Day at Kowloon

Yesterday(Thursday) we took the public bus, rail, and number 11 (our two feet) all by ourselves to Kowloon. Considered to be downtown, it was a busy place. Jean wanted to get some souveniers so off we went. It was a lot of fun, filled with strange smells, heat, lots of noise and of course bartering. At first Jean felt bad and went they lowered the price the first time, she would be like oh okay, and I would be like, "just walk away Jean." She did and they normally dropped their price by 1/2. We didn't even get to see half of the market area (and that was in three hours) before our legs felt like rubber and we were ready to head back. We stopped by to get a mango slushy (yummy) to cool off for the trip home. We decided to stop at a park that we had seen on the way down to let the kids run around. ONce again, everyone smiled, touched, and squeezed ariella when they got a chance (who can blame them) and Micah was hysterical as we were walking around the market, every once in a while they would have their radios on playing music. He would just break out in dance and everyone around would clap or laugh.
This morning (Friday)we started off with a prayerwalk around Fairview Park, it was a great time to pray for each individual home and as people were getting into their cars to head to work or kids were walking to school we could see them and whisper a prayer for God to draw them to himself so they can know the love and freedom that Jesus wants to give them. we are going to be doing this pretty much every morning during the week so you can all join in that effort as well (without the walking). As far as that goes, people are getting used to seeing us around. There are road workers right outside our home that are there everyday tearing up the road and replacing the plumbing as well as security men posted all over, they all know us smile, wave say good morning etc. (There is virtually no crime in Fairview Park) The bakery ladies know us pretty well, as we have walked over pretty much every morning but one to get some sweet rolls... We keep meeting new people, at the park with the kids, and today we found a cool, quiet reading room nearby (kind of like a library only on a much smaller scale)we met a mother reading to her daughter who is one month older than Ariella.
So that is pretty much it. Tonight Tj and Jean are at a bible study that Scott will be translating for it started at 8:30 and said it normally goes till 10. Tomorrow is our first special holiday service, Tj and I have no idea what we are doing so say a prayer for us.
Barbie

Taking it easy

Yesterday, we decided to just stay at home and get our energy back. So other than walk down to the market, we didn't do a whole lot. There was absolutely no hamburger meat at the market but they did have a package of 4 hot dogs for double the price of our normal hot dogs as well as a package of 4 buns. Also little more expensive. We went down to the Smyth's house to let the kids play outside. It actually was a nice day, it gently rained all day and the temperature was quite a bit cooler, we still felt sticky all day long, but it was nice. Jean and I were discussing the fact that although we've been outside walking most days and the sun is out and hot, we have not gotten any sun burns or tans...
Today we are getting ready to go to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
Probably will have more pictures then. I just added pictures of the kids all playing.

Barbie

Day Three

Well it is hard to realize that we have only been in HK for 3 1/2 days now. Once again I am waking up at 5 a.m. only today, everyone else is still asleep, including 2 little urchins that really need to be asleep!

Yesterday (day three) we traveled the public transport system with Scott Smyth then went down to the area where he works. He Scott, his wife and 2 daughters just moved back here to HK in January after beeing in the states for a couple of years. It was very hard in the states for his wife Evelyn. She was born here in HK in the "farmland" area so she is considered a country girl here. She does speak English, but it is still limited and is was hard on her to be away from her country. Anyway since being back, Scott has started his own business that is just now taking off, He rents an office space and is using it as an English teaching facility. He has just hired one other teacher and needs to hire one more. He has also co-written four English education books here in HK.
We went to see a large Buddhist temple very facinating, with rooms and rooms and rooms and rooms dedicated to prayers to their ancestors. Micah is just taking it all in. In the main temple area, there were soft kneeling cushions. Micah had seen someone bowing I guess and later he went over kneeled and said, "Do you do it like this, mommy?" That was my opportunity to talk to him about other idols, not bowing down etc. He's heard all that before, watched kids videos about not bowing down to idols, probably sung songs who knows, but it never meant anything really. So as he listened to me explain and as he looked around with eyes as big as saucers, he understood. That's why we had to come tell people about Jesus.
Of course Scott took us to lunch for more Chinese. If anything that has been our biggest challenge. Jean says she's going to lose weight (A. it takes her forever to eat with chopsticks, B. She can barely get the food to her mouth with chopsticks, but C. She is determined to not use her hands and continue to use the chopsticks!) No one ever gives you napkins anywhere, you are suppose to you the tablecloth. So we need to start carrying around paper towels or something. Honestly their custom of eating is no problem for Ariella though. She puts holes in all of her food with the chopstick and thinks that's neat, then she ends up using her hands to eat anyway (something she always does back home and I am constantly reminding her to use her fork)and who needs napkins, her shirt and yes the tablecloth work just fine for her. Also, after walking around and being incredibly hot, we all have sweat dripping down our faces, we sit down to heat and the first thing they do is offer us HOT tea and Hot soup. So we are not used to that yet, it is actually a big feat to get ice water. It's almost like we have thrown them for a loop. Ice water? whats that? where can we find ice? water? you want to drink water? and why are you waiting until your tea cools down before you drink it?
Seriously though, the flavor of their tea is awesome. Our versions pale in comparison.

Barbie

Just for Mikaela, Alex and Nathaneal

Hey guys! it's Tuesday morning about 6:30, Micah, Ariella, Tj and I have been up for a little while, your grandma is still sleeping, which is good because she was VERY tired last night. but I thought I'd respond to your comment. We really have not seen alot of different animals yet because there are so many people everywhere (6.5 million in all of HOng KOng) they do have roaches, pretty caterpillars, we saw a very interesting slug (see our pictures). Your grandma really like the Phillipine food on Sunday, she tried their calamari and I don't think was too fond of it, we have had tofu several different ways (breaded, fried etc) and she liked that. You'll have to ask her for more.
We are hoping to go to a park that is on Monkey Mountain. They call it that because, well there are a lot of monkeys on the mountain and they just roam about free in the open. So that should be interesting.
Take care,
barbie

Monday morning

Yesterday was great. Service was nice, we put a couple of pictures on the album, Click on the right where it says "See pictures of our trip". Probably about 30 people attended. Every week the Philippe ladies make lunch for everyone, so far our impression is, Philipine cuisine, Excellent. Chinese cuisine, not as excellent. (Their fish is good though) After lunch the tables get put back, chairs brought out and they proceed to have prayer time and bible study. It is the ladies only day off and they have no family here or any place to really go so they stay at church all day, some are really excited to study the Bible, other are there because they have no where else to go. After the bible study, they bring out more food and eat dinner before they return to their employers homes.
Last night, the kids slept from 12 midnight to 7 a.m. We were happy with that. Will write write more later, love hearing your comments.
barbie

We're Here

Well we are on the other side of the world. The 15 hour flight was relatively uneventful. The kids did great, and it was facinating to see our flight on the screen we went directly north from Chicago to the North Pole and Siberia, (that was awesome to see from the air) then south on the other side over China down to Hong Kong. Tj's meds were great, not only did he not get motion sickness, but he actually ate 2 meals! Incredible for him. We arrived on time, Scott Smyth picked us up from the airport and we drove 30 minutes to Fairview Park, Yuen Long. We had a great supper then all were tired to we went to bed early, about 8:30 their time. Big mistake because at 1 a.m. their time both kids and myself were wide awake. So here I am at 3 a.m. HK watching Aristocats with Ariella. We survived though!
Tomorrow is a busy day, 9:30 Sunday School, 10:30 Worship service followed by a lunch prepared by the Phillipino ladies (they do it every week) followed by about an hour long Prayer service at about 2:30 p.m. followed by a Bible study that is usually 2-3 hours long.
So Thank you for your prayers. We love you all!
Barbie

Eating dinner with they Smyth family

First Report

First of all, we are not yet in Hong Kong, it is 10:30 EST and we are sitting in Chicago Ohare waiting for our flight to HK. Our original flight on Wednesday p.m. was canceled due to lightning and storm conditions. Because so many flights were canceled, all flights were booked for Thursday and this am was the first available with a connection to HK. The good news for us is we are not having a layover in Seoul, Korea and get to fly a straight shot to HK, cutting our trip total by 6 1/2 hours. On top of that we returned home at 2:30 a.m. Thursday only to find another storm our way, leading to power outages, (we still had no power this morning when we left at 4:30)so we were unabale to email as well.
The kids did awesome on the first flight, they were both wide awake at 4:30 a.m. when we left for the airport, so when we got on the plane, Ariella played with Mr. Potato Head for about 5 minutes then curled up and went to sleep. Micah was so excited to be "going into outerspace" that he didn't sleep a wink, but was content the entire time. Jean was happy watching over Ariella, Tj slept and I was just hungry (still am).
Will let you know more when we get a chance, are scheduled to land in HK at 4:50 p.m. (their time) which is 3:50a.m. Saturday EST
Barbie

Flying over Siberia

Raingear: check

Five days to go and I finally got the suitcases out and have actually started putting stuff into them. Now is the time to decide how to maximize what we take in the most minimum of spaces. Tj and I do not want to be pack mules so we really are trying to pack as light as possible. The kids each have their own bag to be resposible for and those will hold whatever books, toys, entertainment that they need for the trip. It appears that all of our ducks are in a row and as of this past Monday I believe we have officially raised 98% of our support so we are so thankful and blessed by so many.

The Smyth's are also preparing for their two month furlow and quite busy. Please pray that we are able to meet and get to know the area and our responsiblities before they have to leave. Ken is making a "to do" list for us while they are away. He is also just informed us of a special service we need to plan and do for July 1. That day is actually the 9th anniversary of Hong Kong returning to China after one century of British control. It is considered a holiday.

We have been informed that weather wise HK is hot. Worse than that, it is humid, and the rain comes, the humidity rises, and HK never really cools off. So we are looking forward to that. Micah and Ariella got their rain ponchos out and paraded around the house.

19 Days to Go

As our family prepares to leave for Hong Kong, we will once again ask for your prayers, for smooth and safe travel, and especially Jean Season's health. Also please pray especially for us when we arrive in Hong Kong, we have 2 1/2 days for the Smyth's to orient us to the area and introduce us to as many as we are able. Thank you for the calls of support the last few days, we know that many of you are thinking of us. Here is portions of the Smyth's newsletter for June.

DIT 2006 is now finished. Solomon, Ariel, Ronald and Cody returned to the Philippines on Tuesday, May 30. This year’s DIT provided undreamed of opportunities and challenges. The combination of 2 preachers and 2 university students provided a special learning and sharing environment. Cody and Ariel, university students, preached for the first time here. Ronald and Solomon, preachers, provided special and needed counsel for us two missionaries here related to ministry to Filipinas. They were all very talented musically and truly ministered to my spirit by their singing day and night. Our daily four-hour class sessions each morning were conducted at a round table in my office, where people on opposite sides of the table would be against either my desk or the office wall. Three of the four faced major spiritual warfare while here related to either health or family problems. However our Lord was at work through it all. Our lives were so entwined with each other that there were many tears shed at the airport upon their departure. I believe it was truly a life-changing experience for all of us. Thank you for your prayers. Invitation letters for DIT 2007 (July and August) have already been issued by the Fairview Park Christian Church for three Philippine ministers. They are all from churches where former members of the Fairview Park Christian Church currently serve. It will reinforce the fruitfulness of the work here in Hong Kong by strengthening the work of those churches in the Philippines. Please pray about DIT 2007.
Other blessings include: Sunday morning attendance is running 40 plus or minus, more than a 50% increase over a year or so ago. There are also new Chinese coming to the Friday Bible study but not coming to church yet. Also, I am delighted to tell you that Bible studies are to resume once again with Wilson Tsang next Monday. It has been a long time since we’ve had Bible study together. Pray much for this that I may be the Lord’s instrument in these Bible studies in the next three weeks before our furlough. Pray also that Wilson may be under conviction of the Holy Spirit and would surrender to Jesus. A Creation Science seminar being conducted by Dr. John Nay has been well attended by Christians and non-Christians.
Please be in prayer for our furlough as well as for Jim and Betsy Mollette, our co-workers currently on furlough. Mollettes are to return on August 24 and we return on September 1. With a shortened furlough this year, we will be speaking in supporting churches in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Nebraska. Tj and Barbie Waters will be coming to fill in for us during July and then Adam Ensign, (DIT 2005 trainee) will be here in August. Scott, our son, will be here during the entire time giving oversight to the work.
For the glory of our Lord Jesus,
Ken and Linda