March 1970.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

Reflections on: "Where Do We Go From Here?"

"This is a major question in this new decade, and one which I encountered often in my visits with our American Baptist missionaries on my recent twenty day trip to the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand." So writes Helen Wigginion.

She continues. "I take a positive attitude toward the question. I have been associated with the A. B. F. M. S. since 1937, and have known the 'ups and downs' - - perhaps I should say the 'ins and outs' - - on the mission fields. But I have seen proof that the Church of Jesus Christ is firmly rooted, even though some countries are admitting fewer missionaries. I had a Sunday in each of the three countries I visited, and I was aware of the need for every people to see Jesus Christ and his Church in the light of their own culture and customs. The architecture of church buildings, for example, should, and sometimes does, reflect the architectural patterns of the land; thus we see the curved roofs, or the bamboo walls, and the gleaming teakwood. The words of some hymns translated from English, have little meaning for those in other lands, but I have heard hymns written by Asian Christians, using their own melodies.

"I especially look forward to observing the Lord's Supper in the Chinese churches in Hong Kong. The words of Jesus are the same, but the manner of passing the bread and the cup and the courteous reception of the elements by those in the pews is truly Chinese. I love their way, as I am sure our Lord does. My trip has intensified my awareness of the need of people to know Christ and to worship him in their own ways. I was assured that the Church is in good hands; the leaders have been called of the Lord to minister to their own people in his name.

"And those of us from churches, outside of Asia, where do we go from here? It may be a new kind of task to which God is calling us. It is for us to stand steadfast, alongside our Asian brothers, ready to share the load with them, and ready to receive from them at our own points of need.

"My final, reflection related to our younger generation, the future church leaders. I have worked at two colleges - - Alderson-Broaddus in West Virginia, and the Hong Kong Baptist College - - and I have been privileged to talk with and observe hundreds of young people. All young people of today speak a new language. With them a common phrase is 'do our thing'. I suggest that all generations, old and young, need very seriously to 'do our thing for the Lord'. We need to be explosive Christians, perhaps misunderstood Christians. Let us 'do our thing': Rise - - Shine - - Give God Glory! - - because we are on fire with the Holy Spirit."

Student Tuition and Expense Program

Hong Kong does not have a free public school system. Even though fees are kept at a minimum in both the government and church-sponsored schools, many families can not afford the tuition, school uniforms, and needed supplies. For several years interested persons abroad have sent gifts of money to help a child in school. We call this project STEP. Some donors sponsor a particular child; others donate to the project and their gifts are applied as needed. In 1969, one hundred and forty students received assistance.

Names of needy children are received from churches and other contacts. The homes are visited to make an evaluation of the situation. Of those assisted, one hundred and twenty are in Primary schools. Costs range from U. S. $25.00 to $60.00 per year, depending on the school attended. The remaining twenty students are special cases, most of them in high school, where fees range from U. S. 70.00 to $140.00 per year.

The government is embarking on a large - scale program which will make primary schooling available to every child. The STEP committee has considered shifting its emphasis in the next year or so, to helping young people to develop leadership skills. For example, the churches need people who can play the piano, but piano lessons are fairly costly. Choir directing, the use of audio-visual aids, teacher training - - - all of these and other opportunities are open to those who can pay. Perhaps this is the direction to which gifts should be applied.

Miss June Sutton has directed this program. Enquiries should, however, be directed to Hugh Smith in the mission office.

Pastor Lam Shui-Heng Dies

Pastor Lam Shiu-Heng will be best known as the father of Dr. Lam Chi-Fung, president of Hong Kong Baptist College, and a vice-president of the Baptist World Alliance. Pastor Lam was probably the oldest Chinese pastor in the world. He passed away on February 26, in Hong Kong.

Pastor Lam was born in October 1871, in the Kityang district in our South China Mission area. As a young man he studied both Confucius and Mencius, and was a leader in his own group. When he was 27 years old he came to know Jesus Christ, and accepted God's salvation

through him. He entered the Ashmore Theological Seminary in Swatow, studying with Dr. Ashmore and Mr. Chan Pin-Woo. When he was 34 he was ordained into the ministry. The Ling Tong Convention called him to be the General Secretary. Schools as well as churches were the concern of Pastor Lam; many churches operated schools. For poor students he reduced school fees so that they could complete their study.

Five sons and four daughters came to the home of Pastor and Mrs. Lam. Dr. Lam Chi-Fung, the oldest, has already been mentioned. One son is a banker and another a physician. The other two sons and a daughter have already passed away. Three daughters are living in Hong Kong, married, and bringing up their families to be active in church life. Mrs. Lam died a number of years ago, and Pastor Lam remarried, choosing as his bride a former Bible Woman and coworker in the work in China. Mrs. Lam is some years younger than her late husband, and is active in the Kowloon City Church.

We honor Pastor Lam not only for his many years, but for the continuing witness he has given through his own labor, and through his family.

Consultation on Mission

The needs and opportunities facing the churches and Christian organizations in our community today were the theme. The development of guidelines for the church agencies in the fulfilment of their mission in the next decade, was the goal. One hundred and thirty persons thought and talked together, worshipped and had fellowship together for two days late in January. They represented the major denominations, and many church-related educational and service organizations. Roman Catholics were represented by nine persons. Of the total, one-third were Westerners of various nationalities, and two-thirds were Chinese. Those related to our own work were Pastor T. C. Lee, David Wong, Chan Hop-Sang, Loren Noren, Hugh Smith, and Mildred Proctor. All of this was set up by the Hong Kong Christian Council.

What is the mission of the Church in evangelism, service, education, and in the economic life of the community? What is the place of the local congregation and the role of the laymen and ministers? Can we by closer cooperation, work more effectively? A panel discussion was led by a representative of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, a professor of sociology at Baptist College, the deputy secretary of Home Affairs of the government, a Catholic priest, a reporter from the Far Eastern Economic Review, and a Chung Chi College student. Each spoke of the situation as he saw it. This was followed by a lecture on The Theology of Mission Today, by Dr. Chow Lien Hua, Baptist leader from Taiwan. Another lecture was given by the Rev. Miss Lee Ching-Chee on The Church in Hong Kong: Problems and Possibilities. Miss Lee is a member of the General Council of the World Council of Churches. Others spoke briefly, but the major part of the time was given to small discussion groups.

What were the results? Certainly not specific and mandatory "do's" and "don't's" although many suggestions were made. For example: use the church building more; make the facilities available to meet community needs. Seek a more just society; encourage people to involve themselves in the social, political, and economic issues which affect the lives of people. More definitely, proposals were made for the setting up of councils to further cooperative effort and joint planning. Some themes were mentioned many times: 1. the need to develop a program of lay training; 2. the need for greater cooperation and joint activity at the district level, and with government and secular agencies in the area; 3. the need to include youth more fully in the planning and programs of the Church; 4. the need for better use of mass media.

The fact that such a varied group of persons met and talked together was in itself a step forward. The consultation was far too short. But new contacts, and shared ideas lead on to continuing conversations as those who took part meet.

Tsz Wan Shan Chapel

Some ten years ago a hillside covered with scrubby pines, out beyond the airport in Kowloon, was scarred by bulldozers and pile drivers. Today almost 200,000 people live in that area which is called Tsz Wan Shan (the hill of mercy and clouds). As the buildings were completed, people from squatter areas were moved into them. Among them were a number of Cbristians. The Homantin Swatow Baptist Church alone has 46 families now living in Tsz Wan Shan, among about 100 Baptist families altogether.

The Joint Committee of Swatow Baptist Churches considered bow best to serve these people. The Homantin Church was given the go-ahead to develop a new chapel, hoping that members from other Baptist churches might choose to join this new witness. Thanks to World Mission Campaign funds, money was available immediately to purchase the ground floor of a new apartment building. Enthusiastic giving by church members, plus a gift from one of the American Baptist churches will provide the furnishings. The target date for the first service is Easter Sunday. What a victory that will be!

Ling Ling Say Say which, broadly interpreted, means Miscellaneous

- - - - Frank and Joyce Knight, Krista and Marla, will leave Hong Kong late in March. For four years Frank has served through the Servicemen's Guides at Fenwick Pier. Their home at Repulse Bay has entertained many an American serviceman. A side interest which has been much appreciated has been a mid-week Bible class Frank has taught for a group of community women, wives of American business men. The Knights plan to re-enter the pastorate, in some Baptist church in New England. 

- - - - The United Christian Hospital project is making progress. Because of financial problems, the size has been reduced from 600 to 400 beds. The hospital will be built in Kwun Tong, a developing industrial community which at present has no hospital. The population oi 300,000 is expected to grow to 500,000 or more. It is hoped that building may begin this year, and that the hospital will be in operation in 1972 or 1973. American Baptists are contributing a substantial sum from World Mission Campaign funds.

Missionaries....
Mr. and Mrs. John Espy
Dr. and Mrs. William D. Hackett (Marion)
Rev. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren (Ruth)
Rev. and Mrs. John Olley (Elaine)
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
Mrs. Helen Wigginton