After the service, I have been invited to join a couple in the church for dinner. His name is Victor and his wife is Janice. He is a doctor and was a part of the church when I was here before. They are married and have two children. Victor will be overseeing the renovation as well as serve as the chairperson for the Board of Directors. I will enjoy hearing their story.
I will be returning home tonight to pack my bags and get ready to leave on Sunday. We will leave the retreat center at 7 AM by taxi to New Town Plaza where we will take the bus back to the airport. It will take 45 minutes. Tim, Russ and Dave will catch a flight at 10:20 AM that will take them to Osaka where they will visit a friend of Tim for two days before returning home. I will take the same flight I took to come to Hong Kong to go back to Chicago. From there I will catch a flight back to Indy. My interation indicates that the trip will be finished by 3:15 PM.
I want to thank those who have written comments on this site. It has been nice to hear from you while I was here. I have enjoyed sharing in this format and I hope that it has helped you understand the significance of this trip to me. What a blessing it has been!
I will attempt to place pictures on the site when I return.
This will be my last entry but the journey will not end. The experiences will continue to shape my faith and life in the coming days I am sure.
Blessed for the journey,
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
The New Airport
The place is so spacious
The Baggage Claim
Russ Jones and Tim Broyles find thier suitcases
At the baggage claim
David Brown waits patiently for his suitcase
The group arrives in Hong Kong on Nov 3 4:55 pm
Patrick, Jamie and Marco meet us at the new airport after 14 1/2 hour flight from Chicago. It was good to be able to stand
Tao Fung Shan Retreat Center
This is where we stayed located at the top of the mountain looking down over the valley where a million people live
Morning Exercise at the Retreat Center
Early in the morning people gathered for Tai Chi, a meditative and stretching ritual to clear the mind and to strengthen the body
The Worship Center at Tao Fung Shan
The worship center is constructed in Buddhist architecture but has Christian symbols inside and outside
Worship Center Roof
Figurines of Priest can be found on the tile roof as well as a cross at the center
Worship Center at Tao Fung Shan
Inside the worship center
Tao Fung Shan
Dave, Russ and Tim stand beside a rock that says "life in the Lord." Dave knows how to put his shoulder into the job!
Railing for the walk to Pastor's House
Dave is digging holes for the pipes that will hold the railing. Too bad they didn't tell us about the electrical cable that ran down along the steps. The sparks flew when Dave hit it with the metal bar. No harm done to the cable or Dave!!!
Working on the Railing
Everyone works as we dig the holes five feet apart for the railing
Progress on the Walk
To the right of Russ, Dave and Tim, the mountain drops off very steeply. The pastor and his wife are in their 80's. The job had been needed for 6 months but they did not have the manpower.
Work Project
Making Progess but it is an uphill climb!!!1
The Work Team with the Retired Pastor and Wife
The man in the black was a Buddhist priest and then became a Christian and worked at this Center for 20 years. He is now 80 years old as well as his wife standing beside him. The man in the green shirt is Barry who is in charge of the grounds around the center and worked with us to build the railing.
Meal Time at Tao Fung Shan
Thre group takes a break from the work to enjoy a delicous Chinese meal with Jim the retreat manager
Lunch at Tao Fung Shan
Eating lunch with Jim the manager
Cross at Tao Fung Shan
This is a very large cross ( 40 ft. tall) that can be seen from the valley where many people live in the New Territories (you can see some of the high rise buildings in the background)
Eating Breakfast at the Retreat
Breakfast included boiled eggs, ham slices and cheese, orange slices and toast with British tea. Tim is at the table.
Eating Breakfast at the Retreat
Tim was pretty hungry this morning! Ha! Ha!
Eating in Hong Kong - Thai
Dave with a delicious dish of Thai food
Eating my favorite food - Chinese
Going out to eat with Edmund and Lisa. They ordered more than we could eat but it was sure good food.
Tao Fung Shan Retreat Center
The Cook is preparing lunch on the wok. Notice the bamboo brush at his side that he will use to clean to wok between dishes.
Tao Fung Shan Retreat Center
Working on Chinse Vegetables - Very hot fire underneath the pan.
Eating at McDonald's
There are many American fastfood places including McDonald's Kentucky Fried and Pizza Hut to name just a few.
New Town Plaza
This is where we would shop but it is now an upscale mall that has marble floors and high end shops. (this is a typical crowd during the day)
High Rise Building at Sun Chui
The Church is located at the ground floor of this high rise building with 8,000 people live. In a 3 block area there are 60,000 residents
Entrance of Sun Chui Center
This center was opened in 1989 and serves as a study center for secondary students through the week. On the weekends church services are held. It is approx 1,000 sq. ft.
Sunday Morning Worship - Sun Chui
This is the morning worship service - 90 people were packed in this tiny room
Worship at Sun Chui
This is the worship team that led the group in worship for 45 minutes
Worship at Sun Chui
Here I am preaching with Edmund Leung translating
Hong Kong Church of God
The group meets outside after the service. Most of the members are under 30 years of age. All of them are first generational Christians.
Saturday Worship - Sun Chui
The group just after the worship service. Most of these are junior and senior high students
Saturday Afternoon Worship
The group meets outside after the Saturday afternoon worship. There were approx 50 present at the service (not all pictured here)
The Location of the New Church Facilities
The new church will be located on the second floor of this building, just above a bank. A large sign outside will be able to direct people to the place. The space is approx 2,500 sq. ft and cost US $1.3 million dollars
New Church in Tai Wai
The church is located to the left of this picture. This is one of the fastest growing areas in Hong Kong. This is the main street in Tai Wai
Renovation of New Facilities
Edmund explains to Dave that the large area can be divided in smaller rooms for small groups during the week.
Renovation of the New Facilities
This is looking from the back of the room
Renovation of New Facilities
This is half of the facilities
Renovation of New Facilities
This is looking in the opposite direction of the last picture. Construction workers are plastering by "walking the ladder" across the room
The New Church under Renovation
Edmund explains to Russ, Dave and Tim about the renovation
Renovation of New Facilities
Two bathrooms and a kitchen will be built into this area
Local Chinese Schools
Parents are waiting to pick up their children. Some children go only a half day of school because another group of children come the other half of the day. Usually the first group starts at 7 and goes to 12. The second group from 1 -6. They usually have a lot of homework.
Chinese Schools
Students line up at the beginning of school before going to classes. Every school has their own uniforms.
Chinese Schools
Mothers or maids pick up the children and walk to their homes in neighboring high rise buildings.
International Christian School
This is the building where the International Christian School started in 1992. It started with 56 students. The high school will move out in December to begin using the new facilities
International Christian School
The 3 story complex was directly in the plight path of planes landing at the old airport. They do not cross over with the new airport open.
International Christian School
It was a tight squeeze
Entrance at International Christian School
Jamie, Dave, Russ, Tim and myself are standing at the entrance to the new US $ 41 school
New Facilities for HS at ICS
This side will house the High School
New Facilities at ICS (elementary)
The other side will be for the elementary
New Playground Facilities for ICS
Ground floor covered for elementary school
Courtyard at ICS
The Courtyard is where the students will go during free time. The building beside the school is a secondary school operated by Baptist University
New Computer Facilities at ICS
1st graders working in computer lab
Assistant Principal at ICS (elementary)
Steve is explaining to Patrick and Jamie about the facilities.
New Classroom Facilities
There are 3 classes for each grade in the elementary
Science Lab at ICS
This is the Elementary Science Lab
Language Study at ICS
Students will start studying Mandrin from grade 1
Auditorium at ICS
This auditorium will seat 2,000 people and be used by the school and community
Pool at ICS
The only school in Hong Kong to have an indoor pool at the school. The pool is still under construction and will be ready by the end of December 2007. Notice the bamboo scaffolding that is used in Hong Kong.
Living Quarters for Staff
There will be apartments in the school for teachers to use the first year to give time for them to find their own apartment.
Heading back Home
Sunday Morning I made our way to the airport for the 13 1/2 hour flight back to Chicago. The other three went to Japan for two days
Going Back Home for Many
As you can see there were many flights going in many direction. I was glad to get on the right plane going to the right place!
Going Back Home on United
I was sitting on row 52C. The gate is blocking you from seeing me waving!!!
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