounted for. I did not mind because I just wanted to be a good citizen and tell the truth. It took them some time to count the money but, under eight pairs of eyes, two of them supervisors, they found HK$89 extra. Still they counted a second time. I promptly told them I had no reason to lie by now as I am a pastor. By this time Wife was worried and looked for me. I did not hear how much extra they had the second time but they returned the money and said "Fair." I asked what it meant but they avoided answering and said they will return the money to me. They also did not answer my question on how much extra they had the second time. I objected and said I do not want the money if their money is not balanced. On the way out the young man at the counter had softened, knowing I am pastor, and said they would have to call the police and review the monitor if there was a problem, so there was no fault on my part. Can you imagine they still have customers' HK$59 extra from the first count?
Yesterday (10th) night I sent out an announcement that my new book is released: "親愛的弟兄姊妹, 感謝神, 我的新書「比喻人生」終於出版了！由10月14日至20日, 天道書樓將在今年的基督教書展 (尖沙咀街坊福利會) 給消費者85折. 今天在美國是慶祝"教牧日" (National Clergy Appreciation Day
http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/clergy ), 你不防考慮送一本給你的牧者.葉福成牧師"
The responses have encouraged me:
"Dear Pastor, Thank Lord for your new book published. When can we purchase the book here in US? May our Lord continue to use you and glorify HIM. May our Lord continue to bless you and Doris. You are in our prayer always. Love, J.J. and Tan Chu"
"Dr. Yap, 恭喜！恭喜！我會買的。支持你！Carmen"
"Dear Victor, Thank you for your sharing and may God continue to bless your preaching ministries. Ellis"
"叶老师, 哦，感谢主，有机会能买到你的书。"
"Dear Victor, Congratulation for your new book! I called you today and could not reach you. Hoping you to see you in the coming Saturday. God bless! Luke"
"Congratulation! Ruth"
"好的，謝謝通知及提議！"
"Dear Victor, Congratulations on your new books. Good Job! Hongi"
"親愛的葉牧師：多謝您推介，願天父祝福您及保守您的身體壯健，使您的事奉更有力﹗你的學生"
"Victor, Congratulations. I will get a copy and read it. Allen"
"葉牧師: 為您感恩。我已想起六位朋友了，我會送您的新書給他們呢! 雖然我們沒多聯絡，但我每星期會一、兩次讀您和師母的Blog。繼續為您們祈禱。祝平安！主內, Wing"
"hi Pastor Yip, Congratulations, I will definately buy one...Ivy"
"Dear Pastor Victor, Thank you for your sharing. Congratualtions!! God Bless, Pauline"
"Dear 葉牧師：恭喜你出書，希望在中心書房也可以買的到。In Christ, Rachel Lin"
"恭喜Victor！timlam"
"good, congratulation to your book's publish. i will go to buy one and hope is fruitful. alice"
"葉博士: 恭喜大作完成，我們稍後會到書展。謝! Henry & Amy"
"Dear Rev. Victor, Warmest regards: Congratulations. Keep on writing and publishing.
Dr. Tan Kim Sai."
"葉福成牧師：感謝主！恭喜你的新書《比喻人生》已面世，真為你爭光，將一切榮耀歸與神。Lok Wong"
"你好！我是大陆的教徒！我想问一下！你们出版的书籍「比喻人生」是不是要卖！这本书你们这么卖！卖到杭州要多少钱！邮递费要多少！谢谢"
"Victor, I would like to get 10 copies but as you know, I am inside China. Hope to reserve the copies and perhaps I can get them later. H Hui"
"恭喜老師！願一切榮耀歸我們天上的父神！懇求主繼續大大的使用您成為眾多人的祝福！Rubin"
"葉牧師：Congratulations! 我還是縂從您的講章裏得到許多獨特的領受，感謝主賜您如此的恩賜。
May you continue with the good works. Boon"
"Dear Pastor & Professor Victor: It is very,very good news to hear that You press a new good Christian book. May God use you through his power and grace. In Him,Anna"
Today (11th) is the last treatment day for Wife. She decided to stop writing her blog, with her last entry appropriately entitled GOODBYE!. We celebrated by having German pork knuckle for dinner at our favorite restaurant in Ma Wan. At home we ate the Mango cake Wife bought in the afternoon for the occasion - she ate a fourth and I an eighth. Tomorrow she will return to work. By God's grace we have survived the last 9 months, but it could have been worse. A lot has happened to friends during these 9 months too, including unemployment, death and marital problems.
A weird and amazing thing happened today (12th). Our landlord called today and said he is selling our rental unit to a buyer who will be coming to look at the house this Saturday, four days later. I thank God that yesterday was the last treatment day and we can move on, no matter the rent, which is over the top now. The buyer bought it in August last year for HK$1.8 million and was looking to sell it for HK$2.15 million, but got HK$2.3 million instead. There is no reason to be jealous.
Today (20th) is my day off, a day I took in midweek to work with younger pastors, but I ended up ministering to Wife instead before the pastors' ministry gets busy. This morning I cleaned the floors of the apartment. Next, I carried her books and trekked up the school hill with her when the school bus did not show up. After that, while she is at work, I bought two 2-ltr bottles of mineral water for the apartment. Now I have just finished an American breakfast and read my e-mails. The schedule for the rest of the day includes shopping for food, followed by lunch at the cafetaria and reading a book I brought. I will head home early tomorrow morning and hope to make it to work before 830am, thus ending my 2 nights midweek stay experiment in Macau.
I just returned from an early morning swim just when the weather started to turn chilly in Hong Kong (16 C). At first I hesitated but I saw a friend's dad 20 something years older twisting/wiggling his body before he dived into the water. If a seventy something year-old man can brave the cold water, I have no excuses. Well, I survived, without a sneeze. Today (27th) is my weekly no-pay day off again, set at Wednesday this quarter. Instead of joining Wife, I will be speaking a school chapel.
Here is what a night student has to say about my new book:
"我已拜讀了大半的《比喻人生》, 很吸引呢!! 有點像你教導的部份查經法, 歸納在一起, 只是有些現代生活化的比喻, 我尚膚淺不太理解與整章的關連, 但你也引用不少電影題白, 我相當有共鳴, 因早年我觀戲甚多, 尤其是西方電影, 當中也蘊含了不少值得再思的片段, 故此讀下去很有親切感呢! 我會推薦予我們查經組的肢體呀. 請繼續分享你的恩賜呵!!Carmen"
Night swimming is no better than a morning swim, it is just as cold, as I found out today (28th). There was no one in the water when I arrived at 630p. I thought maybe the indoor pool is opened, but it wasn't. The lifeguards also had left their post with no swimmers around. A lady joined me later but she left before I did. On the way home I saw a teenager cycling on the no-cycling pedestrian walk, and told him off. I felt good later because the cyclists cycle fast and could hurt kids and seniors. Locals usually keep to themselves.
The same night I spotted my neighbor in the floor's corridor and exclaimed, "I haven't seen you for a while." She said, "I am here everyday." I countered, "I haven't seen you walking your dog." To which she replied, "It left." I asked, "Why?" She said, "Birth, aging, sickness, death." I added, "Then you must have cried sadly." She said, "Yes." A dog can't have a better life outside of Park Island. Previously in the summer, I asked her what she did for her summer holidays. She replied, "What holiday?" and then told us she cannot take a holiday because she had to take care of the dog every night after she got home.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Radiation, Sep 2010
The hospital called on Friday (3rd) and radiation for 5 weeks begins Monday (6th), tomorrow. Wife is recovering as well as she could but the last cycle of chemotherapy was most tumultuous. She was sick with a fever on days 11-15 and one more day after a two days' break. Her next challenge is just as taxing. She goes back to teach at class from the middle of the month on, so traveling takes a toll. Today we are in Macau attending dinner sponsored by a school program, where she plays a prominent role. The school could not find a substitute for her session, so we are here, but we took our time traveling after the harsh lesson from last week, when she rushed back to school for an office move that never materialized and got sick the day after arriving and for the next four days. So far she stood the test at the dinner, smiling broadly much of the time, but the ultimate test is today, when she is scheduled to lead a session.
The school retreat this year ended on a high note yesterday (10th). It was a four days, three nights affair, one day more than previous years, the extra day allowing the students to quiet down before school begins. There are 12 new students this year, breaking the last two years of four each, increasing our overall enrolment for the undergraduate program at 23 while the graduate program has five new faces. Everything worked out fine for me at the retreat because Wife's chemo ended last week at the right time and she had recovered from her fever. Radiation started this week. Monday (6th), the first day, was frustrating, requiring Wife to raise her hands for more than half an hour, while Tuesday was a 15 minutes breeze, but the machine had problems on Wednesday, making the waiting period hours longer, and it was canceled on Thursday (9th) due machine problems.
It has been a busy day for Wife's first day of class back in Macau today (15th). We took a cab to the ferry on the Hong Kong side after her 810a radiation appointment and caught the 930a ferry to Macau, arriving there at 1045a. After a bite at the canteen we headed to her office for a rest, waiting for her 330p class to start. We plan to head back to HK after her class because of radiation the next morning. This is our schedule for the next month or so every Wednesday. After the class ended, Wife met me at 540p and we got into a taxi that took us to the ferry and miraculously made the standby list for 6p. There we waited patiently and were the last few to be awarded seats. Onto the Hong Kong side an hour later, we ate dinner and caught the 810p ferry back to Ma Wan. What a day.
I was sad to hear an old friend Kenny passed away while scuba diving. 20 years away, the day he first came to church, was like yesterday. Death, dying and brushes with death are inescapable nowadays. He was a young 41 and he left behind his wife Ling and two young daughters. I cannot imagine losing my spouse at any moment of my life, especially after her brush with death, so I can understand how Ling feels. No wonder seniors feel vulnerable when their friends pass away; losing a friend is like losing a part of you.
Today (22th) is the second Wednesday in a row I returned to Macau with Wife. Her radiation was at 820am but it was delayed till about 9am, which was frustrating for her as she has to teach at 130pm. On the Hong Kong ferry side we had breakfast at a cafeteria and took the 1005am ferry. The boat was about the worst ride I ever had due the effects from the Taiwan typhoon. The ship heaved up and down and I was seasick 20 minutes from departure, praying for time to fly. Once thee, Wife had less than an hour to rest to get over the hangover. I slept for more than an hour and I was sure she would be too exhausted to last for the next four hours. We went for dinner at 610pm before the return trip and we managed to get the last table despite forgetting the crush due MidAutumn Festival today. We reached Hong Kong at 815pm but Wife was too tired to rush for the 830pm ferry to Ma Wan, so we had a cone at Mickey D's, settling for the 9pm ferry instead. Another exhausting Wednesday, two more to go. It took a toll on her body the next day.
Today (20th) is the third successive Wednesday we travel to Macau together. First we had breakfast on the Hong Kong side with a longtime friend from the States who arrived yesterday. Then we caught the 1030am ferry and upon arrival paid the taxi driver $50 Macau dollars to take us to the university. The local wifi failed me 45 mins into its use, so I am looking forward to lounge in the cafeteria instead of waiting for Wife at the office. At least I am glad I brought a book. Her mini-laptop, to lighten the strain on her back, is not my cup of tea for sure. Friday is a public holiday here, so I have taken Thursday off as well to spend more time together. She is ten daily trips away from completing her radiation treatment. At the end of the day she was as thrilled as ever about teaching.
The school retreat this year ended on a high note yesterday (10th). It was a four days, three nights affair, one day more than previous years, the extra day allowing the students to quiet down before school begins. There are 12 new students this year, breaking the last two years of four each, increasing our overall enrolment for the undergraduate program at 23 while the graduate program has five new faces. Everything worked out fine for me at the retreat because Wife's chemo ended last week at the right time and she had recovered from her fever. Radiation started this week. Monday (6th), the first day, was frustrating, requiring Wife to raise her hands for more than half an hour, while Tuesday was a 15 minutes breeze, but the machine had problems on Wednesday, making the waiting period hours longer, and it was canceled on Thursday (9th) due machine problems.
It has been a busy day for Wife's first day of class back in Macau today (15th). We took a cab to the ferry on the Hong Kong side after her 810a radiation appointment and caught the 930a ferry to Macau, arriving there at 1045a. After a bite at the canteen we headed to her office for a rest, waiting for her 330p class to start. We plan to head back to HK after her class because of radiation the next morning. This is our schedule for the next month or so every Wednesday. After the class ended, Wife met me at 540p and we got into a taxi that took us to the ferry and miraculously made the standby list for 6p. There we waited patiently and were the last few to be awarded seats. Onto the Hong Kong side an hour later, we ate dinner and caught the 810p ferry back to Ma Wan. What a day.
I was sad to hear an old friend Kenny passed away while scuba diving. 20 years away, the day he first came to church, was like yesterday. Death, dying and brushes with death are inescapable nowadays. He was a young 41 and he left behind his wife Ling and two young daughters. I cannot imagine losing my spouse at any moment of my life, especially after her brush with death, so I can understand how Ling feels. No wonder seniors feel vulnerable when their friends pass away; losing a friend is like losing a part of you.
Today (22th) is the second Wednesday in a row I returned to Macau with Wife. Her radiation was at 820am but it was delayed till about 9am, which was frustrating for her as she has to teach at 130pm. On the Hong Kong ferry side we had breakfast at a cafeteria and took the 1005am ferry. The boat was about the worst ride I ever had due the effects from the Taiwan typhoon. The ship heaved up and down and I was seasick 20 minutes from departure, praying for time to fly. Once thee, Wife had less than an hour to rest to get over the hangover. I slept for more than an hour and I was sure she would be too exhausted to last for the next four hours. We went for dinner at 610pm before the return trip and we managed to get the last table despite forgetting the crush due MidAutumn Festival today. We reached Hong Kong at 815pm but Wife was too tired to rush for the 830pm ferry to Ma Wan, so we had a cone at Mickey D's, settling for the 9pm ferry instead. Another exhausting Wednesday, two more to go. It took a toll on her body the next day.
Today (20th) is the third successive Wednesday we travel to Macau together. First we had breakfast on the Hong Kong side with a longtime friend from the States who arrived yesterday. Then we caught the 1030am ferry and upon arrival paid the taxi driver $50 Macau dollars to take us to the university. The local wifi failed me 45 mins into its use, so I am looking forward to lounge in the cafeteria instead of waiting for Wife at the office. At least I am glad I brought a book. Her mini-laptop, to lighten the strain on her back, is not my cup of tea for sure. Friday is a public holiday here, so I have taken Thursday off as well to spend more time together. She is ten daily trips away from completing her radiation treatment. At the end of the day she was as thrilled as ever about teaching.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Milestones, Aug 2010
It's been one milestone after another lately. Yesterday (Jul 31st) was our wedding anniversary, which we celebrated at a local restaurant, eating our favorite German pork knuckle. However, it was Wife's worst day yet after her 5th shot four days ago, and she had a fever at night. Praise God, she was fine the next day. Upcoming milestones this month include turning half a century (16th), facing the final sixth shot (17th), living two years in Hong Kong (18th), wearing out two pair of shoes, doing mentoring ministry with a local church (September), and getting published (October). On top of that, preachchrist.com surged over 30,000 visitors last month for the first time for a single month this year.
It is difficult to make and keep friends in Hong Kong even for one as sociable as I am, so I was glad when old friends visit, one from the States last week, one next week from Singapore, and another from USA again in two weeks' time. Local people and pastors just do not have the time to socialize or chat unless it's business. I must admit my night class students are different and more mature; they love to eat out and have fellowship with me. I found out yesterday (3rd) I will probably lose another friend due to job change.
I had a great time at the Kowloon Hong Kong revival meetings today (7th), being the only day I could go. The experience and exposition were much better than last year's and I was proud that I could go two years in a row since we have been here. After worship I had lunch with one of the speakers, whom I got to know in Los Angeles. It is good to take my mind off things and it is exciting to hear a good message for a change. The speaker tells me that only 200 max would attend a similar revival meeting if held in Singapore.
How do you stop a plagiarist? A minister had plagiarized my writings since the beginning of this year. When I asked him to stop naming himself as the writer of my sermons on his church webpage, he apologized, asked for forgiveness and took down the titles I named promptly. Later I found out that he did not take down the titles I did not mention, of which one of those left was also mine. Then we did a Google comparison of the ones left on his church website and found out most writings belong to other writers who also contributed to the same website I do, which the plagiarist conveniently swiped. I wrote to him again yesterday (12th) but he no longer cared to reply.
It is my birthday today (16th) and I took the day off to accompany Wife to hospital to check whether she can get her last shot tomorrow. I am actually writing this paragraph from the hospital. We brought the PC and wifi because we anticipate it is going to be a long day, usually staying till 3 pm. At least I got to have an earlier birthday dinner with a good couple friend from the States last night. I was worried I won't get to have dinner with close friends since I do not know enough local people long enough to have that kind of deep friendship. In response to Wife's question, my birthday wish is none other than Wife's health. The checkup ended at least an hour earlier at 220pm, when she was cleared for the last shot tomorrow, which unfortunately was not the case for a lady there from Tin Shui Wai. Wife was happy as a lark, so we went for hight tea, later she bought a Mango cake while I bought half a soy sauce chicken for tonight's celebration. However, I am not forgotten this day in Hong Kong. I have received three calls from locals for lunch/dinner. Who am I to moan after seeing this video of an armless man two days later and the World Blind Football Championship highlights?
Time flies and we are into the last Monday of the month (22nd). The next week or so is crucial to wife and I. She will return to work and it would be a stern test for her. I will take some days off to be with her there. As for me, the next phase is mentoring ministry and a new quarter at school. I am looking forward to meet the new students, especially at the Master's level, which I find more challenging to teach than the Bachelor's level, where independent thinking is unpopular.
We had a scare with Wife's persistent fever that started five days ago (26th)till today (30th). A doctor at Macau's Kiang Wu Hospital said it is abnormal, but a doctor at Hong Kong's Princess Margaret Hospital today says it is normal for her condition from medication. It seems the last shot is most upsetting, but not to the doctor who said that she missed out on the reactions on her previous cycles. The reactions are usually from day 8 to 11, but this time it is day 11 to 15 and counting. We rushed home from Macau early this morning, catching the 6am ferry from Macau and hopping into a taxi to take us straight to Princess Margaret. Wife's temperature was taken at the immigration checkpoint but they did not detain her, praise God. The hospital tests were done by 1220pm and I bought groceries after our lunch while she headed home directly.
It is difficult to make and keep friends in Hong Kong even for one as sociable as I am, so I was glad when old friends visit, one from the States last week, one next week from Singapore, and another from USA again in two weeks' time. Local people and pastors just do not have the time to socialize or chat unless it's business. I must admit my night class students are different and more mature; they love to eat out and have fellowship with me. I found out yesterday (3rd) I will probably lose another friend due to job change.
I had a great time at the Kowloon Hong Kong revival meetings today (7th), being the only day I could go. The experience and exposition were much better than last year's and I was proud that I could go two years in a row since we have been here. After worship I had lunch with one of the speakers, whom I got to know in Los Angeles. It is good to take my mind off things and it is exciting to hear a good message for a change. The speaker tells me that only 200 max would attend a similar revival meeting if held in Singapore.
How do you stop a plagiarist? A minister had plagiarized my writings since the beginning of this year. When I asked him to stop naming himself as the writer of my sermons on his church webpage, he apologized, asked for forgiveness and took down the titles I named promptly. Later I found out that he did not take down the titles I did not mention, of which one of those left was also mine. Then we did a Google comparison of the ones left on his church website and found out most writings belong to other writers who also contributed to the same website I do, which the plagiarist conveniently swiped. I wrote to him again yesterday (12th) but he no longer cared to reply.
It is my birthday today (16th) and I took the day off to accompany Wife to hospital to check whether she can get her last shot tomorrow. I am actually writing this paragraph from the hospital. We brought the PC and wifi because we anticipate it is going to be a long day, usually staying till 3 pm. At least I got to have an earlier birthday dinner with a good couple friend from the States last night. I was worried I won't get to have dinner with close friends since I do not know enough local people long enough to have that kind of deep friendship. In response to Wife's question, my birthday wish is none other than Wife's health. The checkup ended at least an hour earlier at 220pm, when she was cleared for the last shot tomorrow, which unfortunately was not the case for a lady there from Tin Shui Wai. Wife was happy as a lark, so we went for hight tea, later she bought a Mango cake while I bought half a soy sauce chicken for tonight's celebration. However, I am not forgotten this day in Hong Kong. I have received three calls from locals for lunch/dinner. Who am I to moan after seeing this video of an armless man two days later and the World Blind Football Championship highlights?
Time flies and we are into the last Monday of the month (22nd). The next week or so is crucial to wife and I. She will return to work and it would be a stern test for her. I will take some days off to be with her there. As for me, the next phase is mentoring ministry and a new quarter at school. I am looking forward to meet the new students, especially at the Master's level, which I find more challenging to teach than the Bachelor's level, where independent thinking is unpopular.
We had a scare with Wife's persistent fever that started five days ago (26th)till today (30th). A doctor at Macau's Kiang Wu Hospital said it is abnormal, but a doctor at Hong Kong's Princess Margaret Hospital today says it is normal for her condition from medication. It seems the last shot is most upsetting, but not to the doctor who said that she missed out on the reactions on her previous cycles. The reactions are usually from day 8 to 11, but this time it is day 11 to 15 and counting. We rushed home from Macau early this morning, catching the 6am ferry from Macau and hopping into a taxi to take us straight to Princess Margaret. Wife's temperature was taken at the immigration checkpoint but they did not detain her, praise God. The hospital tests were done by 1220pm and I bought groceries after our lunch while she headed home directly.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Taxotere, Jul 2010
July 1st is a public holiday in Hong Kong. We were blessed with a visit from overseas church member Wilson. He said it's been a long six years we have not met. Otherwise the day was a light one. We went for coffee, bought lunch home, caught a nap, exercised after rest, and relaxed after dinner. The next day I looked on the web for Wife's next drug in chemo: the fearsome taxotere.
Wife had a scare today (6th) after her 4th injection, TAC for the first time. She thought the 150 ml dosage was too strong and she panicked, so she emailed her physician brother in UK who said the dosage was OK. Nothing can calm her at times like this, but she was happy as a lark later. Checking too many website was counterproductive this time. The steroids kept her energized, but HGH is next, from Friday till Monday, four days after TAC. Read her version.
The HGH effect set in with a vengeance. For the last three days, Wife has sleep, bowel and pain issues. There is no relief in sight as tomorrow (12th) is the fourth and final day of HGH injection. At times, she has to rest on the bed with two arms extended to relieve and release the stress. Thankfully today I bought her tiramisu, which she enjoyed the taste even though everything else has been bland and flat to her. The caffeine helped, too.
The last few days, with the 4th cycle, have been wild, reaching a crescendo two days ago at night (12th). Wife had a high fever and almost admitted herself at night into hospital. She waited to see if the next day was any better, preferring to hold it off since she was going to have a checkup in two days time. The next day the fever still refused to leave her. Only today did it subside. Come to think of it, she has not been sick since March, still it was rather abrupt.
Three days ago (13th) I dreamed of talking to a prominent pastor in Hong Kong about the possibility of coaching the newer or younger pastors in his sizable church. After nearly two years in Hong Kong, I realized my heart is in training the younger pastors who are already in the field. This is an untested ground for me and for the local church here. The pastoral side in me wants to help out the younger generation, a way for me to give back.
Hong Kong can be quite a heartless city. Yesterday (19th) four men ranging from their early 20s to early 40s sit defiantly on their MTR seats without budging, refusing to give up their seats to a nearby woman in the 50s with a little baby hanging around her neck. I stared at them to make them feel uncomfortable but they were too thick-skinned to bother to look at me. At night I returned to my apartment to witness a young man by the lobby mail boxes picking up a notice that was already lying on the floor. I complimented him but he said it was minor, all he did was lift a finger(舉手之勞). Well, all is not lost for Hong Kong then. San Diego in-law Henry forwarded a link of a Hong Kong architect who transformed his tiny apartment to 24 rooms.
I was shocked to learn a pastor took my sermon as his literally, changing my name to his name. Check out the original I posted. In fact six of his sermons under his Breakthrough series were from my "Miracle of Faith" series. The plagiarism is so blatant and obvious. Wife was madder than me. He could be in trouble if his church finds out.
Wife had a scare today (6th) after her 4th injection, TAC for the first time. She thought the 150 ml dosage was too strong and she panicked, so she emailed her physician brother in UK who said the dosage was OK. Nothing can calm her at times like this, but she was happy as a lark later. Checking too many website was counterproductive this time. The steroids kept her energized, but HGH is next, from Friday till Monday, four days after TAC. Read her version.
The HGH effect set in with a vengeance. For the last three days, Wife has sleep, bowel and pain issues. There is no relief in sight as tomorrow (12th) is the fourth and final day of HGH injection. At times, she has to rest on the bed with two arms extended to relieve and release the stress. Thankfully today I bought her tiramisu, which she enjoyed the taste even though everything else has been bland and flat to her. The caffeine helped, too.
The last few days, with the 4th cycle, have been wild, reaching a crescendo two days ago at night (12th). Wife had a high fever and almost admitted herself at night into hospital. She waited to see if the next day was any better, preferring to hold it off since she was going to have a checkup in two days time. The next day the fever still refused to leave her. Only today did it subside. Come to think of it, she has not been sick since March, still it was rather abrupt.
Three days ago (13th) I dreamed of talking to a prominent pastor in Hong Kong about the possibility of coaching the newer or younger pastors in his sizable church. After nearly two years in Hong Kong, I realized my heart is in training the younger pastors who are already in the field. This is an untested ground for me and for the local church here. The pastoral side in me wants to help out the younger generation, a way for me to give back.
Hong Kong can be quite a heartless city. Yesterday (19th) four men ranging from their early 20s to early 40s sit defiantly on their MTR seats without budging, refusing to give up their seats to a nearby woman in the 50s with a little baby hanging around her neck. I stared at them to make them feel uncomfortable but they were too thick-skinned to bother to look at me. At night I returned to my apartment to witness a young man by the lobby mail boxes picking up a notice that was already lying on the floor. I complimented him but he said it was minor, all he did was lift a finger(舉手之勞). Well, all is not lost for Hong Kong then. San Diego in-law Henry forwarded a link of a Hong Kong architect who transformed his tiny apartment to 24 rooms.
I was shocked to learn a pastor took my sermon as his literally, changing my name to his name. Check out the original I posted. In fact six of his sermons under his Breakthrough series were from my "Miracle of Faith" series. The plagiarism is so blatant and obvious. Wife was madder than me. He could be in trouble if his church finds out.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Second Cycle, Jun 2010
Wife's veins were swollen on the third day after the second injection on May 25th. Mocha was tasteless on the fourth day. We tried using a cream (Hirudoid) a colleague suggested but the effect was minimal. The domestic helper could not come last week, but we coped quite well, so we are thinking of using less help, which frees Wife to do work and think by herself at home.
Wife has been giving me ideas for the preface of my new book 比喻人生, which my editor requested. The preface is much harder to do. All I wanted to do was to complete the task, but she reminded me of my dream in expository preaching. After working on it last night and this morning, I sent it to her for checking and she replied: "I think it is great in English! I don't know after translation whether this would be lost. The preface allows more storytelling about you as a person too." I dedicated the book to her, which she declined. Rev. Choy has been most gracious, agreeing to write a recommendation of 100 words for my book on the same day (June 9th) I e-mailed him. The editor-at-large had warned me when I presented him with a recommendation wish list: "O! That is a very strong list. They are all very busy, so you better ask and send material to them as soon as possible." Recommendation deadline is end of August.
Today (16th) is SAR public holiday in Hong Kong. We have a restful day after yesterday's third injection. I bought food for soup just after my morning pool exercise, before the crowd swelled at the supermarket. Breakfast is French bread, and lunch is noodles. In between I was stuck to live TV cheering the Lakers against Celtics as they cream their rivals in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Wife's friend from college days visited her for half an hour before lunch. They had a good talk and a good walk as well.
I was powerless to help Wife who suffered a lot of pain on the third day (17th) of the third injection due to her swollen arm. She could not sleep or rest and her injected arm was black. The pain was evident on the first day as well, somehow bypassing the second day, which is a public holiday. Shortly before I woke up the next morning, I had a dream she was crying. Her San Diego sister who is visiting Hong Kong was in the dream as well. As I told an overseas church memeber, "Every day is a blessing. Everyday is a bonus. Everyday is a battle." At night we listened to Somewhere Out There.
Wife was at her functional best yesterday (22nd) after a trip to Starbucks in the morning. Her eyes were big and bright all day. It seems mocha at home does not do the same job. She is thretaening to go again tomorrow. After the caffeine wore out, she was flat, drained and listless the next day. On Thursday (24th)she woke up and yesterday's day-long headache was gone, praise the Lord.
I could not bear to listen to the USA vs Algeria minute-by-minute gamecast on ESPN. All was not well when residents erupted in cheers in our apartment complex, which means England has scored, much to delight of previously-colonized Hong Kong fans. It also means USA was on the way out unless they score, which they did 1-0 in overtime. At half-time I turned off my PC. I knew we had won the next morning when I saw the highlights on TV before going to work, but later in the day only did I realize it was done in overtime. Ghana is next.
Wife was in a happy mood today (29th). I know for sure because she was singing. We are waiting for the dreaded 4th injection next week, otherwise known as the taxotere regimen. Yesterday was a terrible day for me. I ate a breakfast that sent me to the bathroom three times. At night after the first night of the intensive class I was so tired, but I woke at 4 am and could not go back to sleep, so I was dead the whole morning at work.
Wife has been giving me ideas for the preface of my new book 比喻人生, which my editor requested. The preface is much harder to do. All I wanted to do was to complete the task, but she reminded me of my dream in expository preaching. After working on it last night and this morning, I sent it to her for checking and she replied: "I think it is great in English! I don't know after translation whether this would be lost. The preface allows more storytelling about you as a person too." I dedicated the book to her, which she declined. Rev. Choy has been most gracious, agreeing to write a recommendation of 100 words for my book on the same day (June 9th) I e-mailed him. The editor-at-large had warned me when I presented him with a recommendation wish list: "O! That is a very strong list. They are all very busy, so you better ask and send material to them as soon as possible." Recommendation deadline is end of August.
Today (16th) is SAR public holiday in Hong Kong. We have a restful day after yesterday's third injection. I bought food for soup just after my morning pool exercise, before the crowd swelled at the supermarket. Breakfast is French bread, and lunch is noodles. In between I was stuck to live TV cheering the Lakers against Celtics as they cream their rivals in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Wife's friend from college days visited her for half an hour before lunch. They had a good talk and a good walk as well.
I was powerless to help Wife who suffered a lot of pain on the third day (17th) of the third injection due to her swollen arm. She could not sleep or rest and her injected arm was black. The pain was evident on the first day as well, somehow bypassing the second day, which is a public holiday. Shortly before I woke up the next morning, I had a dream she was crying. Her San Diego sister who is visiting Hong Kong was in the dream as well. As I told an overseas church memeber, "Every day is a blessing. Everyday is a bonus. Everyday is a battle." At night we listened to Somewhere Out There.
Wife was at her functional best yesterday (22nd) after a trip to Starbucks in the morning. Her eyes were big and bright all day. It seems mocha at home does not do the same job. She is thretaening to go again tomorrow. After the caffeine wore out, she was flat, drained and listless the next day. On Thursday (24th)she woke up and yesterday's day-long headache was gone, praise the Lord.
I could not bear to listen to the USA vs Algeria minute-by-minute gamecast on ESPN. All was not well when residents erupted in cheers in our apartment complex, which means England has scored, much to delight of previously-colonized Hong Kong fans. It also means USA was on the way out unless they score, which they did 1-0 in overtime. At half-time I turned off my PC. I knew we had won the next morning when I saw the highlights on TV before going to work, but later in the day only did I realize it was done in overtime. Ghana is next.
Wife was in a happy mood today (29th). I know for sure because she was singing. We are waiting for the dreaded 4th injection next week, otherwise known as the taxotere regimen. Yesterday was a terrible day for me. I ate a breakfast that sent me to the bathroom three times. At night after the first night of the intensive class I was so tired, but I woke at 4 am and could not go back to sleep, so I was dead the whole morning at work.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Dreaded C Word, May 2010
The first day of the month started off on a bright note. We went out for breakfast, followed by Italian breakfast, took a nap and ended with a walk in the park. All went well but for a lump in the armpit at night shortly before rest. Our worst nightmare could begin again. I woke up before 5 am praying that it did not rear its ugly head again. Lots of thoughts crossed my mind, wondering what God is doing. I am sure we cannot go through an operation all over again. No doubt feelings of "being punished" surfaced. It couldn't come at a worse time. We are feeling helpless because we can only see the doctor tomorrow and chemotherapy is supposed to start in two days. Tears rolled down our eyes when we had Sunday breakfast together. Per request, I sang a song for our comfort. The emotions ran high into the night. The next day the doctor assured us the lump was unlikely cancerous.
We went on a tiring one-day trip to Macau yesterday (7th) for some unfinished business at the hospital, as requested by the school. The rains poured in the morning, stopped when we left for Macau at noon, and drizzled when we returned to Ma Wan. Into the fourth day of chemotherapy, Wife had more energy than me. I napped twice as the humidity worked overtime. Her health held up the whole time we were there but she slept on the ferry returning to Ma Wan. All praises to God. Next week is a crucial test; already her face is swollen this morning.
Into the fifth day, Wife drank two bowls of soup, with rice added, in the morning. Soup is appealing, but not food. After that the appetite disappeared the whole day, eating only a potato for lunch and bits of spare ribs/pineapple. Everything is bland except for pineapple. She feels like vomiting to meat. Wife had mocha in the afternoon after church, which made her day. Day 7 comes with acnes on the face and day 8 by swelling in the mouth. Day 9, the acnes have been aching the last two days. Wife discovered the soothing and healing power of bitter gourd for days 9 and 10, using it as paste for her hurting acnes. On day 11, after day 10's faint spell and shortness of breath, all is well. Happy as a lark, she grabbed a cup of mocha today (14th). Days 7 through 10 of the three-week cycle are supposedly the toughest to bear due to the lower white blood cell count.
The new normal since day 11 is quite pleasant even though hair is noticeable all over the tub today (day 15). On the same day we went out for Dialogue in the Dark exhibition, a worthwhile exploration into the world of the visually impaired or the blind. We were led by a blind guide into a darkened and spacious room, stepping into a grass area and then a stony (pebbles) area, feeling our way around assisted by a cane. I held on to Wife's shoulder as she led the way, later depending solely on my cane. Rich sounds of birds, rivers, and insects surround us. Without giving anything away, our guide expertly guided us as we mainly depended on our touch and cane to figure out a tree, flowers, a bench, a waterfall, fruits (orange, apple, onion, carrot, lemon). Without visual help, the visitors have to take a boat, cross the road, find a bench. A few things were lost to our sense without the guide's disclosure, including touching glass and a car.
Today is Day 17 (21st). Yesterday was characterized by sores in mouth, but hair fell like leaves today. I had to take a broom and sweep up the hair Wife left behind using the hairdryer after morning shower. The tub, too, was covered with hair; there was no escape the strands everywhere. A bald spot is noticeable at the neck behind the head. She said her worst will be in July and August. It aches to see more than half her hair gone the next day.
It's finally the last day of the first three-week cycle. Yesterday (23rd) we finished the last reflection question for the book to be released by Tien Dao in October (比喻人生). The credit was mainly Wife's. She surprised me by finishing the last four set of questions Saturday morning, two days ago, at Starbucks while I dozed off. She can really put her mind into the work once she gets going. To reward ourself, we ordered takeaway German pork knuckle and sip a can of coke together for dinner.
Last night (25th), day 1 of second cycle -we have as good a fright as any. Wife had pains in her stomach that refused to go away from evening on, so bad she thought she was dying. I asked if we need to call emergency but she said to wait till morning. In the middle of the night her bowel movements started and the pain was flushed away with the diarrhea, just in time for a brighter morning.
I finished my last class of the quarter today (27th). Two weeks ago, one of my colleagues said this quarter goes by so fast, but I begged to differ, which reminds me not to trust our feelings. This is the busiest week of activities in school so far, with the anniversary celebrations this weekend and graduation in two weeks. So far, it has lived up to expectations. On Monday's last sharing of the quarter (25th), a faculty raised hands in worship to a lively song, surprising all in attendance. Today a 1948 graduate shared in chapel, bringing tears to the faculty's eyes.
We went on a tiring one-day trip to Macau yesterday (7th) for some unfinished business at the hospital, as requested by the school. The rains poured in the morning, stopped when we left for Macau at noon, and drizzled when we returned to Ma Wan. Into the fourth day of chemotherapy, Wife had more energy than me. I napped twice as the humidity worked overtime. Her health held up the whole time we were there but she slept on the ferry returning to Ma Wan. All praises to God. Next week is a crucial test; already her face is swollen this morning.
Into the fifth day, Wife drank two bowls of soup, with rice added, in the morning. Soup is appealing, but not food. After that the appetite disappeared the whole day, eating only a potato for lunch and bits of spare ribs/pineapple. Everything is bland except for pineapple. She feels like vomiting to meat. Wife had mocha in the afternoon after church, which made her day. Day 7 comes with acnes on the face and day 8 by swelling in the mouth. Day 9, the acnes have been aching the last two days. Wife discovered the soothing and healing power of bitter gourd for days 9 and 10, using it as paste for her hurting acnes. On day 11, after day 10's faint spell and shortness of breath, all is well. Happy as a lark, she grabbed a cup of mocha today (14th). Days 7 through 10 of the three-week cycle are supposedly the toughest to bear due to the lower white blood cell count.
The new normal since day 11 is quite pleasant even though hair is noticeable all over the tub today (day 15). On the same day we went out for Dialogue in the Dark exhibition, a worthwhile exploration into the world of the visually impaired or the blind. We were led by a blind guide into a darkened and spacious room, stepping into a grass area and then a stony (pebbles) area, feeling our way around assisted by a cane. I held on to Wife's shoulder as she led the way, later depending solely on my cane. Rich sounds of birds, rivers, and insects surround us. Without giving anything away, our guide expertly guided us as we mainly depended on our touch and cane to figure out a tree, flowers, a bench, a waterfall, fruits (orange, apple, onion, carrot, lemon). Without visual help, the visitors have to take a boat, cross the road, find a bench. A few things were lost to our sense without the guide's disclosure, including touching glass and a car.
Today is Day 17 (21st). Yesterday was characterized by sores in mouth, but hair fell like leaves today. I had to take a broom and sweep up the hair Wife left behind using the hairdryer after morning shower. The tub, too, was covered with hair; there was no escape the strands everywhere. A bald spot is noticeable at the neck behind the head. She said her worst will be in July and August. It aches to see more than half her hair gone the next day.
It's finally the last day of the first three-week cycle. Yesterday (23rd) we finished the last reflection question for the book to be released by Tien Dao in October (比喻人生). The credit was mainly Wife's. She surprised me by finishing the last four set of questions Saturday morning, two days ago, at Starbucks while I dozed off. She can really put her mind into the work once she gets going. To reward ourself, we ordered takeaway German pork knuckle and sip a can of coke together for dinner.
Last night (25th), day 1 of second cycle -we have as good a fright as any. Wife had pains in her stomach that refused to go away from evening on, so bad she thought she was dying. I asked if we need to call emergency but she said to wait till morning. In the middle of the night her bowel movements started and the pain was flushed away with the diarrhea, just in time for a brighter morning.
I finished my last class of the quarter today (27th). Two weeks ago, one of my colleagues said this quarter goes by so fast, but I begged to differ, which reminds me not to trust our feelings. This is the busiest week of activities in school so far, with the anniversary celebrations this weekend and graduation in two weeks. So far, it has lived up to expectations. On Monday's last sharing of the quarter (25th), a faculty raised hands in worship to a lively song, surprising all in attendance. Today a 1948 graduate shared in chapel, bringing tears to the faculty's eyes.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Calm After the Storm, Apr 2010
April cannot come soon enough. No March could be worse. Here's a song by Alison Krauss to lift spirits up. All went well today at NPAC's English-language Good Friday worship. It was well-attended. The hymns brought more than a tear to my eyes. The clips - one of Steve Green and another of Peter - were impressive on the big screen. I was happily surprised to see Rocky and Claudia. God's angels are watching us through family, friends, brothers and sisters. We cannot ask for more.
What a miserable holiday. When sneezing replaces my allergies in the morning are replaced, then I am really sick, like I am today (5th). My throat is lousy, too. I just hope I do not pass it to others. The funny thing is all the wheezing is gone the next day (6th), so I am truly thankful.
Life has really changed since the dreaded C word. Early morning, before I go to work, I would boil hot water, pour it into a flask, do some stretching, mop the floor, and exercise in the pool (which I used to do after work), so that I can get home straight after work. Today (8th) I hope to visit the wet market after work to buy fish for dinner. It may be a weekly thing from now on since patients require fresh food. The landlord has told me rent would increase to HK$7,600 from the present HK$7,000 if we want to sign a new contract to guarantee the new owner would not raise rent, in the event the apartment changes hands. It seems he has put it on the market (for HK$2.1 million for his HK$1.75 million purchase) the day after his purchase! Hong Kong is about flipping homes, he said.
We have a turning point in our ministries in Hong Kong. Two weeks later Wife will do two days of video recording on "Bible Parents" to be broadcast on cable. As for me, yesterday (13th) a local publisher confirms they will release my new book on parables in five months time if all works out. Per my request, they will also allow me to post my online sermons in Chinese on the same series, minus the illustrations. I can live with that. With all my heart, I believe new media (internet) will drive old media (books) sales with just a simple link to the book. The target we agree on is selling 600 books first year, and 300 each year after that for the next four years. If I can do that, it goes to show my internet ministry does not hinder sales.
Today (18th) is the best day yet for us. Wife could go with me to TCAC, where I had to speak. We reached Tung Chung an hour earlier so that we can have breakfast. After worship we had buffet at Essence, a bargain at HK$128 per head. Wife tired out by lunch' end, but it was along day for her since we had left at 9 am and returned home nearly 3 pm.
I lost my cell phone last Wednesday (14th), so it was really inconvenient for me. After noticing it missing when I got off the bus at Yuen Long MTR station, I rushed to the bus headquarters to no avail. The people at the bus depot called the driver who did not see it or was handed one by passengers. It not only costs me HK$1,388 to get a new cell; it also costs me lots of missing phone numbers.
We really had to fight and refuse to give up at times, like yesterday (27th). On the way to the recording studio we left a backpack at the Ma Wan bus station. I caught the return bus from Kwai Fong as it was leaving but the driver won't allow me to board. The driver argued with me 2-3 minutes when he could simply press a button to allow me to board. My reason/neglect was not good enough for him. I shouldn't be mad but the bus left 5 minutes ahead of the 8:15 am schedule, so I filed a complaint today. All's well that ends well when I returned 30 minutes later to find the backpack untouched. It was not about the bag, but the notes we need in the bag for the recording. What riled me also was a mother and a child were refused boarding, too. Imagine not able to board the bus even when you are early to school. The reason the bus left early was they needed more buses at Ma Wan to bus people to work in the morning.
Wife admirably led a friend's father to the Lord on the last day of the month. She had shared with the person for the last two days and the harvest was ripe today. The man had brought her food when she was sick but had heart problems the last week. She visited him twice and reaped the results in his salvation.
What a miserable holiday. When sneezing replaces my allergies in the morning are replaced, then I am really sick, like I am today (5th). My throat is lousy, too. I just hope I do not pass it to others. The funny thing is all the wheezing is gone the next day (6th), so I am truly thankful.
Life has really changed since the dreaded C word. Early morning, before I go to work, I would boil hot water, pour it into a flask, do some stretching, mop the floor, and exercise in the pool (which I used to do after work), so that I can get home straight after work. Today (8th) I hope to visit the wet market after work to buy fish for dinner. It may be a weekly thing from now on since patients require fresh food. The landlord has told me rent would increase to HK$7,600 from the present HK$7,000 if we want to sign a new contract to guarantee the new owner would not raise rent, in the event the apartment changes hands. It seems he has put it on the market (for HK$2.1 million for his HK$1.75 million purchase) the day after his purchase! Hong Kong is about flipping homes, he said.
We have a turning point in our ministries in Hong Kong. Two weeks later Wife will do two days of video recording on "Bible Parents" to be broadcast on cable. As for me, yesterday (13th) a local publisher confirms they will release my new book on parables in five months time if all works out. Per my request, they will also allow me to post my online sermons in Chinese on the same series, minus the illustrations. I can live with that. With all my heart, I believe new media (internet) will drive old media (books) sales with just a simple link to the book. The target we agree on is selling 600 books first year, and 300 each year after that for the next four years. If I can do that, it goes to show my internet ministry does not hinder sales.
Today (18th) is the best day yet for us. Wife could go with me to TCAC, where I had to speak. We reached Tung Chung an hour earlier so that we can have breakfast. After worship we had buffet at Essence, a bargain at HK$128 per head. Wife tired out by lunch' end, but it was along day for her since we had left at 9 am and returned home nearly 3 pm.
I lost my cell phone last Wednesday (14th), so it was really inconvenient for me. After noticing it missing when I got off the bus at Yuen Long MTR station, I rushed to the bus headquarters to no avail. The people at the bus depot called the driver who did not see it or was handed one by passengers. It not only costs me HK$1,388 to get a new cell; it also costs me lots of missing phone numbers.
We really had to fight and refuse to give up at times, like yesterday (27th). On the way to the recording studio we left a backpack at the Ma Wan bus station. I caught the return bus from Kwai Fong as it was leaving but the driver won't allow me to board. The driver argued with me 2-3 minutes when he could simply press a button to allow me to board. My reason/neglect was not good enough for him. I shouldn't be mad but the bus left 5 minutes ahead of the 8:15 am schedule, so I filed a complaint today. All's well that ends well when I returned 30 minutes later to find the backpack untouched. It was not about the bag, but the notes we need in the bag for the recording. What riled me also was a mother and a child were refused boarding, too. Imagine not able to board the bus even when you are early to school. The reason the bus left early was they needed more buses at Ma Wan to bus people to work in the morning.
Wife admirably led a friend's father to the Lord on the last day of the month. She had shared with the person for the last two days and the harvest was ripe today. The man had brought her food when she was sick but had heart problems the last week. She visited him twice and reaped the results in his salvation.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Fog and Humidity, Mar 2010
The humid and foggy weather officially ended yesterday (Feb 28). It was so bad that the walls in Ma Wan were leaking water and an exposed cough drop in a container melted. I thought my toilet bowl had sprung a leak, leaving a wet pool in the restroom whole week. I even called the management office for service but they could not find anything. Now I realize the kitchen windows must be closed in the future in the event a fog arrives. If not, the humid air would blow through the kitchen window into the restroom, attracted by the walls there. On the same day I found the best bargain for a haircut yet locally, for HK$30 in Shum Shui Po. The lowest was HK$38 previously in North Point.
I have not blogged for two weeks due to a serious family illness. How deep were my feelings stirred. It seems like my world crashed with the bad news. No container could bottle the tears. It changes our priority. As a result Wife and I find time to walk the beach, sit on benches, eat a cheesecake and talk more often. Wife even rented an hour piano's time at the club, which calmed her spirits. As I leave for Taiwan tomorrow (14th) to teach at Logos, I am apprehensive of more challenges ahead, which I hope the Lord would spare faithless me.
It is five hours from the operation and I have been tossing and turning in my bed for the last three hours since 11 pm. I cried when I think of the surgery. What if something goes wrong? Being so far away does not help. The peace of God has certainly made a difference in us. I cannot ask for more than the courage and comfort at home.
Recuperation after a major surgery is hard on the family, but God sent a lot of angels to surround us with TLC. The doctor was kind and home help from a church sister, including cooking and cleaning, was priceless. We eat lots of pork and drink plenty of soup. Today we found out that Ma Wan has free shuttle rides for hospital checkups, which we have one four days from now. We managed to book a shuttle to the clinic and a return pickup two hours later, isn't that a miracle? We did not know about the free ride until we called for assistance to check on why our toilet bowl flushing system was not functioning today after the whole block's system was cleaned today (25th). A toilet meltdown turned into a family blessing.
Sermon Comments:
"我曾經在網站上看過葉牧師部落格十分欣賞,也十分得幫助若您是葉牧師向您致謝。楊師母"
"謝謝分享。很同意你所說："配偶是另一位的良心，而不是同謀。" 事實上，配偶是我們警衛和守望者，能提醒我們免犯過錯。願主賜福。C K"
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Chinese New Year, Feb 2010
Well, all my January visitors have come and gone. Even the weather is mellow now. We are really blessed despite the costly recession in the States that affected us. The new Masters program is on a good start in its second quarter. I have received news that five to seven new students may join us the next school year. In the meantime Wife is really enjoying teaching the Sunday school adults class. I have stuck to my resolution of writing ten new sermons a year. In fact, I completed two so far.
I am excited that an article I wrote for CCCOWE's Pastoral Magazine was in the mail yesterday (6th). Of course, the publicity for http://www.preachchrist.com/ is invaluable. I still believe that my web ministry will outgrow my preaching and teaching ministry since it is global as well as local. In the meantime my local ministry is getting crowded. In less than 24 hours I have received two invitations to speak - one for a July 1st holiday retreat, and another for a weekend retreat in May, another public holiday.
After four months at Ma Wan I finally ironed my own clothes on Friday. I had to. There are no cleaners here that cater to a shirt or two, so I may as well save time and money. Sunday's rainy day (7th) was the longest that I can remember. It rained before I woke at 7 am and did not let up after I got home at 5 pm. A tall man like me dislikes the rain because short ladies keep poking me with their open umbrellas. They open their umbrellas for no reason even under a sheltered area. My consolation is a visitor e-mailing me and thanking me for my "encouraging" message.
Chinese New Year is four days away, I am feeling it. Today I threw away most of our recycled newsletters and magazines. This year we are heading to Zhongshan in Guangdong with our relatives for the new year. None of us will be in town, so we may as well celebrate together on the tour package we booked. But before that there's still a lot to be done, especially in getting rid of old stuff. This is the part I like best about the new year - when you live in a small apartment of less than 500 sq. ft. I got a cherished thank you e-mail from a sermoncentral.com visitor: "Hello Dr.Yap thanks for the message God Bless and more power to your ministry In Christ, Pastor Alvin."
I returned yesterday (15th) from a rich three-day HK$1,500 Chinese New Year tour of Zhongshan, Toishan, Hoiping, etc. Hoi Ping was most interesting. The Diaolu (碉樓) houses, built by returnees from the States, were hailed as Guangdong's only world cultural heritage. One of the finest hotels on our tour was the famous King Century Hotel. Another delight on the trip was staying at a spa resort, which boasts of 108 spas on the premises. The food was OK, but visits to the Mongolia and Yunnan cultural centers were disappointing. After the trip I got an email from buddy Michael, who told me his family was from Hoiping. The next day Dickson of Chicago, whose parents were from Hoiping, visited me in Hong Kong. On the shopping front I found bargains in a Lee Jeans jacket for RMB$75 and a Slazenger sports pants for RMB$50. Overall, it was good to take a break. For the new year, I break in two new shirts, a new T-shirt, two Chinese New Year boxes of Kleenex and a bag, besides the new jacket and sports pants I bought.
My first day of work after Chinese New Year was the only day, as far as I could remember, I managed to catch the early 7:40 am train to Yuen Long. Today (day 5) I do not feel so good because I caught a flu in the cold just by walking to the building next door in the morning to get coffee. (Hong Kong Observatory recorded the lowest temperature of the year at 8.2 degrees Celsius) Anyway I received an e-mail from China to warm me up:
"Hi: 感谢您每次发来的信息！我虽然忘记了是在哪里订阅的您的邮件，但每次发来的这些文章都使我受益匪浅！这些文章虽然比我订阅的别的每日查经都要长，但是我看得是最仔细的，因为每次都有收获。愿神继续带领您的这些文字事工！以马内利！Bu, Lake (布拉克)"
"Dear 葉牧師，新年快樂，主恩常在。多謝你講章的分享，它對我們教導現今的弟兄姊妹對愛情、婚姻有正確的觀念。謝謝！C K敬上" (19th)
Chinese New Year comes with an expensive price. I noticed my hairline receding, which is is bad news. There is so much one can do to hold age off. Hong Kong is as humid as it gets. The humidity level here is over 90%. It wasn't like that the first year I was here, but the floors on the streets have been wet since Monday (22nd). There is no letting up. Even my bathroom floors and refrigerator seem to be leaking water.
I am excited that an article I wrote for CCCOWE's Pastoral Magazine was in the mail yesterday (6th). Of course, the publicity for http://www.preachchrist.com/ is invaluable. I still believe that my web ministry will outgrow my preaching and teaching ministry since it is global as well as local. In the meantime my local ministry is getting crowded. In less than 24 hours I have received two invitations to speak - one for a July 1st holiday retreat, and another for a weekend retreat in May, another public holiday.
After four months at Ma Wan I finally ironed my own clothes on Friday. I had to. There are no cleaners here that cater to a shirt or two, so I may as well save time and money. Sunday's rainy day (7th) was the longest that I can remember. It rained before I woke at 7 am and did not let up after I got home at 5 pm. A tall man like me dislikes the rain because short ladies keep poking me with their open umbrellas. They open their umbrellas for no reason even under a sheltered area. My consolation is a visitor e-mailing me and thanking me for my "encouraging" message.
Chinese New Year is four days away, I am feeling it. Today I threw away most of our recycled newsletters and magazines. This year we are heading to Zhongshan in Guangdong with our relatives for the new year. None of us will be in town, so we may as well celebrate together on the tour package we booked. But before that there's still a lot to be done, especially in getting rid of old stuff. This is the part I like best about the new year - when you live in a small apartment of less than 500 sq. ft. I got a cherished thank you e-mail from a sermoncentral.com visitor: "Hello Dr.Yap thanks for the message God Bless and more power to your ministry In Christ, Pastor Alvin."
I returned yesterday (15th) from a rich three-day HK$1,500 Chinese New Year tour of Zhongshan, Toishan, Hoiping, etc. Hoi Ping was most interesting. The Diaolu (碉樓) houses, built by returnees from the States, were hailed as Guangdong's only world cultural heritage. One of the finest hotels on our tour was the famous King Century Hotel. Another delight on the trip was staying at a spa resort, which boasts of 108 spas on the premises. The food was OK, but visits to the Mongolia and Yunnan cultural centers were disappointing. After the trip I got an email from buddy Michael, who told me his family was from Hoiping. The next day Dickson of Chicago, whose parents were from Hoiping, visited me in Hong Kong. On the shopping front I found bargains in a Lee Jeans jacket for RMB$75 and a Slazenger sports pants for RMB$50. Overall, it was good to take a break. For the new year, I break in two new shirts, a new T-shirt, two Chinese New Year boxes of Kleenex and a bag, besides the new jacket and sports pants I bought.
My first day of work after Chinese New Year was the only day, as far as I could remember, I managed to catch the early 7:40 am train to Yuen Long. Today (day 5) I do not feel so good because I caught a flu in the cold just by walking to the building next door in the morning to get coffee. (Hong Kong Observatory recorded the lowest temperature of the year at 8.2 degrees Celsius) Anyway I received an e-mail from China to warm me up:
"Hi: 感谢您每次发来的信息！我虽然忘记了是在哪里订阅的您的邮件，但每次发来的这些文章都使我受益匪浅！这些文章虽然比我订阅的别的每日查经都要长，但是我看得是最仔细的，因为每次都有收获。愿神继续带领您的这些文字事工！以马内利！Bu, Lake (布拉克)"
"Dear 葉牧師，新年快樂，主恩常在。多謝你講章的分享，它對我們教導現今的弟兄姊妹對愛情、婚姻有正確的觀念。謝謝！C K敬上" (19th)
Chinese New Year comes with an expensive price. I noticed my hairline receding, which is is bad news. There is so much one can do to hold age off. Hong Kong is as humid as it gets. The humidity level here is over 90%. It wasn't like that the first year I was here, but the floors on the streets have been wet since Monday (22nd). There is no letting up. Even my bathroom floors and refrigerator seem to be leaking water.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Happy New Year, Jan 2010
Happy New Year to everybody! Better say it on the morning of the first day into the new year, 2010. Yesterday we met old friends Waylon, Esther and Matthew for dinner with their family. Today we meet Chris and soon Betty and Chuck will visit; RCAC is in Hong Kong.The old year has been very good to me. My e-mailed Chinese sermons has been a hit. I am now on http://preachchrist.vinemedia.org/ and I have been out of Hong Kong twice to train seminary students and church leaders preaching, even to an unspeakable place. For the new year, I hope to write ten new sermons. I have been unmotivated in this area. For the last 15 months, I only managed to write seven all-new sermons. Next, going to another all-new city overseas to train more pastors/leaders will be an added bonus. Anther goal is to trim an inch off my tummy, which was in vain after three months of pool exercise. In fact, this morning I have started to increase another 100 high kicks into my regimen.
Today (3rd) I heard a great song (無言的讚頌) at church and Wife and I taught our first Sunday school class together. It went well, praise God.
This is such a busy week due to the start of the new quarter. I can't believe how fast I moved on Monday (4th) to get my Greek class going. Yesterday (5th) the buses skipped me three times, I was the last one to board the fourth bus to from Yuen Long to school. Today (6th) I took a later ferry to Tsuen Wan when I miscalculated the time, so I had to run to the terminal in three minutes instead of the regular seven minutes. I was glad I made it, the exercises helped. At least the students were excited by the all-new message I gave yesterday on the two builders (Matt 7).
I did the most swimming today (9th) in the new year - four laps. A pastor joined me and we had afternoon tea together. I asked him how to go about publishing my new book in HK on parables, which I finished yesterday. The content is solid, it will be an eye-opener over here, I am sure. We talked about the possibilities. One thing I am sure is not to give away the copyright so that readers can enjoy it online as well. Distribution is important as well. I hope to buy locally so that I can give to friends as gifts. There is so little one can cover geographically in a lifetime, the pen is still mightier than the pulpit.
I was so clueless yesterday (11th) that I literally took Wife's keys to work, making it a very incovenient day for her as she had to go to Macau. Last week I was caught up with the idea of putting my three published books on the internet for others to download since ordering and shipping them to Hong Kong is so troublesome, so today I went ahead and did it and linked the dowload to http://www.preachchrist.com/. You can find it at the end of all books.
It must be the American holidays, so far I have met Chris, Waylon and Esther, Chuck and Betty, Herman and Eleanor, and Karl yesterday (15th). The last three nights have all been restaurant dinners. Stanley is supposed to meet me, too, but he has not called yet. The last two weeks of classes have been great but the present concern at school is recruiting students and increasing funding. My wish is find a publisher for my new book on parables before my August birthday, I can only dream.
The highlight last Saturday (16th) was bringing Wife's old friends and Ma Wan residents Calvin and Helen to Yan Fook's evangelistic meeting that is held every third Saturday of the month. We first went out for dinner together at Kwai Fong. Calvin was so excited after the meeting that he said he was looking forward to read the Bible. To cap the night, we had dessert before returning home.
Finally I sent out the first message of the new Sunday school series on Bible Couples that Wife and I are teaching. The response has been swift, good and encouraging:
"Dear Victor, Thank you for your touching message! God bless! Luke"
"Dear Pastor Yap, Thank you very much for this wonderful sermon. Best, Ruth"
"很棒的分享，謝謝你每次寄來的資料，對我及教會有很大的幫助！名山教會"
"我很喜歡前兩天收到的有關夫妻關係的文章，當中有很多提醒，很好看，謝!! 秀慧"
One down, nine more messages to go in the series.
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