The Abacus Man

I went to the Jade markets this afternoon to do some Christmas shopping- great fun- especially when I was so inspired!!!:)

Anyhow, I had been through the main section and bought all I wanted, then went to another smaller section. This had shopkeepers who looked like they had been there all their very long lives. They had goods on sale that looked old(really nice for a change, in ultra modern Hong Kong!), from mah jong sets, to icons, to traditional jade peices, coins and Chinese history.

At the end of one aisle though, there sat a man, surrounded by paper note books, that were obviously all full, he was holding a peice of paper in his hand, leaning it on the typwriter, while with his other hand he was doing some quick calculations with his abacus!

In a city that strives to be more and more modern in each and every way, it was a refreshing sight to see him, with all the technology he needed in the world!:)

ps. don't worry, I am very grateful to be able to put the newer technology to use myself!:)

The Story of the Hungry Elephant

Once there lived an elephant, and he said to himself, “I am very hungry”. He went along a path in the forest, and came to a bamboo-palm standing in a swamp. Roughly he tore down the palm; he saw a tender bud in one of its leaves. But as he took the bud from the lead, it fell into the water. He hunted and hunted, yet could not find it because he had riled up the water and it blinded his eyes. The a frog spoke and said, “listen!”. The Elephant did not hear, thrashing the water hard with his trunk. The frog spoke again: “listen!” The Elephant heard this time, and stood perfectly still, curious. Thereupon the water became clear so that he found the palm-bud and ate it.

By Karen Kennerly

Christmas Gifts...

November has begun, which now marks the Christmas season in Hong Kong! Christmas decorations and trees are going up in the shopping centres, Christmas cards are in full flight here, and conversartions abound about what Christmas gifts are best to send to friends, family and supporters!

I always get to this time of year and start to look back over the last year, the highs, lows, where God has taken us all and generally take stock of all that's happened.

It also reminds me of Christmas day.... and the question arises... what birthday gift will I give to Jesus this year?

We have a custom here of giving something back, of ourselves, something specific, something that would bless Jesus... last year I gave my strength and courage, that I would go out in His strength and courage, not mine.... sometimes it has been his, and sometime it's been mine- but ahh the joy when it's been his!

So to start looking back, and looking to the year ahead.... and Christmas presents!

What would be a great gift to give to Jesus for his birthday?

Snowing in Hong Kong!?

Well... it wasn't quite snowing, but we had what looked like snow falling today!

It was in fact ash from fires that were burning on the Mountins around and behind out property.

One Monday this week, was a traditional Grave Cleaning day where everyone is supposed to go and clean the graves of their ancesters, and burn things as an offering to them.

It is really dry here at the moment, so it seems that a few fires were lit and spread throughout the week. last night we could see the flames coming over the hils behind us, with helicopters going to and fro with their big bckets of water.

All now seems to be well though and the fires seem to be out for the most part!