OUR RETURN TO HONG KONG…

It is hard to believe our year of US/PR assignment is already over. It went by so fast. It was fun meeting so many new people this past year. It means so much when we get a chance to personally meet folks who have been praying for us and have been supporting our work here in Hong Kong. We are so impressed by people who pray faithfully for our co-workers and partners. These prayers are such a blessing. We are only sorry that there were people we didn't get to see and share our ministry with. I guess more people will just have to come to Hong Kong and see first hand how things are going.

We are happy to be back and reconnect with our partners and friends. People in Hong Kong are always on the move. We return knowing three co-workers have moved on to other positions. We look forward to seeing how God is continuing to work in Hong Kong.

We wondered how Katelyn would respond to being back in Hong Kong. She loves it! She went to her room and said, “Is this my bed?” She has enjoyed having rice everyday and being able to eat some good Chinese barbeque pork. She even felt comfortable enough at the little snack shop across from our building to take money from customers and pass it own to the owners. Fortunately she didn't mind passing the money on!

Please let us hear from you. Our address in Hong Kong has not changed. Pray for us as we get settled. Pray as we make contact with our partners and see how we might best serve. Pray for Haven of Hope Hospital, Moon Lok Kindergarten and the Hong Kong Christian Institute.

YOU NEVER KNOW….

As some of you know we work with a few partner churches to run children and youth social service work. Recently, the Hong Kong Government has been trying to help young people become better prepared for work. The Labor Department established a Youth Pre-employment Training Program. Our social workers have been running some of these programs. We do not have enough space in our facility to run all of these programs so the social worker in charge contacted some churches to see if they would allow us to us their facility for some extra programs. One of the churches said they would allow this under one condition. The pastor and some church members wanted to have time in one session to introduce themselves and welcome the youth. They wanted to share about their faith. We of course agreed to this.

After one of the programs had been completed the pastor got a call from one of the young people. This young person was not a Christian but was going into the hospital to have surgery. He wondered if the pastor would pray for him during this time. The pastor agreed and was able to share about his faith. This was an exciting connection. Our dream that the social service programs would lead some of the youth to Jesus was coming true. This church offered love to the youth and at least one was touched. We never know how this programs might change a young person's life.

Please pray for all the staff of our social service units. Pray for the people we serve. And pray for the board of directors of this work as we go through a time of transition. We are working to develop a vision for this work.

SAD NEWS…

We were just feeling we had finally gotten over our jet-lag. We were feeling rested and pretty excited about the upcoming meetings we had scheduled when we got the call from Janine's sister. Their father had died suddenly in his sleep. What a shock. Joe had some health problems but at 70 he was still active and was not really complaining of anything. He died in his sleep.

We scrambled to find a flight back to the states to be with Janine's mom and family. Fortunately we found something the next morning and we were back with her mom a day later. While the family was stunned by the timing of Joe's death they were not worried about Joe. He had a strong faith. Seventeen years ago he had a heart attack and he liked to tell people he had been to the pearly gates and was ready whenever it was time to go back. As a tribute to Joe, the church was full of people who wanted to express their sympathy and grief over Joe's death.

Two things seemed to become clear about Joe as people shared their stories of Joe. He always had a positive spirit and he loved people. He never met a stranger, just someone he had not had a chance to tell some corny joke. Joe knew people from everywhere. He was respected by people from all walks of life.

Janine and Katelyn are spending a few extra days with Janine's Mom. Please keep the whole family in your prayers during this time.

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