Kroc Church

I feel like I have so much to share with you since the last time I wrote, but I will try not to write too much. Our program at William Booth Secondary School went well. We had a group of about 35 Form 3 (9th grade) students. It was an English class, so we played games and talked to them to encourage them to practice speaking in English. The teachers were really excited that the students had an opportunity to practice speaking English with native speakers. Many of the students were really shy at the beginning but started to open up as the program went on.

After our program the principal and vice-principal took us out to a traditional Chinese meal. We got to try 3 different Chinese teas, I have no idea what kinds of tea they were though. They were good but it took a little getting used to because they do not sweeten their tea. We also tried lots of popular Dim Sum items but again I don’t remember the names. The most interesting thing about our lunch was when they brought the plate of chicken the chicken head was on the plate. Our guide/translator Timothy tried to get the team leader Matt to eat the chicken head, but then the principal told us that they don’t usually eat it because it is mostly bone.

We went to William Booth School again yesterday, but this time for a united youth meeting and Chinese BBQ. There were probably around 150 youth there from 6 different corps. We broke into 10 teams and played some games. For example there was a 3 legged race and a game where they had to shoot balloons with guns that shot little plastic pellets. Then it was time for BBQ. Chinese BBQ is a bit different from they way we BBQ in the U.S.A. Basically everyone sits around a fire and puts their meat on a stick and roasts it over the fire. Similar to how we would roast hot dogs or marshmallows, except there were more food choices. We roasted hot dogs, meatballs, fish balls, chicken wings, corn on the cob, and pork chops. It was quite interesting cooking the pork chop, but it tasted delicious.

This morning we went to the Kowloon City Corps for worship, and celebrated the corps’ 18th anniversary.

Some interesting things I have learned:

• Chinese people believe that it is ok to eat any animal whose back faces the sky.

• It has rained a lot since we have been here and we are often told that if it rains when someone comes to visit it is a sign of good luck and it means that the visitors are important.

Thank you for your prayers and support,
Tracy

Over the last couple of days my team has really learned the importance of going with the flow and rolling with the punches.

Yesterday we were prepared to lead a program at the Lam Butt Chung Primary school and to go and visit some families with the officer at the Tung Chung Corps. But then because of a tropical storm and typhoon warning school was canceled and we had to stay home all day yesterday.

Luckily we were able to get some more planning done and by the afternoon the wind and rain had calmed down enough that we were able to venture outside for dinner and even to visit a market called the “Ladies Market.”

Although it was still raining this morning we were able to make it to Tung Chung as planned. In the morning we led two programs for some of the children at the Lam Butt Chung Primary School.

It was a lot of fun teaching then songs, a Bible lesson, and playing games with them. Of course there are some things we will improve for our next programs but overall things went very well and the children had a great time. At the end of our programs the teachers presented us with tote bags and a magazine about the school as a souvenir.

We were originally told that in the afternoon we would break into two groups and go out for home visitations, but at the last minute the plans changed. Three members of our team lead a program for some children that take part in an after school program run by the corps, while Chris and I went for home visitations. We visited two families to talk with them and share the Gospel message.

The Corps Officer, Captain Peter Tso, told us that home visitation is one of the largest ministries of the corps. I had never done anything like this before, so it was kind of a struggle for me. I think it went well though; we had some good conversations with the families and gave them some information about the corps and the programs at the corps.

Tomorrow we are off to William Booth Secondary School to lead a 3 hour program with 9th and 10th graders. They want us to teach them about American Culture, so it should be an interesting morning.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

Tracy

More pictures at Tracy’s Flickr Photostream