His Grace, so sufficient, so needed.: To Hong Kong and back

Been to Hong Kong and back and it feels SO refreshing to be uncontactable. Although I could check my work emails, all I did was to forward it to my colleague to help me to follow up.

In February, I had already planned to visit Hong Kong somewhere end September or early October (together with Wendy. Intended to visit before she start her work placement or after her work placement). Looked at the church calendar and realized that the Leader's Conference (LC) will be held in HK and it's opened to members! Never been to a LC before and thought the whole thing was really timely. Personally, I am already feeling quite jaded and at a crossroad of deciding if I should stay on (at Residential Social Work) or to move on. So like what Hong Teck said "Drained... Need drainage" and the best drainage I have is Jesus.

The LC was quite an eye opener for me. It was warm seeing members from various part of the world coming together. I thought "So this is what it means to be a Family of God" and this is just the Hope family. Not forgetting the bigger picture of a Family of God with other Christ followers too!

I attended the workshop conducted by Michael Santoso "Moving in the spirit" and was prayed for my gastric. Praise God! I do not feel anymore pain after 2 hours! On the same evening, I also witnessed God moving and healing at least 3 sisters of their hearing impairment.

That first evening at the LC, Torche (Hope Brisbane) led P&W. I was late and seated right at the back and couldn't see the stage. However, that voice was SO distinct that I knew straight away that it was Torche. I came back to God in Hope Brisbane in 2001 and that first time that I attended Hope Brisbane, it was Torche who led the P&W. Again, that warm feeling overwhelmed me. Okay, I am Mel... :)By God's grace and timing, on the last day, I was seated beside a sister from Hope Melbourne. I was shy so was she but we were asked to pray for one another so we decided to turn to each other, break out a smile and pray we did. That prayer led to sharing and then another prayer. After the LC, I was pretty sure that God still wants me to be His vessel of love and compassion to the lost children in Singapore.

One thing that rang out to me clearly was "I have not cause I asked not.". In the busyness and the complication at my workplace, I started to take things into my hands and work based on my own knowledge and my own strength. I remember 3 years ago when I started Social Work, I kept praying for God to anoint me with love and compassion. 3 years later, that prayer just automatically stopped, forgetting that God is the head of my job and career.

I went with 2 objectives - To be refreshed & for God's direction in the area of my work. I was indeed refreshed and directed.Okay, like said, this trip was planned since February. After LC, I made my way to Lamma Island & Lantau Island & Yuen Long. As HK is HUGE, one day one itinerary is enough to tire us out. Very much want to visit Sai Kung and Stanley but time wasn't sufficient. *sigh*, I prepared 8 days of clothes for 8 days being so sure that I will NOT be shopping. Sadly, it's HARD not to shop in Hong Kong. Before we went to Lantau Island, we got to make our way to Tung Chung for the cable car/bus ride. It's at Tung Chung where most of the factory outlets were. Haaa!!! Well, I was a controlled spender so my damage wasn't all that bad.

There were little moments where I truly enjoyed myself. On the 2nd day of LC, we joined Kat's CG to 深井 for Roast Goose. On the last day of LC, Fen brought us to her aunt's place at Tin Shui Wai for another round of Roast Goose, Roast Pigeons & dim sum. Visited her aunt's place which was SO awesome! The hike at Lamma Island was breathtaking despite it's polluted & foggy environment. I enjoyed Lantau Island - Tai O for their simplicity. It was also at Tai O that I paid only HKD20 for a boat ride out to see dolphins! I am most amazed at the simple faith of the older folks like Fen's aunt and mum. I remember slurping my beef noodles and thinking to myself that when I am old, I will still choose to serve God! Well, like mentioned, before setting off to HK, I was really quite caught up in my own life - mainly work & family - that I didn't really had the time to spend with friends. So to me, this trip is also a wonderful way of refreshing my friendships with people around me.

Okay, enough said. Anything more and you would be bored. I have like 800 over photos but chosen 5 of the 'best' + 1 from Junming.