The Lord's Day in HK

Today was the third Sunday in Hong Kong and the fourth Sunday since I've been home.  For the third Sunday in a row, I attended Watermark Community Church on Hong Kong Island with most of the other ELIC summer teachers in Hong Kong.  The church is an international church plant.  While at church, I've heard in a German accent, singing in British accents, kids with thick Chinese accents, and visited with an Australian accented woman around my same age today.

This morning, I was blessed to be able to serve in the kids' ministry and help teach the 3 and 4-year-old Sunday school class today.  If you know of my own home church involvement, you'll know that I taught this same age group this past year.  Teaching the adorable Chinese, American, and European kids about the Resurrection really made me miss you all--Braelynn, Taylor, Dakota, Jackson, and Everett.

After church, we all headed to Watermark's Community Center--about a 20 minute bus ride from the church.  We ate pizza together, then awaited the arrival of several of our students from across Hong Kong.  This afternoon, we hosted any of them who wanted to come from 2-4 pm for games, English activities and practice, food, and drinks.  One of my students (Karen) showed up with one of my teammate's (Joy's) students (Candy), so Joy and I spent the entire two hours learning new card games and teaching Karen and Candy our American card games.  I have a GREAT new one that I absolutely love just in case any of you want to learn a new one when I get back! :)

From L-R--- Me, Karen (my student), Candy (Joy's student), and teammate Joy from North Carolina

Karen, Candy, and I about ready to leave after all of our card-playing.

 During the first week and a half of English camp, Karen was quiet and knew only my two most mischievous boys because she had been in their same class and school during the year.  I mistakenly judged her as a student who didn't care to be there and would probably cause problems.  Looking back, Karen has caused no problems and always participates eagerly in class.  She's such a loving, beautiful creation.  However, she also doesn't attend church on Sundays, and neither does her mother--whom I met.  Keep Karen and her family in your prayers.  Pray that God would open doors and hearts in this family.  She is such a joy and priceless gem.

After those two hours, we walked to the bus station with Candy and Karen, met Karen's mom--a kind Chinese woman who didn't speak any English--and all traveled back on the MTR together.  Karen's mom took us the long way back because they were on the opposite side of Hong Kong than us, but Joy, Candy, and I enjoyed our 45 minute MTR ride across the city!

In a few minutes, we have a team meeting to kick off our last full week of teaching.  After that, I plan on spending the rest of my night responding to my students' journals before class tomorrow and reading through parts of Ephesians, Psalms, and James.  A teammate suggested another sermon by John Piper, so I'll hopefully have some time to check that out, too. I miss my Sunday being sandwiched with morning and evening services.

Oh, and the picture below shows you my Sunday evening dinner.  Yes, even the college campus food service gets old and repetitive in Hong Kong! :)

Fortunately, with my lesson plans for the week finished, I'll hopefully get a good and full night of sleep tonight!