So something else you may want to know as you ALL plan your visit here is this -->
The summer is VERY hot...(don't be deceived that it's "only" 88-91- which brings me to the metric system issue, but that's a whole 'nother post) you get to SWEAT a ton... and you never know when it's going to rain. Since we are in a subtropical climate, and close to the ocean, we get this type of weather... All this to say unless you are into large amounts of moisture... come between September and May.

Also today i want to give a shout out to this guy:












Have a GREAT birthday- Hope Lake-apalooza is all you hoped it would be!

From the recycling bins (remember how we strive in a major way here to care for the environment), to buildings, to the silk flowers in the airplane bathroom, aesthetics are never ignored...

Another interesting point that we learned in our culture lessons is that eastern thought also incorporates relationship and images. The experiment was to show a picture and see how each group described it- the eastern thinkers, when asked to describe a picture of a fish in an ocean would tell about what he's doing, where he's going, and maybe even what he's about to do, and the westerners would say how many stripes he had and what color and what side of the picture he was on. This is very fascinating to me- I am not yet sure the implications yet, but it challenges me to look deeper into things that are seemingly simple. I just desperately want to see life through the eyes of the people here to better love them. I can't wait to make friends here and dialogue about these things! The PEOPLE are definitely a reason to love HK. They definitely get relationship and highly value it- there is just so much more to the relationship thing for us to learn... like WHOSE idea RELATIONSHIP was in the first place...

I am truly looking forward to being in real community with these amazing people, in fact, I got invited to camp with these great people: students that I met through Camp HK 3 years ago! This is a precious community of students. I hope we can grow closer as well. They will be in university not too long from now! It's very competitive so we are praying they will get "good marks" and get into a good HK university eventually.

Another thing: Hong Kong is always concerned for your safety...
When people get sick, they take it upon themselves to wear masks (you probably would too if you had been a part of an epidemic like the one that occured in 2003. ) They are very health conscious and safety conscious, for if something happens, that is very bad and you could have prevented it! That is why our teachers looked like this on our first few days of teaching...

Then there's the British English. You hear it in the accents of the voice recording for the subway, bus, and elevator, you see it on the signs and when kids go to see a "film" or visit the "w.c" Here's an example that combines both of the aforementioned topics: safety and British english. These are just a few things that make HK enjoyable. Can't wait to share more with you all!

Be encouraged that He sustains, provides, covers in more ways than we can ask or imagine. I close with this:
Psalm 145
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.