I was blessed Sunday (4th) by the response to the only Mandarin sermon I spoke in Hong Kong so far - the fourth in my all-time career. The message was on Abraham's sacrifice, with Bob Fitts' Sacrifice as the ending song, which brought a lot of tears to hearers' eyes. For one reason or another, I seem to be preparing a number of new sermons, which is energizing even at though at times I prefer to slack off. With Tien Dao's promotion of my new book coming out next week, I am already dreaming of the next book. I am also enjoying two sermons on 1 Samuel 3 and Luke 1 - for Christmas.
Last week (5th-7th)I met my new coworkers from the seminary. One group of three coworkers was previously very involved in Chinese ministries. Another group are fresh Ph. D. graduates. I am the only rep from Hong Kong. The meetings over three days were lively and encouraging. It makes me committed for the long haul even though I was not sure previously how it would work out. On Sunday (11th) a pastor in the audience paid me a good compliment for the sermon on 1 Samuel 3, the best compliment for a long time. It makes me proud and humble at the same time, complimented by one of the most experienced, Rev. Lee.
The Yaps had a great time this week; first of all, my first visit to Stanley yesterday (16th), thoroughly enjoying the local market scene. Two days ago (15th) our pre-study group gave us a farewell after over a year with them. We have made quite a few friends there, but nevertheless we are eager to help out other groups after a deserved break. Today was the last pre-study and we were given gifts, including a wall painting and two lightweight jackets, which we can use for the winter! God has a wonderful way of returning me to pastoral ministry after three years teaching at the seminary level.
It's been sweet and bitter this week. On Monday (19th) I received the news that I have been accepted as an EFC pastor and yesterday our new book made its debut, but today (22th) my friend and former colleague Rev. Jon Hon (韓寶龍牧師) passed away in the morning. I went to the hospital but he was already gone. He's been immobilized for more than two years, so the Lord has His time, but not before Hon's book came out to a roaring success last year. His two closest friends Caleb and Luke visited the hospital in the morning. Hon and I were about the same age. I couldn't hold it in but shed tears when I prayed for the family.
Christmas Day (25th) is a fitting climax to the year for me. Today I preached two messages at church, the song Mary Did You Know really touched a lot of hearts. More than ten hearers wanted the song. Like Mary, this has been a year of grace and thankfulness for me. Wife got well and I joined missions. We have also settled into church life, both teaming up to good effect. Our new book was released last week. Everything from now on is step by step. Wife's health comes first. Missions is next because ministry is multiplied training pastors. Church is good so far as long as administration is not a burden. This will be my last entry for the year. Tomorrow we are headed for Macau to help Wife move some stuff over since the next two days are holidays. We will see how well I do next year juggling my missions, teaching and preaching ministries.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Trips, Nov 2011
I returned four days ago from a week in Gentleland after nearly a year's absence. The 24 youngsters aged 18-25 is a year older now and it shows physically and mentally. This batch will graduate in June next year. This time I was teaching Numbers and Deuteronomy. They are getting better with observations, but their rate of progress is limited with no affordable Chinese Bible software in sight. The frustration is I can do little about it.
The slum community still surprised me. The worse was the sight of a man urinating publicly in daylight just across the church. Other than that I have no complains. One student said they could finish all food on the table in their first year but now could not manage so in their final year. It could be that prosperity in the country means more food on the table. By the way I was treated to good food at Coco's the night I arrived on Sunday night. That was probably because the driver failed to pick me up for 2 hours and I had to call an emergency number. At least I have a phone card, unlike last year when I had to find my own motel.
The hardest thing is fighting boredom because there is no going out anytime and internet censorship limits popular websites to go. I was so bored I read my church's history online. Later I found some videos from other online services. On the last two days I had diarrhea that lasted another two days when I was bad. Going is harder than ever, but I am glad I went. Like I say there's not enough good expository preaching in Hong Kong, but there's nothing north.
I returned from two strenuous but rewarding trips. The first week I was in Gentleland for 5 days teaching 75 people, mostly coworkers in the field. This is their third course in school which started recently but my first time teaching them. They are very passionate in study, worship and relationships. Like the last two times in the area, no one greeted me at the airport. Again I was stranded and I have to call contact upon arrival. Some of the halls here are so big that you have to see to believe it. I have been to one that can sit 2,000 people. I’ve been told another can sit 4,000.
The Gentleland venue is in the beautiful countryside with scenic mountains and a vegetable landscape. The compound also holds a senior home. It rained during the last three days of training, so everything, including the floor, was wet and soggy. This time I felt needed because the harvest truly is plentiful. One student came more than 20 hours away from Mt East.
The next day I headed to the northeast, where it was freezing cold. I arrived to snow, which students said I was fortunate to see because previous teachers did not get to see snow. After trekking a hundred miles or so to the car, the rest of the trip was alright because it was mostly heated indors. My extra overcoat was brought in vain. Two men were spotted peeing alongside the airport freeway, just like old days.
The 80 students in Blackland were mostly farmers or from farming families, and they were so grateful of my presence, taking in every word I said and every skill I offered. I did my best to turn them into expositors, and I must say I did a good job, working after hours at night to listen to their homework.
Life is very simple there. My private bath shower barely trickles every morning, so patience is required, but at least I do not have to go outdoors for shower or join the students in their hard brick bed in the dorm. Food is simple and flat, and no coffee is served. I was glad I brought some from the leftovers in Gentleland.
You have to see their worshp to believe it. At night they sing for over an hour when class was not in session before they continue doing their homework. On thanksgiving day celebration last night, they even danced around in circles, Fiddler on the roof style! Ministry here would be hard for overseas coworkeers.
Over two weeks I have trained over 150 students here, which would take me more 20 years in Hong Kong, so this trip got me thinking. I believe a talented pool of preacher will emerge fron this pack, more so than from Gentleland because this group is much younger and they have a good mentor in the energetic school founder. The blessings were mutual this week. The only regret is there is no direct flight back to Hong Kong early next morning, so I will have to fly nearby and take a bus home. I miss home a lot but I am thankful for a lot of work done. The students were very appreciative of me, but I have a sneaky feeling this could be my last trip there as now I see the need all over the land. At least I have close to three months rest before my next trip in February. An annoying thing happened on the return trip. My taxi driver stopped midway and passed me off to another driver and paid him off, to my horror.
The slum community still surprised me. The worse was the sight of a man urinating publicly in daylight just across the church. Other than that I have no complains. One student said they could finish all food on the table in their first year but now could not manage so in their final year. It could be that prosperity in the country means more food on the table. By the way I was treated to good food at Coco's the night I arrived on Sunday night. That was probably because the driver failed to pick me up for 2 hours and I had to call an emergency number. At least I have a phone card, unlike last year when I had to find my own motel.
The hardest thing is fighting boredom because there is no going out anytime and internet censorship limits popular websites to go. I was so bored I read my church's history online. Later I found some videos from other online services. On the last two days I had diarrhea that lasted another two days when I was bad. Going is harder than ever, but I am glad I went. Like I say there's not enough good expository preaching in Hong Kong, but there's nothing north.
I returned from two strenuous but rewarding trips. The first week I was in Gentleland for 5 days teaching 75 people, mostly coworkers in the field. This is their third course in school which started recently but my first time teaching them. They are very passionate in study, worship and relationships. Like the last two times in the area, no one greeted me at the airport. Again I was stranded and I have to call contact upon arrival. Some of the halls here are so big that you have to see to believe it. I have been to one that can sit 2,000 people. I’ve been told another can sit 4,000.
The Gentleland venue is in the beautiful countryside with scenic mountains and a vegetable landscape. The compound also holds a senior home. It rained during the last three days of training, so everything, including the floor, was wet and soggy. This time I felt needed because the harvest truly is plentiful. One student came more than 20 hours away from Mt East.
The next day I headed to the northeast, where it was freezing cold. I arrived to snow, which students said I was fortunate to see because previous teachers did not get to see snow. After trekking a hundred miles or so to the car, the rest of the trip was alright because it was mostly heated indors. My extra overcoat was brought in vain. Two men were spotted peeing alongside the airport freeway, just like old days.
The 80 students in Blackland were mostly farmers or from farming families, and they were so grateful of my presence, taking in every word I said and every skill I offered. I did my best to turn them into expositors, and I must say I did a good job, working after hours at night to listen to their homework.
Life is very simple there. My private bath shower barely trickles every morning, so patience is required, but at least I do not have to go outdoors for shower or join the students in their hard brick bed in the dorm. Food is simple and flat, and no coffee is served. I was glad I brought some from the leftovers in Gentleland.
You have to see their worshp to believe it. At night they sing for over an hour when class was not in session before they continue doing their homework. On thanksgiving day celebration last night, they even danced around in circles, Fiddler on the roof style! Ministry here would be hard for overseas coworkeers.
Over two weeks I have trained over 150 students here, which would take me more 20 years in Hong Kong, so this trip got me thinking. I believe a talented pool of preacher will emerge fron this pack, more so than from Gentleland because this group is much younger and they have a good mentor in the energetic school founder. The blessings were mutual this week. The only regret is there is no direct flight back to Hong Kong early next morning, so I will have to fly nearby and take a bus home. I miss home a lot but I am thankful for a lot of work done. The students were very appreciative of me, but I have a sneaky feeling this could be my last trip there as now I see the need all over the land. At least I have close to three months rest before my next trip in February. An annoying thing happened on the return trip. My taxi driver stopped midway and passed me off to another driver and paid him off, to my horror.
Monday, October 3, 2011
A Good Start, Oct 2011
The winds could not stop blowing in HKG. Last week's category 8 typhoon was followed up by a category 3 tropical storm today (3rd). Work was as usual but some schools were canceled. Today was a holiday for me, as for most pastors, so I can spend some time with Wife because it is a public holiday in Macau. The medical report came in today and the doctor said my health was ideal. On the way home I picked up a pound of sesame powder for Wife. With my new schedule, I work Tuesdays to Thursdays currently, and Friday is optional. Despite the winds, everything is good and the month could not be better. USA's Immigration Department informed me all documents for my siblings' file are complete last week. There is nothing more to do but wait for a visa to open up for her. With this done, work and housing resolved in the summer, I am off to a fine start.
There were blessings these last two days despite the rain. When it was drizzling yesterday the seniors at Ma Wan still went for an early 7a swim at the club house pool, which certainly surprised me that none failed to show up. Today (12th) the rain was heavy, a downpour even, but all five seniors were in the pool ahead of me. Altogether there were ten, doubling yesterday's count. Their tenacity and determination remind me of the need for perseverance. A little hardship should not hinder our resolve. I was also delighted that training part three started today with a bang. At least the participants were engrossed. Another thing to be grateful for is finalizing the book title for my new book to be released at the end of the year. It came out of the blue. A present coworker and a former worker, who are unaware of each other's suggestion, suggested the same title the same day, so I am happy for the suggestion and considers it God-sent.
Yesterday (15th) we had a dream day, which included the five S - swimming in the morning, snoozing in the afternoon, studying the Bible with couples later, shopping after study, and strolling/sharing at night. We were thankful for all the blessings we received. Today we finally brought a friend to church after they were not allowed to enter the 1030am service last week when they were over half an hour late. The husband texted: "We have arrived but they said we re 15 mins. late and they do not allow us to enter. We have to join the 12:15 pm section." They learned their lesson and they were on time this time. The husband said earlier, "This time I won't ba late again." They were late by 20 minutes but just because they went to the wrong worship location.
I will be off to Gentleland this Sunday (23rd) after half a year's absence, this time officially with a sponsoring seminary and teaching a Bible course (Numbers and Deuteronomy) instead of preaching. I spent a lot of time in September for the whole month I was off, so I am quite prepared. Let's hope the structural markers would not throw the students off track, that they may enjoy the fruit of Bible study. My present job afforded me the opportunity to help out a young coworker yesterday and today (21st) in sermon preparation. We had a good time studying, fellowship, prayer and eating. Let's hope the presentation is as good as the preparation.
There were blessings these last two days despite the rain. When it was drizzling yesterday the seniors at Ma Wan still went for an early 7a swim at the club house pool, which certainly surprised me that none failed to show up. Today (12th) the rain was heavy, a downpour even, but all five seniors were in the pool ahead of me. Altogether there were ten, doubling yesterday's count. Their tenacity and determination remind me of the need for perseverance. A little hardship should not hinder our resolve. I was also delighted that training part three started today with a bang. At least the participants were engrossed. Another thing to be grateful for is finalizing the book title for my new book to be released at the end of the year. It came out of the blue. A present coworker and a former worker, who are unaware of each other's suggestion, suggested the same title the same day, so I am happy for the suggestion and considers it God-sent.
Yesterday (15th) we had a dream day, which included the five S - swimming in the morning, snoozing in the afternoon, studying the Bible with couples later, shopping after study, and strolling/sharing at night. We were thankful for all the blessings we received. Today we finally brought a friend to church after they were not allowed to enter the 1030am service last week when they were over half an hour late. The husband texted: "We have arrived but they said we re 15 mins. late and they do not allow us to enter. We have to join the 12:15 pm section." They learned their lesson and they were on time this time. The husband said earlier, "This time I won't ba late again." They were late by 20 minutes but just because they went to the wrong worship location.
I will be off to Gentleland this Sunday (23rd) after half a year's absence, this time officially with a sponsoring seminary and teaching a Bible course (Numbers and Deuteronomy) instead of preaching. I spent a lot of time in September for the whole month I was off, so I am quite prepared. Let's hope the structural markers would not throw the students off track, that they may enjoy the fruit of Bible study. My present job afforded me the opportunity to help out a young coworker yesterday and today (21st) in sermon preparation. We had a good time studying, fellowship, prayer and eating. Let's hope the presentation is as good as the preparation.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Waiting Period, Sep 2011
This waiting period has been longer than expected, so I have gone to Macau twice since returning from USA. There is nothing much to do in Macau as well, but Wife is happy I can join her. At least I got to speak last week and it turned out much better second time round, a far improved version of the same message delivered a month ago. At least my good friend from USA is around this week to break my boring routine. He was lost around East TST, but I managed to locate his relative's residence after worship. It was rare another good friend came at the same time to the worship (4th), not knowing I was the speaker. Tomorrow (7th) we will eat at my favorite Engish diner at Festival Walk, then visit the biggest Christian bookstore in Hong Kong.
Yesterday (8th) I finally got my dependent visa renewed, surprisingly for a longer period of three years, which was unusual. The first time was a year, the second two years and now three. Sometimes it just seems like I arrived in Hong Kong yesterday, but I have three valuable years locally behind me now. I came back from a briefing today for my new work with a local church. All is set to go on 26th, where I will attend a workers retreat in Shenzhen. I am excited about returning to pastoral ministry, but I am not sure if pastoral ministry is the same anywhere, so we'll see.
As before, a lot of folks, including outsiders, are in Ma Wan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival today (12th). It was a merry occasion. The supermarket was still flooded with customers when it closed at 10p. Wife and I strolled around and sat on our favorite bench before she called it a night while I continued walking for another round. I have taken up walking since returning from USA. Now I am hooked. I usually walk as much as 45 minutes to distance myself from 930p primetime TV, which is not worth watching. Most of the series involves revenge, money and sex.
Yesterday I had unplanned high tea with a friend. I had asked for help around lunch time and discovered he still had not had lunch, so I suggested we go to lunch together. By the time I reached his place and got things done, it was slightly past 2pm, so the logical thing is to order from the high tea menu, which is HK$10 off the lunch menu. I enjoyed the lower price, so today (16th) I did the same, having lunch after 2 pm. It is a sad commentary on Hong Kong that around 10 seniors and ordinary folks line up with me for the fast food bargain price (HK$23-24), which is the normal lunch price before inflation set in. Right now, people uses newspaper $2-$3 discount coupons to stretch their money.
I got my passport with a six months China visa back yesterday, which was good news for a change. It means I can join the Shenzhen retreat next week, something I am looking forward to, my second trip there. I also had to perform self-surgery on the pinkie of my left foot that has been bothering me for many weeks due to a blood clot. After repeated trys I managed to burst the thick skin with a pair of sharp scissors and a trickle of blood oozed out. Yesterday was a good time as any other since I figured I had to take a few days off walking anyway because I am leaving for Macau in an hour to help Wife move.
Moving yesterday (23rd) was accomplished in two and a half hours, minus packing time. We decided to move the things ourselves because the apartment was just two blocks across the street and it was hard to determine when we would be ready for movers to come. I took five trips and Wife four. The hardest things to move locally were her oversized executive-type chair, the fan, the humidifier, and kitchen ware. After that we had a hearty lunch and returned to HKG. Then I had to cart a foldable single bed mattress to the ferry back to HKG. We were thankful that things worked out as they did.
A number 8 typhoon blew into the city late last night (28th) at 11 pm when I was walking the blocks, even though the observatory did not announce it then. This morning all work stopped and most stores were closed except for Pacific here. According to the lone worker he was there before the announcement after 4 am, so he opened shop anyway, which was a good thing because I spent 4 hours there with my laptop. I also invited a friend and his family to breakfast. Tai Chi did not stop for a few students. but elsewhere a strong tree toppled and bus services were sporadic in Ma Wan. The funny thing was that I was supposed to start work, but so far the first work week includes a two-days' retreat, a briefing next day and a canceled day, but such is life.
Yesterday (8th) I finally got my dependent visa renewed, surprisingly for a longer period of three years, which was unusual. The first time was a year, the second two years and now three. Sometimes it just seems like I arrived in Hong Kong yesterday, but I have three valuable years locally behind me now. I came back from a briefing today for my new work with a local church. All is set to go on 26th, where I will attend a workers retreat in Shenzhen. I am excited about returning to pastoral ministry, but I am not sure if pastoral ministry is the same anywhere, so we'll see.
As before, a lot of folks, including outsiders, are in Ma Wan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival today (12th). It was a merry occasion. The supermarket was still flooded with customers when it closed at 10p. Wife and I strolled around and sat on our favorite bench before she called it a night while I continued walking for another round. I have taken up walking since returning from USA. Now I am hooked. I usually walk as much as 45 minutes to distance myself from 930p primetime TV, which is not worth watching. Most of the series involves revenge, money and sex.
Yesterday I had unplanned high tea with a friend. I had asked for help around lunch time and discovered he still had not had lunch, so I suggested we go to lunch together. By the time I reached his place and got things done, it was slightly past 2pm, so the logical thing is to order from the high tea menu, which is HK$10 off the lunch menu. I enjoyed the lower price, so today (16th) I did the same, having lunch after 2 pm. It is a sad commentary on Hong Kong that around 10 seniors and ordinary folks line up with me for the fast food bargain price (HK$23-24), which is the normal lunch price before inflation set in. Right now, people uses newspaper $2-$3 discount coupons to stretch their money.
I got my passport with a six months China visa back yesterday, which was good news for a change. It means I can join the Shenzhen retreat next week, something I am looking forward to, my second trip there. I also had to perform self-surgery on the pinkie of my left foot that has been bothering me for many weeks due to a blood clot. After repeated trys I managed to burst the thick skin with a pair of sharp scissors and a trickle of blood oozed out. Yesterday was a good time as any other since I figured I had to take a few days off walking anyway because I am leaving for Macau in an hour to help Wife move.
Moving yesterday (23rd) was accomplished in two and a half hours, minus packing time. We decided to move the things ourselves because the apartment was just two blocks across the street and it was hard to determine when we would be ready for movers to come. I took five trips and Wife four. The hardest things to move locally were her oversized executive-type chair, the fan, the humidifier, and kitchen ware. After that we had a hearty lunch and returned to HKG. Then I had to cart a foldable single bed mattress to the ferry back to HKG. We were thankful that things worked out as they did.
A number 8 typhoon blew into the city late last night (28th) at 11 pm when I was walking the blocks, even though the observatory did not announce it then. This morning all work stopped and most stores were closed except for Pacific here. According to the lone worker he was there before the announcement after 4 am, so he opened shop anyway, which was a good thing because I spent 4 hours there with my laptop. I also invited a friend and his family to breakfast. Tai Chi did not stop for a few students. but elsewhere a strong tree toppled and bus services were sporadic in Ma Wan. The funny thing was that I was supposed to start work, but so far the first work week includes a two-days' retreat, a briefing next day and a canceled day, but such is life.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Three Year Later, Aug 2011
The first week of the month finds me back in L.A. but 2 hours late. We touched down two nights ago but LAX was "plane" lousy. Our 945p flight reached here half an hour later, the plane could not park for another half an hour, immigration another half hour, and even a new declaration point for the last half hour. It's crazy; no wonder USA is in decline. The good news is that Wife's bad back held up well with the last-minute TravelBlue pillow we bought at the airport for her back. The best piece of news is that my sister's police report for immigration purposes came the day before I arrive, just as she had hoped upon greeting me.
I preached at RCAC yesterday and met former church members. Most said I have either not changed or lost weight or "It rains when important people come" - it unusually rained that morning before church. At night they took us out for our anniversary dinner. Wife was happiest for a gift bag of oranges she got that was unbelievably sweet. We plan to head to Santa Barbara today (1st) after breakfast at Panera or Corner Bakery. We laughed because we could not remember these restaurant names, especially the former.
We had driven over two days to Santa Barbra, Solvang, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, revisiting our honeymoon route 12 years ago. At Santa Barbara's Wharf (2nd) I ate a US$24.95 one and a half lobster at Moby Dick for lunch and today (3rd) we enjoyed dinner at Rose's in Morro Bay where the Happy Hour crab cakes and avocado egg roll are unbeatable. After dinner we watched the sun set like an egg yolk into the sea, something that is hard to do in Hong Kong, wise said. Wife was at her happiest traveling. Rooms at Solvang yesterday was US$82 overnight but the crowd was sparse on weekdays. At Pismo Beach we went to Starbucks for breakfast, of all places, because we couldn't get any wi-fi signal at our hotel. Both the hotels we inquired at San Luis Obispo have savvy Indian owners. After going nowhere to the first with a coupon, we decided to ask about room vacancy and its rate first before we produce a coupon when the answer is yes, reducing the rate from $99.95 to $59.95. The owner accepted our coupon reluctantly but only after adding another $5 for a doubled bed. We will head back to L.A. tomorrow after breakfast.
Ramada's breakfast bar was not opened nor inviting when we left at 7 am today (3rd), so Wife drove, her first time, up to Los Alamos when she drove into a fog. I took over and two hours altogether into Santa Barbara's Peet's Coffee for multigrain and dried fruit scones. Their scones are way better than their rivals Starbucks. On the way home Wife bought two T-shirts at Camarillo's outlets and we stopped at Little Tokyo's Sushi Gen for lunch. I can't believe we did so many things over four days.
Thursday (4th) I met with my new employer and it took most of the afternoon and at night we met with the Ngs for dinner at Cheesecake, where we ordered our favorite Godiva Cheesecake, except that it does not taste the same. The next day fellowship members of my first church threw a dinner party for us and another family from NJ. It was such a happy occasion except that most are empty nesters by now because the kids were gone, mostly for school. Today (7th) I am headed to my first church to preach and I honestly do not know what to expect because it's been 15 years ago. We were also glad our host has an automatic medicine pot to boil Wife's Chinese medicine. She really needed it because the trip can take a toil on you.
The second half of our USA holidays see us traveling to San Diego (8th) to visit Wife's two sisters, one of which has been in a vegetable state for 28 years as the result of a car accident. Wife and another sister from Hong Kong arranged to join the local sister to visit the bedridden sister - four sisters altogether. We sang simple worship songs such as "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord," "God is so Good" and "The Steadfast Love of the Lord" to celebrate her life, sad as it was but nevertheless our sovereign God allowed it to happen for a reason. We took the occasion to view her nephew's new house. It seemed like years ago that Josiah stayed with us for two years in Walnut when he was in college. Another nephew Joshua went with me to see the final installment of Harry Potter.
Yesterday (11th) I joined CMA pastors in their monthly prayer meeting. It was such a festive occasion when we met together, reminding me how different USA Chinese pastors are from Hong Kong pastors who have no time and are too busy and stoic to fellowship together. I am looking forward to next week with other Cantonese pastors at U2.
We went to Lake Ave. for 9a worship this morning (14th) and met a pastor who is leaving for Hong Kong next week for a pastoral position, small world. After worship we returned to Whole Foods for lunch. Wife ordered a traditional breakfast with poached eggs and I had a $3.99 whole wheat pancake with fruit and walnuts for sides. The choices at this health food store is amazing, one of the best health food selections. Wife was happiest with the protein supplements such as Vegan that she needs for her health battle. It was an emotional day today when we visited our old house, probably for the last time. Tears rolled freely down our eyes as we said goodbye to our first home as a couple.
Yesterday (15th) I celebrated my birthday eve with two close pastors and friends with their families. There were three pastors three years ago before I left for Hong Kong but now the gentleman, Wife's mentor, is 78 years old, too late to drive at night. Time flies and people gray, that's the fact of life. The dinner was impressive, but time together was priceless. It was funny seeing the ladies and the men sitting to one side. It is two days to go to the arduous trip to Seattle and Vancouver, please pray for us. especially for Wife's health and mind during the travel.
The last two days before our departure must be the most action-packed and risk-taking of our lives so far in terms of time and urgency. I call it Our Mission Impossible. Just yesterday (18th) Wife took a continuing education class at L.A. that lasted till 340p, then we took a 830p flight to Seattle, stayed at a friend's place and talked till 130a. Without a GPS it would have been hard to navigate the country roads at midnight even with printed Google maps. I had forgotten to bring one I had borrowed and rented it at the airport. Early 6a the next day we woke up and had breakfast at Peet's before we headed to Vancouver at 730a. Wife drove for 55 miles before I took over again and lined up about the 10th car in our lane (out of three) at the Canada border. At the airport I parked as she got her boarding pass to HKG but the plane was delayed for 2 hours. I had to dash over back to the border to take a 5p flight to LAX. The lines returning were so long that it took 45 mins. at least to pass. At the Seattle counter I requested her flight to LAX be canceled, but she had apparently done it through the internet on the Vancouver airport side. Better still I got on the earlier 345p flight to LAX. It was quite an adventure, one I am not eager to repeat. By faith wife must have boarded the plane, so I am traveling by myself as well. Here is her side of the story.
The travel home was 13 hours, but I was more patient than I thought possible. I arrived in HKG yesterday (21st) at 6p and hop onto the Ma Wan 7p bus. To fight against sleep I swam, which I had missed for three weeks, at 9p, then slept before 11p. The Lord has blessed us richly on this trip, opening doors for us I never thought necessary. I have seen relatives, friends and brothers and sisters; driven more than 1,000 miles from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo, from Los Angeles to San Diego and from Seattle to Vancouver; and shopped at neighborhood stores, outlet stores and department stores.
There were a lot of errands to run this week. Our Southern California holidays were barely over when we traveled to Macau (25th) on Tuesday, two days later. Wife bought a lot of health food from USA for her Macau home because fresh food is not easy to purchase there. I basically carried the food over for her, but I had time to complete the denomination assignments as well. Today (25th) I had to go to the Immigration Tower to extend my non-permanent resident visa, to be picked up in two weeks. It was half the wait the last time, two years ago.
I am in Macau again for the last day of the month (31st), probably my last trip here before work begins. There is nothing to do in Hong Kong besides waiting for the denomination interview. It is a good break and I can be with Wife, who has to stay over the weekend due a retreat. It could be boring but I had time to repair the many broken links on Preach Christ. Tomorrow a friend from USA will be arriving.
I preached at RCAC yesterday and met former church members. Most said I have either not changed or lost weight or "It rains when important people come" - it unusually rained that morning before church. At night they took us out for our anniversary dinner. Wife was happiest for a gift bag of oranges she got that was unbelievably sweet. We plan to head to Santa Barbara today (1st) after breakfast at Panera or Corner Bakery. We laughed because we could not remember these restaurant names, especially the former.
We had driven over two days to Santa Barbra, Solvang, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, revisiting our honeymoon route 12 years ago. At Santa Barbara's Wharf (2nd) I ate a US$24.95 one and a half lobster at Moby Dick for lunch and today (3rd) we enjoyed dinner at Rose's in Morro Bay where the Happy Hour crab cakes and avocado egg roll are unbeatable. After dinner we watched the sun set like an egg yolk into the sea, something that is hard to do in Hong Kong, wise said. Wife was at her happiest traveling. Rooms at Solvang yesterday was US$82 overnight but the crowd was sparse on weekdays. At Pismo Beach we went to Starbucks for breakfast, of all places, because we couldn't get any wi-fi signal at our hotel. Both the hotels we inquired at San Luis Obispo have savvy Indian owners. After going nowhere to the first with a coupon, we decided to ask about room vacancy and its rate first before we produce a coupon when the answer is yes, reducing the rate from $99.95 to $59.95. The owner accepted our coupon reluctantly but only after adding another $5 for a doubled bed. We will head back to L.A. tomorrow after breakfast.
Ramada's breakfast bar was not opened nor inviting when we left at 7 am today (3rd), so Wife drove, her first time, up to Los Alamos when she drove into a fog. I took over and two hours altogether into Santa Barbara's Peet's Coffee for multigrain and dried fruit scones. Their scones are way better than their rivals Starbucks. On the way home Wife bought two T-shirts at Camarillo's outlets and we stopped at Little Tokyo's Sushi Gen for lunch. I can't believe we did so many things over four days.
Thursday (4th) I met with my new employer and it took most of the afternoon and at night we met with the Ngs for dinner at Cheesecake, where we ordered our favorite Godiva Cheesecake, except that it does not taste the same. The next day fellowship members of my first church threw a dinner party for us and another family from NJ. It was such a happy occasion except that most are empty nesters by now because the kids were gone, mostly for school. Today (7th) I am headed to my first church to preach and I honestly do not know what to expect because it's been 15 years ago. We were also glad our host has an automatic medicine pot to boil Wife's Chinese medicine. She really needed it because the trip can take a toil on you.
The second half of our USA holidays see us traveling to San Diego (8th) to visit Wife's two sisters, one of which has been in a vegetable state for 28 years as the result of a car accident. Wife and another sister from Hong Kong arranged to join the local sister to visit the bedridden sister - four sisters altogether. We sang simple worship songs such as "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord," "God is so Good" and "The Steadfast Love of the Lord" to celebrate her life, sad as it was but nevertheless our sovereign God allowed it to happen for a reason. We took the occasion to view her nephew's new house. It seemed like years ago that Josiah stayed with us for two years in Walnut when he was in college. Another nephew Joshua went with me to see the final installment of Harry Potter.
Yesterday (11th) I joined CMA pastors in their monthly prayer meeting. It was such a festive occasion when we met together, reminding me how different USA Chinese pastors are from Hong Kong pastors who have no time and are too busy and stoic to fellowship together. I am looking forward to next week with other Cantonese pastors at U2.
We went to Lake Ave. for 9a worship this morning (14th) and met a pastor who is leaving for Hong Kong next week for a pastoral position, small world. After worship we returned to Whole Foods for lunch. Wife ordered a traditional breakfast with poached eggs and I had a $3.99 whole wheat pancake with fruit and walnuts for sides. The choices at this health food store is amazing, one of the best health food selections. Wife was happiest with the protein supplements such as Vegan that she needs for her health battle. It was an emotional day today when we visited our old house, probably for the last time. Tears rolled freely down our eyes as we said goodbye to our first home as a couple.
Yesterday (15th) I celebrated my birthday eve with two close pastors and friends with their families. There were three pastors three years ago before I left for Hong Kong but now the gentleman, Wife's mentor, is 78 years old, too late to drive at night. Time flies and people gray, that's the fact of life. The dinner was impressive, but time together was priceless. It was funny seeing the ladies and the men sitting to one side. It is two days to go to the arduous trip to Seattle and Vancouver, please pray for us. especially for Wife's health and mind during the travel.
The last two days before our departure must be the most action-packed and risk-taking of our lives so far in terms of time and urgency. I call it Our Mission Impossible. Just yesterday (18th) Wife took a continuing education class at L.A. that lasted till 340p, then we took a 830p flight to Seattle, stayed at a friend's place and talked till 130a. Without a GPS it would have been hard to navigate the country roads at midnight even with printed Google maps. I had forgotten to bring one I had borrowed and rented it at the airport. Early 6a the next day we woke up and had breakfast at Peet's before we headed to Vancouver at 730a. Wife drove for 55 miles before I took over again and lined up about the 10th car in our lane (out of three) at the Canada border. At the airport I parked as she got her boarding pass to HKG but the plane was delayed for 2 hours. I had to dash over back to the border to take a 5p flight to LAX. The lines returning were so long that it took 45 mins. at least to pass. At the Seattle counter I requested her flight to LAX be canceled, but she had apparently done it through the internet on the Vancouver airport side. Better still I got on the earlier 345p flight to LAX. It was quite an adventure, one I am not eager to repeat. By faith wife must have boarded the plane, so I am traveling by myself as well. Here is her side of the story.
The travel home was 13 hours, but I was more patient than I thought possible. I arrived in HKG yesterday (21st) at 6p and hop onto the Ma Wan 7p bus. To fight against sleep I swam, which I had missed for three weeks, at 9p, then slept before 11p. The Lord has blessed us richly on this trip, opening doors for us I never thought necessary. I have seen relatives, friends and brothers and sisters; driven more than 1,000 miles from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo, from Los Angeles to San Diego and from Seattle to Vancouver; and shopped at neighborhood stores, outlet stores and department stores.
There were a lot of errands to run this week. Our Southern California holidays were barely over when we traveled to Macau (25th) on Tuesday, two days later. Wife bought a lot of health food from USA for her Macau home because fresh food is not easy to purchase there. I basically carried the food over for her, but I had time to complete the denomination assignments as well. Today (25th) I had to go to the Immigration Tower to extend my non-permanent resident visa, to be picked up in two weeks. It was half the wait the last time, two years ago.
I am in Macau again for the last day of the month (31st), probably my last trip here before work begins. There is nothing to do in Hong Kong besides waiting for the denomination interview. It is a good break and I can be with Wife, who has to stay over the weekend due a retreat. It could be boring but I had time to repair the many broken links on Preach Christ. Tomorrow a friend from USA will be arriving.
Monday, July 4, 2011
The Last Month, Jul 2011
This month is my last month at my present office before I return to the States for a three weeks break. In fact I do not need to go in after taking all my vacation days, so today (5th) is the first day at home and I am slightly bored since Wife is at work. There are notes to edit for my new book and a sermon to prepare, but otherwise I have all the time to myself, which means I must look for lunch with friends.
Today (8th)is hang-out day at Tung Chung cafetaria in the morning and an exceptional HK$98 curry buffet for lunch. Yesterday I had a good class whereby I discovered that six times the word "served" is used in Gensis 39 to sum up Jacob's new-found attitude after leaving from his family. Small details like this makes the Scriptures come alive.
I had 3 hours to kill waiting for the next bargain-price ship at 3p to Macau today
(12th), but no one was available for lunch, so I hanged around and was surprised to see how busy lunch is. 20-50 patrons lined up patiently outside some restaurants for food. I needed to get out of the building for air, though it was drizzling. Outside I found a bargain lunch for HK$30, including noodles, bread and tea, better price than most tea restaurants here. With the extra time I wrote this part, too. Wife wrote a piece yesterday if you are interested to read.
In Macau the next day (13th) we had lunch at Macau's finest, but the price wa snot worth it! I bought a dictionary of Chinese phrases end of last year, but only managed to read 40 pages. However, I read another 60 pages in two days after six months of inactivity. And my plan was to complete it in a year. Returning home, the greatest joy was to find Pacific has opened its new store in Ma Wan. Now I want to buy a card and be a fan because Starbucks has nothing here.
Yesterday (18th) I had a great time speaking at TST. I was completely shocked that both my wife and I received a small gift from two different sources, people who hardly know us which reminds me of God' provision for our needs no matter where we serve and what we do in Hong Kong. This is important because I have an appointment for ministry tomorrow, which I hope will work out, but God's way, nevertheless, is not man's.
The big-decision day (20th) sputtered out deja vu-style. Again I was called to have another meeting with another group of people. I was calm, not annoyed. Things are what they are. Maybe the Lord wants me to do something else, who knows? Hopefully the next call-up is less complicated. I can only stay focused. At least I had good fellowship over lunch. It is so unbelievable that I can write a book on "How to Find God's Will for Your Life."
This is the first day (23th) we have been at Starbucks since Pacific opened nearby, and we totally enjoy the old place more. It's scary to say this, but the the food is better at S. There is no toast or egg ciabatta at P, so we missed that. Other than that the weekend is boring since the meltdown. We plan to attend evening worship at Tsing Yi today.
Last night (26th) Wife's back hurt the worst so far, so I put my years of treatment to good use and gave her a rub. Her fear is for her back if she has to sit on a flight for more than 10 hours to USA three days from now. After continental breakfast today, we submitted our residency papers and hope for the best. We ate a lot of fridge food at night to clear them before we leave. Tomorrow is my last day at class, boo-hoo.
The last day of class was a blast. I had lunch with a former student at an Asian retsaurnt at IFC; the Malaysian-Singapore food was great. One of my colleagues took me out for high tea and five students took me out for dinner. The best was from the night class students, who treated me like celebrity, taking pictures and all. They progressed the most. I was also happy that my project on translating my favorite gospel songs have taken flight, with Sacrifice and When God Ran for starters. Soon to come is Blessed Be Your Name.
Today (8th)is hang-out day at Tung Chung cafetaria in the morning and an exceptional HK$98 curry buffet for lunch. Yesterday I had a good class whereby I discovered that six times the word "served" is used in Gensis 39 to sum up Jacob's new-found attitude after leaving from his family. Small details like this makes the Scriptures come alive.
I had 3 hours to kill waiting for the next bargain-price ship at 3p to Macau today
(12th), but no one was available for lunch, so I hanged around and was surprised to see how busy lunch is. 20-50 patrons lined up patiently outside some restaurants for food. I needed to get out of the building for air, though it was drizzling. Outside I found a bargain lunch for HK$30, including noodles, bread and tea, better price than most tea restaurants here. With the extra time I wrote this part, too. Wife wrote a piece yesterday if you are interested to read.
In Macau the next day (13th) we had lunch at Macau's finest, but the price wa snot worth it! I bought a dictionary of Chinese phrases end of last year, but only managed to read 40 pages. However, I read another 60 pages in two days after six months of inactivity. And my plan was to complete it in a year. Returning home, the greatest joy was to find Pacific has opened its new store in Ma Wan. Now I want to buy a card and be a fan because Starbucks has nothing here.
Yesterday (18th) I had a great time speaking at TST. I was completely shocked that both my wife and I received a small gift from two different sources, people who hardly know us which reminds me of God' provision for our needs no matter where we serve and what we do in Hong Kong. This is important because I have an appointment for ministry tomorrow, which I hope will work out, but God's way, nevertheless, is not man's.
The big-decision day (20th) sputtered out deja vu-style. Again I was called to have another meeting with another group of people. I was calm, not annoyed. Things are what they are. Maybe the Lord wants me to do something else, who knows? Hopefully the next call-up is less complicated. I can only stay focused. At least I had good fellowship over lunch. It is so unbelievable that I can write a book on "How to Find God's Will for Your Life."
This is the first day (23th) we have been at Starbucks since Pacific opened nearby, and we totally enjoy the old place more. It's scary to say this, but the the food is better at S. There is no toast or egg ciabatta at P, so we missed that. Other than that the weekend is boring since the meltdown. We plan to attend evening worship at Tsing Yi today.
Last night (26th) Wife's back hurt the worst so far, so I put my years of treatment to good use and gave her a rub. Her fear is for her back if she has to sit on a flight for more than 10 hours to USA three days from now. After continental breakfast today, we submitted our residency papers and hope for the best. We ate a lot of fridge food at night to clear them before we leave. Tomorrow is my last day at class, boo-hoo.
The last day of class was a blast. I had lunch with a former student at an Asian retsaurnt at IFC; the Malaysian-Singapore food was great. One of my colleagues took me out for high tea and five students took me out for dinner. The best was from the night class students, who treated me like celebrity, taking pictures and all. They progressed the most. I was also happy that my project on translating my favorite gospel songs have taken flight, with Sacrifice and When God Ran for starters. Soon to come is Blessed Be Your Name.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Missions, Jun 2011
Yesterday (1st) I rewrote to an interested missions agency and the group was still open to welcome me. I can do a lot in Hong Kong but there's much to be done outside too, so I hope to do both. Today is the second last day to the quarter. The students will give me a farewell tomorrow. The Lord is leading me elsewhere, that I am certain. With my domicile problems I have no choice but to leave. By the way I got a wonderful photo album with lots of students' photos in it.
Today (6) is a relaxing public holiday in Hong Kong, but the hot and humid weather tires me out. It is hard to get motivated. Morning was at Starbucks and afternoon was nap time after eating the traditional rice dumpling, which was really good. Starbucks was packed with students getting together to study for exams. We took a walk in the afternoon. I swam once more at 6pm to make up for tomorrow's trip to Macau. Wife put extra effort into the new book, which I do not think will be ready by October at the rate we are going.
My mind is quite made up about missions, even though a tiny door was still left open until today (8th). I know this is crazy, but missions school "will add another 200 full time master level students this year," according to the president. So now I know why the local door was closed to me at the last minute. The need overseas is much greater, almost overwhelming. I was asked inside the lift today if there is a chance I could change my mind. I said a small chance, but according to my previous request to teach in school. The answer given was that it is out of the reach of people in charge and we left it at that. I guess that is the last confirmation and the point of no return.
Graduation was yesterday (10th), my last with school. I had to fight back tears when "Make Me a Blessing" was sung at the end. It was a good three years, where I hone my teaching skills from general to good. Now I have a balance in teaching students literary and grammatical studies. The two are crucial and indispensable to jumpstart a preacher's teaching and preaching. I am sure it will make a difference, even an overhaul, in their ministry. Experience is priceless. I can't wait for the ten-year window ahead.
Day 2 in Taiwan, where I arrived last night to teach a five-days' Logos D Min class beginning today (13th). The airlines Eva was really impressive, lots of legroom.The president from L.A. was here for a change, so I gave him my latest book as soon as I arrived as he is leaving today. This morning he surprised me by bringing me breakfast, including mangoes, lychee and durian! The only thing missing is coffee, so I am determined to scour the neighborhood as I already spotted a 7-11. This morning was productive. I had already gone through half of a sermon that a former student edited.
I found my bearing in Taiwan on Day 3 (14th) after I strolled downhill for dinner. Our location is at Christ's College. At the bottom of the hill was the Danshui subway in Taipei and besides it was a Starbucks, where I enjoy a cup of coffee before trekking uphill, which was a challenge. Vendor food was okay, not spectacular, but eating at a table by the busy roadside was special. I paid T$120 for a large bowl of Ramen and T$60 for a small coffee. Just yeasterday I paid T$25 for coffee at local 7-11. I shouldn't complain because I also found a Wellcome supermarket nearby. Two more days to go.
Yesterday (18th) was my last day in Taiwan, my third straight year there. As a result I was more relaxed and had more fun with the students, ten of them. An older colleague there claimed he discovered me in theological education more than ten years ago. No matter what, I owe them, no doubt. I have quite a name among Taiwanese, more renowned than in Hong Kong. It was hot but I enjoyed my nights there. The Taiwanese are more passionate than Hong Kong people, who are quite stoic and less trusting, almost cold. Yet I am glad to be back, especially passing by a mall today.
Signed and sealed yesterday (20th) in more ways than one, literally. First, I returned my acceptance offer for missions that was sent to me more than a week ago, but the scan was not of good quality, so I will send by mail tomorrow. Second, is the completion of an 18-chapter manuscript for my new book on Bible Couples entitled 執子之手。I have rediscovered the joy of writing with this book. Wife's work on it makes it even more exciting.
I am close to the end of my three year service at school, and today the reality sinks in. This morning I was informed I have 6 days and 4 hours of leave left. A friend did the math and for me and said that I do not even have to go into Yuen Log office at all, but teach two days at TST till July 30, my last day, to finish my term. That got me thinking that I have to take things home from office and call time on Yuen Long office days.
It is a hot day over the weekend (25th) but we bought lychees and oranges and ate them at the pier. Up to that point, I almost gave in to high tea, which is not too good for health. English worshippers were supposed to visit us but they called to say that they would rather stay inside the a/c conditions at Noah's Ark. The rest of the day without the visit is rather boring. Swimming is out of the equation since we had already done it this morning.
Today (6) is a relaxing public holiday in Hong Kong, but the hot and humid weather tires me out. It is hard to get motivated. Morning was at Starbucks and afternoon was nap time after eating the traditional rice dumpling, which was really good. Starbucks was packed with students getting together to study for exams. We took a walk in the afternoon. I swam once more at 6pm to make up for tomorrow's trip to Macau. Wife put extra effort into the new book, which I do not think will be ready by October at the rate we are going.
My mind is quite made up about missions, even though a tiny door was still left open until today (8th). I know this is crazy, but missions school "will add another 200 full time master level students this year," according to the president. So now I know why the local door was closed to me at the last minute. The need overseas is much greater, almost overwhelming. I was asked inside the lift today if there is a chance I could change my mind. I said a small chance, but according to my previous request to teach in school. The answer given was that it is out of the reach of people in charge and we left it at that. I guess that is the last confirmation and the point of no return.
Graduation was yesterday (10th), my last with school. I had to fight back tears when "Make Me a Blessing" was sung at the end. It was a good three years, where I hone my teaching skills from general to good. Now I have a balance in teaching students literary and grammatical studies. The two are crucial and indispensable to jumpstart a preacher's teaching and preaching. I am sure it will make a difference, even an overhaul, in their ministry. Experience is priceless. I can't wait for the ten-year window ahead.
Day 2 in Taiwan, where I arrived last night to teach a five-days' Logos D Min class beginning today (13th). The airlines Eva was really impressive, lots of legroom.The president from L.A. was here for a change, so I gave him my latest book as soon as I arrived as he is leaving today. This morning he surprised me by bringing me breakfast, including mangoes, lychee and durian! The only thing missing is coffee, so I am determined to scour the neighborhood as I already spotted a 7-11. This morning was productive. I had already gone through half of a sermon that a former student edited.
I found my bearing in Taiwan on Day 3 (14th) after I strolled downhill for dinner. Our location is at Christ's College. At the bottom of the hill was the Danshui subway in Taipei and besides it was a Starbucks, where I enjoy a cup of coffee before trekking uphill, which was a challenge. Vendor food was okay, not spectacular, but eating at a table by the busy roadside was special. I paid T$120 for a large bowl of Ramen and T$60 for a small coffee. Just yeasterday I paid T$25 for coffee at local 7-11. I shouldn't complain because I also found a Wellcome supermarket nearby. Two more days to go.
Yesterday (18th) was my last day in Taiwan, my third straight year there. As a result I was more relaxed and had more fun with the students, ten of them. An older colleague there claimed he discovered me in theological education more than ten years ago. No matter what, I owe them, no doubt. I have quite a name among Taiwanese, more renowned than in Hong Kong. It was hot but I enjoyed my nights there. The Taiwanese are more passionate than Hong Kong people, who are quite stoic and less trusting, almost cold. Yet I am glad to be back, especially passing by a mall today.
Signed and sealed yesterday (20th) in more ways than one, literally. First, I returned my acceptance offer for missions that was sent to me more than a week ago, but the scan was not of good quality, so I will send by mail tomorrow. Second, is the completion of an 18-chapter manuscript for my new book on Bible Couples entitled 執子之手。I have rediscovered the joy of writing with this book. Wife's work on it makes it even more exciting.
I am close to the end of my three year service at school, and today the reality sinks in. This morning I was informed I have 6 days and 4 hours of leave left. A friend did the math and for me and said that I do not even have to go into Yuen Log office at all, but teach two days at TST till July 30, my last day, to finish my term. That got me thinking that I have to take things home from office and call time on Yuen Long office days.
It is a hot day over the weekend (25th) but we bought lychees and oranges and ate them at the pier. Up to that point, I almost gave in to high tea, which is not too good for health. English worshippers were supposed to visit us but they called to say that they would rather stay inside the a/c conditions at Noah's Ark. The rest of the day without the visit is rather boring. Swimming is out of the equation since we had already done it this morning.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Labor Day, May 2011
We returned from a night's stay in Shenzhen yesterday (1st) due the Labor Day weekend. The 4 Points hotel was worth the RMB$599. We went to Coco Park (購物公園) and Book City (書城) on the first day. This morning we splurged on their RMB$139 breakfast buffet, eating a little over three hours to cover lunch as well to save money. There is nothing like a breakfast buffet catered by Westerners. In our first year here we had breakfast at Wangfujing provided by the hotel, but the style was too Chinese. after breakfast we headed to Shenzhen Univeristy and then caught a train to Hong Kong via Luohu. There are American stores in Shenzhen thst I do not even see in Hong Kong, such as Papa John's and Coldstone Creamery.
It's been a marathon of sorts the last few days. I just finished preaching two messages today (8th) and will speak another on Tuesday, culminating with four sermons since Thursday (5th). I am most satisfied with the work I did on Ephesians 5 marriage text, a passage I have never preached on in over 20 years of ministry. I was surprised but not shocked because I usually do the vows but not the sermons at weddings. The next three weeks would require less from me, though I have three more consecutive Thursday night messages to go.
Today (10) is a public holiday in Hong Kong and I spoke for a church at a one-day retreat in Wu Kai Sha's YMCA near Ma On Shan. It is a beautiful place, the most impressive retreat center I have been locally. The location, which is near the beach, is also clean and picturesque. I was glad when the talk was over because I had to spend a lot of time on 2 Peter 1, but the personal reward in preparing it was gratifying, too, one of my best. After the morning session I joined Wife for bakery at Simply Life. The food there was fantastic and the line was long. In the afternoon it was so hot and humid that I had to turn on the a/c to nap. In the evening we sat by the rocks for the first time at the beach, a highly enjoyable experience.
Yesterday (19th) a door to ministry unexpectedly closed, but maybe it's for the best because returning to the grind of pastoral ministry is not an option to me, especially as local ministries do not multiply. I have a ten year window in ministry open, so I must use it the best way possible. This week I have started to work on my new book on Bible Couples, so there is life beyond the horizon. Be patient, my soul!
There is good news this week from the publication end. My editor told me on Tuesday (24th) that he is happy with the work and that the materials for my new book on Bible Couples are stronger and more practical than my previous work on Parables of Life. I know it not a knock on what I did before but I was still quite taken back by the assessment, as I was quite pleased with the former. Well, I cannot complain about the compliment and he certainly has the experience.
Wife and I had a two-hour retreat today (28th), praying for a house locally, ministry, work, unsaved relatives, friends, churches, health, and Jon Hon. The latter's book on prayer inspired her to suggest a retreat. The weather was perfect for a morning outdoors. In the afternoon I worked again on the book before I send the first draft to the publisher after the weekend.
Today (30th) I finished all the observations I began a few days ago for the 18 chapters in my new book. It was quite a task but I learned a lot from it. Writing down all the Who, When and Where from the original text certainly helped me in exposition.
It's been a marathon of sorts the last few days. I just finished preaching two messages today (8th) and will speak another on Tuesday, culminating with four sermons since Thursday (5th). I am most satisfied with the work I did on Ephesians 5 marriage text, a passage I have never preached on in over 20 years of ministry. I was surprised but not shocked because I usually do the vows but not the sermons at weddings. The next three weeks would require less from me, though I have three more consecutive Thursday night messages to go.
Today (10) is a public holiday in Hong Kong and I spoke for a church at a one-day retreat in Wu Kai Sha's YMCA near Ma On Shan. It is a beautiful place, the most impressive retreat center I have been locally. The location, which is near the beach, is also clean and picturesque. I was glad when the talk was over because I had to spend a lot of time on 2 Peter 1, but the personal reward in preparing it was gratifying, too, one of my best. After the morning session I joined Wife for bakery at Simply Life. The food there was fantastic and the line was long. In the afternoon it was so hot and humid that I had to turn on the a/c to nap. In the evening we sat by the rocks for the first time at the beach, a highly enjoyable experience.
Yesterday (19th) a door to ministry unexpectedly closed, but maybe it's for the best because returning to the grind of pastoral ministry is not an option to me, especially as local ministries do not multiply. I have a ten year window in ministry open, so I must use it the best way possible. This week I have started to work on my new book on Bible Couples, so there is life beyond the horizon. Be patient, my soul!
There is good news this week from the publication end. My editor told me on Tuesday (24th) that he is happy with the work and that the materials for my new book on Bible Couples are stronger and more practical than my previous work on Parables of Life. I know it not a knock on what I did before but I was still quite taken back by the assessment, as I was quite pleased with the former. Well, I cannot complain about the compliment and he certainly has the experience.
Wife and I had a two-hour retreat today (28th), praying for a house locally, ministry, work, unsaved relatives, friends, churches, health, and Jon Hon. The latter's book on prayer inspired her to suggest a retreat. The weather was perfect for a morning outdoors. In the afternoon I worked again on the book before I send the first draft to the publisher after the weekend.
Today (30th) I finished all the observations I began a few days ago for the 18 chapters in my new book. It was quite a task but I learned a lot from it. Writing down all the Who, When and Where from the original text certainly helped me in exposition.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Spring, Apr 2011
Today's weather (2nd) is the best in the year so far, with temperature over 70 F for the first time this year, bringing in the bright sun for a change. I feel good after telling the school two days ago my plans for the coming months. The school started on a right note this week, but already my assignments weigh heavily on them. For this weekend, I have to teach a pre-study today and Sunday school tomorrow and preach twice. What a load, but I have learned to thank God for the health to do so. Wife, also, has a talk today, so we are equally busy.
This is my second day in Macau due to a public holiday today (5th). I traveled yesterday after school, hoping to catch the regular 630p ferry but Chinese tourists have reserved all the seats, so I had to settle for the 645p ferry. Wife and her sister had booked a place at our favorite Italian restaurant at the mall but the food was not as good as before. My favorite breakfast cafeteria Savory was closed for the holiday but lunch more than made up for it. We went to Fernando for the first time and enjoyed good roasted pig, quail and salad for lunch. No wonder it is such a popular tourist hot spot, with a line forming before its noon opening. At night we had buffet at Royal Kitchen by the new Yaohan. The food was good, including sashimi, but we could not take in much. Tomorrow I will head straight to church from Macau for 10a training, the second time round for a smaller group of seven this time, unlike the 12 last time.
My heart was burdened yesterday (6th) by the weight pastors have to bear in ministry, but today a chapel speaker inspired me with the same principles I have always believed about ministry: serve God and not men, dwell on the positive and not the negative, faced them with grace and not the gripe.
We were talking tonight (8th) about what to eat when we get back to Los Angeles in August. Both agree on CHeesecake Factiry, Wife's list has Savoy Hainan Chicken, I have Buca di Beppo and Sushi Gen. It's been so long we forgot Buca's name for three days.
My wife made a classical statement today (9th) when looking at the latest real estate flyer in our box: "Flipping homes is better than going to work (抄樓後過返工)." Yes, homes are that pricey in Hong Kong. A less than 700 sq ft house in Ma Wan sells for HK$350,000.00
For the last two days sleep a struggle. I woke up at 3a yesterday, and 5a this morning (14th). The night before was probably due a night class but I have been thinking about my future. What do I do best? How do I fit in? Why am I uneasy? These are the things I have to work on these few weeks. By July I would have earned three precious years of working experience in Hong Kong, which allows me to have a better perspective of things.
Since its opening this month, Wife exclaimed about how refreshing it is to swim in the outdoor pool, which she tried once, after which she said she could never leave Ma Wan, so today (16th) I joined her. The weather was perfect, 80 F. I didn't feel the sun over my head. We enjoy the pre-study today, and Wife volunteered to teach the next two lessons as well since she had done it with her students.
Yesterday night was stuffy and murky, so we turned on the a/c unit in the miiddle of the night (3 am) for the first time (17th) this year. I drew the curtains to dim the lights beaming into our apratment, waking both of us at the same time. The morning sun in spring might have contributed to my lack of sleep. Rain, for no reason, poured and dampened the island in the afternoon.
I am looking forward to attending Good Friday service for a change tomorrow (22th) instead of leading one, which was what I was doing for the last two years here. My close friend from USA came by to visit two days ago, and Wife's close friend from Canada will visit on Sunday. We had a good cry. It is always good to see old friends, a benefit we do not have presently due our short history here. Speaking of friends, a quiet day at work makes me dull and the day long, so I prefer to talk and share than sit in an office the whole day without much verbal conversation and stimulation.
It has been a good day today (23rd) even though Wife struggled with the gloomy weather. We went to the Starbucks at TST's I-Square for the first time since it opened last year. The seats were very modern and the view overlooking Nathan Road is fantastic. Slightly before noon, we had lunch at a hamburger restaurant there, which was better than we thought. In the afternoon we napped and then swam before we headed to Sai Wan Ho for dinner with relatives. Wife's brother-in-law, who has not accepted the Lord, gave me the best compliment for a long time when he said my evangelistic sermon a month ago was not boring! Naturally, I paid for dinner in exhcnage for such kind words and also to treat her sister in San Diego who has returned to visit.
My eyes have switched from seeing a roach to a fly in the last few days, so there must be something wrong with my eyes. I consulted my brother-in-law but my symptoms are not as bad as his when he saw black patches and plenty of flies. Yesterday I started sniffing from a long day at church, but I am not sure if it caused by allergies or tiredness. There is a funeral to attend maybe today (25th) or tomorrow, my first in Hong Kong.
Attending a funeral in Hong Kong is different from one in USA, as I found out yesterday (26th). There, it is formal, here merely three people wear a jacket, including the hosts and I. I tried frantically to call last minute for advice, to which a friend texted in reply, "Dark color is OK." Here, the funeral service and the graveside service are on separate days, there the graveside service commences immediately after the funeral service. I had to take two roundtrips by ferry to Hong Kong for that day but decided to take one on train instead because of the choppy waters, which makes me wonder how Wife survives all the traveling.
I wanted to speak on Ephesians 5 for Mother's day in one church but Wife said women dislike the passage on submission, yet I was determined to do it. Surprisingly the Lord calmly moved me today (28th)to change it to Hannah's story. When I told Wife she said she did not want to convince me to change to another text even though she had Hannah in mind.
This is my second day in Macau due to a public holiday today (5th). I traveled yesterday after school, hoping to catch the regular 630p ferry but Chinese tourists have reserved all the seats, so I had to settle for the 645p ferry. Wife and her sister had booked a place at our favorite Italian restaurant at the mall but the food was not as good as before. My favorite breakfast cafeteria Savory was closed for the holiday but lunch more than made up for it. We went to Fernando for the first time and enjoyed good roasted pig, quail and salad for lunch. No wonder it is such a popular tourist hot spot, with a line forming before its noon opening. At night we had buffet at Royal Kitchen by the new Yaohan. The food was good, including sashimi, but we could not take in much. Tomorrow I will head straight to church from Macau for 10a training, the second time round for a smaller group of seven this time, unlike the 12 last time.
My heart was burdened yesterday (6th) by the weight pastors have to bear in ministry, but today a chapel speaker inspired me with the same principles I have always believed about ministry: serve God and not men, dwell on the positive and not the negative, faced them with grace and not the gripe.
We were talking tonight (8th) about what to eat when we get back to Los Angeles in August. Both agree on CHeesecake Factiry, Wife's list has Savoy Hainan Chicken, I have Buca di Beppo and Sushi Gen. It's been so long we forgot Buca's name for three days.
My wife made a classical statement today (9th) when looking at the latest real estate flyer in our box: "Flipping homes is better than going to work (抄樓後過返工)." Yes, homes are that pricey in Hong Kong. A less than 700 sq ft house in Ma Wan sells for HK$350,000.00
For the last two days sleep a struggle. I woke up at 3a yesterday, and 5a this morning (14th). The night before was probably due a night class but I have been thinking about my future. What do I do best? How do I fit in? Why am I uneasy? These are the things I have to work on these few weeks. By July I would have earned three precious years of working experience in Hong Kong, which allows me to have a better perspective of things.
Since its opening this month, Wife exclaimed about how refreshing it is to swim in the outdoor pool, which she tried once, after which she said she could never leave Ma Wan, so today (16th) I joined her. The weather was perfect, 80 F. I didn't feel the sun over my head. We enjoy the pre-study today, and Wife volunteered to teach the next two lessons as well since she had done it with her students.
Yesterday night was stuffy and murky, so we turned on the a/c unit in the miiddle of the night (3 am) for the first time (17th) this year. I drew the curtains to dim the lights beaming into our apratment, waking both of us at the same time. The morning sun in spring might have contributed to my lack of sleep. Rain, for no reason, poured and dampened the island in the afternoon.
I am looking forward to attending Good Friday service for a change tomorrow (22th) instead of leading one, which was what I was doing for the last two years here. My close friend from USA came by to visit two days ago, and Wife's close friend from Canada will visit on Sunday. We had a good cry. It is always good to see old friends, a benefit we do not have presently due our short history here. Speaking of friends, a quiet day at work makes me dull and the day long, so I prefer to talk and share than sit in an office the whole day without much verbal conversation and stimulation.
It has been a good day today (23rd) even though Wife struggled with the gloomy weather. We went to the Starbucks at TST's I-Square for the first time since it opened last year. The seats were very modern and the view overlooking Nathan Road is fantastic. Slightly before noon, we had lunch at a hamburger restaurant there, which was better than we thought. In the afternoon we napped and then swam before we headed to Sai Wan Ho for dinner with relatives. Wife's brother-in-law, who has not accepted the Lord, gave me the best compliment for a long time when he said my evangelistic sermon a month ago was not boring! Naturally, I paid for dinner in exhcnage for such kind words and also to treat her sister in San Diego who has returned to visit.
My eyes have switched from seeing a roach to a fly in the last few days, so there must be something wrong with my eyes. I consulted my brother-in-law but my symptoms are not as bad as his when he saw black patches and plenty of flies. Yesterday I started sniffing from a long day at church, but I am not sure if it caused by allergies or tiredness. There is a funeral to attend maybe today (25th) or tomorrow, my first in Hong Kong.
Attending a funeral in Hong Kong is different from one in USA, as I found out yesterday (26th). There, it is formal, here merely three people wear a jacket, including the hosts and I. I tried frantically to call last minute for advice, to which a friend texted in reply, "Dark color is OK." Here, the funeral service and the graveside service are on separate days, there the graveside service commences immediately after the funeral service. I had to take two roundtrips by ferry to Hong Kong for that day but decided to take one on train instead because of the choppy waters, which makes me wonder how Wife survives all the traveling.
I wanted to speak on Ephesians 5 for Mother's day in one church but Wife said women dislike the passage on submission, yet I was determined to do it. Surprisingly the Lord calmly moved me today (28th)to change it to Hannah's story. When I told Wife she said she did not want to convince me to change to another text even though she had Hannah in mind.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Busy Bee, Mar 2011
I cannot believe the number of invitations I have been getting exactly these past two weeks - four, including one today (1st). I am scheduled to speak this Friday(4th)at a couples fellowship, next Saturday at an evangelistic meeting, a day retreat in May (10th)on 2 Peter 1 and now a speaking engagement in late May. I was nervous at first but now I do not have time for that, so I am going to take things one talk at a time. Many things are on my mind, including my sibling's immigration status and my coming domicile. We have bought tickets to fly to Los Angeles at the end of July. Like Wife said, these opportunities do not exist in L.A.
Yesterday's talk (4th) turned out better than I thought even though Wife said I did better previously on the same message. All my nervousness of speaking to believers were gone as soon as I realized I will have to face unbelievers next week. Today we had a good night walk at Ma Wan, thinking about the last two and a half years in Hong Kong, and how we are at the crossroads again, with her health and my domicile returning us to the starting point. Also, I am reminded I am still an outsider as I will not get the HK$6,000 rebate from the government's surplus that is promised to all locals. In fact we are glad some doors are closed so we that can look for new ones.
I woke up this morning (8th) from a dream which reflects my anxiety over speaking at this Saturday's evangelistic meeting. The venue was no longer before a packed auditorium, but a car port garage, so I am happy. I just finished putting the bilingual sermon together today. I hope my Cantonese is up to par. Just last week, I bought a bottle of conditioner instead of a shampoo, which goes to show my Chinese is not there yet. Hong Kong people are still very superstitious. The attendant at the apartment I rented told me today that my neighbor complained that I was hanging a frying pan by my kitchen window, bringing bad luck to her.
For the last few days I have been swimming seven laps after work, which is a big step for me. Yesterday (11th) I started working on my next given passage- Luke 4:15. It is a hard passage, so I am praying for a miracle. Today (12th) I managed to recover from the shock of a receiving a difficult passage. The preparation for the first part/point went well. I have more than two weeks to go.
Wife said the evangelistic message (12th) and all went well: my Cantonese, voice tone and appearance. Her brother-in-law attended and two people accepted Christ. Wife was my biggest fan last night. She said the preaching was a landmark in my ministry and the first time she felt my sermon was that good and I have earned the right to do whatever I want in ministry. On top of that, she was happiest that I was able to cook dinner, boil her herbal medicine and paid attention to her tiredness after her long travel home yesterday morning - all before attending the service. I was hardly nervous in the afternoon while Wife couldn't walk or sit straight. I stumbled for a few opening seconds but was at ease throughout, except I exceeded 20 mins. by 5 mins. I was told a night before to reduce it to 20 minutes but the message was already done by then. Wife shares her perspective.
Today (17th) my heart is heavy because it is the first anniversary of Doris' operation for cancer. I wrote a prayer for her. At this time last year, I rushed back from Taiwan, where I was teaching midway through a class, to be with her in the morning, but she did not come out of the operation table till evening. It was tough to see her crushed body for the month or so in recovery. Our lives have certainly changed since that day, but her struggle is even greater. Here is her reflection. Things will be more challenging in the future, but I am sure God knows things ahead better than us.
I wrote a prayer (17th) for Wife a year after her surgery, but she thought I copied it from the internet, only to say "Wow, now it is different" when she knew it was an original:
"It was a year to forget
But as you remember one year ago today,
May the Lord...
attend your need
bless your health
carry your burden
delight your day
ease your mind
free your chains
grant you peace
heal your body
impart you strength
keep you focused
lighten your load
mend your hurt
nurse your wound
order your life
quiet your struggle
restore your energy
scatter your weakness
toughen your character
uplift your soul
vindicate your pain
watch your step
x-ray your future
yoke to you
and
zap your darkness."
God’s presence be to you, with you and before you.
Hubby
It's been slow and sleepy going into the last week of the month. Today (26th) I couldn't keep awake in the morning even after coffee, so we decided to take a walk in our neighborhood park, where we spend more than an hour sitting and talking about our dreams and plans for the future in ministry. I hope to have a small vacation with Wife at the end of the month before returning to the States at the end of July to check on my domicile requirements. At night we took another walk before the winds made Wife give up.
Today (27th) we had wonton noodles for lunch at TY after worship - HK$97 for 2 combos and one drink. It was more satisfying than the last time I was there. On the way home Wife wanted to buy a MX mini-Mango cake, with four servings, but I offered to buy the chocolate cake instead, and that she would have to pay for the Mango cake since we already had one last week. She asked for the price and the salesperson said HK$88 or HK$68 with a Standard Chartered credit card. She balked at the $20 difference, so I bought three various pieces at our regular store for a total of HK$42, a 50% savings. We enjoyed the chocolate cake, mango cake and chestnut cake at home.
I was emotional today (30th) visiting my former colleague Jon Hon, whose nervous system fell apart nearly a year ago. Hon was supposed to live till September last year, but he persisted to the present. He has two daughters still in high school. God alone knows what the future is in store for him and his family. He could not talk, but when he laughed, he did with all his heart, which showed on his brightened face. My tears brought tears to his eyes as we prayed. It has been months since my last visit and so today was the best time since I did not have class with the young ministers at church. After that I went out for lunch with a student and checked on another minister in the afternnon at Tai Koo. In the afternoon tears welled in my eyes again, thinking of a minister who was fighting depression. Ministry is never easy.
Yesterday's talk (4th) turned out better than I thought even though Wife said I did better previously on the same message. All my nervousness of speaking to believers were gone as soon as I realized I will have to face unbelievers next week. Today we had a good night walk at Ma Wan, thinking about the last two and a half years in Hong Kong, and how we are at the crossroads again, with her health and my domicile returning us to the starting point. Also, I am reminded I am still an outsider as I will not get the HK$6,000 rebate from the government's surplus that is promised to all locals. In fact we are glad some doors are closed so we that can look for new ones.
I woke up this morning (8th) from a dream which reflects my anxiety over speaking at this Saturday's evangelistic meeting. The venue was no longer before a packed auditorium, but a car port garage, so I am happy. I just finished putting the bilingual sermon together today. I hope my Cantonese is up to par. Just last week, I bought a bottle of conditioner instead of a shampoo, which goes to show my Chinese is not there yet. Hong Kong people are still very superstitious. The attendant at the apartment I rented told me today that my neighbor complained that I was hanging a frying pan by my kitchen window, bringing bad luck to her.
For the last few days I have been swimming seven laps after work, which is a big step for me. Yesterday (11th) I started working on my next given passage- Luke 4:15. It is a hard passage, so I am praying for a miracle. Today (12th) I managed to recover from the shock of a receiving a difficult passage. The preparation for the first part/point went well. I have more than two weeks to go.
Wife said the evangelistic message (12th) and all went well: my Cantonese, voice tone and appearance. Her brother-in-law attended and two people accepted Christ. Wife was my biggest fan last night. She said the preaching was a landmark in my ministry and the first time she felt my sermon was that good and I have earned the right to do whatever I want in ministry. On top of that, she was happiest that I was able to cook dinner, boil her herbal medicine and paid attention to her tiredness after her long travel home yesterday morning - all before attending the service. I was hardly nervous in the afternoon while Wife couldn't walk or sit straight. I stumbled for a few opening seconds but was at ease throughout, except I exceeded 20 mins. by 5 mins. I was told a night before to reduce it to 20 minutes but the message was already done by then. Wife shares her perspective.
Today (17th) my heart is heavy because it is the first anniversary of Doris' operation for cancer. I wrote a prayer for her. At this time last year, I rushed back from Taiwan, where I was teaching midway through a class, to be with her in the morning, but she did not come out of the operation table till evening. It was tough to see her crushed body for the month or so in recovery. Our lives have certainly changed since that day, but her struggle is even greater. Here is her reflection. Things will be more challenging in the future, but I am sure God knows things ahead better than us.
I wrote a prayer (17th) for Wife a year after her surgery, but she thought I copied it from the internet, only to say "Wow, now it is different" when she knew it was an original:
"It was a year to forget
But as you remember one year ago today,
May the Lord...
attend your need
bless your health
carry your burden
delight your day
ease your mind
free your chains
grant you peace
heal your body
impart you strength
keep you focused
lighten your load
mend your hurt
nurse your wound
order your life
quiet your struggle
restore your energy
scatter your weakness
toughen your character
uplift your soul
vindicate your pain
watch your step
x-ray your future
yoke to you
and
zap your darkness."
God’s presence be to you, with you and before you.
Hubby
It's been slow and sleepy going into the last week of the month. Today (26th) I couldn't keep awake in the morning even after coffee, so we decided to take a walk in our neighborhood park, where we spend more than an hour sitting and talking about our dreams and plans for the future in ministry. I hope to have a small vacation with Wife at the end of the month before returning to the States at the end of July to check on my domicile requirements. At night we took another walk before the winds made Wife give up.
Today (27th) we had wonton noodles for lunch at TY after worship - HK$97 for 2 combos and one drink. It was more satisfying than the last time I was there. On the way home Wife wanted to buy a MX mini-Mango cake, with four servings, but I offered to buy the chocolate cake instead, and that she would have to pay for the Mango cake since we already had one last week. She asked for the price and the salesperson said HK$88 or HK$68 with a Standard Chartered credit card. She balked at the $20 difference, so I bought three various pieces at our regular store for a total of HK$42, a 50% savings. We enjoyed the chocolate cake, mango cake and chestnut cake at home.
I was emotional today (30th) visiting my former colleague Jon Hon, whose nervous system fell apart nearly a year ago. Hon was supposed to live till September last year, but he persisted to the present. He has two daughters still in high school. God alone knows what the future is in store for him and his family. He could not talk, but when he laughed, he did with all his heart, which showed on his brightened face. My tears brought tears to his eyes as we prayed. It has been months since my last visit and so today was the best time since I did not have class with the young ministers at church. After that I went out for lunch with a student and checked on another minister in the afternnon at Tai Koo. In the afternoon tears welled in my eyes again, thinking of a minister who was fighting depression. Ministry is never easy.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chinese New Year, Feb 2011
On New Year's eve today (2nd) we had lunch with the young coworkers at church. They were excited to meet Wife for the first time and we were just as blessed by their presence. All laughed as they recalled how many interviews they had, usually five or six, before they were hired. Tomorrow we are heading to Macau, part of the visit was to help Wife to bring some teaching materials there. I expect to eat a lot there the next few days.
The new year began with swimming. Wife wore a new swimming suit. I wore a new vest getting out of town. It was an extremely busy day at the ferry with many folks unexpectedly getting out of town on the first day of Chinese New Year. We fell asleep on the ship but caught a local bus to the apartment. I was surprised today the Hong Kong queue is longer than the international line at Macau Customs. After two hours of sleep we headed to our favorite Italian restaurant by bus, but we could not get a seat because of the crowd. The replacement dinner at BF was average for the price, but the Gelato dessert from a stand was good. At night we could see Macau's fireworks in full display from the apartment.
My Macau New Year ended today (5th), highlighted by a big lunch at a posh Italian restaurant in one of the major hotels. By that time I was sick of eating, so I ate noodles for early dinner before I took a taxi to the ferry, putting myself on standby for the earlier 630p instead of 645p ferry home. I was the last five onto the boat. I got the ticket three days earlier, which was the last available ship home until next day's 5am morning ship. It was that packed over the new year. I think this may be my last new year in Macau.
Hng Kong has been cold lately. Nevertheless for two Saturdays now, including today
(19th) I have been swimming ten laps instead of the three laps last year that progressed to five this year. I felt fine; in fact, my pants are less tight, but it could be wishful thinking. The Chinese New Year has been good to me, so far I have been sticking closely to my plans and resolutions, including sleeping early. I have started to look for summer fights to Los Angeles to fulfill my domicile requirements and to see old friends. Pray that it will be quickly settled.
I was surprised to receive an invitation this week (24th) to speak at an evangelistic meeting on March 12, which I am not an expert at doing, but it is hard to turn down evangelism, so I am trying my best to prepare myself to face hundreds of people, expecting to convert some. The next two weeks is nervous time, that's for sure. On top of that I am not given much time since the event is 16 days away. I guess I am a standby. The advantage is I have less time to feel queasy.
The new year began with swimming. Wife wore a new swimming suit. I wore a new vest getting out of town. It was an extremely busy day at the ferry with many folks unexpectedly getting out of town on the first day of Chinese New Year. We fell asleep on the ship but caught a local bus to the apartment. I was surprised today the Hong Kong queue is longer than the international line at Macau Customs. After two hours of sleep we headed to our favorite Italian restaurant by bus, but we could not get a seat because of the crowd. The replacement dinner at BF was average for the price, but the Gelato dessert from a stand was good. At night we could see Macau's fireworks in full display from the apartment.
My Macau New Year ended today (5th), highlighted by a big lunch at a posh Italian restaurant in one of the major hotels. By that time I was sick of eating, so I ate noodles for early dinner before I took a taxi to the ferry, putting myself on standby for the earlier 630p instead of 645p ferry home. I was the last five onto the boat. I got the ticket three days earlier, which was the last available ship home until next day's 5am morning ship. It was that packed over the new year. I think this may be my last new year in Macau.
Hng Kong has been cold lately. Nevertheless for two Saturdays now, including today
(19th) I have been swimming ten laps instead of the three laps last year that progressed to five this year. I felt fine; in fact, my pants are less tight, but it could be wishful thinking. The Chinese New Year has been good to me, so far I have been sticking closely to my plans and resolutions, including sleeping early. I have started to look for summer fights to Los Angeles to fulfill my domicile requirements and to see old friends. Pray that it will be quickly settled.
I was surprised to receive an invitation this week (24th) to speak at an evangelistic meeting on March 12, which I am not an expert at doing, but it is hard to turn down evangelism, so I am trying my best to prepare myself to face hundreds of people, expecting to convert some. The next two weeks is nervous time, that's for sure. On top of that I am not given much time since the event is 16 days away. I guess I am a standby. The advantage is I have less time to feel queasy.
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