I have arrived!

Hello from Hong Kong, jo san!

i have finally arrived the flight was fast and i manged to blag the exit isle and a glass of champagne when boarding, which made it practically like first class, 1.5m of leg room compared to 0.5m economy, amazing!

It is really hot and humid out here and it looks like i will be working very hard with long hours. Iam sharing a room with the guys in my house called block 3, with around 14 of us in one room with a divide down the middle, there is no aircon but we have fans, which means it is very stuffy but since a child i have loved having a fan so find the noise very soothing.

The first night i had 3hours sleep, during the rest of the night i counted the seconds go by when i had fan on my body and fan off, was 8 on 8off and it was a long night sat there from 3am waiting for morning wondering what was to come.

Shin Man Springs where i live is the location of the first stage houses where addicts come to get off many different addictions.  There is also around 50 teenagers who are called ‘gogetters’ who live in block 2.  They are not coming off addictions but are usually the worst kids in Hong Kong where no one else will take them or families cannot cope, they are great to have on site and a lot of fun, i was learning some break dancing with a couple the other day.  The site is situated in the mountains in the new territories over looking Sha tin and is stunning.
The guys are called ‘brothers’ and vary in age.  A lot of them, especially the younger ones spend there time getting fit, i have my work cut out for me and am already aching from press ups and football.  Many of them are very tough, are very fit and have tattoos over there arms, shoulders and legs.

The amazing thing i have noticed and learned so far is the sense of family,they look after each other, the sense of serving is incredible.

I have spent my first few days just breaking the ice by jamming with guys with a guitar or drum or playing sport with them.  They love this and my few years playing at church have really helped.  Whats more i find sitting and trying to teach English whilst trying to learn Cantonese is always funny and helps build relationship.
My schedule will be:

Monday to Wednesday -training in Kowloon Tong the big city.  The training is called the big mobile and there seems to be an excitment around the camp, it apparently involves teaching and sessions in the morning (some Cantonese lessons) and then practical in the afternoons when we go out onto the streets and put it into practice, i can’t wait although i am slight apprehensive.  Apparently from what i hear Jackie will be teaching some modules here which she has never really done before on the poor and so people are very excited.

Thursday off – can go sightseeing visit friends and just relax

Friday to Sunday- i will be in block 3 living with he brothers everyday, we have a really well scheduled day which i will write about more in another blog.

I think this year i will really learn the basics of Mathew 22:37-39, basically loving your neighbour as you love your self, and loving your God will all your heart all your soul and all your might.  These make up the two main house rules. God is teaching me the basics in an incredible down to off way and Jesus is real and alive everywhere i look, it is tough and will be long days but i am where i should be at the moment, we are living to create a kingdom culture and i am excited to see how the next few weeks unfold…

Prayer:

• For my energy as i will get very tired
• That my general fitness will improve fast for carrying out daily duties and being able to join the guys in their fitness routines.
• That i would have wisdom and discernment where to lead, where to discipline and step in and where to step back and let things role, even though i do not speak their language or understand (yet)
• For my health, that i would stay well.  – So far as result of poor footwear in hot conditions i have blood blisters on my feet after football (which are improving) – Also the mosquitoes love my white body so pray against them

I have so much to say but little time, but soon i will talk about some new experiences what mobile is like, day to day schedule and post photos.

Hope you are really well and God Bless!