The day started with our team meeting up in the MTR (subway of Hong Kong) station in Ma On Shan- closer to where the Dean family resides, catching a bus (see Cat, April, and I in the circle picture waiting on it...) catching a delicious lunch at a great "Texas BBQ" place in Sai Kung town- (the beauty of living in an international city!) and catching a boat over to Hap Mun Bay, where sandcastles, sunbathing, swimming, and "suco" (Cantonese for ice cream) ensued...Here are more of the views from our little boat ride back and forth... so beautiful and quaint is this little area. There will still a good number of people, but it was a nice break to be all together as a little team/family and be away from the shopping malls and crowds.

And continuing on the "international city" theme...
New
 Year


My
 heart 
beats 
like 
a 
drum,
 flying
 up 
with 
the 
sun, 
I 
grab 
Your 
hand 
again


Renovated 
with
 life, 
my
 eyes
 again
 bright,
 and 
You 
are 
radiant


Where 
hope 
can
 hold
 the
 hand
 of
 sorrow
 and
 we
 can
 walk 
into
 tomorro
w

Where 
peace 
is 
found 
in
 troubled 
days 
and 
the 
joy 
of 
Jesus 
carries 
pain



This 
is 
a 
new 
year, 
this 
is 
new 
day, 
to 
rise 
shine, 
lift 
up 
your 
eyes

This 
is 
a
 new 
year, 
this 
is 
a 
new 
day 
to 
rise 
shine,

and
 point 
the 
way
 to 
God’s 
great 
life


I’m 
held 
in 
a 
place, 
a 
beautiful 
space 
where 
heaven 
meets 
the 
earth
My 
heart 
opens 
wide 
and 
the 
Father 
pours 
life 
deep 
inside 
my 
soul

Lyrics 
by 
Charlie 
Hall 
& 
Kendall 
Combes

Join me in asking the Father to pour life in to my soul (Rom 5.5) in these days that I may wholeheartedly serve those around me and be a part of the work here that impacts lives. Oh that He would pour the abundant life into YOUR soul in these moments. Please contact me if you want to know more about this because He has made it available to you--right now! 

I'm thankful for "landmarks" like birthdays that are reminders of how we are invited into the newness of Christ as we let the reality that we are redeemed, forgiven people fall on us again.

Our team had the chance finally to sit together tonight after church and digest a word from Exodus 4, and I was so blessed to see that once again and we share life--our sin, our victory, our true selves- and what God is doing in our lives it's like living water-not standing, stagnant, or even well water, it's flowing, moving, fresh, new, clean water- to the soul. We are living in authentic community. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE MADE TO DO! God's presence pours out when we take the time to dig deep and be our real selves. I can't get enough. It used to be intimidating, but the benefits are such a blessing.

Pray we grow in what it means to be a gospel-centered community of safety and strength by His grace alone. Redemption, healing, restoration, unity... GLORY... has to happen in our own lives--amongst our team--before we extend it to the world.

May He pour it out in these days like we've never known...

6 comments

1. Dora on 3:32 AM

   I love your new blog design!

    
2. Brandy on 7:47 AM

   great blog... miss you. and that place. love U

    
3. Jenn on 9:54 AM

   hey I came across your blog through a friend. I went to China this summer for 2 weeks and since I have gotten back feel led to teach out there. There is a program called Teach Away, could you please tell me who you are out there with? Hong Kong was great! That is where I was thinking.

    
4. Mary Reading on 9:58 PM

   oh i am so sad that i missed your bday! been on the road seeing friends these days. so glad you had such a good day. i miss you katie a lot! can't wait to live with you...oh and i love your new blog as well!

    
5. Chickie on 10:40 AM

   ...always love reading your posts! Keep them coming!

    
6. Katie B on 11:08 AM

   thanks everyone! jenn- i am with gracecampus... www.gracecampus.net
   there are some teaching opportunities here... email me if you want! kbbartlett@gmail.com