July 1968.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

Asian Baptist Women Meet

In the heart of Hong Kong's "shopping paradise" is an area where 168 licensed bars operate within a few square blocks. In this area is a Chinese Baptist church, the headquarters of the Asian Baptist Women's Conference, April 1 - 5, 1968. During the months of planning some members of the steering committee on which Catherine Ho, June Sutton, and Ruth Noren served, had opposed meeting in this "girlie bar" area. At the close of the conference, however, delegates expressed the feeling that the painful look at this degrading aspect of Hong Kong life actually was a persuasive setting, compelling women to replace sordidness with the, light of Christ in all Asia.

Nearly 200 women came from 15 Asian countries. Interpretation of all speeches from English into Chinese made it possible for many more Hong Kong women, besides the delegates, to attend. Women from Swatow, Cantonese, and Mandarin speaking groups had worked together in planning, and had contributed money, during 5 years of preparation.

The conference theme was: Courage - Forward with Christ. Presiding at the general sessions was Mrs. Ayako Hino of Japan. , The women were, divided into 6 workshops, each chaired by an Asian. Each morning 24 women gave brief presentations on the role of Christian women in home, church, and community. Questions which had been prepared by Ruth Noren were used as the basis of discussion. The following emphases were brought out:

1. The need to go beyond the traditional Asian loyalty to family, to relate to the larger family of society.

2. More and more mothers seek careers, and 'therefore there is need for Christian nursery schools.

3. Believing that, each person is a -child of God and should attain fulness of life, what about family Planning? What is the church's part?

4. There is an extreme urgency for effective Christian witness, due to world turmoil.

5. What is the family's stake in world peace?

6. There is need for better recreation for youth.

7. Women need help in knowing how to make known their faith in various situations, especially in work settings.

These will be used in local discussion groups in the months ahead.

Here are some comments following the conference: A Japanese city church worker wrote, "As I reported to my home church the moving experiences of the Asian Baptist Women's Conference, and the outreach of the Hong Kong churches into community problems, the Holy Spirit led our group to take hold in a situation of long-neglected need in our city."

A young Filipina said,: "Many youth in Asia have no clear framework of right and wrong. We need opportunities to talk freely with each other and with adults about our doubts and confusions. Does the coffee house method offer any help?"

Another woman who especially appreciated the tour of Baptist work which had been planned by June Sutton said "We saw where Hong Kong Baptist lay, people actually go personally into the gloom and desperation of slum, areas to share the hope for new life in Jesus Christ. I knew during that morning as I have never known before, that the Christian way demands of me this same zeal, that my, own people can come alive in our Lord."

The Retirement of the Rev. Chen Siang-Chio

In February the Rev. and Mrs. Chen Siang Chio retired after many years of Christian Service in South China, and in Hong Kong. They moved to Thailand where their third son is in business.

During the Japanese occupation of China, Mr. Chen served as .General Secretary of ' the Ling Tong Baptist Convention in the South, China field. He was assisted by Dr. Kenneth Hobart of the American Baptist Mission. In Hong Kong Mr. Chen pioneered the exciting work among Swatow people at Shaukiwan, and in Tiger Tail Village. Both have developed into stronger self-supporting congregations, the latter now forming the Kwun Tong church.

We wish the Rev. and Mrs. Chen happiness, as well as continuing meaningful service, in their retirement.

Fraternal Visit

Thirty years ago three Swatow Baptist churches were organized in different places in Southeast Asia. One was in Singapore, one in Alor Star in Malaya, and the third in Kowloon City, a part of Hong Kong. No western missionary planned this, or even participated; it just happened. Chinese have migrated to Southeast Asia for centuries, and one of the largest groups to go overseas was from the Swatow (Teochiu) area of China. These three churches came into being in response to the needs of these people. While it was still possible a relationship was maintained with the Ling Tong Baptist Convention in the Teochiu area of South China.

Early this year the Joint Committee of Swatow Baptist Churches in Hong Kong voted to send a Fraternal Visitation Team to the two churches mentioned, in Singapore and Alor Star, and to other churches in Malaysia and Thailand. The Rev. C.T. Lee and Miss Tina Kwok, both of the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church, the Rev. John Chen of the Hong Kong Swatow Baptist Church, and the Rev. Loren E. Noren were elected as members of the Team.

They left Hong Kong on March 13 and returned on April 1. The first flight was to Singapore by Malaysia Airways; what a surprise it was to discover that all of the stewards and stewardesses were Swatow-speaking Chinese! After a week's visit to the churches in Singapore, another week was spent in the Penang - Alor Star area of northern Malaya. The final week was spent in Bangkok, the location of the "Mother" church of all the Swatow Baptist work, founded by William Dean in 1837.

These churches face real obstacles. The situation of the Chinese in Southeast Asia has become more difficult in recent years, and there are no simple solutions. The variety of languages, superstitions, the rapidity of political and cultural change, commercialism etc. are at one and the same time the churches' most difficult problem and their greatest opportunity. Appreciation was sincerely expressed in many ways for the Team's visit, and for the strengthening. of the bonds of fellowship which resulted. There is a consciousness of being involved in a common task, and a new interest in finding ways to support each other.

The Camp Ready for Use

A new camp is being developed on Chu Lap Kok island. Major construction has been completed and the camp is now being used. The buildings consist of an auditorium-classroom, two dormitories and a wash -house for each, a kitchen, and a dining hall. All of the buildings with the exception of the kitchen are quonset huts which were obtained from a newly-rebuilt police station in Kowloon. Within a ten-minute walk is a chapel which was built for the use of the families who were resettled on the island several years ago. And fronting the camp is a beautiful beach which can he used for swimming and boating.

The camp will accommodate sixty to eighty campers at a time. The first camp to be held this summer was a work camp, numbering fifty Swatow young people. They cleaned up construction rubbish, and removed some of the large rocks from the beach. Other groups from the Swatow Baptist churches, and other organizations in the colony will be using the site in the weeks ahead.

There has been no electricity on Chu Lap Kok. However, an electric generator has been moved to the island to provide electricity for the camp. It is hoped that in the future electricity can be provided for the rest of the island as well. Having electricity will allow a broader program, the use of films and filmstrips; it will also be a cheaper and more convenient form of energy.

Easter Sunrise Service

Even the sleepy ones have energy to get up for an Easter sunrise service. There was no promise that the rains would break, but the promise of our Lord that be would rise from death had been fulfilled. So, on Easter morning we gathered as a Mission family to give our praise to God for His unspeakable Gift.

As we, began to sing, the sun peered from beneath the clouds as if to peek at the pretty clothes the children were wearing. Spring rains had made our chosen spot green, April had made it lush with flowering trees; and history had made it a significant location. We gathered around the 1843 grave marker of Mrs. Theodosia Barker Dean, wife of the Rev. William Dean, the first missionary to work among Swatow -speaking people. He did not work on the mainland of China, which was not yet open to missionaries, but in Hong Kong and in Bangkok.

Loren Noren gave a brief review of the story of Dr. and Mrs. Dean and their accomplishments. Then Bill Hackett brought the Easter message of hope. How good it is to be reminded that for all in Christ "death can not keep its prey!" We are not here in Hong Kong because of Dr. and Mrs. Dean. Rather, they and we have come because Christ has overcome death by his resurrection. So significant an event with its related hopes and promises compels us to continue to carry this message to the Chinese.

When the service was finished, we leisurely left the cemetery and gathered for breakfast in a nearby restaurant, before going our various ways for a busy Easier Sunday.

Seminary Graduation

Ling Ling Say Say which, is broadly interpreted, mean Miscellaneous

The Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church baptized 99 persons- on one Sunday in May. A number of these attend one of the eight chapels related to the church.

David Wong, one of this year's graduates from the Chung Chi Seminary, and a member of the Shumshuipo Church, will attend the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference in Berne, Switzerland this summer. Miss June Sutton Will also go.

Marion Hackett has been far from well during the past weeks. We are grateful for able doctors and excellent hospital facilities.

Mrs. Frank Knight has taken Krista and Marla to visit, grandparents on the occasion of their wedding anniversary, and to participate in other special family affairs. They will be back in August.

Joy Noren has come home for the summer after three years at Ottawa University. Her older brother Carl, U.S.N., was here for a week in June, but unfortunately shipped out just before joy arrived.

Dr. and Mrs. John W. Ollie and their two children, newly appointed to Hong Kong, will arrive August 23. They will be at Chung Chi College and Seminary.

Miss Sharon Parks, daughter of the Rev. Emmett Parks of the A.B.F.M.S. Board, will come to Hong Kong as part of a youth group making an extended tour. Sharon will not continue on with the group, but will stay for a year in Hong Kong as a Special Service Worker.

A conference of theological educators has been convened at Chung Chi College to study Church History, Mission, and Ecumenics. Dr. R. Pierce Beaver of the University of Chicago is the conference leader. Dr. Toshio Sasaki of Japan, the Rev. Johnny Gumban and the Rev. Loel Bacerra of the Philippines, are Baptists attending the conference. Bill Hackett is a member of the staff.

The Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Eugene West have been in Hong Kong one year serving at Baptist College. They left July 4th for Singapore where they will live this coming year. Mr. West has been invited to serve as pastor of the English congregation of the Thomson Road Swatow Baptist Church in Singapore, while the Rev. and Mrs. Carl M. Capen are on furlough.

Missionaries....
Mr. and Mrs. John Espy 
Dr. and Mrs. William D. Hackett (Marion)
Rev. and Mrs. Frank Knight (Joyce)
Rev. and Mrs. Alvin D. Koons 
Rev. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren (Ruth)
Miss Mildred Proctor
Mr. and Mrs. John Reed (Kathleen)
Rev. and Mrs. Harold Schock (Estelle)
Rev. and Mrs. Hugh W. Smith (Ann)
Miss June M. Sutton