Bible Study

I am leading a Bible Study on Thursdays at lunch for three Form 7 girls(seniors). All three are Christians but haven't really learned much about the stories in the Bible, so we are studying women of the Bible. We are also memorizing Bible Verses. As we learn them, I will post them here. (I will have a link on the side so you can quickly locate this post to see our bible Verses.)

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Ways to be a light in a dark world

When I was in College at Purdue, I was involved with an organization called Worldwide Discipleship Association. (WDA) The group was similar to Campus Crusade, but rather being focused on evangelism, WDA focused on discipling Christians. They wanted us to be Christians who after graduation could be lay leaders in our churches. There were many ways that we were discipled...Bible Studies, leading Bible Studies, Leadership meetings, weekend retreats and meeting one on one with a staff member.

One time in a leadership meeting we took a spiritual gifts test to find out exactly what our gifts are. Of course everyone's were different, yet we are all called to the same thing: Sharing God's love with people. One of the staff members Kevin Scott introduced us to a way to do it: Servant Evangelism. We would do service projects and when asked why were were doing it we would respond "just to show you God's love in a practical way." One of the ones we did that sticks out the most was on a Saturday morning we hit the big party area of town and knocked on people's doors asking if we could take out their trash for them. After collecting their bags of beer bottles, we gave them a card that told them why we were doing this and then if they had any questions to contact the number listed or come to one of our meetings. Everyone we connected with that day was shocked that we would do something like that. What an opening it gave us to share with others.

I have since realized that Servant Evangelism can also be called Life Evangelism. Living our lives to help others, to show them God's love for them. Since arriving in Hong Kong, I have been praying for my ministry with my students and have been a bit frustrated that it hasn't been developing as quickly as I like. But this last week or so, God has shown me ways that I can be ministering, but instead to the community I live in.

• My apartment doesn't have a washing machine, nor does my building. I was frustrated about this considering that they are not cheap to buy and then I would have to pay someone to install it. Of course I needed to get my laundry done in the mean time and so down the street about a block is a little laundry shop. I took my clothes down, dropped them off, tried to communicate to them that I wouldn't pick them up that evening but rather would the next day. I got my clothes the next day and didn't really think anything more about it until 3-4 days later. I was walking early in the morning to train and I see a man walking towards me with a great big smile on his face and he waved at me. I realized it was the laundry man. He recognized me (well ok, I do stick out a bit). I realized at that moment, that my lack of a washing machine was all part of God's plan. If I had a washing machine, I probably would never meet this man. Now,anytime he is at the front of his store and I walk by we wave. I visit his store about every 1-2 weeks to do laundry and even though we can't communicate very well, I am able to be a light. I'm planning on having one of the teachers at school help me with a Christmas card to him written in Chinese.
• Another person who I have come into contact with on my way to school is a Domestic Helper and the little boy she watches. Everyday I see them waiting for his school bus as I am walking to the train. These past few days I have gotten a smile back from her.
• The security staff in my building
• The workers at the 7-11
• The two old men I see every Thursday night on my way home from Bible Study
• The ladies at the salon around the corner

Please pray for me as I shine God's light in these peoples lives. Pray that my own being wouldn't get in the way and cast a shadow.

US Military

USS Essex

There is an organization in Hong Kong called the American Women's Association (AWA), I have connected with them and have joined a program they do called "Meals in the Home." This program is to offer a meal to some of the sailors who come to port here. I thought this is the least that I could do as a thanks for what they do for our country. This weekend a ship came into port. Since my place is pretty small, I decided to take them out for dinner for... nope not Chinese food, rather, I took them out for Italian. I was supposed to host 3 sailors, but one (Tom) ended up changing duty times with another sailor and so he couldn't join us. So I took Diane and Gary out. On Sunday when I met them at the Pier, Tom was on duty, so I was able to meet him as well. After dinner I took them to a night market and then down to the peninsula side of the harbor. As you think about it, say a prayer for our service men and women. These guys have been away from their home port and families for the last 8 months and still have about 2 months on this tour.

Gary

Diane

Tom

After school on Monday I went down to the pier again and Gary took me on a tour of ship. What an amazing thing. The pictures below are of my tour on the ship.

Hallway on Board

Longer hallway on board

One of the boats that the USS Essex carries on board.
You can see by the size of the boat compared to me, and this is inside the Essex, the Essex was huge.

One of the many helicopters on board

Transportation in HK

The main way that I travel around in Hong Kong is by the MTR (subway) I live in between the Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei stations so I can easily walk to either one. I was recently shown this video about the MTR and thought you might want to see it. First is the song about all the stations names and then there are some added bits. These are the sounds of the MTR...The announcements that are spoken at every stop. The announcements are said first in Cantonese then in Mandarin and then in English. ENJOY!!!

Friends

As I mention friends on here, I will hope to have a pic of them so you can see them. I will also make a link on the side to this page so you can easily refer back to the pics.

Nikelle and Stuart
Nikelle and I lived together when I lived here before. They were nice enough to let me live with them for the first 5+ weeks that I was in HK and also paid for a lot of food for me and drove me places in their car.

Teachers

Here are pictures of some of the teachers with whom I work. (I will continue to add people's pictures here so I will add a link to this post on the side. If I mention someone in my blog, hopefully I will have a pic of them.)

Koey and I are cubicle mates. She teaches English.

Natalia sits on my the other side of my cubicle wall.
This is her first year at this school and she teaches English.

Mr. Tom (his sir name is Tom) when I lived here before he is the one who gave me my Chinese name. Kind of my adopted dad. (my dad's name is Tom)

Daphne is also an English Teacher. She takes great care of me.

May teaches English, too. She and I both love Fashion and enjoy spending time together.

Denise Jim (everyone calls her Jim) teaches English. She is the head of the F.3 Class English Lessons.

Newsletter 3

I am moved in!! Not yet settled in, but I have now slept 4 nights in my own place. Last Thursday IKEA delivered the last of my furniture that I had ordered (bed, wardrobes, and bookcase) and then on Saturday morning a moving company came and picked up my suitcases and boxes from Nikelle's place and delivered them and me to my apartment. I spent the rest of the day Saturday and Sunday afternoon trying to get organized. I have made quite a bit of progress but still have lots to do. Once, I get it done, I'll take pictures and post them so you can see my cute place.

Since my apartment is pretty small. I had to get a single bed and I am used to a double. The other night I almost fell out of bed 3 times. And I'm not sleeping well. I think I am subconsciously aware of the smaller bed and so I am not letting myself get a deep sleep. Please pray that I can let go of that and sleep deeply.

This past Saturday night, I went to a Singles Event from my church. It was a movie night... not really an easy way to meet people while you are watching a movie, but I was able to meet a few people. Hopefully, I will be able to connect with a good group of friends to have as a local support and encouragement. Also, I think I have found a small group Bible Study to be in. The study meets on Thursday nights. The entire church is going to be going through the study SHAPE (it's part of Purpose Driven Life Program).

School is really getting going now. Along with my classes during the school hours, I also am teaching 3 lunch classes a week and then every other week I am teaching 3 after school classes a week. I am also the advisor for the English Society which requires me to have committee meetings (lunch) and General group meetings (after school). During the fall, many students are preparing for the city-wide Speech Festival... I am also helping 6 students with their preparations for that. One lunch a week, I am leading a senior girls bible study. We are starting this week. I am excited about it. I have 3 girls and two of them were one's who went with us to Yunnan this past summer. (Jan and Connie)

So as you can see, I am pretty busy with school things. Please pray that my "job" won't keep me from ministry. I don't want to forget why God has me here. Pray that I will use all of these contact times with students to build relationships with them, not just be their teacher.

Prayer Requests:

1. Friends--for encouragement and support.
2. Sleep--I haven't slept well the past 4 nights.
3. Bible Study at lunch
4. Not let work hinder my ministry

Praises:

1. Moved into my new place.
2. Friends--I am meeting people.