A Typical Summer...
This summer we helped in one church's VBS, another church's summer English program and finally a summer camp for young adults.  Our summer probably wasn't much different from the summer many of you experienced.  Except for the fact that we have had these experiences in Hong Kong.  There's no grass to mow or walk barefoot in; most people live in high rise apartments and do not have a yard.  There's no playing hopscotch on the sidewalk; there's plenty of concrete but you can't write on it.  For most young people the summer involves shopping, sleeping and playing video games.  Does this sound familiar?

VBS

At Shatin Swatow Baptist Church the VBS theme was "God's Garden."  Most of the 35 children were from the church but there were also some children from the community around the church.  John was invited to be the Gardener for the VBS.  Each Day, during the morning celebration time, he talked with the children.  He shared with them that God loves them, just as a Gardener loves all the plants in the garden. 

English Class

John and Janine both helped Kwun Tong Swatow Baptist Church with a summer  English program for young people.  John and Janine served as the native English speakers during the 6 week program.  Twice a week, John and Janine helped the young people, teaching English usage and conversation.  Katelyn also helped entertain the youth a couple of times. 

One of the activities of the program designed to help the young people actually use their English was a religion survey.  The young people went to one of the tourist areas of Hong Kong and asked people questions about their religious belief.  The students had to use English to ask people about their religion.  They interviewed people from Europe, Australia and America.  This was a great experience for the young people.  Fortunately most of the tourists were willing to answer the questions.

The conclusion of the course was a food fair.  The students prepared food and sold the food in their "food court."  They used English as they described their food and tried to get people to buy the food.  Bargaining for a lower price was encouraged so the students could use more English in the process.  Janine offered some free cookies and treats that were shared with all who attended.

Young Adult Camp

We finished the summer helping at a Young Adult Camp.  The purpose of the camp was to talk about ways to deepen and strengthen relationships.  The main theme was forgiveness.  The campers were given a white handkerchief at the first session of the camp and told to keep the handkerchief with them all the time.  In the next to last session they were encouraged to see the handkerchiefs as symbols of the sin that had soiled their life.  They were invited to write their sins on the handkerchief and nail the handkerchief to a cross. 

At the last session the young people were reminded of God?s forgiveness.  Once again they looked at the cross.  But the cross was different, where their dirty handkerchiefs had once been nailed, now there was only a large piece of white fabric.  The white fabric represented God?s grace that had removed the stain of their sin.  They were given a piece of that fabric and encouraged to think about who or what they needed to forgive.

It was a powerful moment.  We were all reminded of the power of God?s Grace.  We were challenged to live that Grace in our lives as we try to forgive others.  We left the camp with a renewed desire to practice forgiveness and experience more fully what God has done for each one of us.  We have so much still to learn!!!  

CDTM
One of the ministries American Baptists support in Hong Kong is CDTM.  CDTM is a non-profit organization founded with a mission to serve drug addicts in Hong Kong and Asia. According to CDTM, ?Our main purpose is to establish anti-drug work in needy places, to train workers and to build up a network worldwide.?

CDTM had its beginning through the vision of Johnson Ngai of the Wu Oi Drug Rehab program.  Wu Oi was begun in 1973 by American Baptist Missionary Harold Schock and Johnson Ngai.  While Wu Oi?s focus is Hong Kong, CDTM reaches outside of Hong Kong. 

The main focus of CDTM is in the Chinese city of Zengcheng.  Zengcheng is about 70 miles north of Hong Kong.  The population is 680,000, mostly involved in agriculture.  Zengcheng is known for producing some of the best Lychee (similar to a grape) in China.

A community services license was granted by the Ministry of Civil Administration in 1996 and the Zengcheng Anti-drug Education and Community Services Center began operation in February, 1997.

In June 2000, the government granted a license for CDTM to run a drug rehab program on a donated farm outside of Zengcheng.  The government is aware that the staff are all Christians and that CDTM is a Christian organization.  Staff members will be able to share their faith with the drug addicts throughout the program.

CDTM needs our prayers as they recruit the staff to run the new rehab program and find the funds to furnish the facility.  For as little as $21 you can supply a bed for the program.  Go to www.abmhk.org.hk to see more ways you can help CDTM.  Also visit CDTM,s web site www.cdtm.org.hk for more information.

Please pray for:

Hong Kong Students who face extreme pressure to do well

Staff and leaders of the Children and Youth Centers during a time of transition

Churches looking for new pastors.

CDTM as they begin the new drug rehab farm in Zengcheng

Janine and John as they continue to develop relationships and find new ministries

Janine and John as they continue to enjoy being new parents

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