After spending time traveling to different countries it was time to get back to China, err, well, sort of. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It was a British colony from around 1840 until 1997. Now it has 50 years of "grace" before the Mainland will bring it under its rules. We arrived in the early afternoon, but we couldn't check in to our residence until 4 pm. A couple hours to burn looking for snacks in this mainly residential part of the city became a bit difficult. We found a small convenient store and got some goods. Hong Kong was the last stop because it was also where our FoC retreat was happening. This is a time for the teachers to get together and discuss teaching stuff and be refreshed before getting our hands dirty again working for the Boss. After most of us arrived, we hatched a plan to go down to the track. I thought they were crazy to put a horse racing track in the middle of this metropolis, but Hong Kong has lots of money running through it and one way to spend it is at the races. We bought some cheap beers from 7/11 to sneak in, trying to avoid the rumored 30 dollar beers at the track. We got a 20 dollar six pack instead. We got there so late that they let us in for free, no 10 dollar entrance fee. It turned out to be a better night than I expected. Twas a lovely evening for a horse race.
The days in Hong Kong were reserved for various presentations by the faculty and speakers associated with Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS). Yes, we have a seminary in Hong Kong and it is doing wonderful things. I hope to tell you more about it when I return. We listened to so much good stuff and it was great to hear about the broader work being done in all the other cities. It was also a time for fellowship. Other cities had their issues and obstacles and joys and we shared it and rejoiced in this special blessing of unity. At night a local friend took us down to the harbor to snap some pictures of the skyline. It was a beautiful night and the skyline was magnificent. Do you remember the Dark Knight movie? The tall building is the one he jumped from in the movie. O yea, I was there.
The next day we had a morning session of presentations and then the afternoon was free to explore Hong Kong. We met up with the local friend again and he took us to a natural reservoir on the island. It didn't seem like we were in one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Lots of nature and fresh air and very few people. Amazing! Did I mention that there were a lot of people in Hong Kong? I included a picture of what it's like waiting for a subway train. The heads just keep on going. We also found some great Thai food in Hong Kong that night. Sorry China, I loved Thai food and this dish was especially good. Green curry with beef shank served with a plate of rice. Delicious! Love me some Thai food.
Our last (unofficial) day in Hong Kong had some more awesome presentations in the morning. In the late afternoon we had a joint "meeting" with the FoC teachers, ALS students, and area fellowship at one of the places for praise in Hong Kong. They don't have rules on them here, what a joy to join up voices with others in this type of setting again. After the praise session, we had a night of food and fun at Fat Angelo's. They served family style Italian food and lots of it. It was a night I didn't want to end. You know it's good when you can walk away feeling like that. It was one of the highest points for my time here. Basking in the warmth of so much the Father has lavished on His children! He is love! I went back to the hostel and said some goodbyes and finished up conversation only to find out that the flight reservation didn't go through!
Our last (official) day in Hong Kong was a free day to travel and see the Big Buddha. Another one of the islands has this massive guy seated atop a mountain. He peacefully watches the clouds go by and many who come from near and far to send up requests to him. Too bad he can't hear them. The need is great and the commission still stands. The final flight stuff went through and we spent the last (official) night downtown with some other FoCers hanging in HK for a couple days. And that's all, this is my last post about my travels. I hope you've enjoyed taking the journey with me through all the pits and horrors of international travel and all of the wonders and joys that this kind of adventure holds. Thanks for supporting me and all the other teachers here with your thoughts and requests to Him. I will keep posting and if you prefer to follow via email just sign up at the top of the left column on my page. May He go with you across the street or across the world.
After spending time traveling to different countries it was time to get back to China, err, well, sort of. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It was a British colony from around 1840 until 1997. Now it has 50 years of "grace" before the Mainland will bring it under its rules. We arrived in the early afternoon, but we couldn't check in to our residence until 4 pm. A couple hours to burn looking for snacks in this mainly residential part of the city became a bit difficult. We found a small convenient store and got some goods. Hong Kong was the last stop because it was also where our FoC retreat was happening. This is a time for the teachers to get together and discuss teaching stuff and be refreshed before getting our hands dirty again working for the Boss. After most of us arrived, we hatched a plan to go down to the track. I thought they were crazy to put a horse racing track in the middle of this metropolis, but Hong Kong has lots of money running through it and one way to spend it is at the races. We bought some cheap beers from 7/11 to sneak in, trying to avoid the rumored 30 dollar beers at the track. We got a 20 dollar six pack instead. We got there so late that they let us in for free, no 10 dollar entrance fee. It turned out to be a better night than I expected. Twas a lovely evening for a horse race.
The days in Hong Kong were reserved for various presentations by the faculty and speakers associated with Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS). Yes, we have a seminary in Hong Kong and it is doing wonderful things. I hope to tell you more about it when I return. We listened to so much good stuff and it was great to hear about the broader work being done in all the other cities. It was also a time for fellowship. Other cities had their issues and obstacles and joys and we shared it and rejoiced in this special blessing of unity. At night a local friend took us down to the harbor to snap some pictures of the skyline. It was a beautiful night and the skyline was magnificent. Do you remember the Dark Knight movie? The tall building is the one he jumped from in the movie. O yea, I was there.
The next day we had a morning session of presentations and then the afternoon was free to explore Hong Kong. We met up with the local friend again and he took us to a natural reservoir on the island. It didn't seem like we were in one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Lots of nature and fresh air and very few people. Amazing! Did I mention that there were a lot of people in Hong Kong? I included a picture of what it's like waiting for a subway train. The heads just keep on going. We also found some great Thai food in Hong Kong that night. Sorry China, I loved Thai food and this dish was especially good. Green curry with beef shank served with a plate of rice. Delicious! Love me some Thai food.
Our last (official) day in Hong Kong was a free day to travel and see the Big Buddha. Another one of the islands has this massive guy seated atop a mountain. He peacefully watches the clouds go by and many who come from near and far to send up requests to him. Too bad he can't hear them. The need is great and the commission still stands. The final flight stuff went through and we spent the last (official) night downtown with some other FoCers hanging in HK for a couple days. And that's all, this is my last post about my travels. I hope you've enjoyed taking the journey with me through all the pits and horrors of international travel and all of the wonders and joys that this kind of adventure holds. Thanks for supporting me and all the other teachers here with your thoughts and requests to Him. I will keep posting and if you prefer to follow via email just sign up at the top of the left column on my page. May He go with you across the street or across the world.
