Team Hong Kong Newsletter #11
Crunch, Crunch, Mmm...
February 18, 2008
by Joshua Blank

Although the Chinese New Year officially lasts 15 days (until the 21st of February this year), the majority of the celebrations ended last week. As most people returned to work, things quieted down and everything began returning to the normal, busy pace of life in this city. We also have continued to settle down into a more regular routine. In light of this, I was a little unprepared for what I experienced yesterday:

People were milling about everywhere. Some were scurrying around taking care of last minute details while others leisurely mingled and talked with their friends. I was attempting to be helpful without getting in the way of too many people, but was not being all that successful at either task. Finally, Pastor Jeremiah got everyone's attention and had us all sit down. I found myself seated at a small table boasting an enormous bowl of food, surrounded by church members who did not speak much English. As the only Westerner at the table, everyone felt that I needed special attention so I was served first. The centerpiece among the strange-looking and unidentifiable food items heaped into my bowl was a big shrimp, with all the parts attached (but I think that knowing some of the other contents of my bowl would have been more disturbing than this was). Eating the shrimp, however, was a bit of a problem. I would have liked to pull off the shell with my hands before eating it, but everyone else at my table was separating the shell from the meat in their mouths. Not wanting to be rude, I attempted to do the same, but with limited success. Let's just say I ate more of the shell than I had intended to.

It was all part of the festivities surrounding the 32nd anniversary of Agape Mennonite Church. After the morning worship service, which commemorated how God has blessed the church this past year and detailed some of the plans for the future, nearly 50 people filled the building for a time of food and fellowship. Coming right on the heels of the Chinese New Year, everyone seemed to be in a festive mood. It was a wonderful time of celebrating the past and looking forward to the future.

Praises:
- For the amazing things that God has done during the past 32 years at Agape and the amazing things that are still to come.
- The chance that we have had to experience Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, opening our eyes to some of the culture and traditions upon which this city is built
- Many new opportunities are developing for us to get more involved in God's work here

Prayer Requests:
- That we would be able to take part in the developing opportunities for ministry here
- Continued patience with the language barrier
- The 3 Mennonite churches have talked about coming together to form 1 bigger church, possibly even this year. Pray that the leaders would have wisdom in decision making throughout this process.