China, Macau...Singapore?!

Hello Friends!

I'M BACK! After an amazing week of being in Dongguan and Macau I've finally been thrusted back into the busy life in HK.

It'll be quite difficult to shrink my thoughts to a small post - it's just not possible! But since Vince L. (and apparently Pat!) says he only looks at my pictures I'll try to keep a good balance of 'meat' (content!) and visuals :)

Mike and I had some train troubles going to China but we ended arriving Dongguan Friday night and spent the weekend with his Dad and g.parents in their beautiful home (almost resort like!) We dined and traveled like kings and queens as we ate at amazing restaurants, toured golf clubs, watched a professional race car race and was driven everywhere by their company's drivers. It was pretty cool to visit their family business (which took on the form of a factory). I learned a lot about industrial painting!







After a local service on Sunday, we met up with the Queen's people again who were there teaching English.



On Monday we were off to Macau to CCOWE! (Chinese Congress of World Evangelism). Nothing could really prepare me for all that I would learn and see at the conference. I was totally blown away by the sheer numbers of faithful servants from all over the world gathered.

The conference started Monday night at the opening ceremony (dinner) which was paid in full by the Macau government! I was so blown away at the support the Macau gov. showed to host CCOWE. It was a typical (but yummy) Chinese banquet dinner attended by over 3000 people. But what highlighted that dinner for me was to see one of the founders of CCOWE pray and bless Mr and Mrs.James Hudson Taylor 3rd. What blew me away even more was the first few words Mr.Taylor said in response,

"I was born in China, I was raised in China, I will probably die in China."

What struck me was him and his family's love for the Chinese people for over 5 generations. Tears quickly sprung to my eyes as I saw many people young and old all around me pull out their hankerchiefs, remove their glasses and wiped away their tears of gratitude.

CCOWE was held in Macau mainly because it was where the gospel was first brought to the Chinese (through Macau) 200 years ago by Robert Morrison who translated the entire Bible to Chinese. 50 years later, Hudson Taylor made his trek to China and continued the work of many missionaries there and ended up being used to send many other missionaries to inland China. Thus, China Inland Mission was birthed.

Mike and I went up to the Taylor's at the end of the night to introduce ourselves and was pleasantly surprised to find them speaking Mandarin with us! I love them!



The next day I got the chance to share with the English Track about YOAH which was pretty nerve-wrecking. I'm not always one for jitters because I know that it's not me speaking but for some reason, with that same mindset I was FULL of jitters! It was pretty cold too. I was really humbled and truly felt 'unworthy' in a sense to be amongst such men and women of God who have served the Chinese Church for years and years and years.

Praise God that though I sounded (at least to myself!) a blubbering fool God still used me.



Unfortunately, I would be known as the youngest speaker ever at CCOWE for the rest of the week! But either way, I got to meet many amazing pastors and church leaders and lay people who are doing amazing things for the Lord all over the world. This lead to me meeting a pastor from Singapore who has now invited me to go to share at his church about YOAH! So yes, this Friday (2 weeks after the conference) I'll be heading to Singapore! Another adventure for Kat :)

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I started writing this post last week and so much has happened since the conference. Keeping with the 'short and sweet' theme I'll post some more pictures from the past while and finish the CCOWE commentary when I see ya'll in person. (Home in 2 weeks!!)

Random updating!!

Last week I taught at Lee Wai Lee's summer program with the cutest kids who had even cuter names like 'Simba' and 'Cola'! It flew by but I gained so much experience and a great new friend, my co-teacher. Thanks for everything Chloe!!



On Wednesday I went to SCP to meet many more people from all over the world. I found it so refreshing to be in the company and fellowship with people at the Vine again. From SCP to Sunday's - I'm lovin' it. There's just something about being with 'family' that can bring such acceptance and peace. I'm so grateful for His leading to this church...they will definitely be something I'll really miss when I leave.

So this Friday, I went to Mike's uncle's baby banquet. Another night with the Lau's plus many others! It was quite fun and another great way to get to know his family better. I've been eating so much - Toronto will get a lot more of me when I get back (if you know what I mean!) haha

On Saturday Mike met my relatives for the first time and definitely passed with flying colors! I'm so glad he hit it off with them especially my uncle. It meant a lot that they approve and I'm so glad that Mike enjoyed the amazing food and company as well :)

Sunday came around and I decided to keep ticking off the places I want to see before I leave. After lunch, it was a cousin's day out at OCEAN PARK! haha The jelly fish exhibition was worth lining up and waiting every minute. We even got to see these fat panda's among other things like a scary t-rex. A great time of silly pictures and cousin bonding.





Yesterday, I went out to lunch with my mentee, Marilyn! I love it how everyone is here in HK!! After lunch we went for market/street shopping and snagged ourselves some great deals. She's ruthless when it comes to bargaining! It was a gorgeous day for HK yesterday so Mike took me up to the Peak via Peak Tram just like good ol' tourists. The view, the sunset, the company, the food, the jazz...everything was perfect ;)







Friday I'm off to Singapore - I'll be back to HK on the following Tuesday. Then the Monday after that I'll be flying back to my beloved Toronto.

This summer has flown, wouldn't you agree?

(More on Send-Off/Commissioning Night for SCP and BIFF Day Out when I get back!)