Life is uncertain

A famous HK leading singer died of cancer last week. He was also born in the same year as I. Life is uncertain. This year I have attended a few funerals, and each one gave me different reflections on life. 

One was them was the father of a sister in Christ. He died very unexpectedly, without any words or symptoms. I had planned to visit this man and share the gospel with him, but because of busy work, I postponed the visit a few times. I am so regretful - time can not be replayed. Another one was also the father of a sister. Although I had visited him many times, and many friends and I had shared the gospel with him many times, he still did not accept Jesus as his Savior. 

• Pray for the salvation of our parents;
• Pray that we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and take action quickly;

The most impressive and sad was the funeral of a sister who was in her forties. I knew her more than 15 years. She was very supportive of missions work, and cared for the young people and old people in the church, and was also a good partner with the pastor. What she has left in peoples' hearts is her faith in the Lord during her treatment for cancer, her love for people, and her prayer life.

The recent shootings and deaths in schools, terrorism bombings in Bali, Russia and the Philippines and other places, also make me think about life. I was a bit angry with these cold-hearted people. On the other hand, life is really a mystery and the length is not for you to decide. There are so many uncertainties surrounding us. Please pray for peace and love among human beings.

God sent a companion in the trip, for fun too

I went to the US for three weeks in October. This time I went through jag-lag easily in US, but when I came back to HK, I took more than a week to adjust back to the time difference and the fast pace.

When I planned for the trip to the US for a Missions Conference and Mission Theology Consultation, I got a call from Cindy that she was also planning to go to the US and Vancouver for her vacation and asked if she could go with me. That was really good news for me. She could keep me company on the first part of the trip. However, she wanted to go to Disneyland, Universal Studios and the Grand Canyon. After some thought and also the persuasion of some friends, I decided to take a vacation too; I had not taken any vacation for many years. Then, I was more than happy to have Cindy to travel with me to the Missions Conference and help me in the workshops, and I had a week's vacation.

We joined local tours to Disneyland, Universal Studios and the Grand Canyon. We enjoyed the tours, but we felt that this kind of excitement and pleasure lasted just for a moment, although we did have time for fun and relaxing. Cindy was very impressed that she could meet the leadership team of Free Methodist World Missions. She felt a very contented joy in attending the Missions Conference and helping with the display table and workshop.

Met old acquaintance

At the Missions Conference we met two old, good friends, Rev. & Mrs. Loren Van Tassel. Along the way of their deputation, they heard there was a Missions Conference in the same district, and therefore they attended the Conference for only one day! We were overjoyed to see each other because it was beyond our expectations. We made very good partners in the workshop on --- Opportunities in Asia. I invited them to share their ministry in Asia, as well as the needs and opportunities. They enriched the workshop and also broadened the view of the attendees. 

Rev. & Mrs. Loren Van Tassel had been missionaries in HK for more than 25 years and worked together with me quite often. Rev. Van Tassel was like my mentor and pastor. We had a very good time together, even though it was only one day.

How good to see you in the flesh

At the Missions Conference and also in Sunday worship, I was very thankful and impressed with some elderly ladies and a few others who told me that they had been praying for me for a few years, and had seen me on the home page of the APFMMA website, on my prayer card, and also through the prayer letters of Jim and Margaret Nelson. Now they could see me in the flesh and not be just an image in their mind. I was so thankful to hear this. I really hope that our elderly ladies and members in the churches can also take praying for missionaries and missions work as their ministry.

God-sent angels on the way

An American lady and a Filipino lady Cindy and I went to San Diego by train. We carried three big and heavy suitcases. When we were waiting for the train, a lady walked up to us and asked if we were going to San Diego. She was afraid that we might wait for the train on the wrong platform. This lady came to take a walk every evening at this beautiful and quiet Fullerton Station. Cindy and I prayed that God would send somebody to help us with the heavy suitcases. It was natural that in our minds maybe a kind man would show up to help us to carry the heavy suitcases up and down to the train. But a Filipino lady (her name was Maria) came to chat with us and she was taking the train to San Diego. She helped us with the suitcases and also found two seats for us.

Even more, this train could not go all the way to San Diego after two stops because the railway beyond was under repair. We had to take our suitcases and get off the train for the shuttle bus. But after we had put the suitcases onto the bus, we were told that the bus was full and we had to take the suitcases to another bus! After all this, we were so tired. Then Maria helped us again with the suitcases and went up to the bus to "occupy" two seats for us because there were many people, while Cindy and I were settling our suitcases with the driver. 

Airport staff

When I traveled from San Diego to Denver and from there transferred to Indianapolis, I made a terrible mistake. I mistook the arrival time at Denver as the departure at San Diego. That meant I would miss the connecting flight to Indianapolis too. I was a bit nervous because I was afraid that I had to buy two air tickets, since my air tickets already were a special price and it was marked on the coupon that I could not change the schedule. I blamed myself for being so careless, and on the other hand I prayed quietly for God's help. I apologized to the man at the counter and to my surprise, he comforted me and told me there must be a way, and he would settle things for me. Praise the Lord, I got another ticket on the evening flight to Chicago and then on to Indianapolis for the Missions Theology Consultation.

Theology of Missions Consultation, Oct 11th _13th

The Theology of Missions Consultation was held in the Free Methodist World Ministry Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. About 20 people came for this consultation. Among the participants were two theology professors and scholars from Asbury Seminary, Dr. Howard Snyder and Dr. Matt Zahniser, Dr. Phil Capp, the Area Directors of Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, the General Director of World Missions of North America, the Childcare Director, and some other experienced missionaries and personnel. I was so privileged that I could participate in this Consultation. In fact, it was like attending a theology and missions lesson, listening to the lectures and being with experienced missionaries. I began to dig into the deep and profound Wesleyan theology of missions and also the theology about the Triune God and Christian missions, local church/Christians and missions work. Under the leadership of the group leader, my small group was not just for discussion of the papers, it was also a time of fellowship, prayer, and encouragment as well. 

Dr. Howard Snyder is a real theological scholar and writer. In these two whole days, when we were discussing and giving our opinions, Dr. Howard Snyder wrote down what we said and compiled it into a five page document -A Theology of Mission of Free Methodist World Missions. 

Rev. Dr. Howard Snyder, Rev. Dr. Matt Zahniser and Rev. Dr. Phil Capp were humble and friendly professors, scholars and writers. When I asked them questions about Wesleyan theology they explained it very clearly and used words that I could understand. When I was looking for a chair that would fit my height, Dr. Snyder helped me and also adjusted the chair for my height. This is the most enjoyable and fruitful meeting that I ever have attended. 

Met old friends again

In Indianapolis, I stayed at Susan's home. She is an old friend and made me feel very much at home. I was also very happy to see the Spanglers again. I enjoyed the lovely pictures drawn by Bethany and the friendship of the family. We had dinner one night and I was so excited to share my few visits to Umri Christian Hospital, India, with a couple who has some interest in becoming missionary doctors. I pray that the Lord will continue to work in their hearts.

I went to see Sky at Taylor University. Sky grew up in Ghana, West Africa, because her parents have been working there as missionaries for 15 years. Sky has a scholarship for four years for her study there. She is a happy young lady and is now in the second year. Every Sunday she attends church and helps teaching the young teens in Sunday School. 

14th medical mission team

I will lead the 14th medical mission team to Cambodia November 2-12. This is the largest team we have ever had, 32 members. Every day we will divide into two teams so that we can go to all the villages where we have work there. This will be a new experience for us.

Please pray for -- 

• the medicine to go through customs smoothly;
• unity, love and good health among the team members and local church members;
• physical and spiritual protection;
• cooperation with the local church members;
• extra energy for the missionaries;
• Jesus' name to be magnified through witness and medical service.

Our primary school in HK

The Education Department is cutting down the number of students in our primary school every year. This is the first year; and may mean that after some years the afternoon session will not have students and will be forced to close. Now we are applying to the Education Department for a new school for the afternoon session so that we can transfer our good and devoted Christian teachers to the new school. There are more than 100 schools applying for 33 new schools. We will know the result by December. Please join us in prayer for this application.

A big and multi-cultural missionary team in Cambodia

Please pray for God's comfort for Grace, whose mother passed away this past month. Can you imagine the teamwork needed for a multi-cultural missionary team from 4 different countries: Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and the US, and together with the local Cambodian people? You can say this is an international team and also a very good demonstration of Christian love and unity. But God is international too! May His name be uplifted and glorified. Will you pray for your missionaries everyday? Your prayer is vital in uplifting their spirits and strength.

Let us redeem the time for God's sake. "Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is .........be filled with the Holy Spirit." (Eph. 5:15-18).

• Keep alert to God's word, 
• Keep sensitive to the needs of people,
• Keep in touch in prayer, and through e-mail.

Polly