More from our guest blogger…

Tess and I partook of two tremendous extremes with the first on Wednesday and the second on Thursday.  As Charles was out of town on business travel he very kindly treated me and his darling wife to tickets to an oh so tasty luncheon with Nicky Gumbel on Wednesday afternoon.  For those who might not be familiar with this name I will give a little background – Nicky Gumbel is the driving international force for Alpha from Holy Trinity Brompton Church just outside London, England.  It is he who one listens to during the video tapes when partaking in the course. 

An international Asia Pacific Alpha Conference just took place here in HK this week with Nicky as the guest speaker.  I knew about it and knew I could attend the whole conference if I so wished but chose not to as I am attending a three day/three night Walk to Emmaus Retreat later in April (with Tess).  So, attending this luncheon was such an unexpected treat from Charles and I am most appreciative.  For starters, it was refreshing to be in a room with 60 Asian/expat fellow Alpha-ers.  I spoke with a most charming young man who is orginally from Toronto but has come to HK under God’s leading and wishes to be used by Him in mainland China – he believes this is God’s plan for him.  The willingness to share Alpha with others in the workplace, with neighbours, through church, etc. was inspiring.  Nicky spoke to us during a gorgeous lunch – he was passionate and excited about how HK is surely at the crossroads of a Christian explosion in Asia and prays the Christians here will be able to model life without becoming ensnared in the "money, money, money" side of life in HK.  We were given the opportunity to have our photo taken with Nicky so Tess and I trotted forward to do so.  His lovely wife Pippa was by his side.  I proudly showed them, via a map I had printed off the computer at Tess’ suggestion, where I lived in northern Canada and told them we have Alpha there.  Delightful people.  I thought as we left how I love the Christian faith – it is exciting and alive and secure.

Thursday dawned.  And the two Lyons women were up and set out early – I nearly did not go as I had started coughing the day before.  I never cough! And the cough proceeded to a sore throat that kept me spluttering all night and was feeling pretty saggy and achy by morning …. BUT! the chance to go to Shenzhen does not come often and as the early morning progressed I felt a little better… so off I went with Tess.  Going to Shenzhen is a complex operation for the novice and even though I have gone a few times I still find it challenging as so much time passes between trips.  It requires
buses, underground travel and a train ride and I love the train ride into mainland China as it offers me the time to eat my McDonald’s Egg McMuffin breakfast with oj!  Such fun and I always feel like I am breaking all the rules 🙂  Such a rebel!  Upon arrival in Shenzhen you are kept busy with checkpoint after checkpoint requiring forms to be filled out and money to be paid, etc. etc.  FINALLY, you are through and Tess captured the spirit of the moment by saying, as we neared the HUGE complex where we shop, "I smell the smell of Free Enterprise at work!"  And at work it is.  I know I have written about Shenzhen before but it bears repeating – every sense is assaulted.  And this visit afforded a new experience – an attempted robbery occurred 10 feet from us as we ‘sat’ squatting on stools in one ‘store’ looking at their wares.  Oh my goodness, the shouting and  reaming and physical strong-arming that went on.  Not sure how it was resolved as I was trying not to stare!!  2 delightful friends of Tess’, Cora and Terry, came along as well – it was a rich experience and I ate my first ever Peking Duck at lunch.  VERY rich and I only managed one piece.  And my little Blake wishes to sample the joys of Shenzhen again when we arrives so more fun awaits.

I have been a very well behaved girl today and stayed in all day – did not even go out and climb the 144 stairs to Tess’ flat – my goal is to do that at least twice a day  ;-(  Not doing too well yet.  Trying to get this silly throat under control.  Tomorrow Charles arrives home and Tess and Charles have the joy of attending their church’s AGM within minutes of Charles disembarking from his plane!

Many hugs to all from lovely HK,

M

xox

Editorial note: Nicky and shopping in the same post. Hmmm…