Mission Journal Day 4

Yesterday was another tiring day, but not as busy as previous days. Jon and I woke up early and went down by the bay to do our journaling and devotions. It was quite beautiful. There was a hotel just down the coast that was playing Christian music very loudly. Light the Fire was playing while I sat there on an uncomfortable rock.

The team ate at the canteen of the seminary. All of the food was dirt cheap and cooked to order. We then went to the Bertsche's room and sang some songs and had a short devotional. We prayed for the strength as we were going to the most famous temple in HK. The people there were going to be worshipping their foreign gods as well as praying to their ancestors.

We took the KCR and the other train to the temple. Outside, old ladies were selling all kinds of novelties from incense to trinkets for presenting at the temple. We entered the gates and saw many people carrying incense. People bowed and chanted.

We went up higher to the main area where the courtyard was filled with people. Whole chickens, fruits, flowers, everything: People were actually worshipping pagan gods! Doug was right when he said that the experience would be sobering. I saw a little girl shaking the canister of sticks that "predict" the future. This was sad yet I saw myself as she was. We grow up doing as our parents lead us to do.

Right in front of the altar people would place their incense sticks in a flower pot filled with sand. Not moments later, a temple employee decked out in gloves and a neon green shirt would pull the sticks out, dunk them in water, and throw them away. I saw their fleeting faith literally go to the dumps instantaneously.

We split into three groups and prayed for the people. You do not feel that these people have lasting hope. They are searching for an eternal god. They desire something that will last and they are not finding it. Unfortunately, some do believe that they are correct. Satan's presence has gripped so many.

After the temple we went to a mall where we had authentic Chinese food, but it was really more along the lines of fast food. We had some good dishes, but the flavor was lacking. After lunch we went to the Hong Kong Historical Museum. We spent a good 3-4 hours walking around learning about the evolution of the Chinese written language and historical events like the Opium Wars and the invasion of HK by the Japanese.

The night ended as we went to the California Pizza Kitchen where we had some good pizza and free refills. We were scheduled to leave for Hoi Ping (Kai Ping in Mandarin) at 6:30 from the seminary. Jon and I hit the sack at 10 pretty exhausted from the day.