Team Hong Kong Newsletter #18
A Change of Plans
by Karen Martin
April 7, 2008

Plans were set for Maria and me to do child care on Sunday. We were going to read the ever famous story of Noah and then have the children color a picture of the ark and animals. Sometimes plans change. Instead of entertaining the kids, the kids entertained themselves. Meanwhile, Maria and I spent the morning talking with Rachel (named changed because of my inability to translate Chinese names into English pronunciations). She told us how touched she was to celebrate Easter this year. With tears in her eyes Rachel shared that she is still moved by the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us. I could sense a burden on her heart. Rachel went on to describe how busy and unfair life is for her family. Her desire to grow in her walk with Christ was very evident. The stress of a job and caring for her two small boys leaves little time for quiet reflection on God and his Word. As the three of us sat in a tiny cluttered room surrounded by chattering children we prayed that God would fill Rachel with hope and joy.

Rachel came to us to share her story and in turn we were able to pray and support our sister in Christ. I have found that it is somewhat rare for those who are native to Hong Kong to share openly about their faith with us. I know and believe that God is at work here in Hong Kong, but this experience left me very encouraged. These were not my expectations for Sunday morning, yet God was most definitely working in the midst of it all.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Prayer Requests
-We have much creative planning to do in preparation for the EMM retreat which will be held in Cambodia at the end of April.
-On Sunday we will be part of festivities at the Tuen Mun Center. Many activities are planned for this day to allow the local community to become involved with the Center.

Praises
-Hosting the Blanks and Herrs was fun, encouraging, and a blessing to each of us.
-There are 6 people from Agape Church who will be baptized in a few months (several of them are youth who we have been working with).
-Praise God for His work here in Hong Kong . . . and that it is not limited to what we see!