December 1983.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

NEW CHAPELS DEDICATED

Ngau Chi Wan Chuk Yuen Chapel

Sunday afternoon, September 25th, was a very happy and joyous day for the people of the Chuk Yuen Chapel and their friends among the Swatow Baptist Churches here in Hong Kong. A service of praise and thanksgiving marked the opening of their new chapel facilities in the Ngau Chi Wan area of Hong Kong. The chapel was filled to overflowing as people joined their voices in heartily singing the hymns of dedication.

The opening ceremonies were the culmination of three years of prayer and searching for premises to continue their worship and outreach as a chapel. In early 1980 they had to vacate their former chapel building located in the Chuk Yuen area of Kowloon. The government resumed the land in the area in order to build large, high-rise housing estates to meet the critical need for more housing for the people of Hong Kong.

During these three years, the people have continued to meet in homes for Bible study and prayer, and have returned to the mother church, Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church for worship. However, they have kept their vision of being able to again have their own place of worship which would serve as their base for reaching out to others in the Name of Christ. Over the years they have saved and sacrificially given to a building fund. Now, with the generous help of the members of their ,'mother church" and the support of the American Baptist Mission, they have realized the fruition of their dream.

On each of the Sundays following the dedication ceremony, over 150 worshippers have attended services at the chapel. The Sunday School is already operating on a two-shift basis to accommodate all the young people wanting to study and learn from the Bible. The Chapel is already expanding as they have since purchased the apartment next to it and will remodel it for Sunday School classes as well as a pastor's living accommodations.

BROTHERLY LOVE CHAPEL

December 4, 1983, was the "red letter" day for the people of the Brotherly Love Chapel located in the Tsz Waa Shan area of Kowloon. That is the day they held services to mark the, opening of their new chapel facilities. It bad been obvious for several years that the membership of the Chapel had grown beyond the capacity of their premises located on the ground floor of a public housing estate. They have looked for more suitable facilities for some time, but had not been able to find any.

A part of what makes it possible for them to have these new facilities now is that "jitters" over the expiration of the lease in 1997 by which Britain holds much of Hong Kong from China, has caused property values to fall. This makes them more affordable for the people of the chapels and they are stepping out boldly to take advantage of this opportunity.

The new premises of the Chapel has over 4,000 square feet of space to be used for worship, classrooms and meeting rooms. They will also retain their old facilities which are located nearby where they will continue to hold classes and provide study areas for young people.

NEW WAN TAU HOM CHAPEL NEARING COMPLETION

The people of the Swatow Baptist Chapel in the Wan Tau Hom area have been meeting in facilities located on the rooftop of one of the original government housing estates for a number of years. As the government is in the process of and up-dating these estates, the Chapel will have to move.

Earlier this year, after much thought and prayer, the people made a downpayment on facilities to be located in a new building under construction. Over the past several, months, they have watched the building take shape and now see that it is g completion. In the early part of 1984 this will be done and they too will be able to begin their ministry in a new area.

This has indeed been a year of growth for the churches and chapels. They have not been timid in their response to God's call to "make disciples". The giving (m the part of the members of the Chapels has been generous, and they are supported and undergirded by the members of other Swatow Baptist Churches. It has been a privilege for the American Baptist Mission to encourage and assist them, giving approximately one-third of the financial cost of each of the three facilities. To God be the Glory!

EXPLORING AREAS FOR PLANTING NEW CHAPELS

The Division of Mission Outreach of Swatow Baptist Churches of Hong Kong has appointed a committee to seriously look into the possibilities of establishing chapels in three new areas of Hong Kong. The population of Hong Kong has been rapidly expanding and as a consequence large public housing estates are being built in formerly rural areas.

The Swatow Chinese, who come from a particular area of Southeastern China and who speak a distinctive dialect of the language, make up approximately 20% of the population of Hong Kong. As concentrations of these people are found in particular areas of Hong Kong, the Swatow Baptist Churches have sought to establish chapels and points of ministry. This has been done through the Swatow Baptists who are living in the area meeting together for Bible study and prayer, then seeking pastoral leadership and assistance from a 'mother church" to secure a place for worship and outreach.

Two of the three areas under consideration by the Division of Mission Outreach are located in the New Territories of the Kowloon peninsula. They are at Shatin and Tuen Muen, new towns where the government is building housing for several hundred thousand people, The other location is on Hong Kong island in the Chai Wan area.

All concerned are much in prayer about this now as God's Will and guidance are sought in this important endeavor.

ORDINATION OF ABRAHAM FONG

Pastor Fong is known for his effective program of home visitation, good preaching and Bible study, and his concern for individuals in his congregation. His ordination in an inspiring service was held on October 16, 1983, in the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church. Rev. Keith Tennis and Rev. Loren Noren were among the seven ministers who participated in the Ordination.

Abraham and his wife, Lily, are both third generation Christians. As a teenager, he had an amazingly clear call to prepare for the Ministry. In the situation in China in the 1960s, this seemed like a totally impossible dream! But God enabled him and a few Christian friends to find passage on a Chinese junk. After three days with little food or water and a constant threat of drowning in the torrential storm, the haggard refugees reached Hong Kong.

After study at Bethel Bible and Baptist Seminary, Abraham took charge of the Brotherly Love Swatow Baptist Chapel in Tsz Wan Shan where he and Lily are still serving a growing congregation. Lily is a Registered Nurse in Kowloon Hospital, having trained in Queen Elizabeth School of Nursing with advanced study in Australia. The Fongs have one son and one daughter.

DR. AND MRS. JAMES CHUCK

Dr. and Mrs. James Chuck are living in Hong Kong until the end of 1983. Dr. Chuck is the Senior Pastor at First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco, CA, where he has served for thirty years. At present he is on sabbatical, with plans to visit China before returning to San Francisco.

While in Hong Kong, Dr. Chuck is teaching at the Theology Division of the Chinese University, and at Hong Kong Baptist Seminary. He has led a training course for Chinese Baptist pastors, and has been the featured speaker at numerous churches.

James and Marie have been active participants in the American Baptist Mission fellowship in Hong Kong, effectively sharing their faith in Jesus Christ and their long experience in working with Chinese in urban setting. The Chucks say that they have learned much about the situation out of which many of their San Francisco church friends have come.

DIAMOND HILL CHRISTIAN CENTER

Over 200 children and young people shared the summer activities at the Diamond Hill Christian Center. A nominal enrollment fee made each one a member of the Center, where they could choose from among ten courses of study or interest group activities. Several special outings to factories, TV stations, etc. added excitement. One big birthday party feted the 28 children who had birthdays during the summer program. A Bible story presented through the use of puppets fascinated everyone.

Harold Schock, supervisor of the Center, reports that a Christmas Camp is the climax of the Fall program. The Center and the Homantin Swatow Baptist Church will work together in providing a fun and evangelistic experience for the 45 children attending the three-day camp. The young people of the church will also provide follow-up activities for those making a Christian commitment at the camp.

GRANT RECEIVED FOR NEW YOUTH CENTER

It has been a slow, step by step process to get approval of the various Hong Kong government departments, but all systems are now "go" for the new Shun Tin Christian Children and Youth Center. The Hong Kong government has just voted to release HK$807,000. (US$103,000.) of charitable funds to be used for the construction and furnishings of the Center. Contractors will be engaged to do the work so that the Center may be opened early in 1984.

The Rev. David Ngai has been employed as the Director of the Center. David, who had received an American Baptist scholarship, earlier this year received his Master of Divinity degree from Northern Baptist Seminary at Chicago, as well as a Master of Social Work degree from nearby George Williams College. Other staff has already been employed to assist him in making preparations for the opening of the Center.

A survey of the Shun Tin Housing Estates was conducted in order to ascertain the needs of the people living there. One of the chief needs expressed was for a library where students could have access to reference books and find a quiet place to study. A library will be a part of the new Center. A Christmas Fair will be held to introduce the people to the coming Center and its Christian emphasis.

This Center will be much larger than the other Centers to which our Mission has been related. It will be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of members of the various Swatow Baptist Churches as well as representatives of the American Baptist Mission. Keith Tennis and Loren Noren are presently on the Board.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR REV. LEE

Rev. C.T. Lee passed away in San Francisco, CA on March 27, 1983, Palm Sunday, following a six months illness. The funeral was held on April 3, Easter Sunday, at the Sunset View Cemetery Chapel, El Cerrito, CA. Rev. Chung Mo Yan, the present pastor of the Church in Kowloon where Pastor Lee served, was on study leave in Berkeley and participated in the funeral service.

On May 22, 1983, the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church where Pastor Lee served for over twenty years, held a Memorial Service. The church was filled, and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Koo and family were present. Mrs. Koo is one of the daughters of Rev. and Mrs. Lee. Rev. Joseph C.K. Yiu pastor of the church presided at the service and Rev. Loren Noren preached the sermon.

Rev. C.T. Lee served the Swatow ,speaking People in three different churches in Swatow, China; the Swatow Baptist Church in Singapore; and finally the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church in Hong Kong. Following his retirement in 1974, he continued serving in Hong Kong for several years until he and Mrs. Lee moved to San Francisco.

All their friends here extend to Mrs. Lee and her family deep condolences and join with them in Thanksgiving for "Pastor Lee's" long, beautiful, and effective life.

SHAUKIWAN CHURCH REMODELED

Creating a more beautiful church has been coupled with efforts toward church renewal in every aspect of congregational life in the Shaukiwan Swatow Baptist Church. Pastor Tsz and his wife Susan have worked with lay leaders toward recommitment and spiritual nurture through all the months of planning how to make the most of every square foot of their upstairs premises.

Chanse Kwok led in an inspiring service of rededication on November 6th. (Chanse is know to American Baptists as the delegate who represented Hong Kong at a Green Lake meeting of Baptist Council on World Mission). Loren Noren gave the morning message. Three joyful choirs included children, youth and women.

That same week a series of evening evangelistic services was particularly appropriate for new Christians.

SWATOW BAPTIST WOMEN

The Swatow Baptist Women's Association combined its annual Fall Retreat and Thanksgiving Service at Baptist Gardens Camp in November. Estelle Schock served as one of the leaders at the retreat. 230 women from the Swatow Churches and Chapels attended.

The total offering that day was given to help the Chuk Yuen Chapel for its new building.

WU OI CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY

For ten years the Wu Oi Christian Center has been helping men to escape the perils of a life on heroin through faith in Jesus Christ. Over 1,000 men have come into this program over the years, but only about 14% have completed the nine months course. The latest study covering the past 5 years indicates slightly more than half of those who have completed the program remain drug free. A few of these have gone back to cigarets or wine.

On November 27, 1983, Wu Oi wanted to say thanks to God and to the Hong Kong Christian Community for faithfulness towards Wu Oi. The largest church in Hong Kong invited Wu Oi to use its facilities for this special occasion. Some ,2,500 people almost filled the sanctuary. They heard testimonies of former drug addicts, enjoyed hearing the men's choir sing, and saw slides depicting the horrors of drugs and the escape available through Jesus Christ.

Billed primarily as a Thanksgiving service, this tenth anniversary meeting thanked God especially for (1) the beautiful new center/halfway house, (2) the struggling addicted women's section, (3) the government's approval of the expansion plans in Long Ke village center for men, and (4) for all those who have found a now life in Christ through Wu Oi. At first only 10-12 men went once a week for a discussion of their drug problem. Now 50-60 men and women are under various stages of training in the two rural and two urban centers guided by a staff of 15, eight of whom are former drug addicts.

Dr. Harold Schock, who serves on the Board for Wu Oi Christian Center, says "we have much for which to be thankful, and we continue to be grateful for God's amazing grace through Jesus Christ."

CHANGE-A FIRST IMPRESSION

The Rev. Becky Trask was commissioned this year as a missionary to Hong Kong by the Board of International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches USA. In the following article, she shares her first impressions of Hong Kong.

"During the past few years, my life has undergone dramatic changes. Although my first impression of my new adventure in Hong Kong is that it is distinctly different from the past, it does have the familiar characteristic of change.

"Upon arrival my son and I encountered many new experiences including the language barrier, crowded streets, and noise. The city of Hong Kong does not slow down people, buses, cars, trucks, trams and trains are all busy working diligently to meet the demands of city life, except when a typhoon strikes! Within the first week, my son, Ace and I were introduced to a typical bus ride when the No. 8 typhoon signal is hoisted. As we headed home I was sure we could not fit anymore people inside, but at each stop more piled into the overcrowded doubledecker bus. Within a few hours the busy streets of Hong Kong were empty. That is Change!

"More change was introduced to us the following week as we both started school, encountering new forms of education - Ace to the British system, and I to Dr. Jaquin Chan's method of teaching language. At first Dr. Chan stresses that we should forget everything we have learned so we can have room to learn more. What a change?! He encourages students to go to the market place and use what is being learned rather than saturating one's mind with memorizing romanization and grammar. His theory is contrary to the formal education I had as a child. Change never ceases!

"Everywhere I go change is taking place throughout the city. Using the language has been both rewarding and frustrating. It has taught me a very important lesson for the future of God's ministry and to my ministry, that is, the importance of speaking the language of the people and building relationships to share God's love.

"Although life is always changing, we can stand firm in the faith that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.' "

Y.E. T. - YOUTH EVANGELISTIC TEAMS

Dedicated Christian young people in the Swatow Baptist Churches are one of their greatest assets. For the past five or six summers, June Sutton has invited young people to work with her in various types of outreach programs.

The purpose of these programs has been to: (1) train and equip the young people for similar work through their local churches; (2) utilize their potential and Christian dedication in Christ's work during their long summer holidays.

This summer the emphasis was on training the young people in "door to door" evangelism.

During the first six months of this year, Miss Sutton and three parttime staff workers visited people in temporary housing areas. They had the joy of leading 30 people to Christ.

In consultation with the pastors of the Swatow Baptist Churches a program called Y.E.T.-Youth Evangelism Teams-was arranged for the months of June and July. Nine young people from six Swatow Baptist Churches joined the three staff workers to form evangelistic teams of four persons. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning these teams went out to different housing areas near the churches.

They found people ready to listen to the message of eternal life through faith in Christ. This was especially true of older people. Many, who had been abandoned by their families and seemed without hope, found a promise of hope and joy in the message of Christ as Saviour and Friend. Their new-found brothers and sisters in Christ became a new family for them. The teams had the joy of leading 52 people to Christ. The first six of these will be baptized at Christmas.

Every week twenty Christians attend a worship service held in a television room in one of the temporary housing areas, while 10 or more from other housing areas attend some Church related program at two churches near their estate.

There is much Joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Surely there have been great celebrations over these who have found Christ and His peace, and joy in their lives.

Another note for rejoicing has been that these young people trained in Y.E.T. have returned to their churches and started evangelism teams which go out once a month. Through their efforts, four others have come to know Christ. Many still wait to hear of Christ in Hong Kong. The Apostle Paul said, "But how shall they hear without a preacher?" The young people are responding and are going out to share their faith.

VOLUNTEERS WORK IN THAILAND

For six weeks this past summer, three young women from Hong Kong went to work and witness among the people living in northern Thailand. These women all have had some Bible and Seminary training and went to work in co-operation with the Swatow Baptist Churches in Thailand. Those making this trip, which was conducted under the auspices of the Outreach Committee of the Swatow Baptist Churches of Hong Kong, were: Lam Mui Foug. Lam Siu Ling, and Yeung Yuk Ngo.

All three volunteers report that they experienced a renewal of their own faith as they were able to share and work among the villagers living in northern Thailand. Among the types of work they were able to do were: Discipleship Training, training of Sunday School teachers, literacy work serving as advisors at a youth camp, conducting prayer meetings and worship services, and daily visitation in homes.

As a result of the reports of these three young women concerning their experiences and of the great needs of the people in the villages of northern Thailand, the Swatow Baptist Churches here have made a commitment to send HK$2,000. (US$260.) per mouth for the next two years to the churches in Thailand to be used as relief aid.

This is the second year that volunteers from Hong Kong have gone to work during the summer vacation among the people of Thailand. Plans are to continue this very worthwhile program.

SUMMER CAMPS "BURSTING"

Young people everywhere in the world love to have a summer camping experience!! Hong Kong young people are no exception The Swatow Baptist Churches reported record attendance at their summer camps this year.

Perhaps the largest attendance was recorded by the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church, who had over 150 Young People attending their camp in August on Cheung Chau Island,

Time was spent each day in Bible study and reflection on God's purpose for their lives as well as recreation and the all important task of eating and fellowship around the tables. New songs and choruses were learned and the young people were renewed in their enthusiasm for life in Christ.

Many, many young people made commitments to follow Christ, and nine dedicated their lives for Christian service.

May God be praised for the leadership of these camps and the way God's Spirit was able to use and work through them!

SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER

Glenn Machlan, who completed his studies at the Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City this year, came to Hong Kong in June to serve for one year as a volunteer worker with the Mission here.

SWATOW BAPTIST YOUTH

by Glenn Machlan

"One of the greatest sources of joy and enrichment here in Hong Kong has been the contacts with the young people in the Swatow Baptist Churches. This summer I met with the Youth Evangelistic Teams as they gathered for training and discipleship. Excitement mounted over the two mouths as more and more received Christ as their Savior and as we saw prayers answered. The young people are very keen on prayer as they have seen the power of God that it unleashes.

Another contact has come through conducting three choirs (successively, not all at once). In spite of language difficulties, we've managed to have fun together. They've been open in sharing their concerns for spiritual growth and deeper fellowship among the group, as well as their excitement at seeing God at work.

"It seems that the Shamshuipo Swatow Baptist youth went en masse to the Moon Lok Community Center as volunteers during the summer, and I taught many of them English for a while as well as seeing them around the Center. It was an inspiration to see their willingness to serve and to share Christ.

"For fun and sharing I try to get together with one of the youth groups at the Kowloon City Church for their Friday evening recreational activities. We usually either go swimming or play basketball.

"The Swatow Baptist youth are facing an uncertain future as China seeks to regain sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. Some are understandably concerned about this. But many are excited about the possibilities God may bring about.

"As one Bible study leader said recently, 'Security is not the absence of troubles, but the presence of God.' Swatow Baptist young people need prayers that they may grow in this knowledge and understanding.’"

MOON LOK COMMUNITY CENTER

Over the past 3 years the summer program of the Moon Lok Community Center been developing in quality, quantity, variety and effectiveness in contacting children and young people in the Moon Lok estate and surrounding area which houses 60,000 people.

This past summer over 1,400 people participated in at least one program. A chief concern has been to discover how to effectively present the good news of salvation through faith in Christ to those whom the Center serves with a variety of programs.

In the past Christian films and concerts were aimed at large crowds and other Presentations were made in class situations, but none came to accept Christ. Some children did begin to attend the Junior Youth Fellowship but young people were not interested in attending church to search for the true meaning for life.

After much prayer, God pointed to other methods this year. Firstly, a trained social worker and another dedicated Christian were invited to become a team to interview study hall members who had used the Center facilities for the past year. Appointments were made with a clear indication that staff workers would explain their experience of Christ and what it meant to be a Christian. Sixty members were contacted. Twenty were either too busy to come or had no interest in such a conversation, The remaining forty came; many asked questions and fou:r became Christians. There is continuing follow up with those who expressed special interest in the Christian faith.

The second method used was to visit the 1,000 homes around the Center building. A team of two undertook this program, introducing the Center and seeking opportunity to tell about Christ as people responded positively. As a result of this, six people became Christians. Many others expressed interest in learning more about the Christian faith.

One result of these endeavors has been au increase in young people joining in the regular Center activities. Now each week 200 participate in some Center program. Appointments are being made with some of these for in-depth sharing of the experience of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

This task is time consuming but very wothwhile as young people with problems have welcomed an opportunity to share with an older and mature youth leader or social worker, and listen to his or her experience of Jesus Christ. Those who have come to Christ are usually the first Christian in their family and as their lives are enriched by Christ, they in turn are used to touch other members of their family and others in their circle of contacts. So the gospel of Jesus Christ spreads bringing life and light to individuals and families.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Swatow Baptist Church choirs have been kept busy as choir clinics in Hong Kong have abounded. The Homantin Swatow Baptist Church hosted their own clinic as well as participated in two others.

The choir clinics give the choirs a chance to hear what other choirs are doing as they invite someone trained in music to offer their suggestions for the choirs' improvement. There is also the opportunity to meet other Christians and fellowship together. The choir clinic in the Homantin Swatow Baptist Church featured handbell choir and solo instrumentalists in addition to the vocal groups.

In October, Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church held its annual clinic for its own choirs and those of its chapels. Loren Noren was the music critic for this choir festival. Most of the choirs of Hong Kong are composed of youth and young adults, although Kowloon City has a choir for women of all ages and a children's choir who also participated in the festival.

The churches and chapels also occasionally exchanging choirs as a way of stimulating new interest in singing praises to God.

Dr. Robert Mitchell of the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, CA, who was in Hong Kong briefly, conducted a clinic for choirs at the, Academic Community Church at Baptist College on December 11th.

Many appreciated this opportunity to have him share with them as they continually strive to improve the quality of their choir direction and singing.

DR. AND MRS. CARL CAPEN

Dr. and Mrs. Carl Capen, retired missionaries to the Chinese people, by invitation of the Southeast Asia Swatow Baptist Council on Evangelism, attended meetings of the Council held in Penang, Malaysia, August, 19-22. With his fine use of the Swatow language, Carl led the daily Bible study.

Council sessions were held in the Penang Baptist Church, where participants joined in a 30th anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration.

At the request of the Council, the Capens later visited Swatow Baptist Churches in north Malaysia, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Part of the intention of these prayerful efforts of the Council is to locate new opportunities for evangelism in Southeast Asia. They have the vision of sharing the message of Christ with those who still have not heard and who have not come to know Him as Lord and Savior of their lives.

WU OI EXPANDS

Wu Oi Christian Center continues to expand its rehabilitation program for drug addicts. For three years they have been using a former Roman Catholic Chapel in Long Ke village for this program, housing 28 men, but since last summer they have been averaging 40 men, so have had to use three borrowed tents as well.

In June 1983 Government granted land adjacent to the chapel and approved building four small dormitories. Local churches, clubs and Christian friends have donated money, time and material for the first two dorms. A Christian builder from the U.S.A. is spending one mouth as a volunteer building supervisor.

The age for taking drugs in HK has dropped frighteningly into the teens. There are now seven teenagers in Wu Oi's training program, the youngest being 13. The first dorm will be specifically for teenagers with separate staff to cater to their needs.

With 40 men in the village and 20 in a halfway house in the urban area, Wu Oi staff are able to help redirect the lives of 60 men at one time through day-by-day teaching God's Word and the Christian way of life. They thank God for this privilege and responsibility.

BAPTISMAL SERVICE HELD

The Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church held its 101st Baptismal service at the church Sunday afternoon, December, 11, 1983.

Thirty four candidates were baptized by the Rev. Moses Chung, pastor of the church. These new Christians, who declared their faith m Jesus Christ by following him into the baptismal waters, ranged in age from 14 to 75 years.

Pastors and leaders of the Tsuen Wan, Tsz Wan Shan, and Ngan Chi Wan Chapels also participated in this joyous service. A large number of friends and families of these now Christians were present to witness this happy event and to undergird them with their support and prayers as they begin their new life in Christ.

NEW CHINESE HYMNAL

In May 1983, 200,000 copies of the first edition of Hymns of Praise were published jointly by the Three-Self Patriotic Committee and the China Christian Council in the Peoples Republic of China. This new hymnal, the first one since 1949 to be made available for widespread distribution throughout China. represents a significant achievement in the Chinese Church.

The present volume is a collection of 400 hymns. Of these, 292 are widely known in churches all over the world, the lyrics and melodies chosen from hymnals used in the past in various Chinese churches. 102 of the 400 hynm are composed by Chinese Christians or are adaptations of Chinese tunes. 56 of these have been composed by Chinese Christians in very recent years. In additon, 42 short spiritual songs are appended at the end of the book.

Denominationalism has virtually disappeared in the Chinese Church. This book strives to be comprehensive on the basis of the fundamental oneness of our faith. Hymns were chosen that Christians from various church backgrounds are familiar with and enjoy singing. In terms of language and musical style, the hymns included in the book preserve variety. It includes both solemn music and lively gosepl tunes.

TEACHING ENGLISH

Students in Hong Kong have a strong desire to learn English, as they need it to advance to higher levels of education, where competition is intense. Only 2% of Hong Kong's students are able to attain a place in the territory's two universities.

Glenn Machlan, who is serving as a volunteer worker with the Mission this year, spends much of his time teaching English as a second language. He teaches classes in two Christian Centers. He also works with the teachers of a Christian Kindergarten and a local pastor in helping them to improve their English.

Glenn says, "It can be frustrating, but it can also provide opportunities to share my faith." He has been trying to include scripture passages and elements of the gospel in class in addition to the more traditional English teaching methods. He has been especially excited about starting an evangelistic Bible study following one of his English classes. Though the number attending has not been large, the participants have been very interested in gaining better insights into the Biblical teachings.

Working individually with a pastor has afforded the opportunity to share on a closer level than is possible in a class.

PERSONAL NOTES

Loren and Ruth Noren attended the meetings of the Swatow Baptist Council on Evangelism in Penang, Malaysia, August 19-22. While there they also visited Penang Baptist Theological Seminary where Loren spoke at a chapel service. Before returning to Hong Kong, they went to Singapore to visit in the Thomson Road Baptist Church

Harold Schock attended a drug abase conference in Sinagapore November 20-25. He presented a paper on "A Christian Approach to the Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers."

David Chuo from the Thomson Road Baptist Church in Singapore is now studying at Hong Kong Baptist Seminary. He and his wife, Cindy are interested in the work of the Swatow Baptist Churches……

June Sutton attended a course on "Counselling In Spiritual Gifts" presented by the Barnabas Fellowship in Dorset, England, in September

The Rev. Charles Moore of Lake Oswego, OR., who was in Hong Kong briefly, conducted a seminar on "The Whole Person" for pastors and church leaders on November 25th

Ray Beaver of Board of International Ministries led a tour group to China and then visited the Mission work here in Hong Kong from Oct. 13-16.

Rev. Ang Tyang-Ted, who is secretary of the 3-Self Movement in the Swatow area of China, visited Hong Kong in November, 1983, as a member of the second team of Chinese Christian leaders to visit the Churches in Hong Kong in many years. He was invited to preach at the Mongkok Swatow Baptist Church on Nov. 27th.

Missionaries....
Dr. and Mrs. John Espy (Ruth)
Dr. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren (Ruth)
Drs. Harold and Estelle Schock 
Miss June M. Sutton
Rev. and Mrs. Keith Tennis (Linda)
Rev. Becky R. Trask