"Christmas and Clowns?"

When Kenny and Calwena invited 24 of their friends over to our house for a Christmas party, we were glad we could host them. This wasn?t the first time the group had been over to our house. A few months earlier Kenny and Calwena had asked if the group could use our home to cook a meal. We were excited about having them over and we enjoyed the opportunity to meet the friends and watch as "real" Chinese food was prepared. We were amazed at the preparation (10 people worked for 2 hours) that went into cooking the meal. It was fun to watch and even more fun to eat.

Kenny and Calwena?s friends all were students in an evening English language class a few years ago. Ever since the class, this group has taken trips together and enjoyed spending time together. They really enjoy preparing meals and eating together. Kenny and Calwena volunteered our home because we have enough room to accommodate the group. We have gotten to know Kenny and Calwena through our work at Shatin Swatow Baptist Church. Calwena is the church secretary there. We felt honored when our home was suggested.

Since the meal was a Christmas gathering, Calwena asked if we could share the Christmas story with the group. Not everyone in the group is a Christian and Calwena thought this might be a good opportunity to share the gospel. Kenny told John to be sure and make the story interesting, and be sensitive to the fact that some were not Christians. Kenny didn?t want anyone to feel uncomfortable or too pressured even though he and Calwena wish that all in the group can experience God?s love.

It didn?t take long for us to figure out what we should do. We could use "Brat" and "Logo" to share a Clown skit with the group. Clowns are not that common in Hong Kong so people are usually curious about clowns. Also sharing a clown skit is a good way to present the gospel. John created a skit on the true meaning of Christmas and thought it would work well for the group.

In Hong Kong many people know about Christmas but they usually associate Christmas with shopping and pretty decorations. More people would imagine a "Mickey Mouse" Christmas than would know about the birth of Jesus. The skit on the true meaning of Christmas introduces God?s gift of Jesus as the real meaning of Christmas. We decided this would be the best way to share the Gospel.

So after our meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, beef and broccoli, sweet and sour pork, chicken and fruit, we shared the skit. Many of the people had never seen a clown and they were fascinated. In fact after we shared the skit and sang some songs we spent the next hour having our picture taken with everyone two or three times!!!

It seemed to go well. We even have been invited by Kenny and Calwena to share the Easter story with the group in April. This time John can talk! It is exciting to be part of this group and be able to share our faith, along with Kenny and Calwena, to the group. It has meant a lot to see Kenny and Calwena?s desire to share their faith with their friends!

We have also been able to share our Clown Ministry many other times and hope soon to train clowns in some of the churches we work with. Please pray for "Brat" and "Logo" as they have opportunities to share the gospel as clowns. Pray for others who might be called to share this ministry. And pray for Kenny and Calwena as they share the gospel with their friends!!!

www.abmhk.org.hk  

As of February 1999 the Hong Kong Mission is on the Internet. A Web site has been created with information on missionaries, ministries and much more. Soon there will be a listing and information on our Swatow Baptist partners. Also there is some information on the many other groups we relate to in Hong Kong and China.

For those who have the ability to browse the Internet, this should be a great tool to share American Baptist?s work in Hong Kong. There is much more that will be added over time? but even now, you can get a general idea of what is going on in Hong Kong. Be the next visitor to this new resource!!!

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