We have, or should I say had, a Pear Tree in our garden. We had it until yesterday when it was cut down. This year it had produced an amazing crop of pears but it had grown out of hand, all it's branches spreading wildly in different directions. I guess that it hadn't been looked after too well during its life and had been allowed to just grow without any restraint, control or pruning.
We had already picked quite a large quantity of pears but the best ones seemed to be right at the top of the tree, out of reach and in danger of being left hanging, going bad and eventually falling off. Why are the best ones always out of reach? Well they weren't out of reach this year for as the tree fell, so did the pears and we walked away with many big, juicy pears - lovely. But of course, it won't be producing any more pears. It was a drastic step to get them and now that's it. No more.
If only the tree had been looked after better and each year the non-producing branches had been cut off to encourage the right growth in the right direction and the best branches had been pruned. Perhaps it would have survived the saw and we could have enjoyed more fruit for many years. But it hadn't been cared for and was simply allowed to spread out leaving the fruit out of reach.
The Plum Tree at the bottom of the garden suffered the same fate yesterday as well. Once I've got a saw in my hand, watch out! It too had not be looked after and the best fruit was now out of reach.
It seemed a drastic measure but that is the consequence of not caring enough each year to take the tough decision of cutting and pruning. Pruning even the best producing branches will lead to more fruit, it's just having the courage to do it so that the best fruit is not out of reach any more.
Jesus said, 'He (the Father) cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.' (John 15:2)
Is it simply having the courage to let the Gardener do it? When the promise is even more fruit then it has to be worth the cut. Otherwise the best fruit we can produce may stay out of reach and it's no use to anybody there. It is the challenge of the good over the best, settling for 'doing well' or allowing God to shape you for His purposes. It would be such a shame if the fruit we can produce remained out of reach.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Sunday, 26 September 2010
WHEN WILL THE ADVENTURE BEGIN?
As I reach the final week of my Sabbatical I can only give God thanks for the incredible privilege I have had to spend time exploring and experiencing so many new things. I realise that for most people this is not a possibility, but if you get the chance, take it!
It has been a great adventure, but this week I have begun to realise that the adventure doesn't end when I get back to the office, in fact I have sensed God's whisper asking me, 'Tim, when will the adventure begin?' No matter what I have done, seen or heard, no matter the people I have met, lived with, been inspired and been challenged by, there is still an adventure ahead and God continues to look for people who will go on it.
Most of you will know that I turned 50 this year and what a year it has been, in fact, what a life it has been. But I realise now that the adventure is getting more exciting, more challenging, more urgent. 'Tim, when will the adventure begin?'
This week I heard about Joshua Slocum who, at the age of 51 in 1895, became the first person to sail single-handedly around the world. It took him just over 3 years and he sailed 46,000 miles. When will the adventure begin?
There are so many examples of people who are my age and much, much older who have done remarkable - even stupid - things. There are people who have kept going when it was easier to quit, who have kept an ear open to God's whisper and responded obediently and people who have continued the adventure for the long haul. Bill Hybels started Willow Creek 35 years ago as a 20 something and is still going, Jackie Pullinger started her ministry at 22 years old 44 years ago, and is still going.
When will the adventure begin? Today is as good a day to start as any other.
It has been a great adventure, but this week I have begun to realise that the adventure doesn't end when I get back to the office, in fact I have sensed God's whisper asking me, 'Tim, when will the adventure begin?' No matter what I have done, seen or heard, no matter the people I have met, lived with, been inspired and been challenged by, there is still an adventure ahead and God continues to look for people who will go on it.
Most of you will know that I turned 50 this year and what a year it has been, in fact, what a life it has been. But I realise now that the adventure is getting more exciting, more challenging, more urgent. 'Tim, when will the adventure begin?'
This week I heard about Joshua Slocum who, at the age of 51 in 1895, became the first person to sail single-handedly around the world. It took him just over 3 years and he sailed 46,000 miles. When will the adventure begin?
There are so many examples of people who are my age and much, much older who have done remarkable - even stupid - things. There are people who have kept going when it was easier to quit, who have kept an ear open to God's whisper and responded obediently and people who have continued the adventure for the long haul. Bill Hybels started Willow Creek 35 years ago as a 20 something and is still going, Jackie Pullinger started her ministry at 22 years old 44 years ago, and is still going.
When will the adventure begin? Today is as good a day to start as any other.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
ANSWERS AND QUESTIONS
I've been trying to catch up with what was happening in the world whilst I was cocooned in House 4 in Hong Kong and working my way through e-mails and post. Most of it went in the recycling bin - actual and virtual - but I came across a report in the Times about a new book by Stephen Hawking, 'The Grand Design'.
In his previous book, 'A Brief History of Time', the last sentence seemed to leave open the idea of God but Hawking has now squashed this by claiming that because of a law such as gravity, the Universe 'can and will create itself from nothing'. He states that spontaneous creation means that 'it is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper.'
Now I am not a scientist, I am fascinated by it but cannot add anything to the debate and I can't pretend to understand all his thinking, but it seems to me that even this pronouncement still does not answer the more fundamental question in my mind: 'Where did all the stuff come from in the first place for gravity to do its bit?' Is that a stupid question?
It is right and proper that we keep looking for an answer and helping other people to do the same and I think the best way of doing that is simply to listen to their questions. When we visited Niagara Falls this summer it was a truly awesome moment. Did it prove the existence of God? It certainly got me asking more questions. As I shared a house in Hong Kong with men who are broken and saw and heard how their lives had been changed, did it prove the existence of God? It certainly got me asking more questions.
That is part of the thrill of being a follower of Jesus Christ. Answers are great but questions help us understand even more and we shouldn't be afraid of asking them. I'm pretty clear about many things but I find that one answer just leads to another question. 'Now I know in part; then I shall know fully.' (1 Corinthians 13:12)
I wonder if Stephen Hawking's next book will change his mind again? As he searches for the Theory of Everything, as he continues to ask more questions, perhaps his search will lead him to the Truth - maybe.
In his previous book, 'A Brief History of Time', the last sentence seemed to leave open the idea of God but Hawking has now squashed this by claiming that because of a law such as gravity, the Universe 'can and will create itself from nothing'. He states that spontaneous creation means that 'it is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper.'
Now I am not a scientist, I am fascinated by it but cannot add anything to the debate and I can't pretend to understand all his thinking, but it seems to me that even this pronouncement still does not answer the more fundamental question in my mind: 'Where did all the stuff come from in the first place for gravity to do its bit?' Is that a stupid question?
It is right and proper that we keep looking for an answer and helping other people to do the same and I think the best way of doing that is simply to listen to their questions. When we visited Niagara Falls this summer it was a truly awesome moment. Did it prove the existence of God? It certainly got me asking more questions. As I shared a house in Hong Kong with men who are broken and saw and heard how their lives had been changed, did it prove the existence of God? It certainly got me asking more questions.
That is part of the thrill of being a follower of Jesus Christ. Answers are great but questions help us understand even more and we shouldn't be afraid of asking them. I'm pretty clear about many things but I find that one answer just leads to another question. 'Now I know in part; then I shall know fully.' (1 Corinthians 13:12)
I wonder if Stephen Hawking's next book will change his mind again? As he searches for the Theory of Everything, as he continues to ask more questions, perhaps his search will lead him to the Truth - maybe.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
LISTENING IN
What is the difference between being nosey, eavesdropping and deliberately overhearing someones conversation? I love doing all three! In fact listening to other people's conversations can be very encouraging and challenging.
Well, that's what happened to me yesterday. I was deliberately minding my own business when a dad and his son came in to the room I was in and the dad started talking - very loudly - to his young son. Sometimes when things like this happen the words used can be hurtful, condemning and aggressive but this conversation was totally different. For 3-4 minutes the dad kept telling his son that he had done really well, that he was very proud of him and encouraging him to keep working hard and achieve even more. It was a truly beautiful conversation and made a change from some that I overhear.
I was trying to imagine how the little boy was feeling as his dad heaped praise on him. I couldn't see his face but I imagine that he was smiling, felt very excited and it would encourage him to keep trying even harder next time.
There is no substitute for encouragement, for building other people up, for cheering others on and standing with them shoulder to shoulder whatever it is they are doing or involved with.
I remember Bill Hybels saying that before you point out someones faults say nine good, encouraging things to them. His theory is that by the time you get to the 10th sentence, the fault-finding one, you'll have forgotten what it was anyway!
Now, there is certainly a place for pointing out error, faults, concerns and bad behaviour, but if that is said in the context of encouragement then perhaps grace and truth can live together in an environment where growth takes place.
Those are the sort of conversations I want to hear more and more and also take part in more and more.
Well, that's what happened to me yesterday. I was deliberately minding my own business when a dad and his son came in to the room I was in and the dad started talking - very loudly - to his young son. Sometimes when things like this happen the words used can be hurtful, condemning and aggressive but this conversation was totally different. For 3-4 minutes the dad kept telling his son that he had done really well, that he was very proud of him and encouraging him to keep working hard and achieve even more. It was a truly beautiful conversation and made a change from some that I overhear.
I was trying to imagine how the little boy was feeling as his dad heaped praise on him. I couldn't see his face but I imagine that he was smiling, felt very excited and it would encourage him to keep trying even harder next time.
There is no substitute for encouragement, for building other people up, for cheering others on and standing with them shoulder to shoulder whatever it is they are doing or involved with.
I remember Bill Hybels saying that before you point out someones faults say nine good, encouraging things to them. His theory is that by the time you get to the 10th sentence, the fault-finding one, you'll have forgotten what it was anyway!
Now, there is certainly a place for pointing out error, faults, concerns and bad behaviour, but if that is said in the context of encouragement then perhaps grace and truth can live together in an environment where growth takes place.
Those are the sort of conversations I want to hear more and more and also take part in more and more.
Friday, 17 September 2010
THE SACRED INVADES THE SECULAR
I went to the gym yesterday trying to get back to some level of fitness after a few weeks of not running or exercising, although I have sweated a lot in the heat. As I got back to the changing rooms eager to take a cold shower I was suddenly aware of singing, not a usual feature of the changing rooms, and I wondered for a moment whether I had overdone it and had suddenly been transported to Heaven to be greeted by the angelic choir who had turned out especially for my arrival. As I regained my composure and realised I was still firmly on earth I slowly realised that the sounds were coming from the TV screen on the wall.
Usually the TV is tuned into Sky Sports News but today it happened to be on the Sky News channel and they were broadcasting live from the Pope’s visit to Scotland. As the strains of ‘Amazing Grace’ rebounded off the walls of this room filled with sweaty men it felt strange for the sacred to have invaded this secular place and to be honest I felt a little embarrassed by it. As I continued to cool down my embarrassment was tempered by a conversation I overheard. It was between two boys, aged about 9 years old, who were discussing the Pope’s visit to the UK. Suddenly one of the boys asked the other, ‘Do you believe in God?’ The sacred had invaded the secular once again.
I admired the boy’s boldness to ask such a question but knew that if the TV had been tuned into its usual diet of rolling sports news the question may have been ‘Do you support Man Utd?’ and the more crucial, life changing question may never have been asked. I didn’t hear the reply but for that moment I was reminded of the truth that God is invading the secular all the time, in fact, as U2 named their last album, there is no line on the horizon. We tend to separate the sacred and secular but God is all over the place breaking into the most unexpected places at the least likely times in the lives of the most unlikely people.
As I continue to reflect on my time in Hong Kong, the third thing I have learnt is that the extraordinary power of God breaks into the ordinary all the time, that the supernatural overwhelms the natural, that the sacred does invades the secular and not just in changing rooms.
I have had the privilege of seeing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit change the lives of drug addicts. Nothing else could do that, no programme, medication, positive thinking, will power or alternative therapy, it is only the power of the Spirit in the context of a community that can bring lasting change. The scared invades the secular and lives are given a new future.
If that is true for drug addicts it has to be true for me, in fact for everyone whatever it is we are struggling with or facing. When we allow the sacred power to invade and overwhelm our secular lives then there is hope for us all.
When Jesus began His ministry, when the sacred burst into the secular, he quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2 (Luke 4:18-19), ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
The powerful sacred is right in the middle of the mundane secular and, in the power of the Spirit, we will be able see transformation in the most unexpected places and in the most unlikely people. Do you believe in God?
Usually the TV is tuned into Sky Sports News but today it happened to be on the Sky News channel and they were broadcasting live from the Pope’s visit to Scotland. As the strains of ‘Amazing Grace’ rebounded off the walls of this room filled with sweaty men it felt strange for the sacred to have invaded this secular place and to be honest I felt a little embarrassed by it. As I continued to cool down my embarrassment was tempered by a conversation I overheard. It was between two boys, aged about 9 years old, who were discussing the Pope’s visit to the UK. Suddenly one of the boys asked the other, ‘Do you believe in God?’ The sacred had invaded the secular once again.
I admired the boy’s boldness to ask such a question but knew that if the TV had been tuned into its usual diet of rolling sports news the question may have been ‘Do you support Man Utd?’ and the more crucial, life changing question may never have been asked. I didn’t hear the reply but for that moment I was reminded of the truth that God is invading the secular all the time, in fact, as U2 named their last album, there is no line on the horizon. We tend to separate the sacred and secular but God is all over the place breaking into the most unexpected places at the least likely times in the lives of the most unlikely people.
As I continue to reflect on my time in Hong Kong, the third thing I have learnt is that the extraordinary power of God breaks into the ordinary all the time, that the supernatural overwhelms the natural, that the sacred does invades the secular and not just in changing rooms.
I have had the privilege of seeing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit change the lives of drug addicts. Nothing else could do that, no programme, medication, positive thinking, will power or alternative therapy, it is only the power of the Spirit in the context of a community that can bring lasting change. The scared invades the secular and lives are given a new future.
If that is true for drug addicts it has to be true for me, in fact for everyone whatever it is we are struggling with or facing. When we allow the sacred power to invade and overwhelm our secular lives then there is hope for us all.
When Jesus began His ministry, when the sacred burst into the secular, he quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2 (Luke 4:18-19), ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
The powerful sacred is right in the middle of the mundane secular and, in the power of the Spirit, we will be able see transformation in the most unexpected places and in the most unlikely people. Do you believe in God?
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
HUNGER
One of the biggest adjustments for me - or more precisely for my digestive system - has been getting back to Western food. The diet for 16 days was noodles, rice, rice, with some meat, occasional fish and some vegetables - one called 'bitter melon' is not recommended! Three meals a day and very little else. It took a little time to get used to the frugal diet, but it was fine and became part of the community experience of my time in Hong Kong.
Over the last few days I have enjoyed getting back to my normal diet and not a rice grain has passed my lips, but I have noticed something that I didn't feel for my 3 weeks in HK. I have felt hungry. I didn't notice until now, but despite the different diet in HK I don't remember once feeling hungry between meals. I was always ready for meal times, but those mid-morning, mid-afternoon, supper-time hunger pangs disappeared completely. It seems that the noodle/rice diet satisfied me.
That has led me to my second lesson from my trip to HK. If I fill myself up with the right 'food' then I will be satisfied. That wasn't only true about the menu on offer, it was also true about the 'spiritual food' that I was able to feast on. I was satisfied. I didn't feel hungry for anything else that has been part of my 'spiritual diet' for many years. It's too easy for me to crave many different things - the latest song, book, leadership technique, feeling, person, event - all good in themselves, but ultimately they will not fill me up, they will leave me wanting more.
In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says, 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.'
When I am 'eating' the right food, I will be filled, what a promise and what a challenge. If I can make sure my diet is based on what God has to give, that I continue to seek God's best way of living in me and in others, then I will be filled, I won't crave anything else, it will be enough to satisfy my life.
Living in House 4 I could see what the guys were longing for, what they were hungry for, and that was simply life change, the immediate presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, encountering the cross each day and responding in worship, opening up their lives for more of God because they knew that only He could satisfy. They have lived in the world of drugs which they know never satisfied them, they always wanted the next fix, but in Jesus they know that if they hunger after Him, if they hunger after living His right way, then they won't need another fix in their lives, ever. They will be filled.
That's the second lesson I have learnt and want to continue to be in my life. I want to be hungry for God's way because then I will be filled and won't be chasing the snacks that will leave me wanting more.
Rice and noodles, I can recommend them as a great diet. Righteousness, now that's something to feast on and it will leave you full.
Over the last few days I have enjoyed getting back to my normal diet and not a rice grain has passed my lips, but I have noticed something that I didn't feel for my 3 weeks in HK. I have felt hungry. I didn't notice until now, but despite the different diet in HK I don't remember once feeling hungry between meals. I was always ready for meal times, but those mid-morning, mid-afternoon, supper-time hunger pangs disappeared completely. It seems that the noodle/rice diet satisfied me.
That has led me to my second lesson from my trip to HK. If I fill myself up with the right 'food' then I will be satisfied. That wasn't only true about the menu on offer, it was also true about the 'spiritual food' that I was able to feast on. I was satisfied. I didn't feel hungry for anything else that has been part of my 'spiritual diet' for many years. It's too easy for me to crave many different things - the latest song, book, leadership technique, feeling, person, event - all good in themselves, but ultimately they will not fill me up, they will leave me wanting more.
In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says, 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.'
When I am 'eating' the right food, I will be filled, what a promise and what a challenge. If I can make sure my diet is based on what God has to give, that I continue to seek God's best way of living in me and in others, then I will be filled, I won't crave anything else, it will be enough to satisfy my life.
Living in House 4 I could see what the guys were longing for, what they were hungry for, and that was simply life change, the immediate presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, encountering the cross each day and responding in worship, opening up their lives for more of God because they knew that only He could satisfy. They have lived in the world of drugs which they know never satisfied them, they always wanted the next fix, but in Jesus they know that if they hunger after Him, if they hunger after living His right way, then they won't need another fix in their lives, ever. They will be filled.
That's the second lesson I have learnt and want to continue to be in my life. I want to be hungry for God's way because then I will be filled and won't be chasing the snacks that will leave me wanting more.
Rice and noodles, I can recommend them as a great diet. Righteousness, now that's something to feast on and it will leave you full.
Monday, 13 September 2010
THAT MONDAY MORNING FEELING
Monday has arrived and after a good nights sleep the practicalities of being home - catching up with the post, the news, the washing - began to crowd in. But it is good to be home and as I move through the last part of my Sabbatical I have a few things I want to do to finish well. Having been away for almost 7 weeks of the 9 so far it will be great to be here and get ready for the Autumn term at church.
There are many dangers to this next few weeks so I will still be listening to God and learning what this period of time has to teach me. There are a couple of key things that I want to think through.
The first thing is FAITH.
The plane was late leaving Hong Kong yesterday, almost an hour, and as we finally boarded and sat ready for take off, the pilot's voice came over the speakers. I was flying with Qantas the Australian airline and certainly on the flight to Hong King it was a very relaxed flight. Unlike with Virgin to the US and BA to Ukraine, when we encountered some turbulence, the Fasten Seat-Belt sign didn't come on at all. Who cares? Well, as we waited to take off from Hong Kong, the Pilot gave us the following announcement - 'We'll be taking off in a few minutes. After we've taken off we'll be making a few turns, then we'll be travelling through several different countries before we land at Heathrow.' At least he knew where we were due to end up, but the vagueness of the flight plan did worry me a little! Was that a little too relaxed?
I'm a pretty comfortable flyer so it didn't worry me but it did make me think about the faith I had as I sat in my seat - 68C.
Was the Pilot trained or just a joyrider? I hadn't seen his license or certificate, in fact I hadn't seen him. Did he look like I could trust him? Then I got to thinking about the plane. It is ridiculous how the Jumbo Jet, which when loaded weighs 875,000 pounds - that's three blue whales, and I've never seen one blue whale fly let alone three strapped together - gets off the ground. Did the Wright brothers really know what they were doing? And what about the Qantas safety record? Well, they have never lost a jet plane to an accident - impressive.
So was my faith justified? Well, we landed safely after the 13 hour flight. What went up, came down safely and I didn't see the pilot afterwards. Faith is after all, 'being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.' (Hebrews 11:1)
That is something I have seen in the lives of many people on my adventure. Pure, simple, powerful, life-changing faith. Hoping with certainty in a God we cannot see. Faith has driven people to take risks in business and ministry (Blake Mycowski at the GLS) and motivates the Brothers' in House 4 to worship with passion. It is an attractive quality that impacts the people around them and helps others to believe as well. Things can be different, lives can be changed.
In a world that continues to create God in man's image there isn't much to believe in. But for people who realise that they have been created in God's image there is something to reach for, something to believe in, someone to believe in that will enable others to be changed.
I want the sort of faith that can move mountains, it only has to be as small as a mustard seed (and that is pretty small) yet that is enough to ask and then receive, to pray and it make a difference, to see lives changed and set free.
I trusted my pilot yesterday. The flight plan seemed pretty vague, but he kept to his word, we did make a few turns and travel through a few different countries and he landed us safely where he said he would. I couldn't see him, but I believed and that makes all the difference.
There are many dangers to this next few weeks so I will still be listening to God and learning what this period of time has to teach me. There are a couple of key things that I want to think through.
The first thing is FAITH.
The plane was late leaving Hong Kong yesterday, almost an hour, and as we finally boarded and sat ready for take off, the pilot's voice came over the speakers. I was flying with Qantas the Australian airline and certainly on the flight to Hong King it was a very relaxed flight. Unlike with Virgin to the US and BA to Ukraine, when we encountered some turbulence, the Fasten Seat-Belt sign didn't come on at all. Who cares? Well, as we waited to take off from Hong Kong, the Pilot gave us the following announcement - 'We'll be taking off in a few minutes. After we've taken off we'll be making a few turns, then we'll be travelling through several different countries before we land at Heathrow.' At least he knew where we were due to end up, but the vagueness of the flight plan did worry me a little! Was that a little too relaxed?
I'm a pretty comfortable flyer so it didn't worry me but it did make me think about the faith I had as I sat in my seat - 68C.
Was the Pilot trained or just a joyrider? I hadn't seen his license or certificate, in fact I hadn't seen him. Did he look like I could trust him? Then I got to thinking about the plane. It is ridiculous how the Jumbo Jet, which when loaded weighs 875,000 pounds - that's three blue whales, and I've never seen one blue whale fly let alone three strapped together - gets off the ground. Did the Wright brothers really know what they were doing? And what about the Qantas safety record? Well, they have never lost a jet plane to an accident - impressive.
So was my faith justified? Well, we landed safely after the 13 hour flight. What went up, came down safely and I didn't see the pilot afterwards. Faith is after all, 'being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.' (Hebrews 11:1)
That is something I have seen in the lives of many people on my adventure. Pure, simple, powerful, life-changing faith. Hoping with certainty in a God we cannot see. Faith has driven people to take risks in business and ministry (Blake Mycowski at the GLS) and motivates the Brothers' in House 4 to worship with passion. It is an attractive quality that impacts the people around them and helps others to believe as well. Things can be different, lives can be changed.
In a world that continues to create God in man's image there isn't much to believe in. But for people who realise that they have been created in God's image there is something to reach for, something to believe in, someone to believe in that will enable others to be changed.
I want the sort of faith that can move mountains, it only has to be as small as a mustard seed (and that is pretty small) yet that is enough to ask and then receive, to pray and it make a difference, to see lives changed and set free.
I trusted my pilot yesterday. The flight plan seemed pretty vague, but he kept to his word, we did make a few turns and travel through a few different countries and he landed us safely where he said he would. I couldn't see him, but I believed and that makes all the difference.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
THE FINAL WORD? - I DOUBT IT
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
An early start today, up before 5.00am, even Hong Kong was quiet, so that I could get a taxi to the Kowloon Airport Express Station to catch the first train, 5.53am, to the airport. I should arrive there at 6.15am and get through security in time for my 7.35am flight back to Heathrow. If not, I’ll see you sometime! I land at 1.30pm (UK time).
It is an amazing system here. I checked in my suitcase yesterday (Saturday) at the Train Station. They have check in desks for each airline and you can drop your luggage in up to 24 hours before the flight. That saved an even earlier start today.
Yesterday I left Cheung Chau and headed back to the mainland. It had been raining all night and it continued the whole of Saturday as well. So instead of some extra sight-seeing I went to the cinema and watched a film called, ‘Inception.’ I still can’t work out if it was brilliant or rubbish! It’s all about dreams and the sub-conscious and I’m not sure what else, but it was in English and dry! As I came out I wondered if it had been a dream!
I then spent the night at a Hotel in Kowloon, the Mariners Club, and watched the Everton v Man Utd game live with a number of Hong Kong Man Utd fans all in their Man Utd shirts! A little surreal. Slept okay and woke up to a number of weird looking creepy-crawlies wandering around in the bathroom and on my bedside table! Not quite Indiana Jones, but I survived.
So, the last leg of the adventure begins. Ukraine, USA and Hong Kong. What a privilege, what a contrast, challenge and inspiration. I have learnt so much from the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been to, the things I’ve seen and the opportunities I’ve had. It has been a truly amazing privilege.
The children at Kompas Park eager to play football, learn and have fun. The sessions at Willow Creek GLS with the top class teaching and challenging stories from individuals who have taken up the opportunities God has given them to make a difference in His world. The marvel of the world at Niagara Falls. The lives of the Brothers’ in House 4.
But I couldn't have been on this journey without the kindness and love of Kerry and Karl, who I thank God for every day, and the generosity and encouragement of my special church family at LHFC. But, of course, the trips would have been pointless without God whose presence and power I have felt in all the places I have been to and in the faces of the people I have met. Without Him it would just have been a holiday (I know some of you thought it was all along!), but with Him I have been able to witness to the truth that, ‘surely God is in this place.’ In fact He is all over the place.
So my final word goes to Him; Creator, Author, Provider, Healer, Saviour, Redeemer, Forgiver, Light of the World, Hope for the World, the Beginning and the End, the First and Final Word.
He gave me His only Son so that I might have Life, and have it to the full. He gave me the power of His Holy Spirit so that I could serve Him and be involved in His plan for the whole world, the transformation of one life at a time. That’s why I am committing the rest of my life to Him. Bring it on!
Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in me and through me. AMEN,
An early start today, up before 5.00am, even Hong Kong was quiet, so that I could get a taxi to the Kowloon Airport Express Station to catch the first train, 5.53am, to the airport. I should arrive there at 6.15am and get through security in time for my 7.35am flight back to Heathrow. If not, I’ll see you sometime! I land at 1.30pm (UK time).
It is an amazing system here. I checked in my suitcase yesterday (Saturday) at the Train Station. They have check in desks for each airline and you can drop your luggage in up to 24 hours before the flight. That saved an even earlier start today.
Yesterday I left Cheung Chau and headed back to the mainland. It had been raining all night and it continued the whole of Saturday as well. So instead of some extra sight-seeing I went to the cinema and watched a film called, ‘Inception.’ I still can’t work out if it was brilliant or rubbish! It’s all about dreams and the sub-conscious and I’m not sure what else, but it was in English and dry! As I came out I wondered if it had been a dream!
I then spent the night at a Hotel in Kowloon, the Mariners Club, and watched the Everton v Man Utd game live with a number of Hong Kong Man Utd fans all in their Man Utd shirts! A little surreal. Slept okay and woke up to a number of weird looking creepy-crawlies wandering around in the bathroom and on my bedside table! Not quite Indiana Jones, but I survived.
So, the last leg of the adventure begins. Ukraine, USA and Hong Kong. What a privilege, what a contrast, challenge and inspiration. I have learnt so much from the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been to, the things I’ve seen and the opportunities I’ve had. It has been a truly amazing privilege.
The children at Kompas Park eager to play football, learn and have fun. The sessions at Willow Creek GLS with the top class teaching and challenging stories from individuals who have taken up the opportunities God has given them to make a difference in His world. The marvel of the world at Niagara Falls. The lives of the Brothers’ in House 4.
But I couldn't have been on this journey without the kindness and love of Kerry and Karl, who I thank God for every day, and the generosity and encouragement of my special church family at LHFC. But, of course, the trips would have been pointless without God whose presence and power I have felt in all the places I have been to and in the faces of the people I have met. Without Him it would just have been a holiday (I know some of you thought it was all along!), but with Him I have been able to witness to the truth that, ‘surely God is in this place.’ In fact He is all over the place.
So my final word goes to Him; Creator, Author, Provider, Healer, Saviour, Redeemer, Forgiver, Light of the World, Hope for the World, the Beginning and the End, the First and Final Word.
He gave me His only Son so that I might have Life, and have it to the full. He gave me the power of His Holy Spirit so that I could serve Him and be involved in His plan for the whole world, the transformation of one life at a time. That’s why I am committing the rest of my life to Him. Bring it on!
Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in me and through me. AMEN,
Saturday, 11 September 2010
THE FIRST NOWELL
SATURDAY 11th SEPTEMBER
I can’t quite believe how quiet Cheung Chau is. I spent yesterday walking around the island and there is a peace I don’t think I have experienced anywhere else – other than at a cricket match!
There are no cars, apart from an ambulance, or motor bikes and all you hear is the pop, pop of the motorised handcarts that are allowed or the squeak of an un-oiled chain from the countless bikes that cruise around. The island is connected by beautifully constructed narrow pathways, some so steep that the advice to cyclists is get off and walk!
Most of the island is clean, sleepy and serene but the ferry landing pier and the harbour front are busy, bustling areas with bikes, handcarts, restaurants, rickshaws, market stalls all struggling for space. The beaches are all manned by lifeguards and are also equipped with shark nets!
A day spent wandering the various paths has been very refreshing on inside but very sweaty on the outside. I don’t think I have sweated so much just sitting down and when I got back to Bethany I was very glad for a cold shower and complete change of clothes.
They love the warning signs here, not only for cyclists and danger from sharks but I loved the one that was attached to a place where ‘fire-beaters’ were kept.
What else would you use them for? Answers on a postcard.
It’s always worth watching out for dangers and today has been a day to be reminded of how calm God is in all circumstances. So I needn’t fear or worry or get anxious about tomorrow or next week, I’ve just got to trust Him knowing that I might not always be safe, but I am secure.
As I was making my way back to Bethany for a well earned rest (sleep) before the evening meal, a very strange thing happened. I would even go so far as to say that it is the weirdest thing that has happened during my whole Sabbatical – which is saying quite a lot! I was walking past a house and I noticed that a little girl, perhaps 5 years old was stretching up on tiptoe to try to reach the door bell of the front door. She had just finished school so was keen to get in. She just about reached it and as she pressed it I could hear the tune that the bell was playing. I had to listen twice because ringing out loud and clear was the tune, ‘The First Nowell’! Honestly!
Jesus tends to show up at the oddest times, in the strangest places, in the most unusual ways. He always has done and he always will, often not how we expected or how we would have planned it. Perhaps that moment, more than any other, has summed up my Sabbatical.
I can’t quite believe how quiet Cheung Chau is. I spent yesterday walking around the island and there is a peace I don’t think I have experienced anywhere else – other than at a cricket match!
There are no cars, apart from an ambulance, or motor bikes and all you hear is the pop, pop of the motorised handcarts that are allowed or the squeak of an un-oiled chain from the countless bikes that cruise around. The island is connected by beautifully constructed narrow pathways, some so steep that the advice to cyclists is get off and walk!
Most of the island is clean, sleepy and serene but the ferry landing pier and the harbour front are busy, bustling areas with bikes, handcarts, restaurants, rickshaws, market stalls all struggling for space. The beaches are all manned by lifeguards and are also equipped with shark nets!
A day spent wandering the various paths has been very refreshing on inside but very sweaty on the outside. I don’t think I have sweated so much just sitting down and when I got back to Bethany I was very glad for a cold shower and complete change of clothes.
They love the warning signs here, not only for cyclists and danger from sharks but I loved the one that was attached to a place where ‘fire-beaters’ were kept.
What else would you use them for? Answers on a postcard.
It’s always worth watching out for dangers and today has been a day to be reminded of how calm God is in all circumstances. So I needn’t fear or worry or get anxious about tomorrow or next week, I’ve just got to trust Him knowing that I might not always be safe, but I am secure.
As I was making my way back to Bethany for a well earned rest (sleep) before the evening meal, a very strange thing happened. I would even go so far as to say that it is the weirdest thing that has happened during my whole Sabbatical – which is saying quite a lot! I was walking past a house and I noticed that a little girl, perhaps 5 years old was stretching up on tiptoe to try to reach the door bell of the front door. She had just finished school so was keen to get in. She just about reached it and as she pressed it I could hear the tune that the bell was playing. I had to listen twice because ringing out loud and clear was the tune, ‘The First Nowell’! Honestly!
Jesus tends to show up at the oddest times, in the strangest places, in the most unusual ways. He always has done and he always will, often not how we expected or how we would have planned it. Perhaps that moment, more than any other, has summed up my Sabbatical.
Friday, 10 September 2010
FISHING BOATS AND SAMPANS
FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
What would you rather have?
• A room you share with 15 other men or a room alone? (Be careful how you answer that!)
• A room with noisy ceiling fans or air-conditioning?
• A room with a communal bathroom and cold water or a personal en-suite and hot water?
• A breakfast of noodles and water or fruit-juice, toast and coffee?
• A house without internet access or one with?
• A room with a great view across the sea or a room without a view?
• A day’s schedule written on a board by someone else or a day for you to decide what to do?
• A period of worship and prayer with 30 recovering drug addicts desperate to be healed or......?
It is a hard choice for me as I wake up on Cheung Chau Island this morning and my waking thought is for the Brothers I have lived with for 16 days. They are waking up in the same place ready to fight the next 24 hour battle determined to have victory in Jesus Christ. As I wake up here, I realise that I am in as much need of victory in Jesus Christ as the Brothers’ are today. No matter where I am, I still need to overcome, to keep my mind fixed on the ‘things above’, to put off my old self and choose to put on the new self, ‘which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.’ (Colossians 3:10) That has got to be the challenge for all of us no matter which room we choose.
Today I feel in need of the community I have experienced but I am alone and will need to learn how to manage the transition back to ‘reality.’ Having missed many things in the early days of my stay at St. Stephen’s I was quickly able to stop worrying about them. What was happening in the world, the football scores, political debate and just absorbing information just for the sake of it, because I can access the world through my computer, it all rather faded away for me. What seemed important and urgent was replaced by what seemed really important and urgent. A life being rescued and healed, restored and forgiven.
But it is too easy to just get judgemental right now and to swap one ‘normal’ for another. When I got to Bethany, the place I am staying on this beautiful island for two nights, and my host told me there was Wi-Fi available, as soon as I could I got onto the internet and read the news, found out that England had won two football matches, the cricket team was doing well, Bournemouth had had a great start to the season, Portsmouth had not and Andy Murray failed again! So what have I really learnt?
I then enjoyed a meal without rice (although my stomach didn’t! You probably didn’t want to know that!) and chatted to the other guests here. All are missionaries (I felt a bit of a fraud talking about my 2 weeks of ‘hardship’ when these guys have been serving God for years!) and work in China and Hong Kong. They come here for a much needed retreat. The guests included a very unassuming US couple who worked with Jackie Pullinger many years ago and are now living in Tai Po, Hong Kong, serving God among the people there. Amazingly, Tai Po is the town where I went on Monday with J to have the meal with his family! Maybe they could link up with J’s family? J gave me his address before I left St. Stephen’s. That would be a quick answer to prayer!
I don’t think missionaries have a ‘normal’. I remember Erwin McManus talking about how a Missionary Society were planning to send out Counsellors to their missionaries and how he urged them not to try and ‘normalise’ them, ‘civilise’ them. He went on to say that Missionaries need to be barbarians. After two weeks I am not a barbarian and I know I will have to get back to normal, routine, the balance of my life where I am, but I am praying that I can sense God’s priorities each day and that the most important and urgent things, the things on His schedule, will become mine. Perhaps I could learn to be a barbarian where I am?
I felt exhausted as I travelled on the ferry to Cheung Chau. House 4 wasn’t physically draining, apart from the heat and cleaning windows, but I now realise it was emotionally and spiritually demanding and I know that every day I will have to choose to renew and refresh myself for the challenges ahead. I want to be a barbarian, but it may take some time!
Today I am going to explore this beautiful island. Beaches, markets, views and a great harbour where the modern commercial fishing boats sit side by side with the traditional sampans. The clash of cultures float together quite happily each riding the waves and doing what they do best.
What would I choose today? I’m going to choose to let the past and the present float quite happily together and ride the waves that will be the future God is bringing me, without conflict, concern or confusion. A barbarian? Maybe one day.
I think I’m going for the safe option today. I’m going to choose orange juice, toast and a coffee for breakfast.
What would you rather have?
• A room you share with 15 other men or a room alone? (Be careful how you answer that!)
• A room with noisy ceiling fans or air-conditioning?
• A room with a communal bathroom and cold water or a personal en-suite and hot water?
• A breakfast of noodles and water or fruit-juice, toast and coffee?
• A house without internet access or one with?
• A room with a great view across the sea or a room without a view?
• A day’s schedule written on a board by someone else or a day for you to decide what to do?
• A period of worship and prayer with 30 recovering drug addicts desperate to be healed or......?
It is a hard choice for me as I wake up on Cheung Chau Island this morning and my waking thought is for the Brothers I have lived with for 16 days. They are waking up in the same place ready to fight the next 24 hour battle determined to have victory in Jesus Christ. As I wake up here, I realise that I am in as much need of victory in Jesus Christ as the Brothers’ are today. No matter where I am, I still need to overcome, to keep my mind fixed on the ‘things above’, to put off my old self and choose to put on the new self, ‘which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.’ (Colossians 3:10) That has got to be the challenge for all of us no matter which room we choose.
Today I feel in need of the community I have experienced but I am alone and will need to learn how to manage the transition back to ‘reality.’ Having missed many things in the early days of my stay at St. Stephen’s I was quickly able to stop worrying about them. What was happening in the world, the football scores, political debate and just absorbing information just for the sake of it, because I can access the world through my computer, it all rather faded away for me. What seemed important and urgent was replaced by what seemed really important and urgent. A life being rescued and healed, restored and forgiven.
But it is too easy to just get judgemental right now and to swap one ‘normal’ for another. When I got to Bethany, the place I am staying on this beautiful island for two nights, and my host told me there was Wi-Fi available, as soon as I could I got onto the internet and read the news, found out that England had won two football matches, the cricket team was doing well, Bournemouth had had a great start to the season, Portsmouth had not and Andy Murray failed again! So what have I really learnt?
I then enjoyed a meal without rice (although my stomach didn’t! You probably didn’t want to know that!) and chatted to the other guests here. All are missionaries (I felt a bit of a fraud talking about my 2 weeks of ‘hardship’ when these guys have been serving God for years!) and work in China and Hong Kong. They come here for a much needed retreat. The guests included a very unassuming US couple who worked with Jackie Pullinger many years ago and are now living in Tai Po, Hong Kong, serving God among the people there. Amazingly, Tai Po is the town where I went on Monday with J to have the meal with his family! Maybe they could link up with J’s family? J gave me his address before I left St. Stephen’s. That would be a quick answer to prayer!
I don’t think missionaries have a ‘normal’. I remember Erwin McManus talking about how a Missionary Society were planning to send out Counsellors to their missionaries and how he urged them not to try and ‘normalise’ them, ‘civilise’ them. He went on to say that Missionaries need to be barbarians. After two weeks I am not a barbarian and I know I will have to get back to normal, routine, the balance of my life where I am, but I am praying that I can sense God’s priorities each day and that the most important and urgent things, the things on His schedule, will become mine. Perhaps I could learn to be a barbarian where I am?
I felt exhausted as I travelled on the ferry to Cheung Chau. House 4 wasn’t physically draining, apart from the heat and cleaning windows, but I now realise it was emotionally and spiritually demanding and I know that every day I will have to choose to renew and refresh myself for the challenges ahead. I want to be a barbarian, but it may take some time!
Today I am going to explore this beautiful island. Beaches, markets, views and a great harbour where the modern commercial fishing boats sit side by side with the traditional sampans. The clash of cultures float together quite happily each riding the waves and doing what they do best.
What would I choose today? I’m going to choose to let the past and the present float quite happily together and ride the waves that will be the future God is bringing me, without conflict, concern or confusion. A barbarian? Maybe one day.
I think I’m going for the safe option today. I’m going to choose orange juice, toast and a coffee for breakfast.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
RESOLVING THE CHORD
THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
Day 16 and Tim has left the Brothers’ House! How do I begin to reflect back on my 16 days? There is so much noise crowding into my mind that to hear all the different notes right now seems almost impossible.
I am off to Cheung Chau in a few hours, an island off the coast of Hong Kong, to a retreat centre run by Bethany Ministries. I am told that it is a beautiful place, quite isolated and I will have a room of my own. Hot water, coffee and food that may not contain rice! It is an hour on the ferry so I think it will feel a million miles away from House 4 and the close community and ‘monastic’ routines. I don’t think I have to be up by 7.30am or clean the windows!
As I think back to all I have experienced here in HK it has been quite a journey. I came with some fear, it got worse, then it got better and I feel that I have been able to give, receive, listen, learn and experience God’s presence and power through the Brothers’ and Helpers that I have shared a house with. I have already written about the worship and prayer, the ministry and deep community and it has all left me feeling closer to God and aware of His presence and power for my future. The stories I have heard have humbled me and excited me, challenged me and inspired me. I have seen and heard how God brings wholeness and hope.
As I return back home soon, my desire is that I will see it more and more in the people I meet, that it doesn’t just happen in HK, House 4, or through St. Stephen’s, it is possible everywhere and I have had my vision renewed of what God can do.
In trying to sum up my stay I have been reading Luke 7:36-50. Jesus is visiting the home of Simon the Pharisee when a woman comes in and anoints the feet of Jesus with perfume and her tears. Simon and his friends are shocked but Jesus responds by pointing out to them that they didn’t even offer him any water to wash with or oil to refresh himself with. As the conversation closes he says to them, ‘her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.’ (Luke 7:47) This is an indictment on those of us who take Jesus, and what he has done for us, for granted. It’s too easy just to love a little when we should all love much.
I think that is what I have found here. The Brothers know that they need forgiveness every day, that they have been forgiven much and in response worship Jesus, kneeling at His feet. They love much. As I’ve stayed here I’ve realised more and more that I too have been forgiven much, that I too need to remember that every day and worship Jesus. I have learnt to love much. Jesus didn’t die a more painful death for those who are drug addicts, he suffered just as much for me as well. I stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone in the House. It was worth coming to HK to learn that again.
It isn’t ‘perfect’ here, whatever that looks like. Not every ‘New Boy’ stays, there is tension and challenge every day. I wrote yesterday that there were no fists raised, well after I wrote that there was! One Brother hit another in our House and in one of the other Houses a Brother broke the nose of one of the Helpers! You don’t get a lot of thanks here, you’re here to join in and serve, the pleasure of the Father is enough. No special favours and no special treatment (I only wanted a hug!) This is not the only way God uses to change lives but it is powerful and is being used by God to transform many futures.
Out of the discord of 16 days ago when I entered the House and many things clashed with my previous experiences and understanding, the different notes are beginning to resonate more clearly now. It’s not a fully resolved chord just yet but I can hear the harmony more clearly and will continue to listen to the song that God wants me to learn and sing as I seek to follow Him. I’m not sure what it will mean for me and my journey but I have seen God at work in power and have been reminded that He is the One who changes lives through the cross. This stay was such a privilege and I will be praying for the Brothers’ who it has been my joy to get to know. I have only had a glimpse of all God is doing here but it is inspiring and challenging.
I came here with the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 written on a clothes peg, I leave here with the challenge of Isaiah 54:2 written on my heart. Grace and Peace.
Day 16 and Tim has left the Brothers’ House! How do I begin to reflect back on my 16 days? There is so much noise crowding into my mind that to hear all the different notes right now seems almost impossible.
I am off to Cheung Chau in a few hours, an island off the coast of Hong Kong, to a retreat centre run by Bethany Ministries. I am told that it is a beautiful place, quite isolated and I will have a room of my own. Hot water, coffee and food that may not contain rice! It is an hour on the ferry so I think it will feel a million miles away from House 4 and the close community and ‘monastic’ routines. I don’t think I have to be up by 7.30am or clean the windows!
As I think back to all I have experienced here in HK it has been quite a journey. I came with some fear, it got worse, then it got better and I feel that I have been able to give, receive, listen, learn and experience God’s presence and power through the Brothers’ and Helpers that I have shared a house with. I have already written about the worship and prayer, the ministry and deep community and it has all left me feeling closer to God and aware of His presence and power for my future. The stories I have heard have humbled me and excited me, challenged me and inspired me. I have seen and heard how God brings wholeness and hope.
As I return back home soon, my desire is that I will see it more and more in the people I meet, that it doesn’t just happen in HK, House 4, or through St. Stephen’s, it is possible everywhere and I have had my vision renewed of what God can do.
In trying to sum up my stay I have been reading Luke 7:36-50. Jesus is visiting the home of Simon the Pharisee when a woman comes in and anoints the feet of Jesus with perfume and her tears. Simon and his friends are shocked but Jesus responds by pointing out to them that they didn’t even offer him any water to wash with or oil to refresh himself with. As the conversation closes he says to them, ‘her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.’ (Luke 7:47) This is an indictment on those of us who take Jesus, and what he has done for us, for granted. It’s too easy just to love a little when we should all love much.
I think that is what I have found here. The Brothers know that they need forgiveness every day, that they have been forgiven much and in response worship Jesus, kneeling at His feet. They love much. As I’ve stayed here I’ve realised more and more that I too have been forgiven much, that I too need to remember that every day and worship Jesus. I have learnt to love much. Jesus didn’t die a more painful death for those who are drug addicts, he suffered just as much for me as well. I stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone in the House. It was worth coming to HK to learn that again.
It isn’t ‘perfect’ here, whatever that looks like. Not every ‘New Boy’ stays, there is tension and challenge every day. I wrote yesterday that there were no fists raised, well after I wrote that there was! One Brother hit another in our House and in one of the other Houses a Brother broke the nose of one of the Helpers! You don’t get a lot of thanks here, you’re here to join in and serve, the pleasure of the Father is enough. No special favours and no special treatment (I only wanted a hug!) This is not the only way God uses to change lives but it is powerful and is being used by God to transform many futures.
Out of the discord of 16 days ago when I entered the House and many things clashed with my previous experiences and understanding, the different notes are beginning to resonate more clearly now. It’s not a fully resolved chord just yet but I can hear the harmony more clearly and will continue to listen to the song that God wants me to learn and sing as I seek to follow Him. I’m not sure what it will mean for me and my journey but I have seen God at work in power and have been reminded that He is the One who changes lives through the cross. This stay was such a privilege and I will be praying for the Brothers’ who it has been my joy to get to know. I have only had a glimpse of all God is doing here but it is inspiring and challenging.
I came here with the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 written on a clothes peg, I leave here with the challenge of Isaiah 54:2 written on my heart. Grace and Peace.
TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES
WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
As you would expect in a house of 30 men there has to be a measure of discipline – most are recovering drug addicts, some are 18 year olds here on a Probation Order rather than going to prison – and also some rules to govern the day. When you walk into the house the ‘House Rules’ are displayed and surprisingly there are only two. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength’ and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Whoever came up with those ‘rules’ did, I think, a pretty good job!
Most of the other ‘rules’ remain unwritten but there is a clear code of conduct that is adhered to despite nothing being written down. When it is ‘Quiet Time’ (or ‘Father Time’ as it is affectionately called) everyone is quiet. When it is work duty, everyone works. When it is worship, everyone worships. At meal times everyone helps get the room ready and clears up. We wait for everyone to be present and then someone prays and as the ‘Ar-mun’ is said with passion and urgency by all, the sound of chopsticks fills the air and the eager speed-eating begins.
There is a deep respect for one another’s personal space (which isn’t a great deal!) and property and a genuine serving attitude and care for and to one another. This is seen especially during prayer times when Brother will pray with Brother sensing God’s prompting and speaking God’s words directly to them. In the time I have been here I have not heard a voice raised in anger or seen fists raised in aggression. There is a peace but certainly not quiet! Except at lights out time, 10.00pm.
Dare I say that there is a sense of the holy here?
The only other written rule is outside every bedroom dormitory. It says, ‘Please take off your shoes.’ And it happens, the shoes are left behind, in no particular order, but shoes are removed. It is a great rule, except when you get up in the middle of the night and have to negotiate them in order to get to the bathroom!
‘Take off your shoes, for this is holy ground.’ (Exodus 3:5) There is a sense of the holy here. Holy in terms of ‘set apart’, ‘special’, ‘this is where God is’. I think all three descriptions apply. I’ve had to learn to ‘take off my shoes’, not only as I go into the bedroom, but all over the House. It has humbled me and lifted me, I get a feeling that God is in this place.
I was humbled so much when I went to J’s house with him on Monday. He took me to Tai Po where he lived before entering the Brothers’ House 9 months ago and where his wife and 2 children live with his parents. The flat was on the tenth floor of a 15 floor block and was typical of flats in HK. My best guess is that it is no more than 30 square metres – 6m x 5m – probably less and has 2 small bedrooms, a small living room, even smaller kitchen and bathroom. Three adults and 2 young children live there. It was a humbling experience to have a feast placed in front of me. Thankfully I could tell what I was eating and it was very tasty! J has an opportunity to continue to allow God to change him and I know that his biggest prayer is that his whole family will come to know Jesus Christ. There was a special moment as the two of us went into the bedroom and prayed with and for his children. That was the first time he had done that! It was a start and I will be continuing to pray for him and his whole family.
As we left the small flat, I put my shoes back on. Once again I had been on holy ground.
As you would expect in a house of 30 men there has to be a measure of discipline – most are recovering drug addicts, some are 18 year olds here on a Probation Order rather than going to prison – and also some rules to govern the day. When you walk into the house the ‘House Rules’ are displayed and surprisingly there are only two. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength’ and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Whoever came up with those ‘rules’ did, I think, a pretty good job!
Most of the other ‘rules’ remain unwritten but there is a clear code of conduct that is adhered to despite nothing being written down. When it is ‘Quiet Time’ (or ‘Father Time’ as it is affectionately called) everyone is quiet. When it is work duty, everyone works. When it is worship, everyone worships. At meal times everyone helps get the room ready and clears up. We wait for everyone to be present and then someone prays and as the ‘Ar-mun’ is said with passion and urgency by all, the sound of chopsticks fills the air and the eager speed-eating begins.
There is a deep respect for one another’s personal space (which isn’t a great deal!) and property and a genuine serving attitude and care for and to one another. This is seen especially during prayer times when Brother will pray with Brother sensing God’s prompting and speaking God’s words directly to them. In the time I have been here I have not heard a voice raised in anger or seen fists raised in aggression. There is a peace but certainly not quiet! Except at lights out time, 10.00pm.
Dare I say that there is a sense of the holy here?
The only other written rule is outside every bedroom dormitory. It says, ‘Please take off your shoes.’ And it happens, the shoes are left behind, in no particular order, but shoes are removed. It is a great rule, except when you get up in the middle of the night and have to negotiate them in order to get to the bathroom!
‘Take off your shoes, for this is holy ground.’ (Exodus 3:5) There is a sense of the holy here. Holy in terms of ‘set apart’, ‘special’, ‘this is where God is’. I think all three descriptions apply. I’ve had to learn to ‘take off my shoes’, not only as I go into the bedroom, but all over the House. It has humbled me and lifted me, I get a feeling that God is in this place.
I was humbled so much when I went to J’s house with him on Monday. He took me to Tai Po where he lived before entering the Brothers’ House 9 months ago and where his wife and 2 children live with his parents. The flat was on the tenth floor of a 15 floor block and was typical of flats in HK. My best guess is that it is no more than 30 square metres – 6m x 5m – probably less and has 2 small bedrooms, a small living room, even smaller kitchen and bathroom. Three adults and 2 young children live there. It was a humbling experience to have a feast placed in front of me. Thankfully I could tell what I was eating and it was very tasty! J has an opportunity to continue to allow God to change him and I know that his biggest prayer is that his whole family will come to know Jesus Christ. There was a special moment as the two of us went into the bedroom and prayed with and for his children. That was the first time he had done that! It was a start and I will be continuing to pray for him and his whole family.
As we left the small flat, I put my shoes back on. Once again I had been on holy ground.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
WHEN I PRAY COINCIDENCES HAPPEN
TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
St. Stephen’s is the overarching name for all the different ministries that have grown from the 22 year old Jackie Pullinger getting on a boat 44 years ago and eventually getting off in HK. What started in the infamous Walled City, now demolished, has grown to a wide variety of activities in several countries with plans to keep reaching out to the broken and lost.
On the site I have been living on there is the adult men’s work and work with teenagers (under 16) including schooling. In the last year a brand new block has been built (House 5) in which there are schoolrooms, art and design facilities, workrooms, computer suite, training kitchens, music room, dance studio and the swimming pool (did I mention the swimming pool?). Also built in the last 12 months is a conference hall which doubles up as an indoor sports hall, as well as an outdoor football pitch and basketball court. It is a remarkable set of new buildings with very high specification and high standards of finishing.
Off site is the work with teenage girls who are addicts or involved in prostitution, mobile teams who go onto the streets all over HK to meet addicts and runaways, feeding teams taking food to the poorer areas of the country and three church congregations all started as a result of the work going on to support those who are back in the community and their families.
St. Stephen’s is also working in China, Philippines, Vietnam and India and has plans to go into Cambodia very shortly. All of the work stands on the same values and ethos and is totally committed to reaching those who have fallen the furthest and seeing transformation in their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is vibrant and dynamic and not restricted by lack of resources, people and money.
Yet I have never seen or heard an appeal for money from St. Stephen’s. No mail shots, Christian media advertising, stands at Christian exhibitions or events. I am told, rather matter of factly as if I shouldn’t even have asked the question, that they just pray and coincidences happen!
All the recent building, including swimming pool, has all been financed from donations. The two training kitchens were given and installed free of charge by a top German company following a visit by one of their top executives. She used to be a music pupil of Jackie Pullinger’s when JP first came to HK and she needed money to fund her stay.
The budgets are tight, food is frugal and all the Houses have their own budgets each month depending on what is in the bank at the time. If they need more, they pray. But it is not just the money. A ministry like this depends on people and what is so beautiful is that many of the people who are leading were themselves on the receiving end of the ministry of St. Stephen’s in the past. Most House Leaders were themselves Brothers (or Sisters in the women’s equivalent), the helpers in each house were Brothers who have been encouraged and trained to develop their skills and gifts. Three of the Brothers I have got to know in House 4, A, FJ and E, are all going to join one of the Mobile Teams this coming Sunday and move out of House 4. They will then be involved in reaching addicts on the streets around HK and being involved in the ministry of transformation. It is a great process and sees people who have been discarded now fulfilling their God-given potential. All it needed was for someone to spot it. That is what St. Stephen’s seem so good at. It is not simply coming off drugs it is about a future serving God and many of the Brothers aspire to being involved in some way in the future. It all seems so simple. And I guess it is, if we believe in a God who gives to those who ask and honours those who honour Him.
JP is certainly focussed on what God has called her to, her mission is the same as it was 44 years ago. Her values are uncompromising, her passion seemingly undiminished and all that has happened is a testimony to all she has done. Yet, I get the impression that she holds it all very lightly. St. Stephen’s will continue after she is gone because the structure is very flat and there is a clear buy in to the values and commitment to the cause, not the person. I think she would rather the organisation collapses if they ever get distracted from what God has called them to, the transformation of one life at a time.
God seems to choose the foolish (even the slightly crazy) to shame the wise, God chooses the weak things of this world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27) I’m glad he does it that way because it means that all of us can be used by a God who looks at the heart of people who make themselves available. It’s crazy, but it seems to work!
St. Stephen’s is the overarching name for all the different ministries that have grown from the 22 year old Jackie Pullinger getting on a boat 44 years ago and eventually getting off in HK. What started in the infamous Walled City, now demolished, has grown to a wide variety of activities in several countries with plans to keep reaching out to the broken and lost.
On the site I have been living on there is the adult men’s work and work with teenagers (under 16) including schooling. In the last year a brand new block has been built (House 5) in which there are schoolrooms, art and design facilities, workrooms, computer suite, training kitchens, music room, dance studio and the swimming pool (did I mention the swimming pool?). Also built in the last 12 months is a conference hall which doubles up as an indoor sports hall, as well as an outdoor football pitch and basketball court. It is a remarkable set of new buildings with very high specification and high standards of finishing.
Off site is the work with teenage girls who are addicts or involved in prostitution, mobile teams who go onto the streets all over HK to meet addicts and runaways, feeding teams taking food to the poorer areas of the country and three church congregations all started as a result of the work going on to support those who are back in the community and their families.
St. Stephen’s is also working in China, Philippines, Vietnam and India and has plans to go into Cambodia very shortly. All of the work stands on the same values and ethos and is totally committed to reaching those who have fallen the furthest and seeing transformation in their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is vibrant and dynamic and not restricted by lack of resources, people and money.
Yet I have never seen or heard an appeal for money from St. Stephen’s. No mail shots, Christian media advertising, stands at Christian exhibitions or events. I am told, rather matter of factly as if I shouldn’t even have asked the question, that they just pray and coincidences happen!
All the recent building, including swimming pool, has all been financed from donations. The two training kitchens were given and installed free of charge by a top German company following a visit by one of their top executives. She used to be a music pupil of Jackie Pullinger’s when JP first came to HK and she needed money to fund her stay.
The budgets are tight, food is frugal and all the Houses have their own budgets each month depending on what is in the bank at the time. If they need more, they pray. But it is not just the money. A ministry like this depends on people and what is so beautiful is that many of the people who are leading were themselves on the receiving end of the ministry of St. Stephen’s in the past. Most House Leaders were themselves Brothers (or Sisters in the women’s equivalent), the helpers in each house were Brothers who have been encouraged and trained to develop their skills and gifts. Three of the Brothers I have got to know in House 4, A, FJ and E, are all going to join one of the Mobile Teams this coming Sunday and move out of House 4. They will then be involved in reaching addicts on the streets around HK and being involved in the ministry of transformation. It is a great process and sees people who have been discarded now fulfilling their God-given potential. All it needed was for someone to spot it. That is what St. Stephen’s seem so good at. It is not simply coming off drugs it is about a future serving God and many of the Brothers aspire to being involved in some way in the future. It all seems so simple. And I guess it is, if we believe in a God who gives to those who ask and honours those who honour Him.
JP is certainly focussed on what God has called her to, her mission is the same as it was 44 years ago. Her values are uncompromising, her passion seemingly undiminished and all that has happened is a testimony to all she has done. Yet, I get the impression that she holds it all very lightly. St. Stephen’s will continue after she is gone because the structure is very flat and there is a clear buy in to the values and commitment to the cause, not the person. I think she would rather the organisation collapses if they ever get distracted from what God has called them to, the transformation of one life at a time.
God seems to choose the foolish (even the slightly crazy) to shame the wise, God chooses the weak things of this world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27) I’m glad he does it that way because it means that all of us can be used by a God who looks at the heart of people who make themselves available. It’s crazy, but it seems to work!
AN UNCOMMON COMMON LANGUAGE
MONDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
One very obvious and deliberate activity here on a daily basis is praying in tongues. This is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament and encouraged/expected as part of the spiritual lives of all in the House. If you have read Jackie Pullinger’s book, ‘Chasing the Dragon’ you’ll know that this has been a crucial part of her ministry with drug addicts from the start, although the first time it happened it greatly surprised her. When an addict receives Christ at one of the weekly outreach addicts meetings around Hong Kong they are invited to receive the gift of tongues and begin to use it straightaway as part of their new experience of Jesus Christ and as a key weapon in the battle they will be facing in the days, weeks, months, years ahead. When a new believer prays it is often hard to know what to say and what words to use in order to express their love for Jesus. Praying in tongues can allow them to encounter God spirit to Spirit as they begin to worship Him and allow His healing to begin.
As each Brother starts their journey in this way it is no surprise that the practice continues right at the heart of the everyday life in the House. So most days, before anything else happens, before breakfast, at 7.30am, the House gathers and prays together in tongues.
I admit that at first this was a little unusual for me, I usually start the day with cereal and fruit juice, but it soon became something beautiful with a rhythm and cadence that, despite 40 individuals praying together at the same time, there was a unity flowing through it. I felt that something deeply spiritual was taking place and a sense of God’s presence was tangible.
My first experience of ‘tongues’ was not a good one. In 1987 Kerry and I were staying with a lady we didn’t know (it’s a long story) and one evening she had a Bible Study at her house. The evening went well until it was time to ‘speak in tongues’ and having been brought up in a tradition that never mentioned it we were both ill equipped for it and quite confused by it. To make it worse, after the study had finished it was apparent that the group held the view that if you didn’t speak in tongues then you weren’t a Christian, which made us feel ‘great’!
Despite that start and initially becoming very resistant to it, as the years have gone on I have taken a much more relaxed view towards it as I have read and heard teaching about it from a more balanced, dare I say more biblical, perspective.
My time here has certainly brought it into the spotlight again but I think I understand the reason for it more now than ever. It is not the only way we have prayed, it certainly isn’t hyped up, it is just normal here. I have seen how powerful it is and how it is proving a valuable tool for the Brothers as they seek to encounter the Divine every day. When you become a Christian it is hard to know what to pray for and how to pray and it seems that tongues has opened the way for a relationship with God to start and flourish as spirit touches Spirit. It is part of the armoury in the fight against the enemy and many victories have been won in the Brothers’ lives as they seek God and find Him. Just as we stretch physically before breakfast, praying in tongues is the spiritual stretching that sets up the worship and prayer that punctuates the daily routine.
Paul says, 1 Corinthians 14:4, ‘He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself,’ builds himself up, and you can see that happening every morning as the battle of the next 24 hours begins. These are special moments.
It is a little crazy how an uncommon language can bring us all together every morning, but that is what happens as we recognise that we are all in need of God’s presence and His power each day. I can’t pretend to understand it all, to fathom all mysteries and all knowledge (1 Corinthians 13:2), but, ‘If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels’ (1 Corinthians 13:1) AND have love, I reckon that is a powerful combination for drug addicts and for me. Then the battle can be fought where it needs to be fought, in the heavenly realm, and we can together make sure that we win the battle.
Less certain. More curious.
One very obvious and deliberate activity here on a daily basis is praying in tongues. This is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament and encouraged/expected as part of the spiritual lives of all in the House. If you have read Jackie Pullinger’s book, ‘Chasing the Dragon’ you’ll know that this has been a crucial part of her ministry with drug addicts from the start, although the first time it happened it greatly surprised her. When an addict receives Christ at one of the weekly outreach addicts meetings around Hong Kong they are invited to receive the gift of tongues and begin to use it straightaway as part of their new experience of Jesus Christ and as a key weapon in the battle they will be facing in the days, weeks, months, years ahead. When a new believer prays it is often hard to know what to say and what words to use in order to express their love for Jesus. Praying in tongues can allow them to encounter God spirit to Spirit as they begin to worship Him and allow His healing to begin.
As each Brother starts their journey in this way it is no surprise that the practice continues right at the heart of the everyday life in the House. So most days, before anything else happens, before breakfast, at 7.30am, the House gathers and prays together in tongues.
I admit that at first this was a little unusual for me, I usually start the day with cereal and fruit juice, but it soon became something beautiful with a rhythm and cadence that, despite 40 individuals praying together at the same time, there was a unity flowing through it. I felt that something deeply spiritual was taking place and a sense of God’s presence was tangible.
My first experience of ‘tongues’ was not a good one. In 1987 Kerry and I were staying with a lady we didn’t know (it’s a long story) and one evening she had a Bible Study at her house. The evening went well until it was time to ‘speak in tongues’ and having been brought up in a tradition that never mentioned it we were both ill equipped for it and quite confused by it. To make it worse, after the study had finished it was apparent that the group held the view that if you didn’t speak in tongues then you weren’t a Christian, which made us feel ‘great’!
Despite that start and initially becoming very resistant to it, as the years have gone on I have taken a much more relaxed view towards it as I have read and heard teaching about it from a more balanced, dare I say more biblical, perspective.
My time here has certainly brought it into the spotlight again but I think I understand the reason for it more now than ever. It is not the only way we have prayed, it certainly isn’t hyped up, it is just normal here. I have seen how powerful it is and how it is proving a valuable tool for the Brothers as they seek to encounter the Divine every day. When you become a Christian it is hard to know what to pray for and how to pray and it seems that tongues has opened the way for a relationship with God to start and flourish as spirit touches Spirit. It is part of the armoury in the fight against the enemy and many victories have been won in the Brothers’ lives as they seek God and find Him. Just as we stretch physically before breakfast, praying in tongues is the spiritual stretching that sets up the worship and prayer that punctuates the daily routine.
Paul says, 1 Corinthians 14:4, ‘He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself,’ builds himself up, and you can see that happening every morning as the battle of the next 24 hours begins. These are special moments.
It is a little crazy how an uncommon language can bring us all together every morning, but that is what happens as we recognise that we are all in need of God’s presence and His power each day. I can’t pretend to understand it all, to fathom all mysteries and all knowledge (1 Corinthians 13:2), but, ‘If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels’ (1 Corinthians 13:1) AND have love, I reckon that is a powerful combination for drug addicts and for me. Then the battle can be fought where it needs to be fought, in the heavenly realm, and we can together make sure that we win the battle.
Less certain. More curious.
I'VE NEVER BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE
SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
When the choice of more ‘gungjok’ (work) or a walk was offered I immediately volunteered for the walk. There are only so many times you can clean the same window in 16 days! I’d also been up from 2.30am-7.00am praying with the ‘New Boy’ so I thought it would invigorate me and keep me awake. So a walk it was on a humid afternoon with several of the Brothers.
We set off from St Stephen’s and it appeared that our leader didn’t know which way to go. As with most things here a decision is never made without everyone having their say and saying it VERY LOUDLY! In the end the direction was set and off we all went. It didn’t seem much of a walk at first as we strolled along the road but very soon I found myself starting to climb up a very steep path. I say path, more like a previously undiscovered track, it felt like we were going where no man had gone before. To make it more interesting the ground was not very stable as the day before it had rained all day. Nevertheless, we made progress and climbed and climbed and climbed.
Eventually after a 1 hour climb, we reached the summit, 399 metres high, and we ‘enjoyed’ some out of date Marks and Spencer almond biscuits – only 6 months out of date (they had been donated by M&S some time ago) - and some water, as well as some great views of the surrounding area. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon and I hope that I earned some respect as I kept up with the 20 year olds all the way.
After the break we started to find our way down and as I slid down the first part I recalled a statistic that more people die climbing down Everest than climbing up it! It wasn’t quite Everest but as I continued to slide down it began to feel like it.
It took ages to find a way down and we spent quite a lot of time going back up as well but the views were great and the company was great fun. There were several places that were so overgrown that it was impossible to see where I was putting my feet and I made a couple of graceful falls to the floor on the way down.
I have a few days left in HK and then head home for the final 3 weeks of my Sabbatical. It has been a great journey so far, but coming down from it might be trickier than I think. I wonder what the casualty rate is for people coming down from a Sabbatical? Finding the right way to come down will take some careful navigating, will need a firm footing and good decisions. I hope I don’t slip on the way but I will get down and be ready for the next stage of my journey following Jesus Christ.
We finally stepped onto the road, after 3 hours. Dirty, bloodied and bruised but having had a great adventure. As we walked back up the road to St. Stephen’s I chatted to the leader of our walk. SM had been a drug addict and a Brother and now was one of the leaders in the House. He told me that he had never been that way before! But we made it down safely!
When the choice of more ‘gungjok’ (work) or a walk was offered I immediately volunteered for the walk. There are only so many times you can clean the same window in 16 days! I’d also been up from 2.30am-7.00am praying with the ‘New Boy’ so I thought it would invigorate me and keep me awake. So a walk it was on a humid afternoon with several of the Brothers.
We set off from St Stephen’s and it appeared that our leader didn’t know which way to go. As with most things here a decision is never made without everyone having their say and saying it VERY LOUDLY! In the end the direction was set and off we all went. It didn’t seem much of a walk at first as we strolled along the road but very soon I found myself starting to climb up a very steep path. I say path, more like a previously undiscovered track, it felt like we were going where no man had gone before. To make it more interesting the ground was not very stable as the day before it had rained all day. Nevertheless, we made progress and climbed and climbed and climbed.
Eventually after a 1 hour climb, we reached the summit, 399 metres high, and we ‘enjoyed’ some out of date Marks and Spencer almond biscuits – only 6 months out of date (they had been donated by M&S some time ago) - and some water, as well as some great views of the surrounding area. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon and I hope that I earned some respect as I kept up with the 20 year olds all the way.
After the break we started to find our way down and as I slid down the first part I recalled a statistic that more people die climbing down Everest than climbing up it! It wasn’t quite Everest but as I continued to slide down it began to feel like it.
It took ages to find a way down and we spent quite a lot of time going back up as well but the views were great and the company was great fun. There were several places that were so overgrown that it was impossible to see where I was putting my feet and I made a couple of graceful falls to the floor on the way down.
I have a few days left in HK and then head home for the final 3 weeks of my Sabbatical. It has been a great journey so far, but coming down from it might be trickier than I think. I wonder what the casualty rate is for people coming down from a Sabbatical? Finding the right way to come down will take some careful navigating, will need a firm footing and good decisions. I hope I don’t slip on the way but I will get down and be ready for the next stage of my journey following Jesus Christ.
We finally stepped onto the road, after 3 hours. Dirty, bloodied and bruised but having had a great adventure. As we walked back up the road to St. Stephen’s I chatted to the leader of our walk. SM had been a drug addict and a Brother and now was one of the leaders in the House. He told me that he had never been that way before! But we made it down safely!
THROWING A PARTY
SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
I have written quite a bit now about what goes on in the House and so far the impression I’ve probably given is that it is quite intense. To some extent it is and perhaps has to be, after all these guys have led pretty destructive lives and routine and self-discipline are important to their ongoing recovery. But there is also a lot of fun and laughter here. When it is serious, it is serious, but when it is relaxed, it is great fun.
Last night we had a session on the cross and were split into groups to look through the Bible for reasons why Jesus had to die. It was amazing to see how much they all knew, key texts from the Gospels, Paul and even a verse from Titus, but in the midst of it a lot of fun was had as the groups vied with each other for who could come up with the best text. There is constant banter between them, the older guys and the younger mix well and at night you will see a number of the 18 year olds sat on the bed of the 40+ year olds, a ‘father and son’ relationship that it seems so many crave.
Last Monday it was two of the Brothers’ birthdays – A and H – both were 22 years old that day and after worship that evening the lights dimmed and a chocolate cake – yes, a chocolate cake – decorated with candles was processed into the room to a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday to you’ sung in English. It was a moment of celebration the whole family in House 4 took part in, sharing the enjoyment and fun of being in this together.
The cake was much appreciated, although not to the standard of the chocolate cakes I am used to at home. After all, chocolate is chocolate when you’ve been deprived of it. But it wasn’t the cake that was important, it was the genuine celebration and the real laughter that accompanied the party that struck me the most. The cake was devoured very quickly – I managed to get hold of and eat two pieces – but the celebration continued.
Like any family, it takes a blend of laughter, discipline and celebration to ensure that there is life and growth happening and I am pleased to say that all those things are part of this family here. After all we are believers in a God who created a Giraffe! Sense of humour or what! Following Jesus should never be a trudge, boring or joyless. Jesus, ‘for the joy set before him endured the cross.’ (Hebrews 12:2) And as Tony Campolo says, ‘The Kingdom of God is a party.’ (Just look at Luke 15:7, 9, 23)
This is definitely a place of pain, but also a place of joy. In fact, without the pain perhaps we wouldn’t know what joy is. Life can throw up many different things in all of our lives, none of us are far away from tears or laughter. This House is no different, but I was glad that night to see, and feel, that there is joy in the House. It gave me a glimpse of Heaven. Where the lost come home and where drug addicts get healed.
I wonder what the chocolate cake will taste like in Heaven – dare I say, better than Kerry’s? Well, I’ve said it now! Hope there is another birthday here before I go!
I have written quite a bit now about what goes on in the House and so far the impression I’ve probably given is that it is quite intense. To some extent it is and perhaps has to be, after all these guys have led pretty destructive lives and routine and self-discipline are important to their ongoing recovery. But there is also a lot of fun and laughter here. When it is serious, it is serious, but when it is relaxed, it is great fun.
Last night we had a session on the cross and were split into groups to look through the Bible for reasons why Jesus had to die. It was amazing to see how much they all knew, key texts from the Gospels, Paul and even a verse from Titus, but in the midst of it a lot of fun was had as the groups vied with each other for who could come up with the best text. There is constant banter between them, the older guys and the younger mix well and at night you will see a number of the 18 year olds sat on the bed of the 40+ year olds, a ‘father and son’ relationship that it seems so many crave.
Last Monday it was two of the Brothers’ birthdays – A and H – both were 22 years old that day and after worship that evening the lights dimmed and a chocolate cake – yes, a chocolate cake – decorated with candles was processed into the room to a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday to you’ sung in English. It was a moment of celebration the whole family in House 4 took part in, sharing the enjoyment and fun of being in this together.
The cake was much appreciated, although not to the standard of the chocolate cakes I am used to at home. After all, chocolate is chocolate when you’ve been deprived of it. But it wasn’t the cake that was important, it was the genuine celebration and the real laughter that accompanied the party that struck me the most. The cake was devoured very quickly – I managed to get hold of and eat two pieces – but the celebration continued.
Like any family, it takes a blend of laughter, discipline and celebration to ensure that there is life and growth happening and I am pleased to say that all those things are part of this family here. After all we are believers in a God who created a Giraffe! Sense of humour or what! Following Jesus should never be a trudge, boring or joyless. Jesus, ‘for the joy set before him endured the cross.’ (Hebrews 12:2) And as Tony Campolo says, ‘The Kingdom of God is a party.’ (Just look at Luke 15:7, 9, 23)
This is definitely a place of pain, but also a place of joy. In fact, without the pain perhaps we wouldn’t know what joy is. Life can throw up many different things in all of our lives, none of us are far away from tears or laughter. This House is no different, but I was glad that night to see, and feel, that there is joy in the House. It gave me a glimpse of Heaven. Where the lost come home and where drug addicts get healed.
I wonder what the chocolate cake will taste like in Heaven – dare I say, better than Kerry’s? Well, I’ve said it now! Hope there is another birthday here before I go!
CAFFEINE, SLEEPLESSNESS AND SURPRISES
FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
It was another restless night for me. It was extremely hot and the constant whirring of the ceiling fans (they sound like a helicopter coming in to land and are on all night every night) seemed louder than usual.
I had been out all day exploring Hong Kong so I was tired from walking but I just couldn’t settle. Perhaps it was the four coffees I had had during the day? I had drunk only two cups of coffee in the previous 9 days so maybe they had affected me more than usual. A filter coffee for breakfast (and bacon, egg and beans!), an Americano for ‘coffee-time’, a Mocha for lunch (with cream) and a Latte in the evening. Perhaps it was over indulgent!
My day out was spent exploring Hong Kong but it was spoilt by a thick fog which hung around all day. I had planned to go to The Peak overlooking Hong Kong to get a view from above and travel up a couple of the high-rise buildings to look down on the city, but instead I stayed on the ground and looked up. I walked through the tightly packed markets and marvelled at what was on sale, some of which I’d rather not have seen, and toured the towers. It’s easy to forget that Hong Kong is part of China now. According to the locals, nothing has changed and when I went to the Norman Foster designed HSBC Tower there was a very vocal protest outside with banners proclaiming, ‘HSBC – The world’s local crooks!’ I visited the Bank of China building as well, apparently designed to capture the best Feng Shui energy lines in the area!
It gives you such a different view when you are on the ground looking up, in fact it is easy to lose sight of the landmarks because you get too close to them. Every so often I’d dive into the air-conditioned shopping malls with their high class designer outlets and cathedral like design. Impressive! They are everywhere and always packed with people.
Despite the day, I still couldn’t sleep. It had felt a little strange being out on my own all day. I kept thinking about what was happening back in the house and what I was missing. In fact, having been in such close community for 9 days, I felt a little vulnerable in the space outside. The noise, traffic, people accosting me to buy fake Rolex watches (at least they are honest about them) or the offer of a ‘foot’ massage – I resisted both – on every corner just got to me and when the gate slid open to let me back into St Stephen’s, I was glad to be back.
When I got back in at 9.00pm, I found that the new boy, TM, was now on the dorms, now a Brother, no longer a New Boy. That was great news. Then as I was going to bed, J, the 37 year old I wrote about a few days ago, told me that he was going to be able to go home to see his wife and children for the first time in the 9 months he has been in the House. He was very excited! Then he told me that he would like me to go with him! Well that totally blew me away. His first visit home and he wants me to go with him. How could I say no? So I’m off on Monday 6th from 5.30pm – 9.30pm to sit around a table with J, his wife, his 4 and 2 year old and his mum and dad in their flat.
So perhaps my sleeplessness was the coffee, or the excitement of what was going on in the house and in the lives of the people here and the privilege of being able to be a small part of it. I was glad to be back in the house with the people I have grown to love, pray for, cheer on, believe in. And I felt that they were glad that I was back.
It was another restless night for me. It was extremely hot and the constant whirring of the ceiling fans (they sound like a helicopter coming in to land and are on all night every night) seemed louder than usual.
I had been out all day exploring Hong Kong so I was tired from walking but I just couldn’t settle. Perhaps it was the four coffees I had had during the day? I had drunk only two cups of coffee in the previous 9 days so maybe they had affected me more than usual. A filter coffee for breakfast (and bacon, egg and beans!), an Americano for ‘coffee-time’, a Mocha for lunch (with cream) and a Latte in the evening. Perhaps it was over indulgent!
My day out was spent exploring Hong Kong but it was spoilt by a thick fog which hung around all day. I had planned to go to The Peak overlooking Hong Kong to get a view from above and travel up a couple of the high-rise buildings to look down on the city, but instead I stayed on the ground and looked up. I walked through the tightly packed markets and marvelled at what was on sale, some of which I’d rather not have seen, and toured the towers. It’s easy to forget that Hong Kong is part of China now. According to the locals, nothing has changed and when I went to the Norman Foster designed HSBC Tower there was a very vocal protest outside with banners proclaiming, ‘HSBC – The world’s local crooks!’ I visited the Bank of China building as well, apparently designed to capture the best Feng Shui energy lines in the area!
It gives you such a different view when you are on the ground looking up, in fact it is easy to lose sight of the landmarks because you get too close to them. Every so often I’d dive into the air-conditioned shopping malls with their high class designer outlets and cathedral like design. Impressive! They are everywhere and always packed with people.
Despite the day, I still couldn’t sleep. It had felt a little strange being out on my own all day. I kept thinking about what was happening back in the house and what I was missing. In fact, having been in such close community for 9 days, I felt a little vulnerable in the space outside. The noise, traffic, people accosting me to buy fake Rolex watches (at least they are honest about them) or the offer of a ‘foot’ massage – I resisted both – on every corner just got to me and when the gate slid open to let me back into St Stephen’s, I was glad to be back.
When I got back in at 9.00pm, I found that the new boy, TM, was now on the dorms, now a Brother, no longer a New Boy. That was great news. Then as I was going to bed, J, the 37 year old I wrote about a few days ago, told me that he was going to be able to go home to see his wife and children for the first time in the 9 months he has been in the House. He was very excited! Then he told me that he would like me to go with him! Well that totally blew me away. His first visit home and he wants me to go with him. How could I say no? So I’m off on Monday 6th from 5.30pm – 9.30pm to sit around a table with J, his wife, his 4 and 2 year old and his mum and dad in their flat.
So perhaps my sleeplessness was the coffee, or the excitement of what was going on in the house and in the lives of the people here and the privilege of being able to be a small part of it. I was glad to be back in the house with the people I have grown to love, pray for, cheer on, believe in. And I felt that they were glad that I was back.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
GÙNGJOK
THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
The one constant thing in my every day here at St. Stephen’s, apart from the rice three times a day and cold showers and no coffee....... (did I mention the coffee?) is that there is always gùngjok, once, twice or sometimes three times a day. Each session lasts for up to 1½ hours and it leaves you hot, tired and thirsty. As the clock ticks round to the appointed hour everyone gathers in the common room to await being shouted instructions by the ‘gùngjok master’ who has carefully worked out the allocation of duties for that session.
Now I should give you three alternative definitions and you can choose the right one, but to spare you the task, gùngjok is ‘work. It seems to be the least anticipated part of the day for the Brothers, and the helpers, but it is a discipline that is part of community life.
Today I am assigned a task outside which makes a change. Usually I am assigned the third floor – where I sleep, sweeping, mopping, cleaning windows, cleaning bathrooms, but I must have impressed the ‘gùngjok master’ so was promoted to outside. I was to sweep the pathways in a secluded garden near the house. So with brush and dust pan with an extended handle to save bending down – a clever device – I walked eagerly to my task.
As I turned the corner I was met by a carpet of orange, round seed pods which had fallen from the only tree in the garden. It was particularly big tree so had deposited many, many pods. Still, it was better than cleaning toilets! It seemed like there were a million of these pods on the ground but one at a time I slowly but surely made progress.
About half way through my task I looked with pride at the area I had already swept only to see an orange pod sat there in the middle of the path. I was sure I had swept them all but went back and captured this one. As I went back to my task I kept hearing things dropping and began to realise that the pods were still falling from the tree. I looked up into the tree to see what looked like a billion more still to fall! I returned to my task somewhat despondently.
The time ticked on and as the gùngjok for the morning came to an end I picked up my brush and extended handle dust pan to go to lunch. I looked at what I had done and saw several orange pods staring at me, still lying on the path. I couldn’t leave them there so I went back and swept them all up, again!
I feel that is something like St. Stephen’s. As fast as they rescue one drug addict off the streets, another one falls to the ground. I guess it can feel relentless and at times hopeless although they stick to the task with joy and commitment underpinned by a set of values that can be seen all the way through the work that is done.
But what if no one bothered to sweep up the orange pods that fall every day? What if no one picked up the one that had fallen? Eventually the number of orange pods would become too many to handle, soon the path would be blocked and the task too big to know where to start, overwhelming even the most committed orange seed pod gatherer. Even picking up one orange seed pod makes a difference.
The one constant thing in my every day here at St. Stephen’s, apart from the rice three times a day and cold showers and no coffee....... (did I mention the coffee?) is that there is always gùngjok, once, twice or sometimes three times a day. Each session lasts for up to 1½ hours and it leaves you hot, tired and thirsty. As the clock ticks round to the appointed hour everyone gathers in the common room to await being shouted instructions by the ‘gùngjok master’ who has carefully worked out the allocation of duties for that session.
Now I should give you three alternative definitions and you can choose the right one, but to spare you the task, gùngjok is ‘work. It seems to be the least anticipated part of the day for the Brothers, and the helpers, but it is a discipline that is part of community life.
Today I am assigned a task outside which makes a change. Usually I am assigned the third floor – where I sleep, sweeping, mopping, cleaning windows, cleaning bathrooms, but I must have impressed the ‘gùngjok master’ so was promoted to outside. I was to sweep the pathways in a secluded garden near the house. So with brush and dust pan with an extended handle to save bending down – a clever device – I walked eagerly to my task.
As I turned the corner I was met by a carpet of orange, round seed pods which had fallen from the only tree in the garden. It was particularly big tree so had deposited many, many pods. Still, it was better than cleaning toilets! It seemed like there were a million of these pods on the ground but one at a time I slowly but surely made progress.
About half way through my task I looked with pride at the area I had already swept only to see an orange pod sat there in the middle of the path. I was sure I had swept them all but went back and captured this one. As I went back to my task I kept hearing things dropping and began to realise that the pods were still falling from the tree. I looked up into the tree to see what looked like a billion more still to fall! I returned to my task somewhat despondently.
The time ticked on and as the gùngjok for the morning came to an end I picked up my brush and extended handle dust pan to go to lunch. I looked at what I had done and saw several orange pods staring at me, still lying on the path. I couldn’t leave them there so I went back and swept them all up, again!
I feel that is something like St. Stephen’s. As fast as they rescue one drug addict off the streets, another one falls to the ground. I guess it can feel relentless and at times hopeless although they stick to the task with joy and commitment underpinned by a set of values that can be seen all the way through the work that is done.
But what if no one bothered to sweep up the orange pods that fall every day? What if no one picked up the one that had fallen? Eventually the number of orange pods would become too many to handle, soon the path would be blocked and the task too big to know where to start, overwhelming even the most committed orange seed pod gatherer. Even picking up one orange seed pod makes a difference.
PRAYER CONDITIONING
WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
As I crawled into bed after my first ‘Night Duty’ praying with one of the ‘New Boys’ (someone who has recently come into the house, usually in the last 10 days) I expected the trumpets to sound (not too loudly at 2.30am) the crowd to rise to their feet, the medal to be placed around my neck, but all I heard were the snores of the rest of the dorm.
I had been praying with TM from 10.00pm – 2.30am, without a coffee, surely someone would notice my sacrifice and give thanks? But of course, this is just part of the normal routine in the Brothers’ House.
When a ‘New Boy’ comes to stay, he is given a room on his own and so begins the period of withdrawing from whatever he was addicted to and had been using. A rota is posted up each day so that a Brother is with him 24 hours a day for however long it takes. Some of the shifts are 2 hours, some 3 and at night 4½ hours. So if a New Boy is here for 10 days, the Brothers and helpers will have been sitting and praying with him for 240 hours! So, when a 10 day New Boy walks out, is that 240 hours of prayer, care and love wasted?
That’s not how anyone here feels. After all, every Brother has been in the same place themselves, they know what it takes, they know that this is the best hope of kicking the habit and finding new life.
So my 4½ hours is just part of the journey. There were moments when my eyes closed – and not because I was praying – but it went quickly and it felt an incredible privilege to be involved in the battle for one life to be transformed.
The New Boy, TM, is 57 years old. A heroin addict for 40 years, he has spent the last few on the streets sleeping rough. He has lost the ends of several fingers and the toes on one foot, his body is ravaged by abuse and who knows what else. But, he is here now. He will be prayed with and sat with constantly for 240 hours, he will be fed, clothed, loved and looked after. He will be given the opportunity to allow the Spirit of God to change him into a new creation with the hope of new life.
It was a challenge for me, but I did it. No medal, just the privilege of being part of what God is doing as brother prays for brother. And the room was air-conditioned!
Well, off for a cold shower now, humbled by the experience and enriched by the challenge. It is certainly changing me.
As I crawled into bed after my first ‘Night Duty’ praying with one of the ‘New Boys’ (someone who has recently come into the house, usually in the last 10 days) I expected the trumpets to sound (not too loudly at 2.30am) the crowd to rise to their feet, the medal to be placed around my neck, but all I heard were the snores of the rest of the dorm.
I had been praying with TM from 10.00pm – 2.30am, without a coffee, surely someone would notice my sacrifice and give thanks? But of course, this is just part of the normal routine in the Brothers’ House.
When a ‘New Boy’ comes to stay, he is given a room on his own and so begins the period of withdrawing from whatever he was addicted to and had been using. A rota is posted up each day so that a Brother is with him 24 hours a day for however long it takes. Some of the shifts are 2 hours, some 3 and at night 4½ hours. So if a New Boy is here for 10 days, the Brothers and helpers will have been sitting and praying with him for 240 hours! So, when a 10 day New Boy walks out, is that 240 hours of prayer, care and love wasted?
That’s not how anyone here feels. After all, every Brother has been in the same place themselves, they know what it takes, they know that this is the best hope of kicking the habit and finding new life.
So my 4½ hours is just part of the journey. There were moments when my eyes closed – and not because I was praying – but it went quickly and it felt an incredible privilege to be involved in the battle for one life to be transformed.
The New Boy, TM, is 57 years old. A heroin addict for 40 years, he has spent the last few on the streets sleeping rough. He has lost the ends of several fingers and the toes on one foot, his body is ravaged by abuse and who knows what else. But, he is here now. He will be prayed with and sat with constantly for 240 hours, he will be fed, clothed, loved and looked after. He will be given the opportunity to allow the Spirit of God to change him into a new creation with the hope of new life.
It was a challenge for me, but I did it. No medal, just the privilege of being part of what God is doing as brother prays for brother. And the room was air-conditioned!
Well, off for a cold shower now, humbled by the experience and enriched by the challenge. It is certainly changing me.
WAITING FOR THE FOG TO LIFT
TUESDAY 31 AUGUST
I woke up this morning, stepped onto my (well, our) exclusive balcony with a view and the mountains had gone! I couldn’t quite believe it so washed my eyes, put on my glasses, looked again, but sure enough, they had gone. They were there yesterday, but not there today.
As the early morning fog began to clear in my brain I realised that the fog hanging over the sea had blotted out the mountains from view, they were still there but I couldn’t see them. How dare the fog do that! I hadn’t come all this way for the fog to spoil my view!
Hopefully they will be back tomorrow but I wonder if anyone else had noticed because the longer you stay here, or in any place, the things you used to marvel at simply become part of the routine, the norm, and what you were amazed at once you now take for granted.
Last night I struggled to get to sleep, it is extremely hot and uncomfortable at night, and as I lay there I remembered that I am sleeping in this bed surrounded by ex-drug addicts, former members of the infamous Triad gangs, some who had been on heroin for many years, involved in violence and probably much else besides. Up to that point, I had forgotten that, it had disappeared from my sight. It made me a little nervous as I tried to get to sleep that night, but then I recalled how a few minutes before I had been worshipping with them and being part of their passionate, honest love for the Saviour and sharing communion together, remembering that Jesus died for all of us, all of us at the foot of the empty cross shoulder to shoulder, all standing in need of God’s unconditional, unlimited forgiveness once again.
The Brothers all know that they have been cleaned physically and spiritually, able to fight the 24 hour battle against addiction in God’s strength with His weapons. As I remembered that, it helped me sleep!
It’s too easy to allow the fog of the past to obscure the view of people, God’s view of people, and all too easy to lose sight of the fact that there is a beauty in all of us still waiting to be seen.
The fog is slowly clearing and I can make out the outline of the mountains again. I can’t see all the view, but it’s coming. The beauty is always there although sometimes hidden from view so I can still worship the Creator even if I can’t see the full picture.
I pray that the fog will keep lifting and I will see people saved by grace, filled with power, with a future. I’m praying that the fog won’t be rolling in again.
I woke up this morning, stepped onto my (well, our) exclusive balcony with a view and the mountains had gone! I couldn’t quite believe it so washed my eyes, put on my glasses, looked again, but sure enough, they had gone. They were there yesterday, but not there today.
As the early morning fog began to clear in my brain I realised that the fog hanging over the sea had blotted out the mountains from view, they were still there but I couldn’t see them. How dare the fog do that! I hadn’t come all this way for the fog to spoil my view!
Hopefully they will be back tomorrow but I wonder if anyone else had noticed because the longer you stay here, or in any place, the things you used to marvel at simply become part of the routine, the norm, and what you were amazed at once you now take for granted.
Last night I struggled to get to sleep, it is extremely hot and uncomfortable at night, and as I lay there I remembered that I am sleeping in this bed surrounded by ex-drug addicts, former members of the infamous Triad gangs, some who had been on heroin for many years, involved in violence and probably much else besides. Up to that point, I had forgotten that, it had disappeared from my sight. It made me a little nervous as I tried to get to sleep that night, but then I recalled how a few minutes before I had been worshipping with them and being part of their passionate, honest love for the Saviour and sharing communion together, remembering that Jesus died for all of us, all of us at the foot of the empty cross shoulder to shoulder, all standing in need of God’s unconditional, unlimited forgiveness once again.
The Brothers all know that they have been cleaned physically and spiritually, able to fight the 24 hour battle against addiction in God’s strength with His weapons. As I remembered that, it helped me sleep!
It’s too easy to allow the fog of the past to obscure the view of people, God’s view of people, and all too easy to lose sight of the fact that there is a beauty in all of us still waiting to be seen.
The fog is slowly clearing and I can make out the outline of the mountains again. I can’t see all the view, but it’s coming. The beauty is always there although sometimes hidden from view so I can still worship the Creator even if I can’t see the full picture.
I pray that the fog will keep lifting and I will see people saved by grace, filled with power, with a future. I’m praying that the fog won’t be rolling in again.
LEARNING TO SWIM
MONDAY 30 AUGUST
I never expected that one of the outcomes of being here in HK would be that I would learn to swim again. It’s not that I didn’t know how to swim already, it’s just that I think I have been swimming the wrong way.
I learnt to swim when I was about 6 years old in the sea near to Dymchurch in Kent. I can remember my dad patiently encouraging me, holding me above the water and then letting me go many times before I could actually stay afloat, move my arms and legs and realise that it was not the impossible task it seemed at the start.
Since then I have never been a serious swimmer, although I love going in the sea when the waves are strong. I haven’t been swimming for a long time but when I came and saw the great 25-metre pool her I decided that I would go in when it was on the schedule. It isn’t every day, but yesterday (Sunday) we had a 2 hour swim in the morning and I went in. It’s tough, but someone has to do it!
I have watched people swim many times before but as I watched one of the Brothers swimming the breaststroke I noticed that they were doing it differently to me. Their co-ordination of the leg kick and the arm pull was timed differently to how I had been doing it. Strange how on this particular day, I noticed it.
Having seen the way they were swimming I decided I would have a go doing it their way. It felt strange at first because for many years I’d done it my way – arms and legs at the same time – but now I had to think about what I was doing moving my arms and legs at different times. Kick, glide, pull, glide, kick, glide..... It was hard at first, so hard I ended up hitting the side wall, which was even harder! But as I swam more and more this new way I began to get into the rhythm and I realised I was making more progress than I had swimming my old way, the way I had been swimming for 44 years! Who said that you can’t teach an old dog...?
I never used to like swimming, but my new stroke has given me a challenge. To keep practicing it, keep working at it until it becomes natural and who knows, 2012 is just around the corner! Do they have a Veterans Olympics?
What’s the point of my story? I’ll leave you to work that one out for yourself. For me, I’m seeing new ways, new things (I guess they are really the old ways) and with a bit more practice... Well, who knows what the outcome might be.
I still might not be doing the breaststroke properly but it seems to be working. I wonder if I could learn the front crawl?
I never expected that one of the outcomes of being here in HK would be that I would learn to swim again. It’s not that I didn’t know how to swim already, it’s just that I think I have been swimming the wrong way.
I learnt to swim when I was about 6 years old in the sea near to Dymchurch in Kent. I can remember my dad patiently encouraging me, holding me above the water and then letting me go many times before I could actually stay afloat, move my arms and legs and realise that it was not the impossible task it seemed at the start.
Since then I have never been a serious swimmer, although I love going in the sea when the waves are strong. I haven’t been swimming for a long time but when I came and saw the great 25-metre pool her I decided that I would go in when it was on the schedule. It isn’t every day, but yesterday (Sunday) we had a 2 hour swim in the morning and I went in. It’s tough, but someone has to do it!
I have watched people swim many times before but as I watched one of the Brothers swimming the breaststroke I noticed that they were doing it differently to me. Their co-ordination of the leg kick and the arm pull was timed differently to how I had been doing it. Strange how on this particular day, I noticed it.
Having seen the way they were swimming I decided I would have a go doing it their way. It felt strange at first because for many years I’d done it my way – arms and legs at the same time – but now I had to think about what I was doing moving my arms and legs at different times. Kick, glide, pull, glide, kick, glide..... It was hard at first, so hard I ended up hitting the side wall, which was even harder! But as I swam more and more this new way I began to get into the rhythm and I realised I was making more progress than I had swimming my old way, the way I had been swimming for 44 years! Who said that you can’t teach an old dog...?
I never used to like swimming, but my new stroke has given me a challenge. To keep practicing it, keep working at it until it becomes natural and who knows, 2012 is just around the corner! Do they have a Veterans Olympics?
What’s the point of my story? I’ll leave you to work that one out for yourself. For me, I’m seeing new ways, new things (I guess they are really the old ways) and with a bit more practice... Well, who knows what the outcome might be.
I still might not be doing the breaststroke properly but it seems to be working. I wonder if I could learn the front crawl?
GET ME OUT OF HERE
SUNDAY 29 AUGUST
To be honest, yesterday (Saturday) was a bad day for me. Whether it was the taste of freedom on Friday – although I am slowly discovering that freedom is not about where I am - or that the communal living in the house has got to me – living in a room with 15 other men and sharing the same bathroom – I’m not sure, but I spent the day watching the clock feeling isolated and alone. Please don’t feel sorry for me – you’re not? – well, maybe just a little. It’s probably normal to feel this way at certain stages of the stay here, but it was a long day.
As I was going to bed, glad the day was over and ready to close my eyes and wake up to a new day, I got into a conversation with J. It was the last thing I wanted, but like everything in God’s plan it was a moment that made a difference to me. It changed my view of the whole day and the rest of my time here.
As I listened to his story, in broken English, which is far better than my extremely broken Cantonese (I can say ‘Good Morning!’ now as I shower next to a Brother), he told me of some of the turmoil in his life. 37 years old, married with 2 children aged 4 and 2, all of whom he hasn’t seen for 9 months, (since being at St. Stephens) he came here having been on heroin for many years. He told me how he has discovered the healing power of Jesus Christ and how now he looks forward to a future serving Him. He wants to write a book and study the Bible eager to share what he has with other people. He is a desperate worshipper, passionate, open and honest knowing that he has been rescued and given hope and a future.
It was a reminder that I needed at the end of the day. So I slept well last night and woke up eager for today to see God at work again continuing to heal and release. Thank you God for shaking me out of my misery and despair and lifting my eyes once again to You.
This is the continuing story of St. Stephen’s. Whenever we worship together, usually twice a day, everyone is engaged straight away wanting to touch the Eternal Presence that they know they need to live life in victory and power. It is the foundation that the rest of the day is built on and it is how they move on one day at a time. It is plain and simple, sometimes un-tuneful, sometimes singing in a different key to the guitarist, but it is compelling because the worshippers are compelled. There is no looking around, no moaning about the songs, they are singing to the Saviour from the first note to the last, lost in wonder, love and praise. They speak out prayers and prophetic words, they pray for one another as the Spirit prompts them, they kneel, raise their hands, gaze upwards in adoration, you can see it, you can feel it. It is real, from the heart, not just another worship song sung with the lips.
That is what will make every day a great day for me, when I realise that my first ‘duty’ is to worship God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Saviour, who was crucified, but now is alive, risen, exalted Christ.
Don’t get me out of here just yet! God clearly has more to do in me than he has done so far, and, to be honest, I’m looking forward to it.
To be honest, yesterday (Saturday) was a bad day for me. Whether it was the taste of freedom on Friday – although I am slowly discovering that freedom is not about where I am - or that the communal living in the house has got to me – living in a room with 15 other men and sharing the same bathroom – I’m not sure, but I spent the day watching the clock feeling isolated and alone. Please don’t feel sorry for me – you’re not? – well, maybe just a little. It’s probably normal to feel this way at certain stages of the stay here, but it was a long day.
As I was going to bed, glad the day was over and ready to close my eyes and wake up to a new day, I got into a conversation with J. It was the last thing I wanted, but like everything in God’s plan it was a moment that made a difference to me. It changed my view of the whole day and the rest of my time here.
As I listened to his story, in broken English, which is far better than my extremely broken Cantonese (I can say ‘Good Morning!’ now as I shower next to a Brother), he told me of some of the turmoil in his life. 37 years old, married with 2 children aged 4 and 2, all of whom he hasn’t seen for 9 months, (since being at St. Stephens) he came here having been on heroin for many years. He told me how he has discovered the healing power of Jesus Christ and how now he looks forward to a future serving Him. He wants to write a book and study the Bible eager to share what he has with other people. He is a desperate worshipper, passionate, open and honest knowing that he has been rescued and given hope and a future.
It was a reminder that I needed at the end of the day. So I slept well last night and woke up eager for today to see God at work again continuing to heal and release. Thank you God for shaking me out of my misery and despair and lifting my eyes once again to You.
This is the continuing story of St. Stephen’s. Whenever we worship together, usually twice a day, everyone is engaged straight away wanting to touch the Eternal Presence that they know they need to live life in victory and power. It is the foundation that the rest of the day is built on and it is how they move on one day at a time. It is plain and simple, sometimes un-tuneful, sometimes singing in a different key to the guitarist, but it is compelling because the worshippers are compelled. There is no looking around, no moaning about the songs, they are singing to the Saviour from the first note to the last, lost in wonder, love and praise. They speak out prayers and prophetic words, they pray for one another as the Spirit prompts them, they kneel, raise their hands, gaze upwards in adoration, you can see it, you can feel it. It is real, from the heart, not just another worship song sung with the lips.
That is what will make every day a great day for me, when I realise that my first ‘duty’ is to worship God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Saviour, who was crucified, but now is alive, risen, exalted Christ.
Don’t get me out of here just yet! God clearly has more to do in me than he has done so far, and, to be honest, I’m looking forward to it.
NO ESCAPE FROM REALITY
SATURDAY 28 AUGUST
As the metal gate slid open I had the overwhelming feeling of being released from captivity. Yesterday, I left St. Stephens for 6 hours being taken out by David and Hilary Roisetter (they are staying here having been helpers with St Stephens 14 years ago for several years). Why did I feel like that? Perhaps it was the thought of being able to have a cup of coffee or simply being able to step back into the reality of my everyday life rather than the routines and ‘restrictions’ of the last few days.
It does feel a little monastic here but not institutionalised, in fact they fight against being that, but certainly monastic in a spiritual sense. Get up for 7.30am, prayer, quiet time, physical exercise, work duties, eating, worship, bible study, opportunity for games, lights out at 10.00pm. It is always in a different order (apart from getting up and going to bed) but this has become my new reality. But it felt good to ‘get out’ and I had a great time.
We took the bus and train, walked through the huge air-conditioned shopping centre, went into Marks & Spencer (yes, it is exactly the same), Starbucks, the sea-front in Kowloon looking across to Hong Kong Island with its array of huge, skyscraper bank and finance towers, lit up office blocks with their huge neon signs advertising companies we all know, mirror glass and, as night fell, the nightly laser, light and music show which flashed all around us.
We sat watching all this from a restaurant high up in the YMCA Hotel (yes, Hotel, not Hostel) having enjoyed and feasted on an eat all you can buffet with fish, meats, salad, fruit and to finish it all, Bread and Butter pudding and custard and a coffee!
As I drank the last of my coffee I began to wonder what was the reality I had escaped to?
The world I usually inhabit might seem real but only because that is what I normally experience - well, not the HK skyline – but the reality of St. Stephens’s is closer to the truth for so many. The reality of life that faces up to what is wrong and seeks to deal with it, not in superficial ways or by running away and filling life with things that don’t last, but by openness, honesty, a deep practice of true community and the healing power of God to bring victory every day.
The Bible talks a lot about reality – All we like sheep have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6); ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
As the gate slid open at 10.00pm to let me back in, after a great 6 hours, it was hard, but I escaped back to reality. I washed in cold water before going to sleep on my 2 inch mattress and I thanked God that He is the true reality and I was back in this place once again. I knew already (after 4 days) that my time here will change my understanding of what is real, what really counts, what really matters, what my priorities need to be. Perhaps after my 15 days here I will have escaped to reality before I step out of the gate again.
As the metal gate slid open I had the overwhelming feeling of being released from captivity. Yesterday, I left St. Stephens for 6 hours being taken out by David and Hilary Roisetter (they are staying here having been helpers with St Stephens 14 years ago for several years). Why did I feel like that? Perhaps it was the thought of being able to have a cup of coffee or simply being able to step back into the reality of my everyday life rather than the routines and ‘restrictions’ of the last few days.
It does feel a little monastic here but not institutionalised, in fact they fight against being that, but certainly monastic in a spiritual sense. Get up for 7.30am, prayer, quiet time, physical exercise, work duties, eating, worship, bible study, opportunity for games, lights out at 10.00pm. It is always in a different order (apart from getting up and going to bed) but this has become my new reality. But it felt good to ‘get out’ and I had a great time.
We took the bus and train, walked through the huge air-conditioned shopping centre, went into Marks & Spencer (yes, it is exactly the same), Starbucks, the sea-front in Kowloon looking across to Hong Kong Island with its array of huge, skyscraper bank and finance towers, lit up office blocks with their huge neon signs advertising companies we all know, mirror glass and, as night fell, the nightly laser, light and music show which flashed all around us.
We sat watching all this from a restaurant high up in the YMCA Hotel (yes, Hotel, not Hostel) having enjoyed and feasted on an eat all you can buffet with fish, meats, salad, fruit and to finish it all, Bread and Butter pudding and custard and a coffee!
As I drank the last of my coffee I began to wonder what was the reality I had escaped to?
The world I usually inhabit might seem real but only because that is what I normally experience - well, not the HK skyline – but the reality of St. Stephens’s is closer to the truth for so many. The reality of life that faces up to what is wrong and seeks to deal with it, not in superficial ways or by running away and filling life with things that don’t last, but by openness, honesty, a deep practice of true community and the healing power of God to bring victory every day.
The Bible talks a lot about reality – All we like sheep have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6); ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
As the gate slid open at 10.00pm to let me back in, after a great 6 hours, it was hard, but I escaped back to reality. I washed in cold water before going to sleep on my 2 inch mattress and I thanked God that He is the true reality and I was back in this place once again. I knew already (after 4 days) that my time here will change my understanding of what is real, what really counts, what really matters, what my priorities need to be. Perhaps after my 15 days here I will have escaped to reality before I step out of the gate again.
STAYING IN FOCUS
FRIDAY 27 AUGUST
Day 4 in the (Big) Brother House and I have found myself thinking about what I haven’t got. It is all a bit negative but I guess it is normal. No hot water, no knives and forks, no coffee, no chocolate, no marmite, no toast, no thick mattress, no air-conditioning, no cricket on the TV – come to think of it, no TV! But I know that it is all too easy to focus on what I don’t have here when I have already found so much.
There are people here desperate to live their lives with Jesus instead of with drugs and hopelessness. Their praying and worshipping is as important to them as the air they breathe, they are experiencing the power of healing in every moment. I’ve found a lasting and deep joy here that is so much more than having the right things to fill your life with or satisfy a momentary craving. I’ve found people from South Africa, Canada, Philippines and England all serving God here for the long haul who have let go of what is ‘normal’ and are following God’s dream for their lives by living and working here.
I do miss certain things, but they’re not essential to life. After all, I’ve got a 25-metre swimming pool on site, I’m being fed (rice or noodles every meal – but it’s fine?), I’m able to pray with and for these guys and I’m being re-focussed on what God desires and having time to see him with fresh eyes. I have so much more than the things I don’t have. I’m praying that I will keep everything in perspective and in focus.
This morning, W-H, 18 years old, had to go back to court because he has breached his Probation Order several times since being here, escaping over the roof and ‘doing drugs’ again. He may go to prison today or come back here for a last chance. If he comes back he will be welcomed again by the Brothers and the helpers and they will keep loving him, keep praying for him, keep believing in him. Why? Because they believe in Jesus and His power to finish what he has started in W-H’s life. (Late News: W-H was initially going to go back to prison, but having sat in a cell for 6 hours the Judge called him back up to the Court and changed his mind. W-H came back to the Brothers’ House. There was a lot of rejoicing that night!)
Time to get back into focus – although Marmite on toast would be nice tomorrow morning!
Day 4 in the (Big) Brother House and I have found myself thinking about what I haven’t got. It is all a bit negative but I guess it is normal. No hot water, no knives and forks, no coffee, no chocolate, no marmite, no toast, no thick mattress, no air-conditioning, no cricket on the TV – come to think of it, no TV! But I know that it is all too easy to focus on what I don’t have here when I have already found so much.
There are people here desperate to live their lives with Jesus instead of with drugs and hopelessness. Their praying and worshipping is as important to them as the air they breathe, they are experiencing the power of healing in every moment. I’ve found a lasting and deep joy here that is so much more than having the right things to fill your life with or satisfy a momentary craving. I’ve found people from South Africa, Canada, Philippines and England all serving God here for the long haul who have let go of what is ‘normal’ and are following God’s dream for their lives by living and working here.
I do miss certain things, but they’re not essential to life. After all, I’ve got a 25-metre swimming pool on site, I’m being fed (rice or noodles every meal – but it’s fine?), I’m able to pray with and for these guys and I’m being re-focussed on what God desires and having time to see him with fresh eyes. I have so much more than the things I don’t have. I’m praying that I will keep everything in perspective and in focus.
This morning, W-H, 18 years old, had to go back to court because he has breached his Probation Order several times since being here, escaping over the roof and ‘doing drugs’ again. He may go to prison today or come back here for a last chance. If he comes back he will be welcomed again by the Brothers and the helpers and they will keep loving him, keep praying for him, keep believing in him. Why? Because they believe in Jesus and His power to finish what he has started in W-H’s life. (Late News: W-H was initially going to go back to prison, but having sat in a cell for 6 hours the Judge called him back up to the Court and changed his mind. W-H came back to the Brothers’ House. There was a lot of rejoicing that night!)
Time to get back into focus – although Marmite on toast would be nice tomorrow morning!
THE CHASE FOR TRUTH
THURSDAY 26 AUGUST
Last night a ‘new boy’ (someone in the first ten days of living in the house, in the early stages of withdrawal) left the Brothers’ House. He had been here for 9 days, clean and cared for, loved and prayed for constantly. If only he’d stayed another 24 hours, perhaps then he would have made it through.
But what struck me the most is that no one wanted him to leave. The brothers had gathered around him all day, praying for him intensely hoping to see him through to the victory that is only found in Jesus Christ and to the truth that would set him free. But he didn’t make it this time and he walked out, with the assurance that he would be welcomed back if there was a next time.
Truth is not always easy to find, in fact, it is said that in war, truth is the first casualty, and it is certainly a battle in the lives of the addicts who come here. Truth is also very tough to face up to and it is the search for truth that lies at the heart of this battle for the lives of everyone who enters the Brothers’ House. The trouble is that there are lies opposing the truth that play out in the minds and bodies of the brothers every moment of every day, wanting to find ways to suppress the truth, distort it and ultimately kill it.
On the plane coming to HK I watched the film, ‘The Green Zone’. It is a story about WMD in Iraq and the quest of one soldier (played by Matt Damon) to discover the truth about them. There is a scene near the end (if you haven’t seen the film and don’t want to know the ending, look away now) when Matt Damon is pursuing the one man who knows the truth. Also chasing the Iraqi is an American Special Forces soldier. Matt Damon wants to release the ‘truth’, the other soldier is under orders to kill the ‘truth’ so that nobody finds out that there are no WMD (otherwise the reason for going to war is exposed as a lie).
The chase is on, Truth or Lies? It’s an age old battle fought out from the garden of Eden to the Brothers’ House in HK right now, and in many, many lives everywhere. The chase is on, will the truth be revealed and believed or will the lies kill the truth that everyone who comes into House 4 is seeking? The chase might go on for 10 days or several years but the one thing everyone here believes is that, ‘the truth will set them free.’ (John 8:32)
It isn’t all success here but there is a belief that if the ‘Son (Jesus) sets you free, you are free indeed.’ (John 8:36) That’s the focus of all the prayers, all the love, all the care and that’s why the Brothers in this house and all the houses on the site, are committed to pursuing the truth to keep it alive and release it into the lives of everyone who comes in. They long to see other men, just like them, escape the lies, find the Truth and experience the freedom of a future.
I won’t tell you the end of the film, but the chase is on, truth or lies? It’s quite a chase.
Last night a ‘new boy’ (someone in the first ten days of living in the house, in the early stages of withdrawal) left the Brothers’ House. He had been here for 9 days, clean and cared for, loved and prayed for constantly. If only he’d stayed another 24 hours, perhaps then he would have made it through.
But what struck me the most is that no one wanted him to leave. The brothers had gathered around him all day, praying for him intensely hoping to see him through to the victory that is only found in Jesus Christ and to the truth that would set him free. But he didn’t make it this time and he walked out, with the assurance that he would be welcomed back if there was a next time.
Truth is not always easy to find, in fact, it is said that in war, truth is the first casualty, and it is certainly a battle in the lives of the addicts who come here. Truth is also very tough to face up to and it is the search for truth that lies at the heart of this battle for the lives of everyone who enters the Brothers’ House. The trouble is that there are lies opposing the truth that play out in the minds and bodies of the brothers every moment of every day, wanting to find ways to suppress the truth, distort it and ultimately kill it.
On the plane coming to HK I watched the film, ‘The Green Zone’. It is a story about WMD in Iraq and the quest of one soldier (played by Matt Damon) to discover the truth about them. There is a scene near the end (if you haven’t seen the film and don’t want to know the ending, look away now) when Matt Damon is pursuing the one man who knows the truth. Also chasing the Iraqi is an American Special Forces soldier. Matt Damon wants to release the ‘truth’, the other soldier is under orders to kill the ‘truth’ so that nobody finds out that there are no WMD (otherwise the reason for going to war is exposed as a lie).
The chase is on, Truth or Lies? It’s an age old battle fought out from the garden of Eden to the Brothers’ House in HK right now, and in many, many lives everywhere. The chase is on, will the truth be revealed and believed or will the lies kill the truth that everyone who comes into House 4 is seeking? The chase might go on for 10 days or several years but the one thing everyone here believes is that, ‘the truth will set them free.’ (John 8:32)
It isn’t all success here but there is a belief that if the ‘Son (Jesus) sets you free, you are free indeed.’ (John 8:36) That’s the focus of all the prayers, all the love, all the care and that’s why the Brothers in this house and all the houses on the site, are committed to pursuing the truth to keep it alive and release it into the lives of everyone who comes in. They long to see other men, just like them, escape the lies, find the Truth and experience the freedom of a future.
I won’t tell you the end of the film, but the chase is on, truth or lies? It’s quite a chase.
TWENTY-FOUR
WEDNESDAY 25 AUGUST
Waking up alone (well, not quite alone, I’m sharing a dorm with 15 other men!) in HK and looking out of the bedroom window was quite a surreal experience. The cloud was still covering the top of the hills across the bay in the distance but the rain had stopped. Reality soon hit me as I stepped into the cold shower and ate noodles for breakfast with chop sticks – they are slippery things for a novice chop stick handler. After breakfast it was an hour quiet time for the whole house which gave me time to reflect back on the last twenty-four hours.
So many new experiences have bombarded my senses and as I tried to sleep last night, despite feeling the effects of the 7 hour time difference, it took a long time to settle my mind. New names, new routines, new challenges all flooded in but because of the kindness of everyone - so far – it all feels okay. Not safe, but okay.
Twenty-four hours for me is nothing compared with twenty-four hours for the guys living in the house. I am staying as a guest in House 4 with about 35 other men aged 18+ all of whom are here for a reason. For most of them it is drugs, heroin addiction for the older guys (they are called ‘brothers’ in the house) cocaine, ketamine for the younger ones (they too are called ‘brothers’). It is clear that this place is not a Drug Rehabilitation Centre, it is a place where people discover the life-changing power of Jesus Christ through His Spirit. In fact, that is all that is on offer here. No medication, no substitutes, just Jesus. As soon as you walk in you see it, feel it, and taste it. Vibrant worship, passionate prayer for one another, Christ-centred community in action.
It is impossible to distinguish between helpers and the helped, the volunteers and the brothers, between those who have been here for 2 weeks or 2 years, for everyone takes complete responsibility for the other, no hierarchy, no difference because we all need help of one sort or another, we all need the power of God to heal us from something, the power to overcome.
Prayer and worship are at the heart of this place, the sound echoes around the whole complex seemingly from morning to night and it is the power that comes from it that enables everyone to have a 24 hour victory over whatever tempts and controls them. When you have been in the grip of addiction, 24 hours is a marker that says, ‘I will not be controlled by anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ, I will have no other gods.’
I’m ready for the next 24 hours. My prayer is that I will have something to give but that I will also receive. As a new ‘brother’ came into the house last night – someone who is an addict – as the other brothers and helpers get ready to sit with him 24 hours a day for as long as it takes, praying and worshipping with him and for him, I was able to share in a simple act of communion with him. This is where it all starts, and finishes, Jesus Christ who through his death and resurrection gives us all hope for the future. He shed his blood and gave his body so that I, so that the brothers, might be set free.
The next 24 hours might seem a lifetime to him, but it is the first day of his life believing and living in the name of Jesus who died and rose again. The next 24 hours for me? I pray that I too will live it in just the same way.
Waking up alone (well, not quite alone, I’m sharing a dorm with 15 other men!) in HK and looking out of the bedroom window was quite a surreal experience. The cloud was still covering the top of the hills across the bay in the distance but the rain had stopped. Reality soon hit me as I stepped into the cold shower and ate noodles for breakfast with chop sticks – they are slippery things for a novice chop stick handler. After breakfast it was an hour quiet time for the whole house which gave me time to reflect back on the last twenty-four hours.
So many new experiences have bombarded my senses and as I tried to sleep last night, despite feeling the effects of the 7 hour time difference, it took a long time to settle my mind. New names, new routines, new challenges all flooded in but because of the kindness of everyone - so far – it all feels okay. Not safe, but okay.
Twenty-four hours for me is nothing compared with twenty-four hours for the guys living in the house. I am staying as a guest in House 4 with about 35 other men aged 18+ all of whom are here for a reason. For most of them it is drugs, heroin addiction for the older guys (they are called ‘brothers’ in the house) cocaine, ketamine for the younger ones (they too are called ‘brothers’). It is clear that this place is not a Drug Rehabilitation Centre, it is a place where people discover the life-changing power of Jesus Christ through His Spirit. In fact, that is all that is on offer here. No medication, no substitutes, just Jesus. As soon as you walk in you see it, feel it, and taste it. Vibrant worship, passionate prayer for one another, Christ-centred community in action.
It is impossible to distinguish between helpers and the helped, the volunteers and the brothers, between those who have been here for 2 weeks or 2 years, for everyone takes complete responsibility for the other, no hierarchy, no difference because we all need help of one sort or another, we all need the power of God to heal us from something, the power to overcome.
Prayer and worship are at the heart of this place, the sound echoes around the whole complex seemingly from morning to night and it is the power that comes from it that enables everyone to have a 24 hour victory over whatever tempts and controls them. When you have been in the grip of addiction, 24 hours is a marker that says, ‘I will not be controlled by anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ, I will have no other gods.’
I’m ready for the next 24 hours. My prayer is that I will have something to give but that I will also receive. As a new ‘brother’ came into the house last night – someone who is an addict – as the other brothers and helpers get ready to sit with him 24 hours a day for as long as it takes, praying and worshipping with him and for him, I was able to share in a simple act of communion with him. This is where it all starts, and finishes, Jesus Christ who through his death and resurrection gives us all hope for the future. He shed his blood and gave his body so that I, so that the brothers, might be set free.
The next 24 hours might seem a lifetime to him, but it is the first day of his life believing and living in the name of Jesus who died and rose again. The next 24 hours for me? I pray that I too will live it in just the same way.
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