Praise the Lord, even though Hong Kong was turbulent in 2019 and our co-workers underwent significant adjustments, by the end of the year, we were feeling exceptionally restful, relaxing and peaceful. At the end of last year, we were handling many things. But this year, it seemed to bring closure to everything. For example, the land to build Garden of Eden was purchased in the beginning of the year. “New Crop 611” was established at the end of this year. Olivetree bookstore and Tree of Life kindergarten are entering new phases. The major renovation of media center at Young Ya is near completion. Indeed, 2019 was a year of God’s acceptance, preparing us for overall upgrade in 2020.
Last week, our spiritual parents Pastor Nathaniel Chow and his wife of Bread of Life Christian Church in Taipei paid us a visit and spent two nights at our home and the Hiding Place. To us and our church, they gave positive and affirmative comments.
On the first night, Mrs Chow spoke highly of C-Mo being better than her in hospitality, cookery, pruning disciples and helping husband. Not only does C-Mo inherit the wonderful tradition of the “Ling-Leung” Family giving top priority to couple taking up pastoral care together, she also thoroughly transforms traditional view of pastors’ wives. Before her departure, Mrs Chow couldn’t help praising C-Mo which delighted us very much.
With such happy mood and largely thankful that we received special offers by the cruise company, we embarked yearly retreat on cruise with MG leaders. We were even more grateful to enjoy excellent venues for meals, gatherings and group games. Together, we dined, played, counted God’s blessings and joyfully did the countdown to enter 2020. Pastor Chow initiated his Hong Kong visit, wanting to show us support at the hardest time of the city. It happened that we were desperate for service speaker. On the last Sunday of 2019, he delivered the valuable message of “2020 Overall Upgrade 2.0”.
Thank God for speaking to us at all times. During the MG leaders’ retreat, through C-Mo’s innovative group games, we realized that in everything we do, may it be toward God, man or handling matters or even as trivial as giving gifts, as long as we do it with heart, creativity and inspirations shall come naturally. It is easier for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Then whether in discipleship or marketplace, we shall be more relaxed and joyful.
“Glorious Church” is the vision of our mother church, Bread of Life Christian Church in Taipei and we, as her daughter church in Hong Kong, will surely embrace it. This glory is displayed as we put “Relationship before Ministry”, a glory embracing relationship, not the glory received from “ministry-focused” work. In any circumstances, Pastor Chow and his wife are proud of us as their children and we are proud of them as our parents. Dear brothers and sisters, that is precisely how our heavenly Father thinks of us. He is surely proud of us as we become His real children. Then naturally, upgrade and blessings in life shall come to us.•[2020.01.05]