Summer 1990.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

HONG KONG – MISSION INTO THE 90’S

Dramatic changes on every continent are taking place and Asia is no different. The 1997 change in government for Hong Kong from Great Britain to the People's Republic of China is fast approaching. The pressures of living are endless touching every aspect of society as Hong Kong people face decisions for their future. In the midst of these changes Christians can see the hand of God shaking up institutional strongholds that for years have moved the church into a maintenance mode.

American Baptist missionaries in Hong Kong are actively seeking changes that will directly challenge us to look seriously at the needs of the people beyond society's walls. The number of unreached peoples of Hong Kong is rapidly growing -- the Vietnamese refugees, the boat people, the homeless, the are taking place and Asia is no different. beggars, the handicapped; those caught in the maze of underworld vice, the addicted and the outcasts of society, along with the tens of thousands of people who live behind the walls of highrise housing.

We could go on and on mentioning the people who are considered the 'have nots' of society, but the lonely and the hopeless are virtually in every segment of society. Hong Kong has them all – from the person who sleeps under an overpass, to the factory worker and the millionaire who are caught in the web of materialistic acquisitiveness. As missionaries we must ask ourselves, "What are we personally doing to make a difference?"

Within a span of four to six years our mission is full of new faces commissioned by the Board of International Ministries to usher in the decade of the 90's. Where are we to go from here?

With one voice we have no intention of maintaining the status quo but desire to be catalysts challenging Christians to get out of the pews and into the Kingdom in a way they have not yet fully experienced. One church leader said, "The Hong Kong church is no longer making any advance numerically ... a new way forward needs to be found to bring people to Christ."

Many Hong Kong church leaders are now grappling with the fact that the way forward will be found not in building bigger churches and stronger institutions but must come through a process of tearing down and building up within the lives of people, the way Jesus did it! What should our mission be doing?

There is a strong desire to lead the Swatow Baptist Churches who have a commitment for renewal and to train leaders for equipping Christians to serve the or and the thousands who are lost to traditional church ministries.

In the hearts of the missionaries God is stirring up a growing desire to strike out into new areas of mission and church planting that will break through the walls of the endless number of high rise buildings in Hong Kong. In this issue of The Peak we will share some illustrations of how God's love is touching people's lives right now in various mission outreaches and our hopes for penetrating the impenetrable in the name of Jesus Christ.

By Becky

INTO THE KINGDOM AND OFF THE STREETS - A Report on One of Hong Kong's Ministries to the Homeless

If you went out beside your house and saw someone in shaggy clothes digging through your trash can looking for food, what would you do? One of the most powerful images from my childhood, one that still makes me feel a little shaky today, was that of an older woman wearing a head scarf in an alley sifting through someone's garbage for food. My mother had brought my brother and me to a town a few miles from where we lived on a shopping trip. She walked up to the lady and gave her a little money. This woman's plight moved me quite deeply. I sometimes feel what is almost a physical pain when I think about it. I can't imagine how painful it must have been for the woman. The situation seemed, and still seems today, so utterly unjust, so out of sync with all that is right in the world.

As most other large cities, Hong Kong has homeless people (thousands of them), but I am glad to report that there are people here taking steps to solve the problem. One group making a positive effort to help people living on the streets is Hong Kong Concern for the Homeless Association.

In 1987 a man by the name of Ronald Tang decided to do something about the tragedy. He shared his concerns with a number of pastors and before much time had passed helped to organize a Christian concert to inform many more people of the problem and to raise funds to help the homeless. This was the beginning of Hong Kong Christian Concern for the Homeless Association, an organization that is attempting to change the lives of people living on the streets of Hong Kong, spiritually and physically.

In an interview with Paul Tang, HKCCHA's leader, and Pastor Peter Ho, whose church, Kong Fok Chapel, is closely related to the ministry, I learned of the work people are now doing for the homeless through this organization and of some ambitious plans for the near future. At present Paul shares the gospel with homeless people, gives them food, takes sick people to hospitals, lets them use the organization's mailing address for employment purposes, and assists them to obtain government financial aid and government housing (the last two, particularly the final one, can take a good while to obtain).

Yet, from this list one can discern that something is conspicuously missing--immediate housing. This is not, of course, the only problem the homeless have, but it is obviously a central one.

Paul Tang and Peter Ho and other concerned people are attempting to do something about this problem as well. HKCCHA's is presently looking for an apartment that can be used to accommodate homeless people until permanent housing is located for them. But they have found this to be a difficult task because landlords are very anxious about what their other tenants, reactions might be to an apartment filled with people off the street. Still, the two men seem confident that they will soon be able to find a location to begin this new stage to the ministry.

One of the ministries successes can be seen in the life of Jeung Jih Ying, a 54 year old homeless unskilled laborer. When he was twelve years old, Jih Ying came to Hong Kong from Shantou (Swatow). His formal schooling consisted of one year of study, - and so he never learned to read. At 19 his father died, and he was left alone. He, as his father before him, works at the waterfront doing odd jobs. These often involve carrying heavy loads. He has been homeless for over 15 years.

Paul Tang met Jih Ying two years ago. At first he was not at all interested in talking to people (partly because he speaks only broken Cantonese, his native language being the Shantou dialect). But eventually, after concern shown to him by Paul and a fellowship of Christians, he came to the Lord and has recently been baptized. He is a happy man now, even though he still lives on the streets. Presently HKCCHA is working at getting him government housing and hope that soon Jih Ying's outward life will be changing as much as his inward life already has. The organization would like very much to have their own temporary housing to offer people like Jih Ying and trust that they will soon have it. I am sure that they would appreciate our readers' prayers for their ministry and particularly for success in their search for a temporary housing-ministry center location.

by Don

WU OI CHRISTIAN CENTRE EXPANDS

In the spanse of sixteen years Wu Oi Christian Centre has experienced steady growth in service to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Over the past year, Johnson Ngai, the General Secretary, has led Wu Oi to further expansion of ministry outreach. As of April lst, Wu Oi opened their new headquarters at Temple Street in the Yaumatei district of Kowloon.

The blessings of God never cease and the new location of the Wu Oi office is a wonderful demonstration of those blessings. With real estate prices soaring it would normally be impossible, at a reasonable price, to find a strategic location for outreach ministry among drug addicts, gamblers, prostitues, the homeless, but nothing is impossible with God!

Thanksgiving has been lifted up to the Lord for the answered prayers of many Christian brothers and sisters for the new headquarters (given by a generous donor) that is right in the heart of this needy area of Kowloon. The Wu Oi Christian Centre is expanding their outreach with more hospital visitation, tract distribution at methadone clinics, prison evangelism ministry, and the girls' home. Wu Oi also cooperates with the Hong Kong Christian Concern for the Homeless providing ministry to the street sleepers in the Temple Street area.

Through obedience to Christ's command to preach the Good News to all, Wu Oi has not been without problems. Johnson Ngai reports in the Wu Oi Newsletter that "since their move to the Temple Street office Satan has been on the attack. Unfriendly neighbours, the resignation of apprentices, the spreading of rumours, etc, have been in abundance."

Please pray for God's continued blessings for Wu Oi's ministry, for added protection from the onslaughts of satanic attacks, for those who are turning to the Lord to break their bondages of drug addiction and for the Wu Oi staff to receive God's divine guidance in the continued development of Long Ke Village, Temple Street, Shun Tin halfway house, and in the strengthening of the follow-up ministry with former drug addicts and their family members.

by Becky

MISSION FOR FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS

Since the early 1970's, poverty and the lack of employment opportunities in the Philippines have led increasing numbers of Filipinos to seek employment in other countries. There are now more than 45,000 Filipina women working in Hong Kong as live-in maids for an average of 15 hours a day, six days a week, usually on two-year contracts recognized by the Hong Kong and Philippine governments.

Although the system in most cases works to the mutual benefit of all parties involved, because they are foreign workers in a low status position, Filipina maids are vulnerable to discrimination and a host of other problems. The biggest problems are with contract violations -- underpayment, no time off, physical abuse, and arbitrary termination of contract by the employer.

The increasing problems and needs of migrant Filipinas in Hong Kong led to the creation of the Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers in 1981. In the course of responding to the pastoral, legal, and social welfare needs of the women in distress, the problem of finding temporary housing for those who experienced termination of work contracts or abusive work conditions became more pronounced.

In September, 1986, the Bethune House Women's Shelter opened its doors. Since then, an average of 8- 10 women a night have stayed at Bethune House, although upon occasion the number has been as high as 22.

Generally speaking, a domestic helper will not break a contract herself unless conditions are intolerable, because it means losing her job and returning to the Philippines within two weeks, thus forfeiting potential salary and income for her family in the Philippines while waiting to be processed for another employer. She cannot stay in Hong Kong even if she has found a new employer: average time and salary loss is one to three months, plus the additional expenses of agency fees and government-levied taxes and permits.

Bethune House provides shelter for Filipinas suffering abuse. Counselling and legal assistance, data gathering/monitoring of cases of violations, and accompanying of residents to immigration and labor departments constitute the major tasks of the staff on behalf of the residents.

The Board of International Ministries of American Baptist Churches has made a grant from One Great Hour of Sharing Funds for support of this important ministry.

by Keith

HOSPICE CARE - A MINISTRY OF LOVE

The Haven of Hope Hospital has adopted the Hospice Care concept in setting up a special ward to house the terminally ill cancer patients. Their ministry is based on the verse of scripture from Hebrews 13:5, "I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.' The motto of the Hospice Care Team is, "You matter because you are you, you matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can to help you to die peacefully, but also to live until you die.'

In 1987, Ms. Neva Yung, a dedicated -Christian nurse, was granted a scholarship from Board of International Ministries of American Baptist Churches to go to England to study Hospice Care. After completion of her training, she returned to Haven of Hope Hospital here in Hong Kong and is now the head nurse in the Hospice Care ward.

Nurse Yung says, "The concept of Hospice care has enabled the patients, their families and care givers to share and to love; it is very meaningful in many ways. There are many things we can do to ensure the comfort of the patients and to assist both patients and families to face the terminal stage with a more positive attitude.

We see patients being cared for and made comfortable, and loved. We see intimate contact made with the families and the care givers; we are also faced with scenes of separation. We care givers are only human. We admit that we crywith them sometimes. We share with their joy and sorrow.

Often we act as mediators between patients and their families, to let them see hope of a comfortable caring, hope of concern, hope of helping them to do their unfinished business, hope of peace and an eternal destiny. It is a most rewarding service, fulfilling in many ways as we continue to help the patients and relatives to have a positive attitude towards dying."

A new hospice care wing at Haven of Hope Hospital was dedicated on May 5, 1990. The American Baptist Mission has granted scholarships to four other staff members of Haven of Hope Hospital to receive training in nursing and counselling patients in this ward. They have a wonderful Christian ministry touching the lives of many with God's steadfast love.

A LINK WITH CHINA -Macau Fellowship Orphanage

The building is old, two-storey, and cavernous. Its starkly furnished rooms look quite bleak compared to what most of us are used to, though to the children of the Macau Fellowship Orphanage, this is home. American Baptists are giving $3,000 per year for three years (beginning in 1989) in support of the orphanage, run by Evangelize China Fellowship, Inc. The orphanage supports 60 children aged 7 through 20, most of whom are from mainland China.

Situated at the mouth of the Pearl River as it opens out to the South China Sea, the Portugese colony of Macau borders China on one side and is literally a stone's throw across the river on the other. Macau has served as a stepping stone to Hong Kong for hundreds of thousands of Chinese refugees through the years. Even now many still come. Within the past ten years, Macau's population has- soared from 150,000 to 500,000, the majority of this influx coming from China. About one-sixth of the children in the orphanage have a parent living in China. In a recent interview with Miss Wong Che Ying, director of the orphanage for 32 years, we learned the following:

                   Q: What are the backgrounds of some of the children here,        
                    some individual cases?

• A: Most of the children are from Macau and Hong Kong, though some are sent from China by a parent or extended family members who can no longer support them. The family hardship is brought on by the death of a parent, divorce, or remarriage into a family where the child is not wanted. A few have been deserted by parents. There are five cases in which a family member has placed the child here, and then hasn't been back to visit the child for as long as five years. These children are noticeably different from the others. They do not do well in school, and are not as happy as the others who have relatives who keep in touch from time to time.
• Q: What are some of the other cases?
• A: There are ten children whose parents fish for a living and five on their boats. These parents pay boarding fees and send their children to live here so that they can receive a public school education. These children see their parents several times a year, sometimes working with them on the fishing boats.
• Q: The orphanage is run by a Christian organization. How do you present the gospel to the children?
• A: They attend a local church on Sundays; plus each evening I lead the children and young people in a devotion and Bible study. I've done this for 32 years. I do this since not all the house parents are Christian. Some are from China and are not Christian. We have a room set aside where we keep the Bibles and have our devotions. Also, in the past local churches have helped with Bible school programs for the children.
• Q: Is there any special project or need thatpeople could give to specifically to help out?
• A: When we have a specific need, we send in a request to Evangelize China Fellowship office in Hong Kong who then allocates the funding. Our main need is for the ongoing general expenses of the orphanage. We are largely supported by private giving, though this year is the first that the Macau govenment has contributed to the orphanage. We are pleased about that, and are very thankful for the generous amount of money that the American Baptists and other Christian organizations are giving.

                   Q: What are your concerns for the work here?

• A: My main concern is that it is difficult to let the most needy children in China know about the orphanage, and then to place them here. It is hard to get the word out.

Miss Wong's deep care for these and other needy children was catching. After taking around afternoon snacks, she dismissed all the children from study hall, a break welcomed by most, to go outside for pictures. We made several friends that afternoon in the playground, and then we were taken upstairs to see the children's dormitory and chapel. Macau is scheduled for Chinese government takeover in 1999, two years after Hong Kong is returned to Chinese rule. We are glad, at this time, to have a part in this opportunity to share the gospel with some of China's children.

by Nancy

Prayers for CHANGING THE HEART

Part I

How effective are our prayers? In other words, how much are people and situations in the world changed because of them? Are we praying according to God's will for the people we pray for? Is there a way to know?

In one sense if we are praying for individuals or groups of people our prayers need to be tailor-made for those we are praying for depending on the situation they find themselves in. This kind of praying is essential and involves many factors, factors which are vital to learn about. But is there another side to the matter of praying for people? Are there specific prayers we could pray that would greatly benefit almost anyone we used them for? I think that the answer to this question is most assuredly yes.

There are two such prayers, very powerful ones indeed, in Paul's letter to the Ephesians, 1:15-20 and 3:14-21. Though Paul says only that he asked God to do these things for the Ephesians, not mentioning whether he prayed for any other churches in this way, a good look at the prayers reveals very clearly their very powerful nature and makes one quite grateful that they providentially made their way into the New Testament. The prayers are deeply spiritual ones, speaking of some very astounding blessings that Christians have access to at the present time and in the world to come, blessings which to some degree can come into people's lives because others or themselves pray for them too. And it appears that these Ephesian prayers serve as powerful models for such prayer.

In the next issue of The Peak, we will begin to examine the prayers more closely with the object of mining out the great blessings they speak of. But might I suggest to those who feel led to do so to begin praying the prayers for yourselves, those on your prayer lists, and for whoever else may come to mind? We of the American Baptist Mission would certainly be very grateful if you would wish to use them to pray for us. The prayers are printed below in an essential form. Paul prayed:

• That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the gloryof His inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come .... (1:17-21)
• That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. (3:14-21)

By Don

S.T.E.P. -- HELPING TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE

S.T.E.P. (Student Tuition and Expense Program) has changed a great deal since over 2,000 Schoolmate Kits (toothbrushes, pencils, crayons, etc.) were distributed back in 1%5. In 1%9 over 140 students were helped with tuition expenses so they could go to school because Hong Kong, at that time, did not have a free school system. Now free education is provided through the ninth grade, but still there are not enough government schools for all the students. We continue to provide funds for thirty-one students who do not have the means to buy books and uniforms and pay tuition and transportation fees.

Over the years many of these students have expressed their thanks by in turn serving the community. Several of our Swatow Baptist pastors have received help through S.T.E.P.

One student that we have kept track of is now in the Social Service Department of the Hong Kong Government. We have over the years given some information on many of these students.

This year we again see God's hand in the life of one of our S.T.E.P. recipients. The son of one of our local pastors has worked extremely hard to keep his academic level high and also hold jobs outside of school so that he can go on to college. University places in Hong Kong are few and many deserving students cannot get a college education. This particular boy has done so well that he has been accepted by and offered generous scholarships at several USA schools. He wants to be of service to the community when he is finished with his schooling.

It is GREAT to know that your continued giving to the S.T.E.P. fund makes this possible. THANKS..

by Linda

KINDERGARTENS -- "LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME..."

In Hong Kong, before a child enters primary one he/she is expected to have some formal education. The written test, previously required to enter primary school, has been abolished. However, students still have to pass an interview to enter school and to do so they must have some formal training.

The American Baptist Mission is currently involved in two kindergartens in Hong Kong. This gives us an opportunity to help many children, and also in that process become helpful to their families.

Moon Lok Kindergarten is in the center of a housing development of some 10,000 people and currently enrolls about 350 students. Along with their classroom sessions the kindergarten has many activities for the families. The staff take time to plan programs that will help the parents in knowing how to raise their children. While Bible stories are familiar to the students (a Bible teacher is employed full-time by the kindergarten), the parents' only contact with the Christian message may come when "family' activities are held. Often times the children will act out the Bible stories for their parents in eagerness to tell them the stories they have learned.

The caring attitude of the staff and the concern that is shown for not only the little ones, but also the extended family certainly is very evident in this community.

Although Kowloon Baptist Church Kindergarten serves a different community, it is the love and concern of the all-Christian staff that gives it that 'special" atmosphere. The kindergarten of 200 students has children of 27 different nationalities.

One of the goals of the kindergarten is to teach children that they are all special children of God and that each is cared for by Him. Again, because the number of Christian families involved here is not large, the kindergarten is able to witness through the concern that is shown to the entire family.

The first Bible story the children at the kindergarten learn is the one of Jesus blessing the children.

• "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 18:16)

by Linda

STUDY HALLS -- A Ministry To Hong Kong Youth And Their Families

Ask any teacher what can help to improve students' success in learning and they will respond without hesitation that support from parents and a good location for studying are two of the essentials. With the crowded conditions and the economic demands placed on Hong Kong families, those two goals are often difficult to attain. So, what kind of crowded conditions are we talking about, and in what way are churches helping to provide a place for students to study?

Present regulations for government housing is 37 square feet per person. Many families of five to seven members still live in old housing that gives even less space. A Chinese co-worker of mine has just been granted an apartment of 400 square feet for her family of five on the 22nd floor of a new high-rise building. She is thrilled and gives thanks to God for His constant care!

Can you imagine yourself in such crowded conditions? We just aren't used to this style of living, but millions of people in the growing megacities around the world are living in similar conditions, and many more have no roof over their heads at all!

The churches have for a long time recognized this need. Currently among the Swatow Baptist Churches in Tze Wan Shan, Shaukiwan, Kwun Tong and the Kowloon City's Shun Tin Christian Centre and Christian Fellowship provide study halls for students. They offer a clean and quiet environment with tutors to assist students in various subjects. As a result, young people can study, they are relieved of noisy stressful home environments, and they find friendly fellowship with opportunity to experience the love and care of Christians.

Through many contacts over the years the Church has reached youth with the love of Jesus Christ. Many family members are also reached through these contacts. As friendships are built, the high-rise walls of Hong Kong's housing estates are broken down and the Good News of Christ begins to make a difference.

By Becky

Hong Kong Baptist Mission COMINGS AND GOINGS

This year we are seeing a lot of comings and goings of personnel, some temporary, some permanent. From January to early May Dr. James Chuck, senior pastor of San Francisco's First Baptist Chinese Baptist Church, worked in Hong Kong with the American Baptist Mission. He taught several courses at Chung Chi College Seminary of Chinese University, shared in ministry in the Swatow Baptist Churches and in

Two more changes that are more permanent are with the position of the Hong Kong Mission Correspondent. Keith Tennis, missionary in Hong Kong since 1979 and as Mission Correspondent, is now getting his feet wet in Valley Forge learning new responsibilities as the Area Secretary for Southeast Asia. He will establish the Area Secretary's office here in Hong Kong in order to have, closer contact with the Southeast Asia missionaries and national church leaders. He is replacing Cecil Carder who is retiring from BIM after over 35 years of service.

We are delighted to have two faces with us who are not new to the Hong Kong mission family. Lloyd and Eileen James, who were here in 1988 and 1989, have returned to assist in the transition process of the duties of Mission Correspondent that serves as liaison between the Hong Kong Mission and the Board of International Ministries.

We also welcome two new missionaries, Wilbur and Sheila Stone from the First Baptist Church of Orleans, Indiana, with their daughter, Rachel. Wilbur and Sheila will be involved in leadership and church development, and Wilbur will take up the Mission Correspondent responsibilities, January 1, 1991.

Like all newcomers, their first job is to learn the Cantonese language which has always proved to be a challenging task for every new missionary.

Missionaries....
Rev. Donald and Nancy Keesee
Rev. Keith and Linda Tennis  
Rev. Becky Trask
Rev. Lloyd and Eileen James
Rev. Wilbur and Sheila Stone