October 1963.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

Tiger Tail Village -- the beginning of a story

     Until 1959 Tiger Tail Village was a squatter area of over 10,000 people, a large percentage speaking the Swatow dialect. In this teeming community lived a man with enthusiasm for Christ. Out of the enthusiasm and work of Mr. Tang and his sons, with the aid of missionaries in providing a place to meet, grew what today is called the Kwun Tong Swatow Baptist Chapel.

     In 1959 Government decided to clear away what was Tiger Tail Village, and resettle the people. This is a regular procedure, and a wise one. However, over 400 people living around the chapel did not want to move; they feared that in moving they would be separated. They came to the Rev. Hugh Smith, requesting a hearing with Government to see if the chapel group could be kept together, instead of being scattered into resettlement areas all over Hong Kong. The concern was shown especially by the young people who had become closely bound together. Government responded, and the people presented a list of names of those who wanted to remain together.

     They were all moved to Kwun Tong, a large new resettlement area. Government gave them a roof -top on which to build rooms for a school in which they could also worship. The dedication service was held in September 1960. But then their first task was to expand the building, to make more room!

     When the resettlement area of Kwun Tong is fully developed, in about seven more years, it will be a community of over 500,000. In the heart of this community will be the "salt and light" of the Swatow Baptist Chapel. The turmoil of the move has not caused the light to go out, but to burn more brightly. In this shoulder-to-shoulder community, in which many are still illiterate, there stands a dedicated witness for Christ.

     What are their hopes and desires for the immediate future? Negotiations are being, held with Government for a site on which to construct a church building. This is a great venture of faith for these people. Each church family has a little bank for saving hard-earned dimes (less than 2 cents U.S.) in order that the dream may become a reality. Rev. and Mrs. Alvin Koons are becoming deeply involved in the life of the church. The Mission hopes that American Baptists will help lift some of the weight of the financial burden that the people simply can not carry. We ask for your prayers that the Lord will grant these courageous people the strength and knowledge to keep this witnessing church moving forward for Christ in a crowded and confused world.

Church Leaders Retreat

     The Christian church in Hong Kong continues to experience the greatest rate of growth in the world. Church membership has increased over 10% per year for seven consecutive years. Swatow-speaking Baptists alone have grown from a single congregation of some 200 members, to 5 self-supporting churches, 11 chapels, 3 rooftop schools, and a Christian center and all in 15 years!

     On September 29, some 90 church leaders from the Swatow Baptist churches gathered with their American Baptist co-workers in the beautiful new chapel at Chung Chi College. They came to consider the development and unity of the gospel work in Hong Kong. It was truly a day of inspiration, fellowship, and sharing.

     Dr. F. A. Marsh, past president of the Baptist Union of Australia, speaking on the theme, "Trustees of the Gospel," challenged the group to manifest in every phase of their work a witness of unity, activity, and consistency. In discussion periods the following subjects were considered: How to establish meaningful contact with Swatow Baptist churches in Southeast Asia; the discipline and order of Sunday worship services: the administration and supervision of relief work; the importance of tithing both in the life of individual Christians, and in the life of the church.

     The leaders agreed to hold such retreats semi-annually. They decided also to sponsor the publication of an occasional bulletin for distribution to interested Christians in other parts of the world.

Vacation Bible School

     The joint Committee of Swatow Baptist Churches now includes in its work 5 churches and 11 chapels. Some worshipers meet in the large Kowloon City Church, but others meet in store-front churches, in sanctuaries made by opening 3 or 4 apartments together, or in rooftop classrooms.

     In these churches and chapels, 11 Vacation Bible Schools were held this summer, ranging in length from 6 to 13 days. There attended 1,350 children, in 67 classes, taught by 133 teachers.

     In the Ngau Tau Kok Resettletnent Area, the chapel is used during the day as a smocking factory run by Church World Service. Undaunted, the leaders held the Vacation Bible School at night; 65 children who had never attended such a program before, came. The children learned songs, Bible verses, and listened intently to the Bible stories and lessons. During the work period they used old Christmas cards to make attractive baskets. They made animals out of straw. The small children colored pictures.

     Parents came to the closing session, when the children sang lustily the songs they had learned, repeated Bible verses, and proudly gathered up their creative work to take home. Cookies, candies, and fruit as well as prizes for perfect attendance added to the festivities. Parents and children are all hoping there will be another school next year!

The New School Year at Chung Chi College

      In August the Espy family moved again, into permanent quarters in the new faculty apartment building at Chung Chi College. John is a lecturer in the chemistry department; Ruth is busy in the library. The boys, Lincoln and John Mark, commute to schools in Kowloon each day.

     August also saw the arrival of two American Baptist students for the college. Miss Susan Ivory is from Virginia Union University, in Richmond, Virginia; Mr. Carl Adams is from Redlands University, California. Both are here on a Junior-year-abroad program.

     September brought the resumption of classes at Chung Chi College, and of the Theological Seminary. Although affiliated with the college, the seminary is a separate institution. Of the seven students enrolled in this new school, two are from Swatow Baptist churches. A third Baptist, Harry Wu, has recently arrived from Rangoon. He has served the Chinese congregation of Emmanuel Church there.

     On October 17 were held the inauguration ceremonies for the new Chinese university, of which Chung Chi is a constituent part. This is a great step forward in the life of the school.

Missionaries....
Miss Seater-Margaret Drever
Mr. and Mrs. John Espy
Rev. and Mrs. Alvin D. Koons
Rev. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren
Miss Mildred Proctor
Miss Edna D. Smith
Rev. and Mrs. Hugh W. Smith