Mission to Hong Kong

Friday, May 18, 2012

Singing at Lui Cheung Kwong Lutheran Primary School

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

It finally felt like we had found a rhythm. We woke up and ate breakfast as usual and made our way down the step to great the students with enthusiastic waves and smiles. It was encouraging to see the waves and smiles that we received in response, even if the kids looked as tired as we felt.

The teachers have been urging the students of LCK to start conversations with us. We love it because we know that they are just as interested to learn about us as we are interested in them. During the course of a short recess period, I had asked two boys, Harry and Terry, if they had walked to school or if they had ridden a bus. Both boys said they had come on foot. For some of the kids, it takes up to ten minutes to get to the doors of the school. Even so, others ride a bus for an hour before they arrive sleepy eyed to wave and smile and learn. We, as a missionary team, are blessed enough to be able to stay in a wonderful air conditioned room with more than enough amenities to keep us happy. All we have to do is walk down the stairs to start the school day.

Lydia, Rachel, Julie and I have had the opportunity to teach music classes. We learn songs like Alleluia/Praise Ye The Lord, So Much to be Thankful For and Father I Adore You. Two assemblies were held before lunch and we sang some of the songs a select few of the the students body had learned. It was great to see how much energy could be generated from yelling, "J-E-S-U-S. Yes!" Later on, we were participated in some video taking. We informed "the audience" that if they wanted to learn English fluently, LCK was the place to go! Being camera shy was not an option. We loved it. By the time the school day wound down, we left to eat supper with the missionaries currently working in Hong Kong. We were able to see Uncle John and Aunt Susan (Mr. and Mrs. Mehl of course) and a few other teachers and church workers. We all had two helpings of ziti and salad. It was a cool evening so we went to the roof and took a picture with the skyline in the background. It was the end of a full but enjoyable day.

Audrey Mehl

The Mission House

This evening the team went to the LCMS mission house and met some of the missionaries that work in Asia and learned about all the work that is being done by the LCMS. Pasta and salad was served for about 20 people in the home of Joel and Iantha Scheiwe where missionary kids played with team members as everyone relaxed and enjoyed casual conversation. The sun began to set at about 7 pm and everyone went onto the roof to watch the city lights go on. By 7:30 everyone was back on the bus and headed back to the school.

Mrs. Wong's Wings

His name is Jason, a 9 year old P3 student - or 3rd grader - here at LCK. A few weeks ago Jason's teacher asked his class who would like to host some missionaries for dinner one night during their stay here. He shot his hand up and said, "My mom is a great cook, we would like to have them over for dinner." Come to find out, Jason's mother, Mrs. Wong is a fantastic cook.

As soon as we arrived to their home which was on the 21st floor of a 26 floor building, the children, Jason and Bonnie, offered us water as we waited for the rice to cook. We were surprised to see that Jason and Bonnie had a baby sister who is 11 months old and not shy at all. She gave us lot of smiles and during supper; she giggled a lot.

Jason and his teacher had gone over some questions that we might have, and he said his favorite food was fried chicken wings. Can you guess what we had for dinner? Yep, you got

it, fried chicken wings. Yummy! :) There were many other things Mrs. Wong prepared for us as well, such as dumpling soup, tofu with beef, a vegetable similar to asparagus, and fish. It was all so delicious!

After dinner Sarah H., Louisa, Hannah and I sat at the table with Jason and his teacher Mrs. Chu. He showed us his school books and talked about how someday he would like to go to America. We said we had lots of professors with kids his age he could stay with. He just giggled. He really wants to see snow, and I think Nebraska is the
perfect state for him to see that in, or in Minnesota with Julie.

The Wong's were such generous hosts and it was a great honor that we were able to have dinner with them and meet such an amazing family of God.

Peace and Blessings,
Lauren Aufdembrink

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Superstars, Saving Energy, Chicken. We're Not So Different After All.

Yesterday was our first day at LCK Lutheran primary school. The transition from schools went smoothly, but the change in size and atmosphere was surprising at first. LCK has 700 students and people in charge of taking pictures and video-taping our classes and interaction with the students. One little girl told me I was a "superstar". I have to partly agree; I feel like we're being followed by the paparazzi. Our team is seperated into Group A and Group B. Group A has grades 1-3, and group B has grades 4-6. Our groups joined together for lunch, as we ate with a select group of students. I talked with Janice, Hannah discussed mature topics such as marriage and divorce with Kent, while the other girls made interesting conversations as well. One little girl gave us a speech about saving energy, all in English. It was better than I could do.

Eating dinner with our host family

After a long day of teaching and interacting with students in the classroom and at recess, we were able to relax at our home visits. Group B was escorted by Mr. Tam. Mr. Tam lived in Canada for over 10 years so his English is very good, and he has an accent as well. We were graciously invited to join a family in their home. The apartment home was on the 21st floor of one of the many complexes in Hong Kong. We ate a homemade Chinese meal; I can't tell you the names of anything besides chicken. The apartment was near the size of our dorm rooms back at Concordia University. We ate around a table that sat snug in the corner, as we sat on stools. The apartment had a piano which took up some space. The visit enlightend our perspectives on the Chinese way of living, as well as our own. Reflecting on the different cultures on our journey home, we came to the conclusion that the two cultures, Chinese and American, are not so different.

God Bless You, Everyone.
Lydia Pomerenke