Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Year 4.12

Year 4.12 was worse than before, unimaginable! On Monday I visited old friends , the Mangs from USA, on the day of the infamous strike that paralyzed the mtr in the morning. I managed to find bus 73 to take me to Flower Street for my flowers before having lunch with them at their place and ending with 4pm coffee outside, where we saw the young black shirts gathering, with drums and all. The buses to the island were canceled by 8pm, so I took the Tsing Yi route.

Day two was back to work. I had the opportunity to take hk revival speaker Darrell Johnson for a tour around the church. He was very inspirational in preaching on the parables, especially Luke 15, peerless! We took a vote to see how the coworkers would respond to the march nearby. It was overwhelming support.

Wednesday was leaders prayer meeting where we run through all the possibilities before Sunday. Time was tight because preaching was due on Sunday. Night was chaotic because the police asked nearby businesses to close, thereby affecting revival broadcast, but it was fake news!

Day four I had an appointment with a chiropractor, followed by a foot massage. My legs are all messed up. At night on my free time I worked hard on Women book that will come out by Christmas!

On Friday I had most of my sermon ready but the pressure was too much, so I “gave myself a treat,” Doris’ favorite line! I went for a double order of Taiwanese rice and noodles for one price - half proportion each!

Day six’s fellowship small talk was inseparable from hk unrest. Mainlanders typically shy away from the hk side. I was glad to have dinner at our regular place, but even food was so so.

Sunday sermon was smooth but I had to cry my heart out because the first song touched me. I thought I was sleepy but it was the emotions bottled up. At noon we guarded doors as protesters walked by and closed them by the time the troops arrived. Praise God my birthday dinner was canceled because Kwai Fong was a war zone by night!

Here’s praying for a better week!


August 13, 2018

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Year 4.11

Year 4.11 was rough in hk. On Monday I spoke at book exhibition. After lunch I went to my chiropractor to check on my back. After that I met Karl who wants to do a book on Ecclesiastes with me. His notes were good.

Day two was coworkers home gathering and I was assigned to infamous Yuen Long. The meeting was great and I had lots of fun. Later a few of us returned to our work at the office.

On Wednesday was our wedding anniversary, so I had lunch with buddy, Bei, frank, David and Loh. All went home after because of the typhoon eight signal but I stayed for another hour. At night I got my illustrations collection done and finished translating 1 John 2.

On day four I met old friend Ronald for lunch. My last week with church interns was a happy one. They were so eager to learn, wanting to prolong the weeks.

On Friday I waited for book foreword but the person could not show up but called. Next I was anxious for a hastily arranged meeting with an outsider for a family squabble. It was the last night of vbs but I also attended the revival meetings.

Day six morning and night was hard on me. I shed tears for hk. One quote inspired me: no matter how long was the night, the morning will come.

On Sunday i had breakfast with East, then attended Indon worship after last week’s ten weeks of Sunday school. After lunch with youth I attended new senior pastor town hall meeting. Overall, too much happened in one week for anyone to digest half of it.

August 6, 2019

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Year 4.10

Year 4.10 in HK was two days of less violent protest. Monday was the occasion of 38 months of Doris’ loss. Naturally I shaved bald personally yesterday. I was invited to give a talk at Book Exhibition on my new book 職場契機 but the book event was not crowded due tensions.

Day two was lunch with seminary interns but it was long and tiring, so I left after one and a half hours because I need to rest before the next meeting half hour away. Our loss group was canceled because of Yuen Long revenge rumors.

Wednesday leaders meeting was ok but we skipped lunch because time was precious due Sunday sermon. Anyway I wasn’t a happier camper with Some. The proposed newsletter was nothing but inviting trouble.

Day four was special meeting Clement for lunch. I could swear he was making friends like me when I was younger. I had another good time with interns. At evening I went for foot massage.

On Friday I was rushed for sermon time but I still had to attend Friday language meeting. The sermon was getting into shape, praise God with the last revision on ppt needed.

Day six was meeting a students aunt at Tung Chung for breakfast before accompanying him to a hospital visit. Later we had high tea before fellowship and attended Saturday worship after fellowship, plus chicken nuggets for snack. The day’s protest was making me nervous.

On Sunday I woke up stressed about HK and YF events besides having to teach Sunday school and preach. I rested half an hour before I delivered one of my best sermons - on Acts 16. At night we had Vietnamese food before we did more study at the library. I was very happy I have dug out all my illustrations from my old books to hopefully get it published.

July 30, 2019

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Year 4.9

Year 4.9 in HK could not get any crazier. The week was quiet because buddy was on holiday. On Monday I returned to my chiropractor for treatment on my feet. It’s been getting harder walking with the high humidity.

Day two was a busy day getting ready for next week’s preaching. I’m also collecting all the illustrations in my old books to put it into a new pdf book to help pastors even though it’s not a popular book to sell.

Wednesday was a long leaders meeting into the night, longest ever for me sleeping at 2am. I tried my best to speak up and make a difference but it was an uphill turnover issue from the start. I’m trying my best to learn how to advocate for others.

Day four was seminary student training day. They have learned a lot for two short weeks. After work I had massage for my feet, the second time in a week. I still have Sunday school to prepare.

On Friday I had lunch with a leader. The topics range from present decisions to future leadership. A lot of things are happening in the city and church as well, so we need wisdom and unity. I fell better but things will catch me up to me later.

On Saturday we had a good breakfast at home before I headed off to work. At night fellowship had family gathering and I finished off the seven wings that were left on the table. Two wanted me to join dinner but best to give others space.

Sunday was a good Sunday class as usual. In the afternoon I attended the memo and article meeting for half an hour. At night we had hainan chicken in a new restaurant for dinner. I slept before hearing the terror of the white shirt men in Yuen Long.

July 26, 2019

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Year 4.8

Year 4.8 is more shocking than ever in hk. On Monday I visited a new chiropractor Enoch who was a former member. He’s very knowledgeable but has too many clients. The night for the week was with two in town for a course.

Day two was a happy occasion meeting with an old student who brought his staff to meet me. After coworkers meeting was tea with division coworkers. We are a small division but it helps for closeness and support.

Wednesday morning was a four and a half hours of meeting that got nowhere except for more maneuvering and masterminding. The follow up emails were worse and discouraging at worse.

On Day four I have an early 11am chiropractor appointment nearby. The day was fast moving when I taught eight summer interns on grammar bible for the first time. The first meeting went well.

Friday was lunch with buddy, Bei on her first work day and Mo for buddy’s birthday. Of course as the elder I paid for lunch. At night we joined Fath for dinner but I did not join fellowship.

Day six was Lui’s political talk, followed by department lunch, which I almost forgot. At night was big group but I joined just the latter part. I had the chance to look at two homework, which was finally completed.

Sunday school was a good session. A volunteer Kan will help me box verbs for OT Minor Prophets for Grammar Bible. Worship speaker Clement was a promising dts grad. In the afternoon S invited me for drinks, convincing me to support new bill. For dinner I had hainan chicken, which was good but expensive.

July 16, 2019

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Year 4.7

Year 4.7  was another volatile week in hk. Monday was the fiercest not seen for the longest time in the city. May God have mercy. At night we had dinner in Shatin with the Lais, who are in town teaching a class in MOS.

Day two was a tired working day. Most coworkers remember my discouraging question on how much time is needed to brief us about an upcoming SS class. We had a small group but a group member was emotional that day - can’t blame him though.

Wednesday was leaders prayer followed by a good lunch with English staff. I attended the language prayer meeting too. At night the turnover meeting was better than before. The gap has narrowed, but placement is not easy.

Day four was my second dream since I returned from USA. This time Doris was busy vacuuming a brownish carpet with sweat dripping from the nose, so I offered to take over. It was one of those USA apartments. I the morning I had another chiropractor meeting but at least it was nearby office. I taught a new coworker basic training after I found out the date was wrong.

On Friday I had lunch with Edward who’s volunteered to help me with my new and more ambitious Bible project. In the meantime I have more or less finished the OT Grammar Bible up to Isaiah!

Day six core meeting was long though I cannot fault my coworker for his zeal. I had lunch with coworker who had questions to ask, but he was sympathetic to another coworkers’ plight.

Sunday was very busy. Besides teaching Sunday I had to conduct lord’s supper in English. After church I met two former students, then took Jeffield for lunch on his birthday. Later after cults topic we, the Chungs included, went to Tsuen wan for dinner and ate a lot. The rest of the night was working on OT Grammar Bible.

July 9, 2019

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Year 4.6

Year 4.6 was missions into farmland. On Monday we started class at 9 am four hours in the morning and four and a half in the afternoon so that I can leave earlier on Friday. Bathroom was open air like eight years ago! I was happily surprised a student I taught eight years ago paid an unexpected visit and took us out for dinner.

On day two the students got the hang of Grammar Bible except for one that was hard to crack. The musician of the class took us out for dinner and two sang opera with them.

On Wednesday after class we were dropped off at a mall for dinner and we took an old man’s unofficial taxi for $20. At least our expenditure cannot be officially tracked and the night was not fully dark yet to travel on the dirt road.

Day four marked the end of revising Genesis to 2 Samuel Grammar Bible. Night was the return of my former student who took us to eat hotpot stew, different from the usual hotpot. The canteen food meanwhile was unbearable. As usual we had dessert after dinner, this time helping my student to teach a seminary course on Mark. We did up to chapter three.

On Friday the seventeen students had the opportunity to preach in a team lineup. It went pretty well and we were done by 11am as we head to the airport. At the airport we had Burger King and dumplings. At the border we had dinner with his dad. They were very happy. I reached home at 1120pm.

The next day was early morning shift but I was ready. I caught up to a whole week’s work, including rehearsing with English pastor for his first sermon tomorrow and preparing for the SS lesson tomorrow. At night I got to see Fantastic Four on TV.

The SS class was a blast the next day, the best for the worst preparation! English coworker did a good job on his first message. I attended parts of pth youth badminton games. At night I was by myself so I ate delightfully to compensate for lack of company. Altogether it was a great week although I hesitated to go for theological missions initially, but I do not want to regret not going.

July 2, 2019

Friday, June 28, 2019

Year 4.5

Year 4.5 was preparation for a sermon and a trip. On Monday I mindlessly dashed off to a Chinese chiropractor appointment on the wrong  day but at least I had more time with Frank and Peter instead on the island. After lunch we went for a slow walk and had coffee before we parted. Paul L was in hk but he was sick, so I did not have to show him around.

Day two and my last western chiropractor appointment was canceled because of the turnover meeting. It did not go well, so I’m obliged to take the small window of opportunity to turn things around and turn the tide at the next big meeting. The bar is impossible to scale on the both sides.

On Wednesday buddy and I had a short dinner with our two division associates, followed by leaders meeting that ended close to midnight. Sleeping was difficult but I managed to sleep before 1am to avoid getting drowsy next day.

Day four was a change from the usual lunch. A former USA church member Lawrence was in town for missions, teaching Sunday school to immigrant children. He also brought goodies that I cannot finish on my own.

On Friday some called me for lunch to make me change my mind but it did not work. I did not want to stay too long, so I opted for a hair cut to prepare for next day. Later a 50 something seminary grad asked me for advice for graduation from his liberal seminary lately. I did the best I could and gave him my latest book. At night I had dinner with Faith and attended the first part of fellowship, where S requested me to hurry others on correcting minutes.

Day six is the monthly anniversary of Doris’ loss. It’s been three years and one month since. I got her flowers yesterday. I had lunch with buddy before he attended C seminary graduation.

Sunday was packed. Besides teaching SS I preached on Acts 11, a delightful text on persecution. After worship I dashed off to catch an earlier bus to the airport. The transit was not as bad as I thought and landed 1130pm. My contact was a former student, to my surprise. Alls well in NW and looking forward to the week of teaching ahead.

June 25, 2019

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Year 4.4

Year 4.4 is as dramatic as it comes in Hong Kong. Monday was a rest day but I visited the wrong chiropractor appointment on my calendar. It was not all wasted because I got Vietnamese food for lunch. I also had high tea at the pier with two. At least I got some ready after yesterday’s match.

Day two was a chiropractor appointment, this time the western type. Hopefully I can get these prepaid ten sessions done ASAP. At night there was a grand prayer for hk organized by the denomination at church. I introduced myself to kfefc pastor Lam, whom I met before.

On Wednesday leaders meeting we had to navigate a tricky turnover situation and I was one of three asked to look into it. At lunch I advocated for the dabu duo.

Day four was one of those days I had three health appointments, lunch chiropractor followed by western appointment at 4pm that I hearly missed and foot massage after work. At noon I was notified that I was officially a BI director. At night I finally finished rewriting my grammar bible corrections that were lost to my usb, twenty days later, not bad!

On Friday we had turnover lunch and the meeting was ok. Jon came and I took him for dinner and to the admiralty bridge for pictures.

Day six was another boring western chiropractor appointment. A coworker requested me to take over for him for two bible study sessions due his heavy funeral tasks. At night we left earlier for dinner.

Sunday was a good SS class almost spoiled by a late bus. After a short rest it was off to march again, this time it took four hours, double the last time. At night I was rewarded with a Father’s Day dinner.

June 18,2019

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Year 4.3

Year 4.3 was a contentious week in Hong Kong. Monday was spent tutoring the best I can. Otherwise I reworked on my lost grammar bible correction file and had a gruelling foot massage.

On day two I made an appointment to sign some papers but forgot. My memory is a bad comrade. We had our coworkers small group. A group member shared he had to conduct a funeral monthly for the last six months, which made me feel very bad for him.

On Wednesday I attended leaders prayer meeting and lunch, where I gave my few cents worth opinion on turnover. At language meeting an old wound emerged after months of stability. An old friend Gilbert asked if I were willing to teach a border class, but I got lots at stake, so I delayed my answer.

On day four I visited Chinese chiropractor for minimum relief but every bit helps. I met with coworkers for Acts 11 sermon the afternoon and later I talked with K on his upcoming sermon. At night I had dinner with Mok sisters and China son for the holiday tomorrow. We ordered Doris’ favorite winter melon soup.

Friday was a holiday, so we worked very hard on a leadership assignment. Progress is not easy but at least I napped twice. I’m not sure how we will manage to meet the deadlines.

Day six began with English core, then I had to go to chiropractor before returning to attend 2pm wedding. I had a drink with buddy and then attended briefly a family gathering.

Sunday was third SS class which was usually enjoyable.
After a brief breakfast and a return to the office it was off to worship. After a short rest I joined marchers to protest the bill. We went to Bon for dinner and returned home for work but things are crawling.

June 11, 2019