Strong as a Horse

Hello Dear Great Ones,

"Gong Hei Fat Choi" (gong hey fat choy) Means: "Happy New Year," in Cantonese.  This is the year of the horse and horses seem to be everywhere in Hong Kong.  

Here's a little quote I found:

"The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people's ethos – making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as 'Qianli Ma', a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li equals 500 meters)."

While I certainly would like to be the Chinese definition of a horse I think the scripture below is much more powerful:

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Ephesians 1:19 (Paul says: I pray that God may give you enlightenment to know) what is the exceeding greatness of His power  toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. 

Ephesians 6:10-11, 13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power (kratos) of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil….Therefore take up the whole armor of God… 

Thank you for your prayers and please pray for Hong Kong and China.  There are a lot of ancient religions and traditions here that keep many people from studying the Bible and the true power Scripture can provide.  Being strong as a horse is great, but there is a lot more strength available in Scripture.  I have come to know a few Chinese Christians here and they are wonderful, faithful people, and serve their fellow man with great grace and humility. There are also many Christian ministries here that serve the poor, the addicted, the homeless, and the refugees.  There is a ministry here that sends practical goods to the needy all over the World.  Even though only 4% of the population of Hong Kong is Christian it is amazing what impact this little band of believers are doing.  Amazing what the power of belief in the Scriptures can do. 

Have a great week everyone!

God bless you! 

Dirk

 Below are a few of the horses that can be seen around Hong Kong these days.

The following pictures were taken at a mall:

Seen at a pedestrian overpass:

Seen outside near Shatin city hall:

Things You Probably only See in Hong Kong

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

I have said this hundreds of times, but Hong Kong continues to interest, surprise and amuse me.  Here is some photographic evidence of this.

 Boats parked under a bridge.  A typhoon was in the forecast so boats all over Hong Kong were put under bridges or typhoon shelters.

 Bamboo is used a lot as scaffolding or in this case to erect temporary religious buildings.

 Lots of signs, lots of people.  The curved building is an example of a 1950's, 1960's building trend called Bauhaus.

 A display in a mall.

 Seriously folks.  Who would want to ride in a taxi like that?

Chinese Hello Kitty!

 An advertisement for "Thor," at an MTR station.

 I have a better name.  "Ever Red."

 I am sure per capita Hong Kong leads the world with elevators and escalators.

 This dinosaur actually moves and makes sounds.  There is a dinosaur display at the science museum.

 A "herd, " of dogs on an outing.  Seriously folks.  Dogs arn't really dogs here in HK.  They're toys.  

 Umbrellas being hung up to dry at my school.

Have a great week everyone.

God bless you.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Dirk Goes To Disneyland

My Dear Great Ones,

I saw a great movie the other day: "Saving Mr. Banks."  Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney.  He is good as usual. It's about forgiveness.  A deep movie.  Hard to believe Disney and "deep" go hand in hand, but in this case it does.

I don't know if it is still on but Walt Disney from 6:00-7:00 pm, Sunday night was a black and white TV staple while I was growing up long and lanky during the Lakeview years in Calgary.  Later I got too cool for Disney.  But then, after about a 15 year hiatus, Walt Disney was on again at my house in Innisfail, in colour this time, every Sunday 6:00-7:00 pm after church, swimming, and meat pies.  The four E's(Erik, Emily, Eli, Elsie) watched Walt Disney faithfully.  I also saw a ton of Disney movies during the 90's,  due to the four E's, Aladdin, with Robin Williams, and Toy Story, being two of my favourites.  Disney put some adult gags in their movies during the 90's, which was amusing.  The four E's, especially Emily loved them.  Emily could recite most of the lines from those movies today.  

I also made a pilgrimage with the 4'E's and Rochelle to the original Anaheim Disneyland in the late 90's.  I kind of liked it cause of the kids.  I think Walt Disney was brilliant in selling happiness, hope,  happy endings, and he was a master story teller.  I think Disneyland; with its constant piped in happy music, its recreation of a 1930's main street harking back to a gentler time, its safe CLEAN environment, "fun" rides and shows, plus dozens of wandering employees dressed up as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, etc makes Disney not just an American cultural phenomenon, but a world wide one as well.  Disneyland claims to be the happiest place on Earth.  It certainly evokes a lot of smiles.  

Yet, please understand that the above is my attempt to understand why Disney is so successful, not to endorse it.  Call me fuddy duddy, but I get more of a rush biking through the jungle near my place, watching monkeys harangue a wild boar who has infringed into their territory.  I also get more of a kick looking at sunsets, body boarding in wild ocean surf, hiking to a massive waterfall in the rain, snorkelling in tropical seas,  watching how other cultures operate, and skiing down a massive slope after a snowfall etc.  In other words Disneyland just does not impact me the same as spending time in the miracle of nature.  I also can't stand how expensive Disneyland is, how much it costs just to get in, how they hawk their merchandise, and most of all I hate waiting in line for up to an hour or so, just so you can go on an uncomfortable, not built for a 6'6 man like me, vomit inducing ride for two minutes.

Nevertheless a few weeks ago I succumbed to the pressures of a special person and visited Hong Kong Disneyland.  It is no where near the size and standard of the Anaheim one, BUT the shows were pretty good, and the fireworks display at the end was pretty spectacular.  Yet I think my Disneyland days are now officially over.  From now if I want happiness I am going to check out the monkeys, swim with the old timers in the ocean, hike a mountain, bike through a jungle, and snorkel the seven seas.  Its cheaper and in MY OPINION more fun.   

Have a great week everyone!    

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

 On the special commuter train to Disneyland.  Mickey mouse ear windows, Mickey Mouse ear handles.  One can only shake ones head.

 My destination.  The famous Disney castle.  Located in every Disneyland in the World.  An imitation of Neuschwannstein.  The German in me is rather appalled by this trite imitation.  Sniff, sniff.

 Trying my best to be happy like Mickey.

 On main street Disneyland waiting for the Disneyland parade.  I am trying to look happy and enthralled.  At least I could see the parade easy enough considering most Asians are a little on the short side compared to me.

 The main man: Mickey Mouse!

 The Disneyland parade.  Dumbo!

 The Princess float.  In Hong Kong every little girl has a princess dress from Disneyland.

 After the parade on main street Disneyland.  Again I would rather be in a jungle watching monkeys harangue a wild boar who has infringed into their territory, than be in this mass of humanity.  They had a lost kid center, just off main street.  Yeah I can see why.

 Lion King show.  Was good.

 Stroller parking lot.

 Kids in jail, I mean waiting in line.  Once again I would rather be in a jungle watching monkeys harangue a wild boar who has infringed into their territory, than suffer like this.

 Only 55 minutes to go before your 2 minute ride.  Have fun!

 A western song with Woody.  That was good.

 Tarzan.  That was good.

 Ok I have had enough. Where is the exit? Maybe I will ask Donald Duck.  I would rather be in a jungle watching monkeys harangue…you know the rest.

Final Impressions of Lombok

Hello My Dear Most Excellent Ones,

Here is the final instalment of : "Impressions of Lombok."  Lombok art, the little I did see, is kind of interesting.  Lots of statues.  Most of Lombok's people are either hindu or muslim, who by the way operate side by side, in relative peace.  No doubt these two religions have influenced the art on Lombok.  To be honest I find Christian influenced art the best.  The statues and paintings depicting scenes or characters from the Bible are magnificent and a big reason why I find Europe so great.  But truly art is in the eye of the beholder.

Lady holding something.

 An amazing wooden horse, who has just lost his rider.

 A Lombok marching band.

 Head of some hindu god.

 Creepy male and female puppets.

 Drummer man.

 Cymbals man.


I found Lombok people quite nice.  Kids are basically great all over the world.  These guys got a big kick seeing me.

The scenery in Lombok is magnificent.  Rice paddies and unspoiled jungle.  Lots of mountains.  Fantastic.

Most people in Lombok are poor and live really simple lives.  Many homes are raised on small stilts due to the wet season.

Old lady bundling up some vegetation.

 Ramshackle building.  This is a store.


The views from high points on the island are excellent.

 Looking down at the sea crashing into the land.

 Two of the Gili islands are in the background.   Google "Molson Canadian fridge in Indonesia youtube," to see some more scenes of Lombok and the Gili islands.

 Sunset.

 Down goes the sun in dramatic fashion.

 Very romance.

Two boys stood on the edge of a walk way by the sea and let themselves get blasted by waves.  Looked like great fun.

Good bye Lombok

Love adios and ping on!  Next week:  Dirk goes to Disneyland!  I know you can't wait for that!

Have a great week everyone.