Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from Hong Kong and APFMMA.

Christmas is a time for thanksgiving, and also

recalling memories of friends far and near.

The angel told Mary that she would give birth to a son and would be called the Son of the Most High.  Mary was greatly troubled because she was still a virgin.  But the angel said, "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37).  

Christmas is really a miracle - witnessing God's faithfulness, unfailing love, mercy, fulfillment of God's long ago prophecy written in Bible (Isaiah 7:14).   Let us count His blessings and give thanks with a grateful heart.  Let us seek opportunities and try our best to offer to our Lord Jesus Christ, like Mary.

(1) APFMMA - More than ten years ago God opened two mission fields - Cambodia (under supervision of Hong Kong Conference), Myanmar (under supervision of Taiwan Conference) - God extends our territories, gives us abundant grace, and binds us together for His mission in prayer and support among the Free Methodist families in Asia, Brazil, Canada and US

(2) Myanmar -

(a) God's wonderful provision and caring for the sickness of Superintendent Rev. Tial Kung, and the wife of Rev. Pakep.

(b) God's wonderful provision to purchase a place for the Chin church, and a van for the Chinese church for gospel work.

(3) Cambodia -

(a) School project - the first phase construction is about US$1,000,000.. This is the project of the Hong Kong Conference, partnership with a Christian school organization and church in Hong Kong. The construction has started in early December, and new school term will start in September 2010. This is really a great challenge and burden; but a good quality Christian school is a great witness and blessing to the people. May God provide the needs - finance and good Christian teachers and staff.

(b) Harvest is great, workers are few. Still need more missionaries. At present there are five missionary units from Hong Kong, two units from Philippines, and one unit from US.

(4) Hong Kong (my home church) -

(a) Although there is "economy tsunami", so thankful that the number of children sponsors is still going up - 266 sponsors supporting 365 children in Asia, South America and Africa.

(b) The children centre and children sponsorship program in Mainland goes on well.

(c) Because of a generous love gift so that the sewing workshop for unprivileged women in Mainland could purchase new place and dorm.

(d) Sent out one more missionary family to serve in Cambodia in August.

• It is time to count blessings -

~~ trips to Brazil, Cambodia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Macau, Mainland China for ministries,  and visits - good fellowship and partners in the gospel. 

~~  healing from stomachache, gastritis, knee pain, flu and sore throat.

~~  friends to pray together, and to have fun in leisure time and trips.

~~  a new assistant who can release some of my work load in the office from August.

• It is time to build and to embrace - We still remember the miserable and horrible earthquake

in Szechwan, China in May 2008.  In January 2010, the Hong Kong Conference will start a children sponsorship program to help the orphans and needy children in Szechwan.  I am very excited about this, but that will mean more work and more travel too.  And one of the churches will send a long term worker for trauma healing.

• It is time to give up and to search - I have been the Executive Director of APFMMA since August 1994. May God raise up another servant for this challenging ministry.
• It is time to focus and deepen - using my spiritual gifts, training and time more effectively. I can feel what Apostle Paul said, "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (II Cor 4:16). Time and opportunities will not wait for us.
• It is time to look up to our Lord Jesus -

~~ strength and wisdom for the challenging new ministries : school project in Cambodia, children sponsorship program in Mainland China, sewing workshop for unprivileged women in Mainland,

~~ more missionaries and staff for missions work.

~~ my health - lesser stomachache, gastritis, knee pain, flu and sore throat.

~~ quality time, love and compassion for missionary care and support.

~~ take time to read more, pray more, & rest more (e.g. go to bed earlier, before 12 a.m.)

Your friendship, prayer and partnership in the gospel in these days have enriched my spiritual life and ministries.   Thanks so much for being so generous and kind, thoughtful and supportive.

May the Faith, Hope, Love of Christmas fill your heart.

Emmanuel.

Mailing address:

Room 1602, Texaco Centre, 126-140 Texaco Road, Tsuen Wan, NT, Hong Kong SAR, CHINA.