For those of you on Facebook- check out Rev. Curtis Garlands account of the trip and see many photos and videos. Here is the link..
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001865050422&sk=wall&closeTheater=1
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Update Wednesday, February 23
Things are going very well on the trip. Working with the children in the classroom has been very rewarding for all of us. The interaction is fantastic. Yesterday some of the Christian students invited us to an impromptu concert. They are, as we would say "on fire" in their faith and so enthusiastic about worship. Yesterday we received a Mandarin Chinese lesson in one class and today we will get a Chinese cooking lesson in Home Economics class. We are all looking forward to that.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 27 Prayer Request
Sunday, February 27
Pray that God would, in spite of sorrowful partings, to rejoice that we have made connections that, blessed by our Father, would endure to eternity in heaven. Ask that God would grant safe travel to the team as they return finally to SD and their loved ones. Ask that God would grant to the team members a quick return to normal daily schedules, normal, but different because of changed hearts through this experience. Also ask that God would continue to work in the hearts of those in Hong Kong who have been touched by the power of the Holy Spirit through this effort.
Pray that God would, in spite of sorrowful partings, to rejoice that we have made connections that, blessed by our Father, would endure to eternity in heaven. Ask that God would grant safe travel to the team as they return finally to SD and their loved ones. Ask that God would grant to the team members a quick return to normal daily schedules, normal, but different because of changed hearts through this experience. Also ask that God would continue to work in the hearts of those in Hong Kong who have been touched by the power of the Holy Spirit through this effort.
Saturday, February 26 Prayer Request
Saturday, February 26
Pray that God would grant us safety during this day of relaxation with the students and teachers as the team rejoices in the time we have had, but also anticipates the sorrows of leaving the next day. Ask that God grant the team members a peaceful rest in preparation for the return home.
Pray that God would grant us safety during this day of relaxation with the students and teachers as the team rejoices in the time we have had, but also anticipates the sorrows of leaving the next day. Ask that God grant the team members a peaceful rest in preparation for the return home.
Friday, February 25 Prayer Request
Friday, February 25
Pray that God would work in the hearts of students and team members to make the most of this final day of classes in ways that would lift up our Christian faith and life. Pray that God would grant to the team members courage to speak clearly of the hope that is within us to the assembled students at the closing ceremony. Ask that God would grant safety for those students and team members who will be spending time together Friday evening.
Pray that God would work in the hearts of students and team members to make the most of this final day of classes in ways that would lift up our Christian faith and life. Pray that God would grant to the team members courage to speak clearly of the hope that is within us to the assembled students at the closing ceremony. Ask that God would grant safety for those students and team members who will be spending time together Friday evening.
Thursday, February 24 Prayer Request
Thursday, February 24
Pray that God would continue to work on the hearts of the family members of students visited the night before. Pray that our student led lunches be good times of connecting and encouraging to those who do believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Thursday have been the day when the Student Christian Fellowship meets. Ask that God would grant to the Christian students courage to speak up on behalf of the faith. Ask that God would move hearts of other students who have been invited to take time to come and listen to the witness of students. Also ask that God would lead the team to prepare a good witness for the closing ceremony on Friday.
Pray that God would continue to work on the hearts of the family members of students visited the night before. Pray that our student led lunches be good times of connecting and encouraging to those who do believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Thursday have been the day when the Student Christian Fellowship meets. Ask that God would grant to the Christian students courage to speak up on behalf of the faith. Ask that God would move hearts of other students who have been invited to take time to come and listen to the witness of students. Also ask that God would lead the team to prepare a good witness for the closing ceremony on Friday.
Wednesday, February 23 Prayer Request
Wednesday, February 23
Pray that God would be with team members as they visit student homes for supper. This evening provides opportunities for witnessing to the family about God’s great love for us through Jesus Christ. Since this is one of the longer days for team members, ask that God grant the team strength for the day and peaceful rest at night.
Pray that God would be with team members as they visit student homes for supper. This evening provides opportunities for witnessing to the family about God’s great love for us through Jesus Christ. Since this is one of the longer days for team members, ask that God grant the team strength for the day and peaceful rest at night.
Tuesday, February 22 Prayer Request
Tuesday, February 22
Pray that God would bless our student-led lunches that these be times of relationship development and opportunities for witnessing to the power of Christ in our lives. Pray that our class time be beneficial in many ways. Evenings provide opportunities for connecting with people. Ask that God grant these times to be helpful. Pray that our rest time at night be restful.
Pray that God would bless our student-led lunches that these be times of relationship development and opportunities for witnessing to the power of Christ in our lives. Pray that our class time be beneficial in many ways. Evenings provide opportunities for connecting with people. Ask that God grant these times to be helpful. Pray that our rest time at night be restful.
Monday, February 21 Prayer Request
Monday, February 21
Pray that God would bless our initial contacts with all the students this day, and especially as we address a major part of the student body in our opening convocation. God grant that our witness be simple, and powerful, focusing on the power of Christ in hearts and lives by His cross. Ask that God grant also to the families of the team members peace of heart during this lengthy separation.
Pray that God would bless our initial contacts with all the students this day, and especially as we address a major part of the student body in our opening convocation. God grant that our witness be simple, and powerful, focusing on the power of Christ in hearts and lives by His cross. Ask that God grant also to the families of the team members peace of heart during this lengthy separation.
UPDATE!!!
Saturday evening and Sunday we attended worship services with the kids here at the school. Saturday's is tailored for the kids, kind of a youth meeting and it was so refreshing to see a room full of kids participating in worship, leading the singing, and giving testimony about their faith. Lots of energy and enthusiasm. Part of the service was a discussion of the main points of the sermon. As a group, we got to lead the small groups in the discussion. After providing a few minutes to do that, they played a Bible knowledge game, group against group covering Joseph's life. Then they closed the service. Great experience. Wish kids in our Lutheran churches were as enthusiastic as these.
Because we were here and they wanted to give us a chance to meet the congregation here - Amazing Grace Lutheran Church - there was a more typical Lutheran special occasion service - worship and a pot luck! Great homemade food and fellowship with the congregation and the kids from the school who go to the church. The service again was marked by a lot of participation from the kids in leading singing and taking up the collection.
The trip has been very good so far. A lot of the kids paid their own way to come out to the airport to meet us as we got off the plane. With three members of the team having been here before and two more of us who met the kids who came to South Dakota last summer, there were some built in relationships to build on. The teachers are enthusiastic and it is going to be a great opportunity to be in the classrooms this week.
We had lunch the first day with the President of the Hong Kong Synod and the school Principal. Yesterday was parents' day at the school (much like ours where the parents come in to meet with the teachers and get their children's progress reports) so that was an opportunity for the parents to actually see one of the mission groups over here to help with their children's education. We had dinner yesterday with some of the kids who we met on previous trips or on their US visit. Today we get to do some touring. A couple of the places I haven't been on previous trips to Hong Kong (in the Navy) and some I have seen. There will be students going along with us, so we will all have our little groups of 4 or so to interact with during the day. Tomorrow we start working in the classrooms!
More later!
Because we were here and they wanted to give us a chance to meet the congregation here - Amazing Grace Lutheran Church - there was a more typical Lutheran special occasion service - worship and a pot luck! Great homemade food and fellowship with the congregation and the kids from the school who go to the church. The service again was marked by a lot of participation from the kids in leading singing and taking up the collection.
The trip has been very good so far. A lot of the kids paid their own way to come out to the airport to meet us as we got off the plane. With three members of the team having been here before and two more of us who met the kids who came to South Dakota last summer, there were some built in relationships to build on. The teachers are enthusiastic and it is going to be a great opportunity to be in the classrooms this week.
We had lunch the first day with the President of the Hong Kong Synod and the school Principal. Yesterday was parents' day at the school (much like ours where the parents come in to meet with the teachers and get their children's progress reports) so that was an opportunity for the parents to actually see one of the mission groups over here to help with their children's education. We had dinner yesterday with some of the kids who we met on previous trips or on their US visit. Today we get to do some touring. A couple of the places I haven't been on previous trips to Hong Kong (in the Navy) and some I have seen. There will be students going along with us, so we will all have our little groups of 4 or so to interact with during the day. Tomorrow we start working in the classrooms!
More later!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Sunday, February 20 Prayer Request
Sunday, February 20
Pray that God would move the hearts of those invited to worship to be with the team for worship Sunday morning at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church worshipping at our host school. Pray that God’s powerful Word change hearts and lives. Also pray that as the team continues to work on its activities at the school for the week, that our hearts and minds be guided with wisdom and understanding. Also ask God’s blessings on the relationships initiated with our ambassador students.
Pray that God would move the hearts of those invited to worship to be with the team for worship Sunday morning at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church worshipping at our host school. Pray that God’s powerful Word change hearts and lives. Also pray that as the team continues to work on its activities at the school for the week, that our hearts and minds be guided with wisdom and understanding. Also ask God’s blessings on the relationships initiated with our ambassador students.
Saturday, February 19 Prayer Request
Saturday, February 19
Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our actions and words as we meet old friends and meet new students and teachers. Pray that others will see the light of Jesus Christ in the team members and give glory to the Father in Heaven. Pray that our invitations to the students to be with us for worship on Sunday morning would fall on fertile hearts. Pray for physical strength to get through the time adjustments needed to be ready for the daily tasks at hand.
Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our actions and words as we meet old friends and meet new students and teachers. Pray that others will see the light of Jesus Christ in the team members and give glory to the Father in Heaven. Pray that our invitations to the students to be with us for worship on Sunday morning would fall on fertile hearts. Pray for physical strength to get through the time adjustments needed to be ready for the daily tasks at hand.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday-Friday, February 17-18 Prayers
As the team begins its air travel from Sioux Falls to Chicago, then Hong Kong, pray for safe travel to and from airports, and safety in the nearly 20 hours of airtime for travelling. Grant peaceful rest at our arrival at Hong Kong Friday evening.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Schedule Overview
Column1 Column2 Column3
Date Time Activities
Thu, Feb. 17 Depart USA
Fri, Feb. 18 6:05pm Arrive HK airport - met by Service Coordinator
6:45pm Board van
7:30pm Arrive MCDH school
Sat, Feb. 19 Orientation
Meet with President Yung
Welcoming lunch
Student fellowship with Anthony
Sun, Feb. 20 W w/Amazing Grace
Lunch
Review lesson plans
Getting around Tseung Kwan O
Mon, Feb. 21 9:00am Leave on van for Wong Tai Sin Temple
9:30am Arrive Wong Tai Sin Temple
11:00am Leave on van for TST Ferry Pier
11:30am Leave for Central Ferry Pier on Star Ferry
11:45am Leave Central Ferry Pier for The Peak on the van
12:15pm Arrive at The Peak. Eat lunch and shop
2:30pm Meet and go up Sky Terrace
3:00pm Board Peak Tram
3:30pm Board van to Ladies' Market
4:00pm Arrive, eat, and shop at Ladies' Market
8:00pm Meet at Langham Place. Depart for MCDH
Tue, Feb. 22 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
Team Supper
Wed, Feb. 23 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
4:30pm Leave for LCMS WM Asia Headquarters
7:30pm Leave for MCDH
Thur, Feb. 24 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
Home visit
Fri, Feb. 25 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
Sat, Feb. 26 Student fellowship
Sightseeing/shopping (Optional)
Packing
Sun, Feb. 27 9:00am Depart for the airport (11:30am US 6464 to Chicago)
Date Time Activities
Thu, Feb. 17 Depart USA
Fri, Feb. 18 6:05pm Arrive HK airport - met by Service Coordinator
6:45pm Board van
7:30pm Arrive MCDH school
Sat, Feb. 19 Orientation
Meet with President Yung
Welcoming lunch
Student fellowship with Anthony
Sun, Feb. 20 W w/Amazing Grace
Lunch
Review lesson plans
Getting around Tseung Kwan O
Mon, Feb. 21 9:00am Leave on van for Wong Tai Sin Temple
9:30am Arrive Wong Tai Sin Temple
11:00am Leave on van for TST Ferry Pier
11:30am Leave for Central Ferry Pier on Star Ferry
11:45am Leave Central Ferry Pier for The Peak on the van
12:15pm Arrive at The Peak. Eat lunch and shop
2:30pm Meet and go up Sky Terrace
3:00pm Board Peak Tram
3:30pm Board van to Ladies' Market
4:00pm Arrive, eat, and shop at Ladies' Market
8:00pm Meet at Langham Place. Depart for MCDH
Tue, Feb. 22 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
Team Supper
Wed, Feb. 23 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
4:30pm Leave for LCMS WM Asia Headquarters
7:30pm Leave for MCDH
Thur, Feb. 24 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
Home visit
Fri, Feb. 25 English activities
Lunch with students
English activities
Sat, Feb. 26 Student fellowship
Sightseeing/shopping (Optional)
Packing
Sun, Feb. 27 9:00am Depart for the airport (11:30am US 6464 to Chicago)
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