© Messiah Lutheran Church. All rights reserved.
Cross images by Ms. Karen Cassell.
20 March 2008
Hello Family and Friends:
We have arrived home safely and we thank God! As we return, please continue to pray for the Knitt family with some serious health issues going on right now! May God bless each one in His special way!
Our trip was full and quite memorable and we saw God at work in amazing ways! That's not uncommon and it's heart-warming to see how folks are more the same than different all over
the world! Our team was wonderful and worked hard to share the message of Jesus and help reinforce the English language to so many that are quite eager to learn!
You had received updates about our busy and productive week in Hong Kong, so I won't
share about that, again.. although I could.. the memories are still quite vivid. Before heading to Jaingmen and Macau, we had visited the LCMS World Mission Office for Asia where we had a wonderful evening. While there, we spoke to a couple who had just come from Jaingmen, in fact, they were at the same Education Center that we were going to be visiting. They gave us some serious cautions and we acted on them, making some changes before leaving.
We were welcomed there, just as we were in China, by Hilda and May. Hilda was with us most all the time and she did an awesome job of taking very good care of the team. May took care of us in many ways, too, even with being near the end of her pregnancy and being sick! Both were incredible and we love them! It seems to be part of the Chinese culture to provide for your guests in abundant ways! We were treated like very special visitors!
We met all the volunteers that work so hard at the center. We all participated in speaking English to the many that attended the Saturday night class at the Concordia Education Center as we shared in the story time, reinforced vocabulary spent time sharing one-to-one with many that remained after class. It was amazing how everyone welcomed us and how they were so eager to hear about us and why we had come so far to spend time with them! There were visitor's from the government there, too, and caution was urged in refraining from talking about God or church on Saturday. We all enjoyed working with the other volunteers and seemed to do a great job!
God is alive and working hard in China, and it was just incredible! We had the thrill of attending Palm Sunday Worship in a Lutheran Church in China! How about that... talk about a memory that will make your heart smile! And, we heard a very strong, scripture-based sermon and sang very familiar hyms together; we prayed the Lord's Prayer and recited the Apostles' Creed... with voices speaking in Cantonese and English languages! Talk about the world becoming a smaller place.. it was just awesome! And, so many, many want to know about our Lord! It was amazing! I hope you get the sense of how wonderful it was! Ask your team member and let them share!
On Sunday evening, we participated in a bible study class in the evening! Did you hear that????? We attended a Bible Study Class in China... and it was ok to do so!!! Wow.. it was great!!! More sharing after class was a high point, for sure! The hunger for the Word is something you just don't see here in America, unfortunately!
The team visited some wonderful men at a Drug Rehab Center where we served tea as never before! Ask about that!! Then, we talked and shared from the heart and learned how these men are attending worship and trusting God to help them turn their lives around. They're strong men that are doing a wonderful job even with their doubts and uncertainties. What an honor to have met each one and spent time with them. We shared in singing some songs, taught them Jesus Loves Me and were moved by hearing a song they had prepared for us! It was another life-changing couple of hours for all!
Another blessing was going along with one of the church workers on a home visit where we met a beautiful little 92 year old lady who lives with her two daughters, Christian women, all three! And, they've been Christians for many years!!! Hello.. remember where we were? God sees to it that His work is done under any circumstances! Again, we shared stories and tea and had a great time of singing many hymns... more of that Chinese/American interaction and strengthening! Words can't express the joy and love that was shared!
There's so much more to share, but I so hope that you talk with your family member/friend that was on the team and hear all about how God is working mightily all over the world! We were all changed as God led us to do things that we could never do on our own. And, as we knew before but learned more about, God leads and accomplishes much when you get out of your comfort zone and fully rely on Him. He doesn't fail us... just like He promises!!
Thank you so much for your prayers and support and we ask that you continue to pray for all those in China. So many hunger to know their Savior, Jesus Christ, and they're learning! It's awesome to see and such a gift to have been a part of it! One day, maybe you'll be a part of a team, as well!
With our thanks to our Lord and Savior and to The Sending Place!
God bless you all!
Sharon, Leon, Scott, Rick and Shirley
18 March 2008
Hello all:
We are leaving for the airport within the hour. It has been a very productive trip and God has been quite busy. We will share when we get home.
Please continue many prayers for the Knitt family and for our safe travel home.
God bless you all.
The team
15 March 2008
Hello from Jiangmen!
Just saying hello and letting you all know we're here safely and having a wonderful time. We'll have much to share when we return! The weather is good and the people all very friendly.
Keep up the good work!
Love,
Sharon and the team!
14 March 2008
Hello all:
Today has been quite an emotional one for several reasons. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting the last classes today and the English Department took us all to a very nice restaurant for lunch! We had a wonderful time! It was quite emotional saying goodbye to so many students that we've come to love... and from their reaction today, they feel the same way!
This evening, we had a really fun and informative visit with the LWML World Mission Office for Asia that is located here in Hong Kong. God is really at work in Asia. We learned a lot and found some great friends there, too. While we were there, we talked with a couple that have just returned from Jiangmen today and we will be going there tomorrow. They gave us quite a bit of information and cautioned us in several areas. Because of that, I may not be emailing until we return.
Continue to pray for our team, please, over the next four or five days in a special way!
Love to you all!
God bless you!
Sharon, Shirley, Rick, Scott and Leon
13 March 2008
Nay ho! (Hello in Cantonese!)
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Man... what an awesome God we have! He sure uses some mighy incredible ways to share His love around this world! Again I have to say, He works in mighty ways here at Lui Ming Choi Lutheran College! You know, God created the earth and all that is in it in just six days. Today is our sixth day here and God has done mighty things here, as well. So many people in a six day time have been changed! Isn't is just God's way!
Shirley had her last of three appointments at the doctor today, and she's been given a good report and doesn't need to return. She's been fine; the doctor has just been very cautious knowing that we're going to be leaving for Macau this weekend. She's fine to go! And, she's walking great and with no pain. We've had a couple aches among us but everyone is healthy and doing well!
On Saturday, when we arrived at the school, the greeting we received was incredible. Every need has been considered as we all have received the hospitality of everyone we have met in this school. The staff has taken turns helping us and so many students have volunteered to accompany us wherever we go. What great opportunities to share with them.. in English to reinforce their language skills and, often, on the topic of where they are in their walk of faith.
In the first few days, we received a great welcome, but there was a tentativeness in the way the students spoke and interacted with us. In the classrooms we have been in, the lessons have gone so well and the students are reading the bible and improving their vocabulary while listening to the stories from the bible and becoming more and more eager to answer questions as the days go by.
They listen intently and you can see they really want to know more. God has been wonderful about giving us the words they need to hear! Imagine that!
As you might remember, we so enjoyed the worship service here on Sunday. On Wednesday, we all were so moved by sharing in a lunchtime fellowship meeting with students and staff and enjoyed a DVD of the Crucifixion. We joined voices for some songs and we were all moved as we sat there singing with English and Cantonese words being sung! It was a very emotional time.. and fantastic. To end the meeting, the students broke into groups and each team member joined one of the groups for sharing. It was great! We also joined with the after school fellowship meeting on the same day.
The Principal has included the team in the morning assemblies most every morning and has been so suportive of the team being here. We have been in many of the classrooms (other than our scheduled English classes where we're presenting the lessons) where the teacher's have given us the entire class time to present our testimonies and then answer questions. We're able to talk freely and the students have asked some very pertinent and searching questions.
Today, the staff and students hosted a Farewell BBQ for the team and it was emotional and very wonderful! We were presented with gifts and we presented some to them in return. The sincere generosity of our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Hong Kong is just overwhelming and kind. The BBQ was delicious! They prepare lots of food here in Hong Kong.. and want you to enjoy many things! They're wonderful and so generous!
Our hearts are truly going to ache to leave this place. We will leave changed! Students have been changed, as well. What a joy to have the opportunity to share the Word of God so freely and see what God's love can do. You will love to hear more about it when we return home.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers! We're having such a great time! Tomorrow will be a very hard day as we say goodbye to so many and then depart for Macau very early on Saturday morning. The wonderful part of leaving is knowing that we now have family here, and we will see them again! The ministry of the gospel is active here but there are many more that need to hear! Thank God that we were able to be a part of it for a time!!! We must continue to keep all the students and staff in our prayers. We will pray that God will nurture their faith and open ears to hear His message! And, let's continue to pray for all the new friends we have made here!
You all are in our prayers. We send our love to you all and pray you're all well.
We will try and send another update when we arrive in Macau over the weekend!
God bless you all and keep you in His care!
Love,
Sharon, Leon, Rick, Scott and Shirley
11 March 2008
Good morning from Hong Kong!
Nay ho! Hello, in Cantonese.
We are doing pretty well! Our pace has been quite busy and we've been tired. It's been worth it. It's impossible to share the degree of generosity that has been shown to us by the staff and students of Lui Ming Choi Lutheran College. In fact, it's a true example of God's love.. such as most don't see.
Our teaching time yesterday went really well with the team teaching Noah's Ark in four classrooms. We were able to make use of the great powerpoint presentation that Rick brought along. And, after the lesson, the students were happy to receive American chocolate candy as their reward for correct answers!
Today was an amazing day, too. We were picked up shortly after the morning opening announcements and we drove to the Kim Sang Lutheran Kindergarten where we presented Noah's Ark at four different stations to children from four different kindergarten classes. It took up most of the day and we were tired, but really pleased with the day! As an added honor, we were asked to be seated and then watched these 3-5 year old children perform a play for us that they had memorized.. in English! It was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed it, were humbled and honored by their love for us and time preparing. It was one of those 'had to be there' experiences. You can easily anticipate some great story time when you hear about this day! One down side to the day was Shirley getting accidentally kicked by a little one, and in the process, he caused her great toenail to come off. Ouch. She's a trooper and we bandaged her toe and she sat and sang from her chair.. not complaining at all!
Once we returned to the school, the staff that waited for us was quick to kick into action, and in short order, Shirley was on her way to the clinic to have her toe checked! While she did that, the rest of the team left for our scheduled home visits to two of the homes of students attending the school here.
First of all, we received news that Shirley was fine. The doctor was a good one, competent and thorough. She will return tomorrow and Thursday to assure that she's in good shape to continue our trip. Please pray for God to provide quick healing for her toe so going into China will pose no problem. The doctor said she can continue if she takes it easy and doesn't see a problem. I'll let you know if there's any change.
Both teams of two that visited the homes were greeted with love and welcomed to share a great time of fellowship in two Christian homes of students attending the school. Good visits! You'll hear more about them when we get home.
Everyone is doing fine.. just very busy! Tomorrow we will be teaching four classes, attending the noontime bible study that we were invited to join, and then joining some of the students in their meeting after school.
This really hasn't been the kind of trip that involves a lot of humor, although we laugh a lot and get along well. Everyone is doing great (other than that toe). It's 11:30 p.m. and I'm cutting this short. We are up about 5:30 a.m... so I'm sure you'll understand.
Please continue your prayers. They are working and crucial, as always.
We send our love to our families and friends.
Until next time.
Sharon
9 March 2008
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord!
It's amazing how the world is becoming smaller as we see more of what God is doing! The Chinese people are absolutely wonderful, working so hard to meet our every need, and doing so in such loving ways. God is working strong in this place! The principal and entire staff are dedicated to sharing the Lord with the students as they speak freely of Him in their teaching.
Students were chosen to spend Saturday touring Hong Kong for a day of sightseeing, but the goal was also for good interaction between the team and students, building a bond with many of them and practicing English speaking skills, as well. Hong Kong is a beautiful place.. and huge. We'll all share more about that with you later.. I don't want to steal any thunder with family and friends sharing.
This morning, we enjoyed a worship service led by Pastor Fong, a Lutheran Pastor here in Hong Kong, and the pastor associated with the school. It was wonderful to worship with our Christian family across the world. I think everyone was touched in a special way singing Give Thanks and you could hear Chinese voices and English voices lifting voices in the same way to the Lord. We were all touched by that. An interpreter translated the sermon and then the team was recognized at the end of the service and then taken to lunch... a very generous 12 course Dim Sum feast!
I must say that the five team members are just great, willing to work together with the same goals and purpose.. sharing the Lord in loving ways with these students and staff. Here's a little bit about us:
Shirley: Shirley is doing great! After dislocating her shoulder about a week before the trip, she's hanging in there and greatly assisted by several students that have been with us over the weekend. Her smile is ever on her face and she loves them all, hanging on her and doting on every need. She is the picture lady, for sure, and forever watchful for that 'Kodak moment'.
Leon: Leon is having a great time! He had a great plane ride and was the only one that had two empty seats beside him on the plane! Someone offered him a piece of caramel on the way and, of course, he couldn't refuse! He said it tasted good, but along with enjoying it, he lost a crown on one of his teeth. He retrieved it and says it's causing no problem! Everyone was thrilled to discover that he is a retired, but working pastor! And, he's sharing with many and happy and excited about being here.
Rick: Rick is enjoying his first mission trip in a special way! His face speaks volumes as you see him awestruck at how the Lord works in the hearts of those who love Him and just want to share. The kids have taken to him, too (all of us really), and he's anxious to get on with the time in their rooms.
Scott: Scott is great at this! He's been on mission trips before, but his heart is open to ministry to the Chinese people! He loves being here and it shows! He couldn't wait to get out on the basketball court with some of the kids right after church and had a great time! It's great to have is experience since he's been on many missions before! But, I think he's really enjoying sharing Jesus here in Hong Kong!
Sharon: I'm doing well and trying to be a good leader. I'm so thankful for the staff that has been so wonderful and helpful, and the students are so loving and open to receive our love right back! I think it will be hard to return home without three girls with me that have become quite attached! But, that goes for all of us! It will be great to get on with the week in the classrooms and hear faith stories from the students and share with them, as well. I'm really enjoying this team! All four of the members are so easy to work with and eager to share. It's wonderful that we have the same mind set and just want to be used in the way God leads us to do. (And, thanks, again to The Sending Place for great training!)
Well, thank you for your continued prayers. I'll send more later. We're all enjoying our enlarged family of God and it's wonderful to share with all here in Hong Kong.
God bless you all.
Sharon
7 March 2008
Hello everyone!
We're here, tired but excited to be here. It's 10:30 p.m., Hong Kong time and we're all preparing to call it a very long day. God is good and our flights went well.
Sharon Olson and Hilda met us as we let the baggage claim in Hong Hong and were very organized and helpful. They're both very nice and excited with us!
Rick and I got to the airport in Sac early and withing about 15 minutes Shirley met us there. Check in went well. In Los Angeles, we met Scott and Leon and it was an exciting time. I think the team will mesh well and we'll plan more of our lessons tomorrow when we have more time for a team meeting.
Tomorrow morning, early we will meet with Sharon and Hilda at breakfast and talk more about our schedule. The plan for tomorrow is going on a city tour with Joanne Or and some of her students from the college. We'll enjoy the sights as well as get to know the students, the same students that will be in our classes during the week. Also that will allow us to converse those who will ask us what we think of Hong Kong on Monday!
Sharon and Hilda joined us for our vespers and we're anxious to get some sleep.
Not much funny to share yet. Thanks for all your prayers and keep them going for everyone here, the team and God's provisions and safety for all. They have quite a ministry here and we'll tell you more as the week unfolds.
God bless you all.. all of us, as well.
Sharon
4 March 2008
Hello:
As the team prepares to leave in just a short time, I thank you all ahead of time for your continued prayers. Please include prayers for us to remain calm and stay focused on what we have been asked to do. Also, please pray that all would be prepared and ready to be flexible and loving, no matter what. God is good and I know we will be amazed, once more!
I can't guarantee that my emails home will be as interesting as Jamie's, however I will to my best to keep you updated about what the Lord is doing during this trip.
Thank you so much.
God bless you all.
Sharon Thorpe, Team Leader
4 March 2008
Hi there everyone,
Our team will be leaving at 6:20 am on Thursday March 6, 2008.
This team will be teaching English in a school in Hong Kong. They will be able to teach
Biblical stories, values, and principles. This is a Christian school, though of course the majority of it's students are not Christian. They will also be going into China for a couple of days to do the same thing. Because of the areas of these ministries we are keeping ministry names, and names of hosts out of all communications for the protection of the locals they will be working with.
Please continue to lift each team member up in prayer by name while we are gong. At the end I'll send out some pictures of our ministry for all of you to see as well.
We often have funny stories that team leaders like to share with all of you. This is a great group of people and I would imagine they have some very interesting things happen as they enter a new culture and live in the school.
PLEASE know that all of this is in good fun, we are not mocking anyone.
We just like to show you the lighter side of things.
WE TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY.
We are going to help share the joy of Christ with those who don't have it, we will be working long days and are very dedicated to that work.
Blessings in Christ,
Jamie Deuel
The Sending Place
Missions Coordinator
