"TENTMAKING" IN HONG KONG!

Life @ SWCK!

Believe it or not…I finished my 2nd year of teaching @SWCK! We said good bye to the class at the end of June 07
As I look back and reflect on my 2nd year of teaching, it was tough on me, emotionally and physically.

Do you remember telling you about this 4 year old boy who joined us around Easter time and he was asking about Jesus.
Well, towards the end of the school year, I was sitting with him helping him in his work and chatting with him.
Suddenly he said to me in his most innocent voice "Miss Doris, Father God talks to me when I'm in bed. He plays with me...He said that my little brother is with HIM"
I had to hold back my tears as he said these words. The boy comes from a non-Christian background and his dad is always absent from home due to work (something that is really common here). His mother had a miscarriage and she was so concerned in how to announce it to her son that mum called my director for advice.

In another incident, he was disobedient and mean towards his peers. So I had to take him aside and had a chat with him about his behaviour. And so I told him "M, no matter what, Miss Daphne and I will still love you." He was so shocked by those words that he ran to the corner and started crying! As I let him cry for a little while, he ran back and hugged me.
I knew at that moment how much those words meant for him but at the same time, I felt sad to see how much young kids are lacking those affirming words.

At the end of last June, I was invited to my previous student's birthday party! Other there I got a chance to meet other parents and got connected. The birthday's boy mum came other and shared with us how his time in school has affected her belief. Somehow she is back to believing our dear LORD and was looking for a church where his son can learn more in a Sunday school.

I think for me, these 'incidents' are precious moments- it is a constant reminder that we are 'salt and light' for our LORD- wherever HE puts us. Our part is to live it to the fullest ..for HIS pleasure and HIS glory

As a new school year started beginning of last September- I am even more excited of the new opportunity to work with a new batch of students and with their parents!


Allow me to share with you what I did during my summer vacation and what more to come!!

JULY 2007

I was preparing for…two 'camps' back to back!!!
Yes, with one team I was helping run a week long program for 4-6years old while their parents were in for their teaching sessions.
My team and I set up some activities and teaching that would cater to their age group.
One thing I was really grateful to GOD was that HE provided a group of enthusiastic and supportive brothers and sister who stood by me when things were tough during the camp. They were fantastic and really displayed a servant heart towards the children and within the group.

The team was at my place preparing the materials for the

Teaching the kids how to use chopsticks!

Putting scales on the fish!

The story of Jonah- a lesson about obedience to GOD.

At the same time I was getting ready for an outreach in one of the community in Hong Kong.
We had a combined team of different nationalities coming together to work out an "outreach" -
A week long of activities that involve Dance and Drama, Crafts, team building.

Through all this we wanted to spread the message of HIS love and also serving each other.
At the end of the week, parents join their children on a family outing whereby they serve together at an Old Folks homes
Among the participants, we have children who came from non-believing families
It was BIG challenge but through all this - I saw God's faithfulness and miracles throughout that week!
We recently had a reunion with those families and children (aged between 6-12 years old) and it was a great time of fun and connecting with parents and children.


Team building activity led by the Swedish team members.

AUGUST 2007

After the camps, I flew home for a short break - it was GREAT! Although it was only for 12 days…I spent time resting and just being around with my family and without doubt enjoying the outdoor in my homeland- MAURITIUS. Sun, sand, sea!!!!

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WALK TO EMMAUS- (20-23rd Sept '07) HongKong

It was a 3 days set aside to "reflect on our own faith while giving us some insights as to where we ought to be."

To me, it was like a 'retreat cum discipleship'.
It was worthwhile… I was reminded about PRIORITIES and most importantly of HIS GRACE AND LOVE.

That LOVE was shown in amazing ways through acts of service and giving by previous participants (within HongKong and from other parts of the world). There were more good things which I won't be able to express….

I remembered one afternoon, I was standing out in the courtyard looking at the ocean, I noticed lots of dragonflies and was admiring them.

Then on the last day, one lady who prayed for me during those 3 days, shared with me about the life cycle of a 'dragon fly'!

"Unlike some other insect like butterfly (some of you know how I like butterfly), the dragonfly in its 'nymphal stage', has to go through several moulting period…thus shedding the old skin and allowing the new one to swell and expand before the skin hardens. "

As I pondered on her words, I was reminded of Matthew 9:16-17.
"putting new wine into new wineskins"

Once again, Our Loving Father reminded me that as He has led me here in HongKong. HE has led me bit by bit, and it was no mistake. It was indeed part of HIS plan and taking me in another 'moulting' season of my life!

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Now this month of September is drawing to an end…

I am getting ready to face a new challenge…

I will fly back to Kilimanjaro-Tanzania (12th-20th October) to teach in a teacher's training school.
This YWAM school is the same that I took in Kona Hawaii- Foundations in Education in 2003.
My friend who took the same school is now leading her second teachers' training school…training African teachers!.
I will teach for a week..and that will be during my mid-term break from SWCK.

So please keep me in your prayers:
-for wisdom and discipline in my preparation
-for protection and good health
-for strength as I travel to and fro (I will only have a day rest before resuming teaching @ SWCK)

Once again thank you so much

With love

Doris