Monday, December 5, 2011

Blessed, Dec 2011

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.