Marathon - because life is a long road, with ups & downs & lots of things to experience + Angel - because angels are the messengers of God along the way
Another "working summer", visiting and sharing with congregations in the USA is drawing to a close. One of our favorite things to do -- Children's Talks!
How is life different in the USA and Hong Kong?
2.A. Wild life in Wisconsin
2.B.Wild life in Hong Kong! (ok, not really wild)
3.A. Umbrellas in the USA (Usually for the rain)
3.B. Umbrellas in Hong Kong (for rain, sun, and to show hope for full democracy in Hong Kong)
4. A. Snacks in Hong Kong... all natural, chewy, bony chicken feet!
4. B. Snacks in Wisconsin... artificial everything sno cone (so bad but so good)
5. Church life in Hong Kong... a little bit different than in the USA
Nepalese Congregation in Hong Kong.
Worship in Southeast Asia (YOUTHFUL Myanmar Lutheran Church)
Worship in the USA tends to be.. newer hymnbooks, comfy-er chairs, a little older, a little emptier.
LOTS of differences, BUT ONE THING REMAINS THE SAME:
No matter the color of our umbrella or the way we eat our snacks,
we are "blood relatives" with sisters, brothers, aunties, grandpas all over the world, through Jesus, our Savior and Lord and Friend. And so,
"So, whether we are at home, or away,
we make it our aim to please the LORD."
(St. Paul in his 2nd Letter to the Corinthians, 5:9)
Please note the heat index. Yes, that's right. 108F !!!
It's been hot. This is the second time this week I've see the heat index at 108F.
Rumour is a typhoon is on its way. At least that may cool things down??!
The monkeys have been active. This big guy was hanging around our house yesterday. I'm grateful for the bars on our windows.
The STUDENTS! It's been wonderful to return to new and "old" students at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Hong Kong.
Three of our new students from Myanmar.
One of our "old" students from Indonesia,
Rospita is turning into an amazing scholar and is on schedule to finish her doctorate this spring.
And today (Sunday September 14th) Wayne and I each returned to our respective local Lutheran churches where we each serve as "sacramental minister."
We had each been feeling a little low -- overwhelmed by the heat, the monkeys in our yard and in our heads (!), the mounds and mounds of work awaiting us (Wayne is co-teaching an intensive course for a group of mostly Mainland Chinese students this coming week... and has not yet been assured there will be a translator! Did I mention our Mandarin skills consist of "ni-hao!" ??? Pray for him and the students!)
But today, each of us at our respective churches, we were strongly reminded of one of Bill Hybel's great sayings, "The local church is the hope of the world." By all means Wayne and I believe in a global church. We love the inter-connections of the Body of Christ. Amazing! Beautiful! Exotic! Awesome! Absolutely Necessary! But the local church -- in every place -- is where hand touches hand, live voices sing, Bread of Life given, encouragement received, forgiveness of neighbor is put into practice.
And today, we had the return of the Men's Choir at Ma On Shan Truth Lutheran Church:
Love these guys! I'll try and add the video later. Note the harmonica player in the corner.
And to top it off - still warm boiled red eggs in honor of the first moon (first month of life) of a grandchild to a congregational member: The egg symbolizes new life, the color red symbolizes good fortune and joy.
good fortune, joy, and delicious, too!
Today, it was good to be back in Hong Kong. Except for the weather.
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. -- Jesus, speaking in the Gospel of John 15:10-12 (NIV)
I'm back in Hong Kong! Where the rain, it raineth everyday.
Here's the view from my office at the seminary, in the New Territories of Hong Kong. (Yes, those are more rains, on the way)
One benefit of jet lag is it's the only time I get up early enough to run as the sun is coming up (It's been a week now and I'm still waking up between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m.)
Yes, this is along the canal, the view on my running path just this morning. I'm lucky enough to live near one of the only places in Hong Kong where you can run a 5 mile route without hills!
One of the best things about being back in Hong Kong? Ma On Shan Truth Lutheran Church, where I'm the "sacramental pastor." Here is a snippet of the men's group singing yesterday:
Ah, blessings upon blessings. It's good to be back in Hong Kong!
Stay tuned for more about the amazing students at LTS in upcoming posts.
