Newsletter 1

I have arrived safe and sound in Hong Kong. The first few days were spent adjusting from the Jet Lag, I'm not sure if I am completely over it yet or not...I am still waking up pretty early. Even before my alarm.

I have started my apartment search. Apartment searching here is different than the states. Every apartment/flat is individually owned, so you work with a realtor to see some places. But unlike the US where realtors have access to other company's listings and can show you various areas of town, the realtors here have a certain area of town and only their company's listings to show. So this makes looking for a place very difficult. Luckily, some of the local teachers have been helping me. I had tried to do some apartment searching online prior to my move, but unfortunately I didn't realize that most of the prices listed online are not inclusive of all the costs (building management fee and a government rate the renter has to pay), so I am finding they are more expensive than I thought. This is going to mean a tighter budget for me, but I know with God's help, my money can stretch to make this adjustment. I am also finding that they are smaller than I thought, apparently they include space from the elevator lobby in the size listed for the apartment. Also they all need a good cleaning. (Mom do you want to come help) Another part of the process that is different is that you negotiate the rent with the landlord through your realtor. So I have put an offer on a place and I'm waiting to hear back from the realtor. –(In between writing this and sending it, I got a call from the realtor. The landlord won't accept my offer. So I am back to square one with looking at flats)

School starts this coming Monday, I'm excited about getting started and meeting the students. Since I was just here in July on the mission trip, I was able to meet some of the students I will be teaching. It will be great to reconnect with them. It is also going to be great to reconnect with students from when I lived here before. I actually went to the grocery this afternoon to get my dinner and ran into one of my old students. It was so great to see May again. We exchanged numbers and will be getting together next week for dinner.

Thank you all for your prayers and support, I really appreciate them.

Praises:

• Safe travel to Hong Kong


• Helpful colleagues to help with adjustment

Prayer Requests:

• Staying on a tight budget


• Finding an apartment


• Adjusting to teaching


• Connecting with Students