Recent Sickness

Hello world.

I have not written recently because I am so busy! Life here at the Home is definitely picking up speed with the children and their lives. So much that at the end of the day I want to go out with Val and have girls nights with the HOLF pastor’s daughters or swing dancing or seeing Harry Potter in what HK calls an IMAX 3D screen. Boy was it small!! Hysterical. Yet, after all that expressed fairly quickly, I have something to admit.

Bitter sweet moments await me in the next few weeks. Time is flying away and I feel that I cannot have enough time with all the children before I go back to the States. Their laughter, their smiles, their mischievous manners, how we interact, their faces, my daily routine with them, everything! These children have done a wonder on my heart and I truly am captivated by them all; Fung Tai, Dibs, FaFa, Shaun Shaun, Kalok, Sui Yan, and Hephzibah. This weekend it hit me I am leaving in 3 weeks. Honestly, it’s more like 20 days now since it is after-work hours. I have been fighting tears and the urge to sweep them all in my arms and say “I love you” to them all. Heartbreaking.

Today was my day off and I went to church with Judy, Kalok, Sui Yan, and Hephzibah. All four of them go to The Vine in Wan Chi (Hong Kong Island). We took a ride down there (didn’t have to pay for my transportation the entire day!!) and went to the park beforehand and watched them play and old people stretch in the park. Apparently, it is a normal thing to see early in the morning.  Anyway, I arrived at the church with no expectations and was really touched by my Lord in so many ways. Yet, during worship at the beginning of the service the song “Blessed Be Your Name” was played and the part that says ‘you give and take away’ really hit me hard. I have been in a spell for few days because I am not looking forward to the day I leave these precious children here in Hong Kong. It honestly hurts my heart. Why did God allow me to be so attached to them when He knew I would be leaving so soon after my arrival? I was in pain throughout worship. The message was about Family and how we are always there for one another, whether you are biological or not, no matter the distance. The pastor then instructed that as a body of Christ we break up into our biological and non-biological families and pray together. Judy had to take Siu Yan to the restroom and left me with Kalok. It was a wonderful moment that I will not forget. Then, as a family we had worship again. The worship team played the same song (Blessed Be Your Name) and this time, I felt the Lord tell me during the same part that pained my heart just an hour before that I have been given a gift that cannot be taken away which is this beautiful family I am currently a part of and when I leave I will forever have a place at HOLF, especially in the Ark. I love them like I do my own blood for blood runs thicker than water and my family always comes first. What a joy to have such a special gift. This time with these children is a present from the Lord that I can never repay Him for and I am so thankful for this gift.When I leave I will be leaving behind my family but be full of memories upon memories that will last a lifetime. I will be a new person because of these 7 beauties. Sorry: 6 beauties and 1 handsome man. My God is blessing me over here more than I think I deserve.

After church we went to say goodbye to a Pastor named John at another church down the road because he and his wife, Jean, are moving back to England. The church service had so many gifts and performances to show them how much of an impact they have left upon their lives. It was an honor to witness this and see how thankful the community was for all their commitment to the congregation. I was able to take a picture of Pastor John and Jean with Judy and the children. What a beautiful memory. Since it was nearly 1:30pm, we took the children to an Italian restaurant for lunch and got them pizza. After finishing her bread that was service before the pizzas came out to the table, Hephzibah she wasn’t going to get any more food. So, she started crying. Don’t take this the wrong way when I say this, but it was so funny causing me to laugh so hard to produce tears. My goodness! The waitresses saw this and assured her as the pizzas were coming out that she was going to get food. We also got dessert on the house! It was egg pudding. Very delicious, might I add. Because Siu Yan looked tired and it was nearly 3pm, we got a taxi and headed home to  HOLF. We took some pictures in the car and I got one of Siu Yan and I with her smiling. That is a rare occasion for her to smile into a camera. Today was a fantastic day that I will always remember and smile upon remembrance.

What is interesting that earlier this week, the Ark had an outing with some others from the Big Unit. We just went to the Sha Tin mall. Let me add, the malls here are NOT American malls. There is seriously so much in the malls and so much to do. Yet, with the wheelchairs we couldn’t do much. We took them to Toys R’ Us and got lunch at KFC. I haven’t had that in so long. Holy cow. During lunch, I was able to feed Wai Ching from the big unit. I don’t get the opportunity to interact with her as much and so it was really nice to bond with her. Something hysterical that happened: Fung Tai always chokes because she laughs while eating, but continues to feed herself causing us to take her food away until she stops coughing. For dessert, Irene, a now retired worker who joined us for the outing, bought us all egg tarts. Fung Tai started laughing at something causing me to chuckle. Then, she chokes. Instead of drinking water or at least waiting for the coughing to stop, Fung Tai shoves the entire pastry into her mouth choking even harder … while laughing at the same time. I don’t know how she does it. I laughed so hard to tears. Judy had to turn me away from her so as not to encourage Fung Tai to do it again. So funny!

Laughing to the point of tears and barely breathing reminds me of Steak N’ Shake with all my swing dancing friends back in the States after Fountain Square in Indianapolis. I am sort of homesick for family and friends back in the States. So prayers would be great for me until I return to the States. I am already having to figure out my first week’s schedule out. So much to do!! AH!! :) I love and miss everyone back at home.

God is moving and I pray that He continues to work on me and my heart. Love to all!

Walk in Love.