June 1986.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

THE NOREN’S FAREWELL TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG

Ruth and Loren Noren

In a recent letter of Loren and Ruth Noren's, Ruth capsulized some very pointed needs and questions that Hong Kong Christians must face. She writes, "New tasks and problems thrown up by the boiling cauldron of urbanization are appearing on every hand - injustice, ill-treatment, youth hooked on drugs, increasing crime, provision for the elderly, a sharp generation gap, pollution, overcrowding, creative activities for young people, wise leadership in the churches. Will the church and Christians settle down to doing only the things they have learned to do well in the past? Will timidity take control? Or apathy? Or self-satisfaction with past accomplishments? The formidable problems of the past are beginning now to look easy. But the future seems no less exciting, though perhaps more difficult."

At the Farewell Feast of the nine Swatow Baptist Churches given in honor of the Noren's, Loren gave, in flawless Swatownese, a very pointed way to respond to the above quote. He challenged the Christians to look forward and to actualize their faith in daily living and to "go deeper in the Lord" for that is where they will find their strength and vision for the future.

"HATS OFF" TO THE NORENS
Becky Trask

How many hats can a person wear during a missionary career? In the past 40 years of missionary service in Both China and Hong Kong, Ruth and Loren Noren have worn a wide variety of 'hats' in their dedication to Jesus Christ. Loren's contributions stretched from refugee work to establishing roof-top kindergartens; from theological education to advising pastors, assisting choirs, and preaching in the churches. Ruth, with a love for challenges, faced the rapid changes of Hong Kong's society in giving educational leadership to women and young people alike, realizing that family needs of living in an urban setting are great and varied.

In 1946 the Noren's arrived by cargo boat in Swatow, China with their children Carl and joy. Later, Debbie, their third daughter was born in Swatow. It did not take long for them to make the needed adjustments, to learn to communicate in the Swatow language, and fall in love with the Swatow people.

To this day the Christians in Swatow speak with found memories of Ruth and Loren and the time they lived in their beautiful sea-side village in Southern China. Much of that time was spent in taking evangelism teams into nearby villages to witness of Jesus Christ, but that time was cut short for the Norens and the Swatow Christians by the Chinese revolution. Ruth and the children returned to the U.S.A. in 1950. Loren was later placed in solitary confinement in China for 21 months before release on January 1, 1953.

When the Norens were send to Hong Kong in 1954, Hong Kong's biggest problem was the major influx of refugees, which still continues to make a great impact on Hong Kong's social development. Because both Loren and Ruth had training and experience in church-related social work, their skills have been well used in Hong Kong. They have followed a dual track of applying both theology and sociology in their work.

Loren served many years as Mission Correspondent and Treasurer for the Hong Kong mission. Much of his work was directed toward ecumenical efforts in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Loren and Ruth gave leadership in interdenominational endeavors such as the Hong Kong Christian Council, Asian Baptist Women's Conference, United Christian Hospital, Chung Chi College, and Tao Fong Shan Ecumenical Study Centre. Ruth's work with the Swatow Baptist women and many young people included teaching English, adult literacy, Christian family life, and nutrition. She also taught Social Work at Baptist College. Both Loren and Ruth have touched the hearts of many young people as they directed much of their endeavors in the development of the Swatow Baptist Churches. Over these many years the wearing of many hats' has given them good insight into Chinese life in Hong Kong.

In June, 1985, Loren lead a tour group to China. He then attended the Portland Biennial where he suffered a stroke. Being the determined person Loren, is, with Ruth's help he made a quick recovery and they returned to Hong Kong in December, 1985 to make preparations for a new chapter in their lives in service for their Lord.

They are really excited about their future opportunities. One of their first priorities will be to research into the history of Swatow work as related to the sharing of the Gospel by American Baptists in China and Hong Kong. They are now living in Claremont, California.

Hong Kong Mission colleagues gave a farewell appreciation dinner at which Ruth's thoughtfulness was expressed as she presented each person in the missionary family with a keepsake that demonstrated her personal care for that person. It was an example of the personal touch the Lorens give in their ministry. We praise God for the gifts He has given to Ruth and Loren enabling them to compliment and challenge each other in the giving of themselves to Christ for reaching the Chinese people with the "Good News"

20 FINGERS - 20 PIES?
Ruth Espy

It is said that busy people have their fingers in many pies. This is certainly true of the Norens. Although the 20 pies would seem to have involved Loren more than Ruth, even a Missionary cannot command angelic services to prepare meals, do the laundry, take care of the shopping for food and supplies, repair rips and strengthen the threads that bind old buttons to a shirt. Besides, several of Loren's involvements were shared by Ruth. So, perhaps we should revise the title to: 20 Fingers - 25 Pies:

Baptist College

China-watching

Chinese Christian Literature Council

Christian Family Service Center

Chung Chi College

Chun Chi Theology Division

Continuing education - keeping up on new ideas through short extra-mual courses

Conversational English classes at home Edgar Snow Society

English Conversation at Baptist College and at

Diamond Hill Christian Center

Guide for visitors' shopping

Haven of Hope T.B. Sanatorium

Hong Kong Baptist Convention

Hong Kong Bible Society

Hong Kong Christian Council

Junk Bay Medical Relief Council

Nethersole Hospital

Oratorio Society

Swatow Baptist Church Choirs

Swatow Baptist Churches

Tao Fong Shan

Teaching Sunday School classes United Christian Hospital

Young Couples' Group Meeting at home

Y's Men's Club

Not only the mission Family and the Swatow Baptist Churches, but many groups and individuals throughout Hong Kong are the richer for their having been involved with the Norens here. What a wealth of memories they have left with us!

PASTORS AND MISSIONARIES CO-WORKER MEETING
Estelle Schock

Something new, something different; very good; it should have happened long ago: we can meet four times a year - are some of the positive remarks we heard after our first meeting. Participating in these meetings are the pastors of the four chapels and four churches in fellowship with the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church, and missionaries related to the Swatow Baptist churches. The purpose is to have more communication and understanding of each other's work by sharing, discussion and prayer.

At the first meeting on March 18, Rev. Fong, pastor of the Brotherly Love Swatow baptist Church, expressed joys of being an independent church after so many years as a chapel of the mother church. As they face challenges in the areas of leadership, finance and outreach, the church is prospering and growing spiritually stronger.

Further discussions related to baptism and ordination. In Mainland China, denominations no longer exist. Yet churches are influenced by former ties such as Baptist and Presbyterian, who practice different forms of baptism. What should be our position in this matter? Everyone felt, regarding ordination, that a more up to date practice should be adopted, which would allow younger, well qualified men to be ordained.

After a simple box lunch, Becky Trask shared slides of the Youth Evangelism Teams ministry telling about personal discipleship and door to door evangelism which has been having remarkable results.

At the second meeting on May 6, Harold Schock showed slides on Wu Oi's Gospel Drug program, followed by questions and answers. After lunch, the discussion focused on the future direction of the Swatow Baptist Churches in Hong Kong. We all felt good about our meetings, and set the date for our next meeting in September.

FAMILY IN FOCUS
Angela Beasley-Murray

As a mission team we have sponsored Dr. Margaret Sawin author of the "Family Cluster" model, and noted Christian educator to visit Hong Kong and lead seminars in Family Life Education. She led seminars in various groups and institutions; Swatow Baptist Pastors, Baptist Seminary, Chung Chi College of Chinese University and for mothers of the Baptist Kindergarten. All of the seminars were well attended with interesting responses.

Dr. Sawin used the technique of role play to communicate the idea of the complexity of family systems in family dynamics. She hoped to make people more aware of who we are as family members so that we can be in more control of what we want our families to become.

Hong Kong, like other urban cities in today's world, has the stresses of constant change which complicates family life; moving houses, changing lifestyles, change of definition of the roles for men & women, pressures of work for family survival, and for Hong Kong especially over crowding. Hong Kong has the added complications of both the influence from the west and changes being brought about in China beginning with the cultural revolution. These factors heighten the strains in today's marriages.

Dr. Sawin also suggested another major complication to the modem family is the corporations insensitivity to the family circle. For the clergy family, she suggests it is the church that becomes the other member of the family, sometimes causing the pastor to be pulled away from his or her family emotionally & spiritually because of the nature of the personal involvement in pastoring.

As a Christian educator, Dr. Sawin also presented the Family Cluster model to the pastors & seminarians as a suggestion for integrating knowledge taught through church with the living out of their faith through the nurturing of families in their churches. She also emphasized that trust, love, hope, & charity are best taught in relationship. Church school teachers and the family are among the best ways we have to communicate the love of God to other human beings.

EASTER BAPTISM
Harold Schock

Wu Oi graduates have become members of 13 different churches in Hong Kong. Only after a man has been drug-free for two years and has demonstrated a consistent Christian life will Wu Oi recommend him for baptism. So we all were pleased when three brothers were baptized on Easter Sunday into the Holy Covernant Church.

Sun Ka Fai: For more than ten years I was a triad member and a hopeless, helpless drug addict. When I went to Long Ke in 1983, 1 wondered if I could ever learn the Christian way. But with Bible teaching and work, love and concern of the staff and brothers, I found the source of love - Jesus Christ. I'll never forget my Easter 1986 baptism.

Lam Shwa Man: While standing in the water and hearing the pastor ask me if I were willing to follow Jesus all my life, I felt a thrilling new surge of strength fill me. Coming out of the waters I felt a new peace that comes from fresh forgiveness. That night I spent a lot of time in prayer thanking God for His miracle of grace , and prayed that He would continue to guide

all aspects of my life. I also thank the pastor and the church which gladly accepted me into their love and membership.

Tarzan: Going to Long Ke in 1983, 1 knew I had to do more than quit my drug habit. My temperament and attitude were very poor. But the staff was patient with me, led me to know Christ, and how to repent and to pray. After finishing Wu Oi's program, the staff led me to the Holy Covenant Church which accepted me in love. I thank God for my Easter baptism and church membership. Coming up out of the baptismal water, I suddenly realized the full meaning of dying with Christ and being raised with Him to a new life.

CAMP FARTHEST OUT
Harold Schock

April 15-18 Wu Oi held Hong Kong's first C.F.O. camp. Ninety people, mostly Wu Oi brothers, sisters, staff and graduates, gathered in Long Ke under the leadership of C.F.O. personnel from Korea, Japan and the US. They directed us in singing, prayer, creative activities, devotion in motion and games. They talked about the inner life which is a reflection of one's relationship to God. When we know God is in our hearts, we will have an abiding joy, and we need not face any situation alone. Loving each other brings a richness in our relationships which makes for peace. The theme song for the camp was "Walking with Jesus", and the overarching emphasis was prayer. We prayed intimately for each other's specific needs as well as the needs of the whole world. Through singing games we were led to feel in a new way Paul's admonition to "pray without ceasing".

BY THE "GRACE" OF GOD
Becky Trask

The Hong Kong church is growing stronger every day focusing on evangelism and discipleship. More and more individual Christians are being called by God to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. One such person is Lam Yan Wai [Grace]. It is just three years since she joined with former missionary Miss June Sutton and became the third member of an evangelistic team.

Mrs. Lam has five tennagers. Her husband left her eight years ago. Through much suffering she drew close to the Lord. She joined a Bible study group attending three mornings a week and also studied one year in a Bible college. These studies built up her Christian life and faith. God gave her a burden for those who had never heard of Jesus Christ in Hong Kong. She began to go out with June Sutton, Florence Chan and Melody Cheng in the Shun Lee temporary housing estate. God gave her the "gift of evangelism". As she talked to people, the majority listened eagerly and she has been used by the Lord to lead several hundred to Christ in these three years.

The story of Mrs. Yeung tells how God works in the lives of people. Mr. Yeung at 89 years, accepted Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior the first time he heard. He pleaded with his wife to listen to the gospel and also believe in Jesus but she refused. Hate for her son, who asked her and Mr. Yeung to leave their home filled her heart. Then after six months

Lam Yan Wai, who often visited the Yeung's heard God say, "Go in and witness to Mrs. Yeung today she is ready to believe." She went in and within half an hour led Mrs. Yeung to become a Christian. The months of prayer by the evangelistic staff had at last bom fruit. Six months later both Mr. and Mrs. Yeung were baptized at the Kwun Tong Swatow Baptist Church.

Lam Yan Wai does have a special ministry to the elderly but she is also effective in witnessing to young people. Her home is an open door for young people to enjoy the love of Christian fellowship and to pray and study the Bible. It is not unusual for her family to join with church young people and several new believers for a basketball game or a barbecue.

Through Y.E.T. Lam Yan Wai has been used to train nearly 20 young people to witness for Jesus. She leads the Kwun Tong Swatow Baptist evangelism team mostly composed of those trained in the Y.E.T. summer training over the past three years.

This team meets weekly. On the Ist and 3rd weeks they have a time of Bible study and prayer so their own spiritual life is strengthened. On the 2nd week they invite new believers to join them in fellowship and the 4th week they go out and witness. Each time the team goes out they lead at least one person to Christ. They went out for a special evangelistic street witness on Christmas day and led five people to Christ!

Mrs. Lam believes it is important to have set times for preparation and preaching, but she says the key to evangelism is to listen to God and obey the leading of His Holy Spirit to witness to those hearts whom He is already preparing. Please pray for Lam Yan Wai, the Kwun Tong team and the many new believers beginning their new life in Christ Jesus.

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD ...
Linda Tennis

Ecclesiastes tells us that "to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Being human we sometimes wonder about the timing when we see many young students here unable to finish their education for lack of funds, or the elderly who many times are left for the entire day without any contact. But we know that "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

In the 1960's we were helping a widowed mother with STEP funds to educate her four children. One of those boys is now a social worker employed by the Social Service Department of the HK Christian Council. Suen Lai Sang says that it was because of the help he received through the STEP program that he became interested in helping others. He is now the director of a social service centre located in a temporary housing area.

The HK government provides temporary housing in 47 temporary housing areas for over 120,000 people who have been made homeless by natural disasters or development clearances. After a wait, averaging from four to seven years, these people will be given public housing. In the meantime services need to be provided for these people.

The government has 30 Community centers in these temporary housing areas. At the Shun Lee Christian Center, Suen Lai Sang, it's director, is developing programs which meet the needs of the people. A study hall is held in the evening so students have a quiet place to do their home work. Programs are developed for women to learn new skills and hobbies. Recreational programs are provided for all ages. In this crowded area with some 3,500 people living in rows of one-room family quarters, a space between the even of two buildings was allotted for the Evangelism ministry of the Kwun Tong Swatow Baptist Church for the Elderly on the estate. For three years this group did not have an adequate place t6 meet, but with the help given by Suen Lai Sang the weekly meeting has been able to move to a room in the Center. Suen Lai Sang is quick to let those he comes in contact with know that it was because of the concern of others trying to help his family in a time of need which fostered his Christian commitments to do something for others. We indeed do see that "All things work together for good to those who love God." Suen Lai Sang has moved from a time of need to a time of giving.

Linda Tennis is presently in charge of the Mission STEP scholarship fund which uses gifts sent by churches to help needy students.

LEARNING IN CHINA A BEGINNING
Becky Trask

The Chinese people make up one-quarter of the world's population. At the time the doors were closed to China in 1949 Christians numbered about 700,000. Now the official count is more than 3 million, but conservative estimates given by Hong Kong Christian China watchers is now 15-20 million Christians throughout China. Even through persecution the spread of Christianity did not stop, but was strengthened mightily through the witness of the Holy Spirit. What can Christians all over the world learn from this phenomenal growth?

In March I had the opportunity to go to China and to get a taste of life on the mainland. Former BIM missionary June Sutton and I began our self-guided tour going first to Guangzhou, then on to Chongqing. Next we traveled by boat down the Yangtze River, then to Shanghai and lastly, visiting Swatow to learn about the background of the people our mission works with in Hong Kong. As we trusted the Lord to meet our needs He gave us exciting opportunities to interact with both Christians and non-Christians.

While on the boat I became very sick with the flu. A Chinese doctor was called. A local guide named Peng who interpreted for the doctor, expressed interest in hearing about Jesus. He returned later to hear the way of salvation and we gave him a small English New Testament. He was ovejoyed and we prayed together.

Shanghai was full of opportunities for Christian fellowship. We met friends of our's from Hong Kong who were on business and shared with prayer and singing in their hotel room each evening. We also met with two officials of the Three Self Patriotic Movement (the official church in China), had a luncheon with several Christian business leaders, visited a former Baptist Church, the new Shanghai Seminary and the former Shanghai Baptist University. A special God given opportunity was a brief visit with a member of a house church, a Bible woman formerly trained at the Baptist University, who had been to prison several times but still continues to witness for Jesus. We prayed together and gave special thanks to God. Her witness was a great inspiration!

A hair-raising ten hour bus trip across the Swatow province gave us an intensive overview of life at the village level. Our bus was full of local people loaded down with all kinds of paraphenalia. June spoke Swatow to them, greatly surprising them all. The next day we visited a former Presbyterian Church and met several church workers. On Sunday we attended the service at the former Baptist Church. We talked with several Christians listening to how God cared for them through many years of persecution and suffering and the different ways He is strengthening the Church today.

My trip gave to me a wonderful orientation to China, its' people and the Church in China. I came away knowing there is much more for me to learn from the powerful witness of the Christians in China.

CONFERENCE IN NANJING, CHINA
Keith Tennis

A conference on the theme "Ecumenical Sharing: A New Agenda" will be held in Nanjing, China, from May 14-21. Keith Tennis, of the Hong Kong Baptist Mission, will be among approximately one hundred delegates from church organizations around the world who will attend. The purpose of the conference is to gain a better insight into the work of the post-denominational Christian Church in China, and to more thoroughly understand the ministry of the Amity Foundation. This Foundation emphasizes the positive significance of Christians and non-Christians working together for the modernization of China.

While in Nanjing, the group will have opportunities to visit the seminary as well as many churches and other areas of work. Before going to Nanjing, an orientation session will be held in Shanghai from May 10 to 14 where the group will visit churches and a seminary and hear presentations on "The Church in China Today."

Christians throughout the world have a keen interest in the growth and development of the Church in China, and this conference is designed to investigate ways in which we can cooperate for the mutual benefit of all in service to Christ.

EXPLORING CHINA’S INTERIOR
Linda Tennis

Each spring Hong Kong International School has a short term Interim study giving the students opportunity to have an intense week or ten days to explore areas of study not normally offerred during the school year. This year Amy and Kimberly Tennis were able to travel in China for their Interim study. Kimberly traveled into the Deep Interior to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province which has been renowned for its brocade since 25A.D. From Chengdo a twenty-seven hour train ride through the monsoon jungles brought them to Kunming and the Stone Forest which was formed on a sea bed 270 million years ago. This area of China has some 22 ethnic and minority groups, many still wearing their colorful tribal clothes. Kimberly was impressed by the relaxed pace at which people were able to live - very different from Hong Kong's hectic life style-and the general cleanliness of the country. Amy's trip followed the footsteps of Marco Polo along the old Silk Road. They visited the Great Wall at it's western most point, rode camels in the Gobi desert; visited Turfan, an oasis 505 feet below sea level; toured Urumqi in the northwestern comer of China, and then finished their trip with a visit to Xian where they toured the old capital and saw the terra cotta warriors. Highlights of Amy's trip includes shopping in local markets, riding camels, being invited to attend a communist party dance given in Lanzhou; and visiting in homes of people in the northwest where they were treated to specialities of the area for meals. Both girls felt the people were very friendly even though they could not verbally communicate with them. Amy and Kim are daughter of Keith and Linda Tennis.

RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO FIRE VICITIMS
Keith Tennis

The scourge and fear of those living in the squatter shack areas of Hong Kong is fire. There are still more than half a million people living in these wooden and corrugated steel-roofed huts jamed in the ravines and on the hillsides of Hong Kong. There is such a long waiting list for admission into public housing units that many of the families have lived in the shacks for fifteen to twenty years.

When a fire gets started in one of these areas, it is very difficult to stop its spread, and in a very short time hundreds of families can lose their homes and possessions. the first of May one such fire hit the Diamond Hill area of Hong Kong, not far from where the Christian Community Centre we operate in conjunction with the Homantin Swatow Baptist Church is located. In a matter of a few short hours, more than 900 people lost their belongings and their houses.

Mr. Lincoln Lee, the director of the Diamond Hill Christian Centre, has been spending much time being of assistance to the victims of the fire. Our American Baptist Mission has made a grant of HK$5,000. to assist the children who lost their school books and uniforms to be able to purchase new ones. This grant was made from funds given through Baptist World Relief, and has helped to alleviate some of the anxiety and loss felt by the children and young people. May is the month of government testing of Hong Kong school students, and the added burden of losing their school books and study notes has been difficult to bear for the students.

Missionaries....
Dr. Stephen and Angela Beasley-Murray
Dr. John and Ruth Espy
Drs. Harold and Estelle Schock
Rev. Keith and Linda Tennis
Rev. Becky Trask