Looking Back on our First Four Years...
We were told when we first arrived to Hong Kong that the only expectation for us during the first term was for us to learn Cantonese and develop some relationships with our ministry partners.  At first we wondered if those two expectations were enough for us.  But as we began our language study and began meeting people we realized maybe those expectations were too great.

Language Study

To say language study has been a challenge is an understatement.  As we struggled with the different tones and sounds, someone shared some comforting research with us.  For most westerners, learning Cantonese takes about seven times longer than it takes to learn Spanish or French.  So even after four years we have a long way to go. 

John has been preaching in Cantonese for a little over a year but it takes a long time to prepare and he can't deviate from his prepared remarks.  And he is always just a wrong tone away from making a mistake.  Most recently he was talking about his father.  He meant to say his father has been a barber his whole life but he actually said his father had been involved in illegal business his whole life.  Fortunately some people stopped him so he could correct his mistake. 

Janine has found many ways to practice her Cantonese with a group of mom?s she has over to our home regularly for play group with Katelyn.  Often the conversations go beyond her understanding but she has found ways to communicate and laugh when she can't communicate.  Katelyn has provided her with many opportunities to stretch her language skills.

Relationships

Developing relationships with people is certainly not an exact science.  It is much easier to focus on tasks or the desire to "get things done."  One day we were at lunch with a pastor and he started sharing about "how" things get done in Hong Kong.  Basically he told us that we had a better chance of "getting things done" over a meal than we would if we made phone calls or sent letters out.  He was trying to help us see that relationships were "the way" to get things done.  This pastor's advice has been very helpful to us.

Janine has found this especially true the last six months.  During the first three and half years here she did have the opportunity to hold three clown training seminars but during the last six months after developing a closer relationship with one of our partners, she has held four seminars and has even helped organize a Clown Ministry fellowship.  She is excited about this new group and the possibilities for this group to now train others and multiply her efforts.

John has seen the fruit of relationships in the past couple of months as well.  After two and half years of gentle pushing and encouragement a kindergarten, two Children and Youth Centers, a reading/study room, three Churches and the Mission have merged into one cooperative agency.  Hopefully this will be a chance to more effectively use our resources and develop new joint ministries and services.

The opportunities seem to be just beginning.  Fortunately we can trust our partners here to continue these efforts and find news ways to express God's ministry in Hong Kong.  We are grateful we could share in God's work these past four years.

Home Assignment

It's hard to believe we have been in Hong Kong for four years.  Now it is time for our first home assignment.  We leave Hong Kong with many mixed emotions.   We do look forward to being able to spend time with our families and we look forward to the chance to visit with some of you.  However we just are beginning to develop some significant relationships here and we can now almost understand what people are saying to us. 

Pray for us as we make the transition back to the States.  Continue praying for the people of Hong Kong and China.  We do hope we can meet those of you who have written us and prayed for our work here.  We look forward to sharing with you.

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