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 

A Glimpse Into Celia's Class

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Celia has been teaching grade 3 for the last 5 years at CAIS in Hong Kong.  Below is a glimpse of Celia's class after they were allowed to come back to school once covid died down a bit.  Lots of social distancing rules and masks on at all time is the new normal at all Hong Kong Schools. 

 Desks must be 1.5 meters apart.

 Studying hard.

 Doing a test.

 Celia on the right as Miss Frizzle.   It was a school dress up day.

 Celia's class with their teacher Celia (Miss Frizzle) and the Magic School Bus.

 Device time.

Bridge building.

Lots of great times.

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

National Security Law Update

Hello My Dear Great Ones,
With the impending National Security Law about to become a reality in Hong Kong I thought I would express my own opinion about it.  First of all Hong Kong has never truly been independent.  British Colony or Special Administrative Region it has never been truly free to determine its own course.  However,  the freedom to do business has made it one of the most prosperous city/regions on Earth.  It is quite frankly ruthlessly capitalistic.  Lack of heavy taxes,  plenty of cheap labor in Hong Kong and nearby China plus a middle class with plenty of cash to spend makes it a capitalistic paradise.  There are plenty of tycoons, billionaires and millionaires ruthlessly going about making another dollar.  Rich people from the mainland invest into Hong Kong, buying up apartments, thus making Hong Kong the priciest real estate market in the World.    In many ways Hong Kong has more capitalistic freedoms than Canada or Europe, maybe even America.  It also has enough, "democratic," freedoms like freedom of religion, speech, no travel restrictions, and internet access, to make it a portal for the western world to do business with China.  Hence the thousands of international companies that have offices in Hong Kong, and hence the thousands of western business franchises that have set up shop.  Shenzhen, just across the border of Hong Kong, was a small fishing village in the 70's.  When it became an economic free zone Hong Kong took advantage and invested in it.   The population of Shenzhen exploded.  It is now a city of 15 million largely funded by Hong Kong investment.   And the money flowing through there?  Wow.

So in light of all this it is hard, nay impossible for me to believe that China would destroy all this incredible economic activity in Hong Kong with a draconian National Security Law.  I think its main purpose is to prevent the violent protests that had been going  on for a year in Hong Kong.  Beijing finally just had enough.  And I think some business tycoons in Hong Kong just had enough as well.  Hong Kong's puppet gov't just does not have the clout to crack down on violent protesters  themselves. 

While the concern is that the law is too broad and could be used to curtail other freedoms in HK, (mentioned above,) which is unheard of in China, I find it, again,  hard to believe that China would kill the golden goose that is Hong Kong.  I also believe that several Chinese officials are being paid off by tycoons in Hong Kong to just let them be.  One country, 2 systems would not have lasted this long if this was not true.

While I think Hong Kong could easily be its own country and there are millions in the territory that would love that independence, the reality is:  it is Hong Kong, CHINA.  Not just: Hong Kong.  It is in my opinion a victim of its own success.  China has a LEGAL right to Hong Kong.  And of course it is not going to let go.  Hong Kong just makes too much money for China.  Yet, there will always be tension since many Hong Kongers have no interest in communism and no real understanding of it and vice versa for the Chinese.  They don't get western democracy and the rights that it treasures. There is a massive disconnect between the systems.  Always has been.  Always will be.  But there is always  money. Now that is something that is understandable for both parties.

So here is my prediction for Hong Kong.  In a year, after covid 19 has finally died down, hopefully, Hong Kong will also settle down politically and people will live in their familiar bubbles more concerned about that than the turmoil brought on by those who want the territory independent.  As long as there are no more violent protests and the tycoons are paying off key people in China, Hong Kong will be allowed to carry on with their "freedoms."  Yet the spectre of those freedoms ending very quickly will hang over the city like a gray cloud.




Below are links to what HK media is making of the the whole National Security Law:



https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3089563/national-security-law-hong-kong-journalists-association


https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3089407/hong-kongs-economy-can-endure-national-security-law-and-emerge-stronger


https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3085738/what-does-beijings-new-national-security-law-hong-kong

Quirky Hong Kong

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

I need to lighten up.  I am a little worn out from covid 19 and World Wide protests.  So here are some random pics from HK that might make you smile.

On the last day of school every teacher at my school got a medal and a certificate for our teaching efforts during covid 19.  It was a little tongue in cheek, but it was encouraging.  Note the covid 19 imagery on the medal.  Nice.

 Life tips abound in HK.  Signs and posters showing you essential life skills.

 Found this snail the other day.  Actually kind of beautiful.

 HKers, mainly seniors lining up before 7 am at an MTR station to get a free newspaper.  Ah.  Ever heard of the internet?

 Restaurant's gag is a gooder.

 After a rain you can see for miles.  Way in the distance is HK island.

 Funky building with real plant life growing vertically.

The free roaming cows in our neighborhood are friendly and rather fun.  At one time our country park had several farms.  When they got phased out the farmers just let their cows go.  The herd in the country park are the descendants.

Celia chasing after some cows.

Freddy!  A Hong Kong icon!

Have a great week!  

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

A Rant for Christianity

Hello My Dear Great Ones,
In the last week, due to George Floyd, I have thought a lot about why people persecute others based on race or religious beliefs.  Fear, ignorance, etc are of course big reasons.  Yet, I think the biggest reason is that more is caught than taught.  We aren’t born racist or anti religious.  These negative attitudes and beliefs are things we pick up along the way. From parents, leaders, people in authority.  When these negative attitudes and beliefs become laws or institutionalised it becomes even more legit to be racist or persecute Christians.  Think of the Nazis and their “enabling,”  government crackdown laws.

I am happy to see that the old excuse that cultural norms, laws etc that often dictate negative attitudes toward others is being challenged as UNacceptable in the US and around the world.  Education, empathy, interaction, conversations, tangible actions to improve equality, and good relationships between races are what is being encouraged now by many.   Enough stupidity is enough stupidity.

Here in Hong Kong I am a VERY visible minority.  Yet, I can happily report ten
years on that I have never experienced any racial discrimination.  I mainly work
with Chinese kids and colleagues.  Many of my friends are Chinese.  

The kids in particular are great.  I don’t think they have any concept that I am of a
different race.  I just see them as kids.  Believe me when I say that kids, no
matter what color or race, are basically all the same.  Kids are kids.

While racism in Hong Kong, at least in my circles, is not an issue, my faith in Jesus
Christ may very well be.

Despite the fact that only three percent of HK’s population is Christian they have
had and are having a massive impact on its society.  Jackie Pullinger’s ministry to
drug addicts and the poor is world renowned.  Another ministry called Crossroads
educates people on the poor and provides materials and funds to countless people locked in poverty throughout Asia and the world.  There are many thriving Christian churches and other ministries as well.  On top of that there are three large and well attended Christian International Schools.  Several other schools in HK were started by Christian missionaries and their curriculum is heavy on the Bible.  Several hospitals in HK were started by Christian organisations.  Christian symbolism abounds in the city.  

However, the new National Security Law, plus many other anti-Christian/religious laws from mainland China may create some issues for the Christians in HK.  Here’s an excerpt from a New York Times article written just two years ago: 

As millions around the world gathered to celebrate Christmas, China is capping a year in which the government of President Xi Jinping has led an unrelenting campaign against unofficial churches in China, which by some estimates serve as many as 30 million people.

Mr. Xi, apparently concerned that independent worship might pose a threat to the ruling Communist Party’s dominance over daily life in China, has sought to bring Christianity more firmly under the party’s control. The government this year banned online sales of the Bible, burned crosses, demolished churches and forced at least a half-dozen places of worship to close.  Despite Mr. Xi’s efforts to expand the officially atheist party’s control of worship, religious life in China is flourishing.

While official figures are imprecise, experts believe there are about 60 million Christians in China, with roughly half worshiping at state-sanctioned churches and half at unofficial churches.

However, recently a friend of a friend of mine received an email from his headmaster at an international school that he works for in Guangzhou.  That city is  about an hour north of HK.  The gist of the email stated that no one at the school was allowed, due to Chinese Laws, engage in any sort of religious activity.  In particular telling students about their faith or leading

any “religious,” activities outside of school time. Failure to do so would be considered a criminal act and you could face jail time. 

Basically, according to that law Celia and I, plus thousands of others at churches, ministries and the international Christian schools in HK  are engaging in criminal activity!  We are breaking Chinese laws!  Outrageous.  

I was hired by an international Christian school here in HK mainly because I am a devout Christian who happens to also be a decent and qualified PE teacher.  We are not only encouraged by administration to provide a good program to our students, but to openly share our faith in Jesus.  

We do this through conversations, prayer times, and incorporating Christian principles in our teaching.  ie integrity when playing sports in PE.  There are also daily Bible devotions for the kids every day. 

In a way I understand  the Chinese government’s problem with Christianity.  They see it as a “western,” religion, much like Americans seem to be adverse to anything that looks like socialism.  Yet it is deeper than that.  Chrisitianity is about love, serving one another, and encouraging social justice.  It would expose the human rights atrocities that have been and being committed by the Chinese government.  It would expose the government’s abuses of power. It would expose its corruption.  

Communism is an atheistic man made system which runs counter to a faith based on a belief in Jesus Christ and the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit.  Sure men have used Christianity for their own selfish gains much to the detriment of others.  Yet, overall Christianity has outlived countless political systems, governments, and nations.  Much more good has come from Christianity than bad.  Even without professing faith nations like the US, Canada, Germany and many others have benefitted from JUST following Chrisitan principles in terms of how they govern and educate their citizens.      

So here is what I think.   As Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and the DDR plus many other former communist east bloc states proved, you can suppress a population through fear and intimidation for only so long.  It may be 60-70 years, it may be longer than that, but a system that stifles free speech, free thought/expression, and freedom of religion WILL eventually fail.  It may end peacefully or violently, but it WILL fail.  We were created in the image of God not a mindless puppet.

Anyway, pray for us in HK.  Pray for China.  Many Christians and others are being persecuted there for their beliefs.  It is not right. 

I personally am all for supporting PEACEFUL demonstrations for human rights and religious freedoms. In fact I have been at a few protests/vigils/demonstrations in Hong Kong. I'm only one man, but together great things can happen. 

At the Tiananmen Square Massacre vigil in Hong Kong last year. It had a record attendance. This year thousands showed up even though it was "cancelled," by authorities.