Here are a few examples-

If we have "drill team" or the "dance team" they have the lion dance team and it's so neat to me- something that has been carried on for MUCH longer than our local cheer squad. The tradition almost didn't continue at one point- it sounds like a Kung Fu movie but here's what I found from wikipedia...

During the 1950s-60's, people who joined lion dance troupes were “gangster-like” and there was a lot of fighting amongst lion dance troupes and kung fu schools. Parents were afraid to let their children join lion dance troupes because of the “gangster” association with the members... The violence got so extreme that at one point, the Hong Kong government had to put a stop to lion dance completely. Now, as with many other countries, lion dance troupes must attain a permit from the government in order to perform lion dance. Although there is still a certain degree of competitiveness, troupes are a lot less violent and aggressive. Today, lion dance is a more sport-oriented activity. Lion dance is more for recreation than a way of living.

and who would have thought there would be an African drum performance next to the Big Buddha?? Hong Kong has a wide range of things to offer as you can see... that's part of the fun. You never know what you'll see.

Peace and blessings to you today...

The total time I have spent in Hong Kong with the past few summers combined totals about 3 1/2 months. With that "under my belt" (by the grace of God of course) it feels "normal" to me to walk the city and engage with people or use the public transportation. I soak it all in like a sponge... the wonder of this place is still upon me, and I hope I never lose it. I don't have culture-shock moments when I walk through a wet market, or am asked to eat weird food or use chopsticks, although I don't think I'll ever really get used to the smells of some of those things. These are the daily things of these people's LIVES. They don't think twice about them and to me they are quite fascinating. I love the challenge of learning and just "being" here without having to analyze but simply to BE. I AM aware that 100 days in HK cannot allow you to know everything, and I am only touching the tip of the iceberg in discovering the breadth, height, and depth of this place. I would say now I am learning the rhythm of this place for myself. I'm not in Alabama anymore- I am living in a little area called Sha Tin- a close cousin to Alabama... ok not really, but we aren't in the "Big City" district of HK, even though over 628,000 people live in our area. It's a great mix of local Chinese and then some western conveniences not too far from our place. (Just a shuttle bus ride away...)

So what have I learned?
HE is taking care of me. He always has and always will. The things I think I am lacking in are only because He knows when and how to give me what He sees fit. When I think I "need" something to do or somewhere to be, I am reminded that God, the creator of the city, and His work, which I am a tiny part of, is a lot like the city-
*I can only see a tiny bit of what's going on at a time.
*I can walk all the streets, look at all the people, taste all the food and still not experience everything there is to experience.
*There's SO much more than meets the eye (see above quote in red) and my small mind cannot contain all that comes with 7.5 million people in this one area constantly on the move!

This forces me to be patient like never before- there's so much in front of me, yet He's asking me to wait on Him. Oh, the glorious tension! He's asking me to tap into the DEPTHS of HIM instead of rush ahead of Him because truly, there's so much more to Him- that a whole LIFETIME can't suffice to show us all of our God. In fact, it will take all of eternity to know Him- that's exciting, that's forever-- immeasurable. Mind blowing, isn't it? God builds our foundation, fills us up, prepares us so that we know our need for Him to accomplish the work HE has called us to do.

I hope there are days when you are overwhelmed by all you see of Him and other days where you are walking it out, letting it solidify in your soul. LIVING overseas is different than VISITING overseas. Not everyday is earth shattering, some days you might even get a little... bored (-gasp-) because you expect something new but what if that's the day to appreciate what you already know to be true, and dig a little deeper? What if it's the opportunity to say that Christ is enough for you and it's not an emotion you seek but Him?

Today I must delight in Him more than the adventure, the newness of this place because He IS the adventure. He has been and always will be. I pray I will never delight in the 'next thing' more than Jesus, the marvelous mystery and King of all!

Colossians 2:For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵ though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

There is a great treasure in knowing Jesus... this is a treasure worth seeking and savoring. May you discover these riches for the sake of your own heart today... He is not far from you! Just ask Him- He gives these riches freely!

Sorry I have been absent for so long from this little area of the web... I, after a long process that I will save for another post, have internet access that is suitable for blogging.... yahoo! Let's all thank "Tak" for his brilliant installation skills. So here goes...

Jack, Grace, Mom and Dad:

It was perfect that they were there as well. Biscuet will be back in Asia in a matter of hours from now whereas John has gotten really good at putting his best friends on planes to Asia... it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it and he's a great one for the job. All this to say, you people are some of the most important ones in my life and I look forward to sharing life with you on this side of the world. Now here I am, a month and 18 days later, living on the other side of the world. Still it's unbelievable to me. I am still happy, and I am being stretched. More to come on that...