Tai Mo Shan (Tall Cloudy Mountain)

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Tai Mo Shan is the tallest mountain, or more accurately largest former volcano in Hong Kong.  It provides great views on a clear day.  Especially after a rain storm.  It's beautiful up there.  Plus as an added bonus there are sometimes a herd of "wild" cows enjoying the lush grass.  Celia and I continued our forced staycation in HK with a brief journey up to the top of Tai Mo Shan just before sunset. 

 View of Tseun Wan (foreground, Kowloon and then then Hong Kong Island way in the back.  It is great up there.

 Some cows among the rocks.

 Heading on the road down.

 Top of Tai Mo Shan has a radio tower.

It's beautiful up there.  Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

It's a beaut.  Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk 

Beautiful HK

The Church and Society

As a Christian community of faith, the Vine Church believes in the important role the local church plays in caring for and serving the people of its society. This includes people from all sectors of that society, both in authority and those under their care. We believe the Bible is clear that Christians should stand for and on behalf of the most vulnerable, hurting, marginalised, and distressed, joining with the Holy Spirit in seeking justice where it is needed. The Christian faith affirms that all human beings are created equal by God, in his image, and with dignity and honour for the flourishing of relationship with God, themselves, one another, and creation. This compels us to pursue justice, truth, and freedom in society, as well as the proclamation of the gospel to all. We believe that while the church is not a political entity, it should be able to speak into political issues when these issues impact the wider society it serves.

The Government and Authority

Christians believe that governments and political leaders have accountability not only to the people governed but also to God whose heart is for peace, stability and justice. Christian scriptures call us to honour those in authority while also challenging them to be accountable to God and to the people under their care.

The National Security Law

The introduction and operation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong has raised many concerns amongst the public, due to the process by which it was introduced, and the subsequent uncertainties surrounding the law’s interpretation. Of these issues, we note the following:

• While providing for national security in Hong Kong is a legitimate concern for the Central Authorities, the National Security Law has been imposed without due consultation with the people of Hong Kong. We express our disappointment with how the lack of this due process has shown a clear sign to the population about the scope, nature and intentions concerning the exercise of China’s jurisdiction within Hong Kong, and how this has called into question the ‘One Country Two Systems’ framework of autonomy our city should enjoy.

• While both the National Security Law and the Basic law provide for a wide range of freedoms to be maintained in Hong Kong there is concern among many that the imprecise language and lack of clear definition of what will constitute a breach of the law will lead to a curtailment of those freedoms (freedom of speech; freedom of assembly; religious freedom etc.) in the interests of national security or the central government’s social and political agenda for Hong Kong. This lack of clear definition also leaves the people of our city anxious as to what constitutes a violation of the law itself. 

• While the scope of the National Security Law has no retro-active effect many are concerned that its provisions are being used to ensnare and punish those who protested prior to the passing of the law instead of providing a framework for preventing future security breaches.

• While the National Security Law is intended to operate within the legal framework of Hong Kong’s common law system and maintain the judicial independence of the courts in Hong Kong, questions are being raised about the intimidating effect it might have on the operation of the law as a whole.

Under these circumstances and recognizing the change in political climate indicated by the government in introducing this law, we believe that it is incumbent upon the Hong Kong and Central Authorities to recognize the legitimate concerns of the Hong Kong people and,

1. As soon as possible take practical measures to reassure the Hong Kong people of its
commitment to safeguarding Hong Kong’s cherished freedom under the rule of law by
establishing an independent review body to monitor and report on the impact of the
National Security Law on those freedoms; and,

2. Provide for transparent review procedures to be put in place to regularly assess the impact
of the National Security Law on society and on the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong
established under the Basic Law.

We choose to believe that the Hong Kong government and Central Authorities want a united and flourishing Hong Kong society. To this end, we call for true reconciliation and restoration for Hong Kong people to occur, which can only take place through an active engagement by the authorities in open, honest and purposeful two-way dialogue with its citizens designed to seek understanding and change.

Our Commitment

The Vine Church is committed to being a community of Christian believers whose interests are invested in the sustainable, long term future of Hong Kong in the following ways:

• To the Hong Kong Government and the Central Authorities we are committed to honouring its role as leaders under God’s authority; to pray for its wisdom, peace, guidance and stability; and, to bring to its account in love, actions which dishonour and harm the wellbeing and flourishing of its people.

• To the people of Hong Kong we are committed to seeking ways to serve the needs of all in society; to building up and encouraging all to work for the common good of one another and the city; to creating a place of healing, restoration and justice for many in need; and becoming a voice of justice for the most vulnerable, the marginalized and the hurting.

• To our own community of faith we are committed to being a community that is welcoming to all; to creating an environment where our diversity of perspectives and opinions do not divide us but instead, unify us under God’s family; to teach the word of God boldly and without fear; to speak truth in love; to disciple us as followers of Jesus for radical love of neighbour throughout our city; and to equip us to know the heart of God for justice.

• To our God we are committed to serving Him as our sovereign Lord above all earthly rulers and powers; to making Him known through all we do in the city of Hong Kong that we love; and to honour His name through putting His kingdom first.

A Benediction for the City of Hong Kong
May the peace of God enfold us, the love of Christ uphold us, and the wisdom of the Spirit lead us. Amen.


Hello My Dear Great Ones,
The above was written by our church, The Vine,  in Hong Kong.  I agree with it and I can't express my views about the NSL any better.  

To lighten the mood a little Celia and I went on a hike with some friends near Clear Water Bay.  It was another reminder why I and many others love HK.  Its a great place!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk 

Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

A Staycation in Discovery Bay

Discovery Bay (DB) is a mixed, primarily residential, development consisting of upmarket residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. Located on Lantau Island, including the Tai Pak Bay and Yi Pak Bay, Discovery Bay covers a land area of 649 hectares and is a fully integrated resort style residential project comprising garden houses, low-, mid- and high-rise residential developments, a 27-hole golf course, a 262-berth marina, two clubhouses, the first private manmade beach in Hong Kong, international schools, two shopping malls and the largest oceanfront alfresco dining area in Hong Kong.

The 2016 census record 20,271 people living at DB; Over 50% of them are non-Chinese and DB is a sizeable community of expatriates from over fifty countries. DB is located 2 km west of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and approximately 12 km west from the nearest point on Hong Kong Island.^[1]

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Celia and I spent a staycation in Discovery Bay last week.  Its a great spot if you are a kid.  Parks, playgrounds, no traffic, lots of kids,  a beach, schools, nice restaurants, swimming pool, and near Disneyland.  It is a sweet spot.  A kids/family paradise.  Celia and I enjoyed our time at Discovery Bay's hotel, The Auberge, which is  also pretty sweet.  

The view from our hotel window.  Street ahead is Hong Kong island to the left is Kowloon.

 Waiting for the bus was boring so I practiced some stick handling moves.

 Discovery Bay Beach.

 The plaza had an Italian vibe.

 A ferry heading to Discovery Bay.

 The North Plaza.

 Reading in our room.

Restaurant at the beach.

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

A Sad Day in Hong Kong

 Gray clouds over Hong Kong.  How symbolic.

Truly a wonder.  That is Hong Kong.

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

1. You know you have a great country when you have the privilege of electing  politicians whose mission is to "serve," you.  

2. You know you have a great country when you have the privilege  to raise concerns with those politicians you have voted in.

3. You know you have a great country when you have the privilege to keep politicians accountable through the press or the opposition.

4. You know you have a great country when you have the privilege to make fun of, lampoon, make light of politicians without fear of retribution.

5. You know you have a great country when you have the privilege of voting out politicians you have grown weary of.

6.  You know you have a great country when you have the privilege to get educated and receive more than adequate health care at a reasonable cost.

7.  You know you have a great country when you have the privilege of making a decent living due to fair economic laws and practices.

8.  You know you have a great country when you have the privilege of waking up each morning without fear of vague laws that could get you arrested for a crime that is deemed a threat to National Security.

Since Canada meets the above eight standards in style it gets my vote as a great country.  Hong Kong on the other hand....sigh.  They meet criteria 6 and 7.  Not good enough.

While the new National Security Law, that was passed on July 1, 2020, has been touted as a law for a minority of Hong Kong protestors who have been violent and destructive in expressing their demands, the Law is too broad and vague in its definition of who or what might be considered a threat to National Security.

From my perspective it is a law of fear.  It is a law of oppression.  It is draconian. 

While I personally will continue to remain in Hong Kong for at least another year I felt sadness on July 1 for the place I have come to love.  I agree that violence and destruction is not the answer for political change  and those guilty of it need to be held accountable.  Yet, punish those that need to be punished, do not punish those whose critical observations of society and government could actually lead to positive change that would benefit everyone.  Don't crush ways to hold leaders and governments accountable for their policies and actions.  Don't crush religion, artists, intellectuals.  Let them speak and share.  Without letting them shine you dull society into oppressive and depressing gray.  Eventually the very thing you tried to contain, basically the human spirit, will eventually be your undoing.  Economic freedom and a decent education/health system is simply not enough for humans to be human.  Democratic countries, messy as they are, last.  The oppressive ones don't.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk