Team Hong Kong Newsletter #30
The Final HK Letter
July 14, 2008
by Karen Martin

Sometimes things don't go the way I expect. It is in these moments that I often learn a lesson. Tuesday we spent the day at Ocean Park with six students from the local Sha Tin Methodist School. We traveled to the park during a heavy rainstorm and I expected we would need to cancel our plans or find some other indoor activities. Amazingly, the rain ended as we entered the amusement park. Minimal sunshine and fewer people make a day in an amusement park quite fun!

After our exciting day at Ocean Park we planned to meet with these students Wednesday through Friday afternoons for a Bible Camp. As the team was making final preparations Wednesday morning, we received a phone call from one of the students. She was sick and would not be able to come. The other students also had other obligations or decided not to attend our Wednesday session. As a team, we were quite disappointed and questioned how to handle this situation. Why do events continuously get cancelled? We've put hours of planning into this camp, now what? God, what are you trying to teach us?

In reflecting, I realize that no matter how definite my plans seem to be, God is still in control. I need to trust that God has a plan, even when my definite plans don't happen. As for the students, we were able to spend more time praying for them. Relationships and conversation became a stronger focus during our Thursday and Friday sessions. I am thankful for the relationships that have been built and a lesson that I have learned!

Praises
- Praise God - through all of our strengths, weaknesses, dreams, and fears - He has placed us on this Hong Kong team, changed us, and allowed us to be His hands and feet!

Prayer Requests
-That we would be able to have a wholesome closure to our time in Hong Kong
-This week we are saying final goodbyes to many people
-For safety in our travels on July 18