Coming Home

This morning everyone is packing up and getting ready to head to the airport. Last night was a night of hugs and tears. We went out one last time to enjoy the evening with students. Some went to a bbq at one student's home. Some went out to eat with students. My group went to Mc Donalds to say good bye to a student who was working. Then we went to another restaurant to experience "hot pot". The food is amazing here. I'm surprised more people here don't have a weight problem. There was always so much food on the table. I definately like the noodle and vegtable dishes with chicken, pork, or beef. I'm not much on fish so there were many dishes I only tried a little bit. I did try chicken feet! So I can't be teased for not trying. We are looking forward to an American hamburger or steak but enjoyed the food and the culture while we were here.

We leave many new friends and are sad but we are eager to come home to all our family and friends at home.

God Bless,
Lynette

Saturday

Today is Saturday and we have a day of AGYZ. My understanding is this is the equivalent of church youth group. Again it will be a fun day and yet a sad day. The students are always hugging us and telling us how much they will miss us.

Last night, I was walking down the street with one of "my girls" and told her that when I get home that my own beautiful chinese daughters will remind me of her and that I will think of her often. She completely broke down and cried. Our little group came to a complete stop to comfort her. It is so hard to be strong when my own heart breaks at leaving. If we could just take them home with us!!!

We have mostly taught English in the American Study Classes but yesterday I went to PE and to Liberal Arts class. We played badminton, ping pong, and had rowing races (on rowing machines). The Liberal Arts class had a discussion about how McDonald's has affected Hong Kong. That was very interesting. I'll share more on that back home.

I don't know if I will make it to the computer to blog any more. We leave tomorrow morning for the airport. Our flight from Hong Kong to Denver is 16 hours. Please pray for safe and comfortable travel.

God Bless,
Lynette

It's Friday Morning!

It is Friday morning right now. It is hard to believe the week is coming to an end. Today we will have a going away party. I'm sure there are going to be many tears. We have come to love so many students here and they have come to love us. I have five students that I've adopted and call me their American mom. They are all so very lovely.

Most of the students have given themselves American names. I say "American names" loosly. For example, one of my new friends is named CAT MILK. The students I spend most of my time with are Mikiko, Kristy, Polly, Whyee, and Cat Milk. These are the students that hosted Jon and I on Tuesday night. Each day they come and find us and ask if we have any free time and what we want to do. They are quick to offer to take us. And everyday they tell us how sad they will be when we leave.

The students are so kind and generous. They make us little hand written notes and tell us how happy we make them and that they are glad that we came. They ask when we will be coming back.

The next two days are going to be our hardest days emotionally. It is going to be VERY HARD to say good bye. Would you please pray for us? I have already seen every member of this team cry this week.

God's blessing to you! We can't wait to tell you more in person and show you all the wonderful photos!

Christ's Love,
Lynette

Free Night with Students

Last night we had a free night to go do what we wanted with the students. We broke up into smaller groups and set out. My group went to Hong Kong's Time Square. The girls took us to the Time Square Food Court by the MTR (train). It was much like our mall food court. After we ate we went outside to see the city lights. Our girls took us on a bit of a wild goose chase to find Victoria Bay to see the harbor lights. We did finally get there. It was so beautiful.

My group was lead around town by 3 lovely young girls. We must have been a sight. The girls kept herding us in and were very protective of us. We were doing the same with them. Randy had to explain to one of the girls that she had to get off the train before us and go home because we did not want her walking home from the school alone. She did not want to leave early and told us she was very "angry". She wasn't really angry. She was sad to leave us.

We are going to be very sad to leave them. There is so much to share. It is impossible to even begin on the blog because we try to spend every moment we can with the kids.

God Bless,
Lynette

First Blog from HongKong

How fascinating it is to be all the way around the world and know that our Lord has already been here First. This trip makes us, as Christians, really know the power of God's love and mercy. When I first came here, my expectations were that all I would have to do is smile and greet students. Little did I know how they would be teaching and showing and loving and caring for us as a team. It is truly great to see how this school is transforming lives through the power of Jesus. The Spirit is working very hard and so are your prayers. Thanks so much from all of us in HongKong. Will have many stories when we get back. Blessings to all of you!
Randy Wombold

Home visit number 2

Two years ago 3 girls from Hong Kong came to say at our house for about a week as part of the International Interface cultural exchange. Wendy, Jax and Savoy became a part of our family. Before they arrived my wife and I were nervious about their stay with us. Would our house meet their needs? With our busy lives would we be able to spend any time with them? As the week went on we all found our groove. The 3girls and our daughter Megan made her small room home. It was not long and our guests from across the world were as comfortable in our home as they were in their own. All of the fears we had before they came to visit were put to rest by the mutual Christian love we had for each other. Last night 3 from our team did a home visit that for me began 2 years earlier. Wendy, who came to stay at our house two years ago, was our host family. As we entered Wendy's house I could see in her mother and father's eyes the same anxiety my wife and I felt 2 years before. At first the conversation was a little wooden, the language again seemed to get in the way. As we sat down to eat BK, Wendy's father, asked me to pray. I asked God's blessings for the food and our fellowship and He certainly answered. As the evening progressed we found we had much in common, and by the end of the evening we were singing together! I felt as we left Wend'y home last night that we also were family. I was as at ease in her home as she was in ours 2 years eariler.
The love that Christ has for us and that we show to others transends all things, distace, language, as well as anxiety. Thank you BK and Bonnie for hosting us and putting our fears at ease. Wendy, Jax and Brian, thank you for including us as one of your family. Pastor Randy Sturzenbecher

From Marilyn

We had a wonderful meal and a great time with our host family. They were very welcoming and their daughter is a charming and bright girl. I have met many students and they speak to you whenever they see you. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be here. It is a very rewarding experience.

God be with you all
Marilyn

Student Home Visits

Last night we were hosted at the students homes. I hope each of the team members will have time to write and tell you about their experience. Jon and I had a unique experience because we had 5 students take us to the wet market and buy the food and then to one of the girls homes and make us a meal. We did not have any other adults at our meal. After a night of laughing, talking, and just enjoying each other I feel like I have 5 new daughters. I guess I lied when I said I wasn't bringing home any more daughters from China. It is hard to explain but we each have become so incredibly attached to these kids. We love them like we love our children. I want to bring them home.

I will leave it at that for now and let others tell you about their experiences.

God Bless,
Lynette

Teaching English/Learning Mandarin

Our first day of teaching was very fun and exciting. We went into the English Studies classes and got into small groups. The students shared with us a variety of things. Some total us about Hong Kong or China and others brought items to discribe to us. We intern showed them our photo books and told them about ourselves. As we told them about ourselves they were suppose to write down key vocabulary words. I can see why they love to have us come. This is the way I would want to learn another language with the help of natives to the language.

Speaking of learning a new language. They put us into the Mandarin Class to learn some Chinese. I have to say it was fun to have the exchange with the students. Nothing like having everyone laughing with you (or maybe at you?). I don't think I will return know a lot of Chinese but I will have a lot of Chinese friends! :)

The team is exhausted. We go none stop until we fall into bed. Our senses get overwhelmed daily but the love and joy we see in the faces of each of these students is so worth it! We have all fallen in love the students. Each of us have made a special connection with at least one or two of the students.

Please continue to pray for us. We continue to rely on God's strength and love as we both serve and recieve a beautiful hospitality from the staff and students here.

In his grip,
Lynette

Missionary Bootcamp

Our first day was a day of sightseeing and getting to know a few of the students. I'm sure that sounds glamorious but I'm telling you it was "missionary bootcamp". It started out with a visit to beautiful garden park area with all the splendor of God's might hand but also all the elements of our earthly foe. The enterance had a temple area with Buddha. We saw many come to seek these man made idols for "luck". But our God is an awesome God and he is able to use all things for his glory. This gave us the opportunity to visit with students about their families and how they feel about these man made idols. One of my students said "he thought they were scary".

Although, our trip has gone smooth, we had some disappointments today. We visited the Peak to overlook the whole city. Unfortunately, the fog was so thick that we couldn't even see the building in front of us.

The rest of the day was a frenzy of walking through massive crowds (worse than any Christmas shopping you will ever do). I will let others expand our this incredible journey.

Blessings,
Lynette

We have arrived!

Praise God! We have arrived. We are setting out for our first day of sight seeing. God Bless all of you. Keep us in your prayers.

Lynette Epp

In San Francisco!!!

Well, we have made it to San Francisco. We are waiting to board our long flight for Hong Kong. So far everything has gone smooth. Please continue to pray for our safety and smooth travel. God is answering our prays! We will check in again when we arrive.

God Bless!
Hong Kong Team