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

HONG KONG FOCUS ON YOUTH AND CHILDREN

Many Chinese families in Hong Kong discover new meaning in life because one family member gets into a group at a Christian Center. Community center work of American Baptists fits perfectly with Hong Kong's recent focus on children and youth. Moon Lok Center (in Tsuen Wan) and Diamond Hill Center are in full swing, attracting children and youth and sometimes their families, to enjoy a wide range of group experiences. Shun Tin (in Kwun Tong) is a new location, where our latest Center is taking shape and will open in 1983.

At regular times these Centers schedule tutorial and language-learning classes. Quiet Study Halls are very popular especially with students who live in crowded, noisy neighborhoods. Any other time you visit the Centers, daytime and evening, you would hear the fun before you actually arrive at the playground. Rope-skipping, ping-pong, and carom are enjoyed by all ages.

Christmas, Easter, Mothers' Day, and Chinese New Year are special times to share the joy of knowing Christ as a personal Friend. Christian films attract the neighborhood families. Drama, guitar classes, and puppetry are available. Handcraft groups provide seasonal decorations, and handmade awards for volunteer workers.

Typing lessons and training in Job Interviews help youth who are looking for work. Many youth express their interest in discussion groups concerning family relationships, changing customs in Hong Kong, tensions and communication in the homes, superstition and religion.

Diamond Hill Center is located in the premises of the Homantin Swatow Baptist Church. Those who register at the Center are encouraged to relate to church friends and join in the worship services. Boy's Brigade held at the Centers encourages participation.

One aspect of Christian Center work which needs closer attention is the recruitment and training of youth volunteers. Interested youth come and go. They are cheerful helpers. But they need more leadership training, and greater challenge to Christian service. Your prayers can strengthen them.

District Offices of the H.K. Government have gained confidence in what our Centers are trying to do in the community. The officers have participated in special events at the Centers, and they offer continuing encouragement in our work. They provide materials for teaching First Aid and Health Education.

In Tsuen Wan a strong influence has resulted from close cooperation between Moon Lok Center, Kindergarten, and the Chapel, all in the same building. Under the careful leadership of Miss Daisy Lam, Youth Fellowship, Women's Bible class, Sunday School, and. choir are growing. Missionary June Sutton has arranged for visitation in homes nearby. Principal of the Kindergarten, Miss Yung Sut Ming, keeps in touch with families, and Mr. Kong Wing-Kwong. Director of the Center, is another strong Christian member of the Staff.

Outings and camping have proved fruitful.

by Ruth Noren

DIAMOND HILL CHRISTIAN CENTER REACHES OUT

The Diamond Hill Christian Center sponsored a three-day Christmas Vacation Camp in the New Territories. Six young adult counselors led a group of 42 students, none of them from Christian homes.

Besides the usual camp recreation activities, the campers were led in a series of Bible studies. They first discussed how the world needs a Creator, and how this Creator loves them.

On Christmas Eve, the fruit of this camp was seen at the Homantin Swatow Baptist Church Christmas Celebration. Many of the children brought their brothers and sisters, and for all of them it was the first time they experienced a church service. The church was pleased to have those youth there, even though their lack of training made the service somewhat disorderly.

We are now left with the exciting task of following up on the good work that has started. Through the Diamond Hill Christian Center we are planning several activities that hopefully will lead to a deeper understanding of their initial interest in Jesus Christ.

by Ken Downing

SHUN TIN WU OI HALFWAY HOUSE

Wu Oi opened its new Shun Tin home on November 16, 1982. It accommodates 20 people, with a Warden and several staff members to help with daily sharing sessions, Bible study, music, and "household chores". Visitation in homes of former drug addicts is part of the rehabilitative program, in preparation for their eventual return to their families.

MORE GOOD NEWS

Hong Kong staff rejoice in the appointment of Mr. Akheto Sema as Instructor in Church Music at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, India. Akheto spent two years at Baptist College, then two years in Berkeley, California. Baptist involvement in his education and nurture is now passed on to students in Jorhat, where Akheto's associates praise his effectiveness. Akheto is one of many results of efforts by the Baptist Council on World Mission to exchange Asian Christians for mutual benefits. Akheto originally came from the Naga Hills.

A CHU LAP KOK CHRISTMAS

Christmas was a time of rejoicing on Chu Lap Kok Island. Refugee families from China assisted by our Mission have for many years been farming on this island.

Ruth Noren, Ken Downing, and a team of Chinese youth visited the island on Sunday, Dec. 19th, 1982. Everyone enjoyed a great lunch of oysters, mushrooms, vegetables, chicken, and fish. All of the farmers and visitors went over to the Chapel-in-the-pines for a celebration. The island's small chapel was decorated beautifully and over 50 people attended. Ruth Noren organized a youth choir and Ken Downing gave a message on Jesus' birth titled ,Who is the King?"

Many younger family members, who hid migrated to the city, returned that day for this Christmas Celebration.

We visited our camp area which is used by many different groups throughout the year. About 20 campers, including their kayaks and barbecue equipment, crowded with us on the launch ride back to Kadoorie Pier.

by Ken Downing

CHUNG CHI COLLEGE HOUSING PLANS

Retired staff of Chung Chi College will benefit from a housing development at Little Tao Fong Shan, on a hillside in Shatin. The land and one house were a gift from former Presbyterian missionaries in Hong Kong, Rev. and Mrs. H. Pommereucke. Now the site is being redeveloped by the College, with more housing units to be available. The College expressed gratefulness at a moving outdoor ceremony on Chung Chi's 31st Founders' Day, when Mrs. Pommerencke came to Hong Kong from California to enjoy the celebration, held on October 29th.

American Baptists have contributed funds for faculty housing, for faculty salaries of our own missionaries who have taught there through the years, for the Comptroller's position, and for ongoing work of training pastors in The Theology Division. Loren Noren, member of Chung Chi Board and Finance Committee, participated in the Founders' Day thanksgiving worship in the college chapel.

WILLIAM DEAN BUILDING

Loren and Ruth Noren and June Sutton on November 21, 1982, went to the Cheung Chau Island Baptist Church for the Ordination of their Pastor and the opening of the William Dean Building. It is a 3-storey building that has a library, study room, activities and Sunday School rooms, and living quarters for a staff member.

This is the Church William Dean founded among Swatow speaking fishermen in 1843 not long after his arrival in Hong Kong. Loren unveiled the plaque for the William Dean Building and others opened the doors with the symbolic keys provided.

The sleepy, rural, island village of Cheung Chan is rapidly becoming a thriving residential and vacation place. Hiking, basketball, sailing, swimming, and windsurfing are popular. The Church is now almost all Cantonese, although there is still a substantial Swatow Chinese population on the island. We were told that about 50% of the members do not live fulltime on the island.

HACKETTS' RETIREMENT

Dr. William D. and Rev. Marion Hackett (both ordained) retired in July, 1982, after a lifetime of missionary service, first in Burma, then in Hong Kong. Until their retirement they have maintained affectionate relationships with Burmese Baptists through frequent visits to Burma, where they knew the language of the people with whom they served as partners in many kinds of ministry.

Marion was much appreciated in Burma for her meticulous translation of the Bible into the local dialect. In spite of illness she continued her interest in Scripture work through her efforts with the Hong Kong Bible Society and teaching at Baptist College in Hong Kong.

Bill's ties with rural villagers in Burma enabled him to share in demonstration farming, at the same time that he continuously witnessed to his love for the Lord Jesus Christ. The impressive ongoing Christian work in Burma, after all Western missionaries had to leave the country, is convincing evidence of the way the Gospel flourished, along with the farmers' fields.

Our Hong Kong mission staff know the Hacketts in their urban setting, as well as on Chu Lap Kok Island, where we settled 22 refugee families, from mainland China. Bill taught in the Sociology Departments of both Chung Chi College and H.K. Baptist College during crucial years of development of these two Christian institutions. President Daniel Tse stated that the Hacketts fitted into Baptist College in numerous creative and helpful ways. Fitting into city life also included participation in the work of the H.K. Christian Industrial Committee.

A dinner party and a gift of Peking cloisonne accompanied the farewell speeches marking the Hacketts' move to Springfield, Missouri.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGLISH BRAILLE

In September, 1982, an International Conference on English Braille was held in Washington, D.C. Seven countries were represented by blind and sighted people: users, teachers and transcribers of Braille. Hong Kong's delegate to the Conference was a member of the Hong Kong Association of the Blind. Because I was in the States on furlough, I was able to represent the Hong Kong Society for the Blind as an observer. He is a user of Braille; I am a volunteer teacher and transcriber. Attending this Conference encouraged me to continue efforts to provide books for the blind in Hong Kong.

Through many years, two major 'systems of Braille in the English language have developed, using a common basic alphabet but setting up different rules concerning many aspects of copying printed materials. Also, the systems adopted incompatible mathematical notations, so that scientific and technological books are limited in their Braille usefulness to those who know only one system. The two systems are centered in the U,K. and the U.S. As an American in Hong Kong, I was most interested in there being more agreement between the two systems and in the consideration of users to whom English is a second language.

by Ruth Espy

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

In July and August Terence Man and Steven Li went as "Short-term missionaries" to Thailand.

Terence spent his six weeks in a small Mandarin Church in northern Thailand. For one week he acted as the "Pastor". Terence said "My most exciting work was witnessing for Christ in many meetings."

Steven visited six Chinese Churches, most of them in village areas in northern Thailand. He had opportunity to preach one Sunday and gave his testimony in other Churches. He said, "God taught me there are many things I can do without, as I lived with poor people, but that I cannot do without Him. I was able to spend more time in prayer and Bible study in the quiet country villages than in the bustle of Hong Kong. Now back in Hong Kong I am trying to wake up before everyone else in my house so I can continue my morning quiet time. I need it to grow in my relationship with my Lord!"

Terence is from the Tze Wan Shan Swatow Baptist Chapel and the young people on hearing a report of his work in the Thailand church immediately sent a contribution to the church. The young people from Steven's Church, Kowloon City, have sent funds to support poor children in northern Thailand villages so they can go to school and there hear the gospel message.

by June Sutton

SECOND ASIAN BAPTIST CONGRESS IN HONG KONG

I joined this second Asian Baptist Congress, held in the Kowloon City Cantonese Baptist Church in January, because I could meet many brothers and sisters from different countries. The topic of this congress was "Jesus Christ - for the healing of the family in Asia". I found that people from different backgrounds did have their various family problems. We tried to tackle those problems together, and encouraged family worship.

In, an evening celebration, Dr. Gerhard Class reminded us that half the world's population are hungry. Miss Laura Salvador sang, "Do you really care?" during the offering.

The Congress was made lively by wonderful musicians from the Philippines and Australia, who truly sang from their hearts.

Members of my small sharing group became very g o o d friends. After attending my church. on Sunday, they visited my apartment which they said is just half , as big as their kitchen, back home.

Delegates from all the Asian countries were cordial and friendly, all made one in the love of God.

By Chris Li, Youth Delegate to the Congress (member of Homantin Swatow Baptist Church)

June Sutton was chairlady of the Youth Program Committee of the Asian Baptist Congress. An Australian Baptist herself, June was well-qualified to bring together the forty youth delegates from Australia and youth from other parts of Asia, along with local Hong Kong Baptists. After going into the homes of Chinese families and praying together, many delegates expressed their gratefulness that missionaries had brought the Good News of Jesus Christ to their countries.

The theme song of the Congress "Christ, the Healing Light" was written by Mr. Gabriel Chi, member of the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church.

SWATOW BAPTIST WOMEN CELEBRATE AT CHUNG CHI COLLEGE CHAPEL

A Chinese University student, taking off with an Olympic-style torch from the doorway of Chung Chi Chapel, marked the beginning of an all-day Event for Swatow Baptist women. About 300 grandmothers, mothers, singles, and a few children gathered in the chapel. Around the edges of the platform we noted the thirteen seals beautifully carved in woodwork, one representing each of the Christian colleges formerly in China, and related to the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.

The Rev. Joseph Yiu, pastor of the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church, gave the women a convincing challenge to upgrade the status of church-related careers. He urged the women to pray for their children and grandchildren to train for professional Christian ministry.

Pastor Yiu introduced Ken Downing to the women, as one who sees his life as part of God's plan. Ken presented very movingly his "call", and provided a link of understanding between the several generations present.

by Ruth Noren

"ADD LIFE TO YEARS" Exhibition and Carnival

An aging man in tassel cap sang Chinese folk songs, the happy music amplified throughout a complex shopping center, attracted teenagers arm-in arm with grandparents, mothers with babies tied on their backs, and even fathers hurrying home from work. Organised last December by the Community Health Project of the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong, a mobile exhibition was attended by ten thousand people in five different neighborhoods in Kwun Tong. Demonstrations, illustrated materials gave very practical help in improving Chinese family life, with Particular advice for those in middle and later years.

This festival event was only one of many such educational programs held in the crowded industrial area of Kwun Tong. Friendship groups for all ages are held regularly, including geriatric "Health Clubs" where the elderly participate in "fitness" activities, learn new skills, enjoy crafts and music together. One of these groups performed at the Closing Ceremony of the "Add Life to Years" exhibit (folk dancing by silver-haired Chinese women, surprisingly graceful).

Main speaker at the Closing Ceremony held at Shun Lee Housing area, was Mrs. Elsie Elliott, very well-known member of the Urban Council. Other participants were from the Hong Kong Legislative Council, the Kwun Tong government offices, and Loren E. Noren, member of the Management Committee of the Community Health Project. They presented certificates to Community Health volunteers who completed a recent training program.

In Chinese society aging implies wisdom and experience, traditionally a time for increased respect from relatives. One of my Chinese friends said to me, "Old pottery is expensive, rare old editions of books are most expensive, antique jewelry is precious, older family members are a most valued symbol of our esteemed heritage."

by Ruth Noren

HONG KONG IS WATCHING

These eyes are seen all around Hong Kong as a reminder to have pride in our ,city. We are borrowing the slogan for this issue of THE HONG KONG PEAK, taking a quick look at people and events.

What happens to Hong Kong in the future has certainly become a popular guessing game. Some Chinese here are trying to prepare for all possible outcomes of the negotiations. So it's a lively triangle: China, Britain, Hong Kong. While church leaders are alert to the possible implications, church life continues enthusiastically, with increasing youth involvement.

June Sutton returned in October from her furlough in Australia. Norens returned from furlough last May. Espys had a short summer furlough, are now back on campus at The Chinese University. Ken Downing, from Fuller Seminary, is in Hong Kong for one year, speaking in church youth groups, disciplining Christian youth for greater service and commitment to Christ, and giving special help with the Diamond Hill Christian Center.

Rev. Moses Chung, Associate Pastor of Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church, is studying for one year at American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, California.

33 people (more younger ones than usual) were baptized in December in the 99th service of Baptism held in Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church.

Baptist Tourism in Hong Kong is booming... we cannot begin to name those who have visited various aspects of Baptist work here, or have gone into China, or attended church related meetings.

Youth and aging adults shared a lot of happiness in H.K. Island Swatow Baptist Church over a period of several months. The young people took time to knit scarves, then presented them at a celebration to honor the seniors in their fellowship. Youth picked up the elderly in cars and minibuses, arranged a party, and paid for it themselves.

Rev. David Wong with wife Kathy, and children, Solomon and Mayee, visited Hong Kong, China, and Thailand. They thank God for warm response here to development plans and encouraging growth of their Chinese church in Los Angeles with strong emphasis on children's work.

Rev. Simpson Shih and wife Jackie spent Chinese New Year in Hong Kong with former colleagues and friends. Simpson preached at the annual New Year series of renewal services in the Homantin Swatow Baptist Church. After a visit in Thailand, they returned to their church in Los Angeles area, an enthusiastic Chinese membership with increasing youth leadership.

David Ngai is another inspiring young man who grew up in Hong Kong churches to which our American Baptist Mission is related. Now David is nearing the finish of a Master's Degree in Social Work as well as an M. Div. degree at Northern Baptist Seminary, Chicago. At the same time he is concentrating on Urban Ministries and Christian Center work. David will fill a significant need in Hong Kong when he arrives back here in June.

Loren Noren did a series on Radio Hong Kong during Advent, five noonday talks on successive Fridays.

Keith and Linda Tennis, with Amy and Kim, expect to return to Hong Kong in July, 1983. Harold and Estelle Schock will also return in July, after the wedding of their daughter, Linda.

Missionaries....
Dr. and Mrs. John Espy (Ruth)
Dr. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren (Ruth)
Rev. and Mrs. Harold Schock (Estelle)
Miss June M. Sutton
Rev. and Mrs. Keith Tennis (Linda)
Mr. Ken Downing