| February 1965.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS. Higher Education and Industry in Hong Kong Although Hong Kong is well known as a commercial port, it is rapidly becoming an industrial city. Almost half of the working population is employed in the 7,500 or so cotton mills, weaving factories, garment-making firms, plastics-molding enterprises, companies making transistor radios and other electronics products, and the food and beverage industries. Although most of these manufacturing firms are very small, some are quite large, and a few employ several thousand people. These larger factories produce almost entirely for export; they are the foundation of the entire Hong Kong economy. Industrial production in Hong Kong is continuing to increase at something like 15% per year. In order to make certain that the science graduates of Chung Chi College are equipped to provide technological and managerial leadership for these industries, John Espy has been visiting the larger manufacturing and commercial firms to ascertain their need for trained people. This has also been an opportunity to observe the technological level of local industries so that Chung Chi's programs of study in science might be related to specific local needs. These visits and discussions have indicated a serious need for competent scientists, engineers, and administrators, but an almost zero demand for university graduates who have the potential to become these people. Local industrialists seem to be unaware of the very high returns on money invested in people. Hence there are very few university graduates in industry, and the technological and managerial level of most Hong Kong firms is extremely low. If this situation persists, the local industries will find it increasingly difficult to compete in international markets. As the economic survival of Hong Kong in today's free world depends upon the continued growth of these industries, their failure to develop people who can cope with modern technology is a serious community problem. It is also an extremely complex problem without any easy solutions. Obviously, the first step is to try to help the right people understand the problems and to become genuinely concerned. Hence, John has prepared several articles for the Far Eastern Economic Review and other publications, addressed civic and industrial organizations, and discussed the situation with representatives of industry, higher education, and Government. These efforts are continuing and there is some indication of a widening interest in the problem. This may seem a strange type of missionary activity, but it is a job which must be done. The economic well-being of four million people is at stake. Tenth Anniversary Celebration The Joint Committee of Swatow Baptist Churches celebrated the tenth anniversary of its organization on November 29, 1964. From fewer than one thousand members, ten years ago, these churches have grown to four thousand members. There are now five organized churches and more than ten chapels. The climax of the celebration was a special service of worship on Sunday evening. The Rev. Carl M. Capen, former missionary in Swatow, and son of missionaries there, was invited to come from his new work in Malaysia to preach the sermon. He also spoke at special evangelistic services the following two nights. A youth choir composed of 150 young people from the various church choirs sang two anthems under the direction of Mr. Gabriel Chi; Mrs. Barbara Koons served as soprano soloist. In the afternoon of November 29th, a retreat for deacons and church workers was held. Delegates to the Consultation on World Mission held in Hong Kong early in the year presented the topics which had been considered in the Consultation. Following the presentations, the various subjects were discussed in small groups, each under the guidance of a resource person. During the social period tea was served by the Swatow Baptist Women's Association. When inviting Mr. Capen to come to Hong Kong to participate in the anniversary celebration service, the churches stressed their hope that he would be able to stay for several weeks in order to visit each of the churches and get well acquainted with the work in Hong Kong. This he did. He was able to visit and to speak in almost every church and chapel. With his fluent Chinese and helpful messages he was a real blessing to the Swatow work in Hong Kong. Mrs. Capen and two of their children, Craig and Graal, arrived from the U.S.A. for Christmas. After a few days' visit the whole family left for their new home in Penang, Malaysia. The Chinese New Year Chinese New Year is an experience never forgotten. Not only do the thousands of Popping firecrackers din it into the memory; the whole atmosphere for days is geared to the event. There is mounting tension and feverish activity, as business matters are put in order, the house is thoroughly cleaned, new clothes are secured or old ones cleaned and pressed, and food is prepared for family feasting and for callers. A bowl of narcissus, a branch of peach blossoms, and special sweetmeats are almost necessities. Little red envelopes, holding one dollar each, or sometimes less, are readily at hand to give to the children who come with parents to call. The New Year is based upon the lunar calendar, and thus is a movable feast. This year it fell on February 2. It brought to a close the year of the dragon, and ushered in the year of the snake. To Chinese steeped in the history, legend, and superstition of their people, this is very meaningful. The years follow a cycle set up in 2697 B. C. by one ruler of China, Huang Ti. We are now in the seventy-eighth cycle since that time, a -period extending from 1804 to 1983. Each cycle is broken down into series of twelve years named in succession: rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and pig. This is a series which has been repeated over and over through all the long centuries. Each year has certain characteristics in accordance with its patron: it is good to do certain things, and unwise to do others. Many Christians and most modern businessmen pay scant attention to all but the externals of these matters. As for the Americans in their midst we marvel at customs so old, and enjoy with them all this happy time of year. Schoolmate Kits During the past two years, the American Baptist Mission has received large boxes filled with "Schoolmate Kits". These kits are made by pinning a small hand towel into the shape of an envelope; then pencils, a ruler, crayons, scissors, paper, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrush are put inside. They are sent to us by groups or individuals in our American Baptist churches. They have been distributed to roof-top schools, the Bamboo Garden Christian Center, and to the Swatow Baptist churches and chapels for use in Bible Schools. just this past Christmas time, 2,000 kits were given to eager students. May we take this opportunity to thank again those who have participated in making and sending these kits. Christian Family Institute Two hundred parents and children gathered after factory hours on a Saturday afternoon for a Christian Family Institute, in the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church. The affair was planned by the Swatow Baptist Women's Association with the help of Ruth Noren. An entertaining two-act play which illustrated Christian methods to resolve family tensions was presented, a pastor's wife, two lay women, two kindergarten girls, and a real baby taking part. Most of the families in the audience live in one-room homes, five adults (or its equivalent, counting two small children as one adult) in a room ten by twelve feet, and the play was extremely appropriate for their situations. In the upstairs chapel of the church a young mother trained in Christian Education gave a talk to all the children on "Happy Homes". At the same time in the main auditorium a Christian nurse spoke to the parents about home hygiene and nutrition. Printed information was made available concerning family planning clinics located near their own homes, in government resettlement areas and industrial centers. Later, fathers, mothers, and children joined together for family worship. Recreation was provided by missionaries Loren Noren and Hugh Smith, both in ridiculous costumes. Accompanied by Ann Smith they played trombone and trumpet, and later sang a duet. The Chinese love to see the missionaries lose their dignity occasionally. One person remarked that if the missionary number had been given advance publicity, attendance would have tripled. Refreshments were enjoyed hurriedly as mothers tied babies on their backs, and families ran together to catch buses before the hazardous rush hour. Asian Youth Assembly The first Asian Christian Youth Assembly, sponsored by the East Asia Christian Conference was held in the Philippines at the close of the year. More than 400, re-presenting 16 countries from Okinawa on the east to West Pakistan on the west, and from Korea on the north to New Zealand on the south, converged upon the Philippines, where 200 additional young people and leaders awaited them. Panel discussions and seminars filled an important part of the program. Topics included: our calling in agricultural and fishing industries, in business, politics, in industries and trade unions, science, and in the healing ministry; the Christian view of sex, marriage, and family life; the value and meaning of life; and the Christian responsibility for peace. Hong Kong sent seven delegates, three of whom are closely related to our Baptist work: Calvin Ngai is secretary of the Hong Kong Christian Council; Lincoln Lin is program director of the Bamboo Garden Christian Center; and Chang Pao Lin is on the staff of the Student Christian Center. Harry Wu, formerly on the staff of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Rangoon, and now a theological student in Chung Chi College, represented Burma. There is hope for inter-racial goodwill and for peace, growing from such meetings. Missionaries.... The Hong Kong Peak is issued occasionally to give a peek at the work of missionaries of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society in Hong Kong. To friends who have felt that it should be issued more often, we would say that we aim at four a year. Our apologies for 1964; the editor went on furlough! We were glad that some people missed the Peak to such an extent that they inquired. There is no subscription price for the Peak. Some friends who have wished to contribute toward its production have sent a dollar or more to Loren Noren. Such gifts are appreciated. Mr. and Mrs. John Espy
Rev. and Mrs. Alvin D. Koons
Rev. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren
Miss Mildred Proctor
Rev. and Mrs. Hugh W. Smith | | |
