Back in the U.S.A.

It's been a long, crazy trip, but after an unexpected two-month extension, I am back from Hong Kong. Much has happened in the last few months, but our recent rapid-fire change of schedule has probably been the most difficult to weather.

Things started getting complicated when I was asked to fill in preaching at Ken's Fairview Park church after his death. I was happy to help out, and the experience was enjoyable (for me, at least - others tell me they enjoyed it, too). The church really has some great people, and everyone was very welcoming and interested in learning, which makes it much easier to teach. Unfortunately, the sermons ended on a bit of a sad note, with news that the preacher Ken had chosen to replace him, Cody, was denied a his visa to come to Hong Kong (Cody is from the Philippines, and is a very intelligent and energetic man - I met him in the Philippines, and have been very impressed with his friendly energy and his dedication). I don't know what the church will be doing now that I am gone, but hope to keep in touch and remain updated on their doings.

The second major work that I was able to be a part of was helping our newest board member, Kitty Ho, put together some training materials for local HK schools based on our Insight principles and theories. The classes were three hours long, and covered the importance of critical thinking and building positive relationships in an educational environment. There were three sessions in three different schools that taught children with intellectual disabilities. Participants were mostly teachers, though we also had some physical therapists. The classes were generally well-received, with several inquires about when we would be able to do follow-up, so I believe our prospects for developing our programs in Hong Kong are definitely positive. Kitty and I are now working on the official pilot program for HK schools that will take place in the Summer of 2014.

Overall, this was a great trip - I was able to meet some fantastic people, and work on some really engaging and edifying projects. I look forward to going back next year. Until then, however, I have some new work to accomplish: I will be working at Lincoln Christian University for the next school year, as well as preparing for a community development pilot seminar in South Africa this December. Busy times!

On a final note, Al was forced to come back to the U.S. early due to some serious dental issues (the doctors found a growth in his mouth which had been causing him extreme pain - he needed to return to the U.S. for his medical insurance to cover the procedure to investigate/remove it). As a result, our purchase of a vehicle for Mozambique has been delayed until he can get back. The money we have raised will remain in a separate fund  until we can purchase the vehicle as planned.