(sorry....china8 email has been down for several days....go to www.china8.org and click email and you'll see what I mean....I have contacted server in HK.....please use Hotmail address for time being - at top of this page)
Wednesday, April 27, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from Zhaoqing where there has been quite a lot of lovely rain lately...and where, in my books, Summer has officially begun, proclaimed by the first performance this year of the local cicada choir at 5.45 yesterday morning
Other performances during the week:
* Wednesday April 20: Welcome Noelle, a teacher from HK, here to work with the poor for a month. Welcome also Maria from HK, here for overnight visit. Thank you Noelle and Rosa H for taking evening English class at Ricci Centre on Thursday night, April 21 (...now have some 60 P4,5,6 students, so they've been split into two groups)
* Saturday, Sunday, Monday, April 23,24,25: thank you Caritas HK staff Constance, Linda and Yuk Ching + Rosa H & Noelle, for running family planning sessions at Marco Polo & Ricci Centres. DGD for the start of a most important project
* Monday April 25: Welcome Caritas HK co-ordinator Debbie....and welcome back Rosa C after meetings in HK, one of which was a family planning course attended by 86 year old Dr John Billings and his wife Dr Evelyn Billings, founders of the Billings Ovulation Method, on probably their last visit to China....where now some 2.7 million couples are using the B.O.M. DV Zhaoqing can become a BOM centre
* Yesterday Tuesday April 26: Rosa H and Noelle accompanied two families to Guangzhou where, thanks to kind HK friends, semi-blind Johnny (a Ricci student) and baby Tien saw top local doctors for treatment (....with a follow up visit due tomorrow)
* Last night: Marcia, born at dawn yesterday morning, Anzac Day, feast of St. Mark, in local hospital, after unsuccessful and painful birth effort at home next to Marco Polo Centre
+ Scanned photos of visit to Ricci Centre by arts students on April 1
+ Scanned copy of full page China Youth Daily article on March 23
+ Another Diary from CAS ...lots of info & photos - by Maureen & Ray
+ Chinese pop star visits Brisbane
|
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below;
Appeal for DVD + TV + speakers for each room; one room = Y1,520 (US$190; AUD$250). Many thanks to:
|
Calendar
| 2005-05-01 to 07 | I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat; Florence and Hermann due to return with me |
| 2005-05-11 to 14 | HK Holy Family group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-21,22,23 | I'm due to be in HK for OMI meeting |
| 2005-05-23 to July | Kathleen from Belgium, due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-06-03 to 06 | Mary A & HK scout group due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-06-11 to July 15 | Thomas from Sydney due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-07-16 to 19 | Francis T & HK youth group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
.
|
24 April 2005 "Jun" Mercado, OMI ( www.omigen.org/jpic) With the assumption of Benedict XVI as head of the Catholic Church, we invite everyone to pray... that the new Pontiff would be full of fire for the poor, the marginalized and the excluded. May he take the lead in the reconstruction of a new world social order that has remained, thus far, slogan in many of our congregational and institutional drawing boards |
I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat May 1-7 (= school holiday week in China). Will try to check email each day. Also due to be in HK for meeting May 21,22,23 (= CAS long weekend)
Thank you for a prayer for my dear Mum, nearing her 94th birthday, now getting over a bout of illness that caused concern last week
God bless!
Wednesday, April 20, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from fine and sunny Zhaoqing. Birds are chirping again from about 5.30am...Winter has finally gone?
Other chirpings over the past week:
* Last Friday, April 15: a.m. - Rosa H and I had meeting with Education Office senior advisor re Ricci Centre school-less children applying for local school in September DV.....then a meeting with vice-Mayor Mr Suen De and Guangdong Province senior Party man Mr Lau Man Yin re idea of a Ricci Center in Zhaoqing (...c.f. several new items...e.g. stamps + photo of tomb....now at www.riccicenter.com )
* Friday afternoon: some 20 arts students from local college visited Ricci Centre (photos coming..)
* Saturday night April 16: belated Easter meal with Fr Lee, Sr Wong and Sr Pang from local church
* Sunday April 17: news from UK that Charles Barry, father of pioneer CAS teacher Peter in HK, went home to Heaven this morning, aged 96. Sincere sympathy to Peter and whole family
* Monday April 18: English/Bingo classes at Xinqiao primary school (a.m.) and Ng Chuen (afternoon)
|
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below;
Appeal for DVD + TV + speakers for each room; one room = Y1,520 (US$190; AUD$250). Many thanks to:
|
* Yesterday, Tuesday April 19: Visit to Ricci Centre by another group of some 60 (!) Zhaoqing Univesity students
Another Diary from CAS ...lots of info & photos - by Maureen & Ray ( sorry for not linking this earlier...).
Photos of Party Zhaoqing Youth Association function on March 19
Calendar
| 2005-04-23,24,25 | HK Caritas professional team due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-01 to 07 | I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat; Florence and Hermann due to return with me |
| 2005-05-11 to 14 | HK Holy Family group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-22 to July | Kathleen from Belgium, due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-05-21 | DV hike to Bei Ling Mountain |
| 2005-06-03 to 06 | Mary A & HK scout group due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-06-11 to July 15 | Thomas from Sydney due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-07-16 to 19 | Francis T & HK youth group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
+ A few days ago, finished reading 1421 - a gripping book. Thank you Garth!
+ News this morning: Benedict XVI. National Catholic Reporter was spot on. I feel as I did after hearing that George Bush was re-elected. May our fears not come true. The more ecclesiastical/civil leadership seems out of touch & irrelevant, the more should we ants at bottom of pile loyally get on with task of building bridges, witnessing, caring for the poor, adopting simple lifestyle, imitating Francis/Gandhi as they humbly and lovingly and peacefully worked for structures to regain the plot
I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat May 1-7 (= school holiday week in China). Will try to check email each day
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Wednesday, April 13, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from Zhaoqing....after some very heavy overnight rain accompanying a most unexpected very cool change...after a week of almost Summer weather
The past week:
* Last Wednesday April 6: visit to Cheung Kwai & He Chuen village schools. Same day: 7 college students kindly helped out at Ricci Centre
* Thursday April 7: Free hospital check-up for all Ricci students. Same day: 2 local teachers Cindy and Jessica kindly helped out at Ricci Centre. Same night: thank you, Maureen, for helping with evening class for P4,5,6 at Ricci Centre, with visitors Terry & Lilly + drink with afternoon college helpers
* Saturday April 9: www.riccicenter.com officially launched - thank you good HK Tung Chung friend Peter On!
* Sunday April 10: Rosa C to HK for two weeks for meetings and other jobs
* Monday April 11: Ray, Maureen, Kelsey and Paul accompanied CAS primary students to Pun Yu Zoo (Liam and I, having been to the zoo, staying at CAS for secondary classes). 2001 zoo photos
* Yesterday, Tuesday April 12: visit to Ricci Centre by Rosa H's sister Maggie and their grand-niece Anna-Bella. Last night: visit to home of Jenny & Cherry + restaurant meal
|
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below;
Appeal for DVD + TV + speakers for each room; one room = Y1,520 (US$190; AUD$250). Many thanks to:
|
Calendar
| 2005-04-23,24,25 | HK Caritas professional team due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-01 to 07 | I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat |
| 2005-05-11 to 14 | HK Holy Family group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-22 to July | Kathleen from Belgium, due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-05-21 | DV hike to Bei Ling Mountain |
| 2005-06-03 to 06 | Mary A & HK scout group due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-06-11 to July 15 | Thomas from Sydney due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-07-16 to 19 | Francis T & HK youth group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
+ April 18+ ....New Pope? - Cardinal Francis George OMI of Chicago!? 1981 1985
I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat May 1-7 (= school holiday week in China). Will try to check email each day
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Wednesday, April 6, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from Zhaoqing....a memorable week with the death of Pope John Paul II......HK TV reports have been really excellent ...and have been watched several times each day by tens of millions of Guangdong Province's 80,000,000 people....including many thousands here in Zhaoqing. DV this intensive coverage will promote global understanding/friendship - a marvellous final legacy of JP. And may his successor be someone whose first important letter reads something like this
Also this past week:
* Last Friday, April 1: PIME friends returned to HK after 5 day visit to poor areas. Before leaving, the group joined HK Rosa C, vice-Mayor Suen's secretary Vivian and myself for preparation of March 23 meeting report (...hope this link changes in next 48 hours to www.riccicenter.com - "under construction")
* Same day: 30 arts students visited Ricci Centre for school-less children....led by their teacher Mr Chan (husband of Ricci Centre teacher Cherry). Scanned photos coming
* Last Monday, April 4: BINGO classes at Xinqiao and Ng Chuen primary schools
|
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below;
Appeal for DVD + TV + speakers for each room; one room = Y1,520 (US$190; AUD$250). Many thanks to:
|
* Yesterday, Tuesday April 5: Rosa C, myself and several friends made annual Ching Ming visit in morning to Seung Ching Wan grave across river (...2004 photos).....then....in afternoon....Raincoats for Ricci Centre children! Also yesterday: Rosa H back from meetings in HK. Florence still in HK...looking after her dear mother now home from second stay in hospital. Not forgetting new baby born at home yesterday morning in Area C....Rosa C being one of the nurses (...I forgot to mention new baby born at home in Area B1 on March 28)
+ Thank you CAS teacher Paul for kindly giving English classes each week at Ricci Centre
+ How not to promote peace in Asia - Guardian March 30, 2005 - India spurns US arms
Calendar
| 2005-04-23,24,25 | HK Caritas professional team due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-01 to 07 | I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-22 to July | Kathleen from Belgium, due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-05-21 | DV hike to Bei Ling Mountain |
| 2005-06-03 to 06 | Mary A & HK group due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-06-11 to July 15 | Thomas from Sydney due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-07-16 to 19 | Francis T & HK youth group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Wednesday, March 30, 2005: Dear Friends
Happy Easter Week..... from a wet and dark Zhaoqing.....heavy rain around 5am ....thick clouds still right above CAS now at 9am. Weather the past week has ranged from very cold to very warm.....and as departing Winter and arriving Summer have one of their annual battles, our floors are covered with moisture from the humidity (..used to be for just a day or two each year.....but in the past two months we've had maybe 20 such days....washing gets heavier and wetter the longer it stays on the line...)
Also on the ground this past Week:
* Last Wednesday March 23: Meating (= meal + meeting) re idea of a Ricci Cultural Exchange Center in Zhaoqing ..... vice-Mayor Mr Suen + Guangzhou Italian Consul General Mr Arpea
* Same afternoon: visit to Ricci Centre for school-less children by 60(!) kind university students
(note the difference: Ricci Cultural Center; Ricci Centre for School-less children)
* Holy Thursday/Good Friday/Easter Vigil - services held at 2111 in evening. In Holy Week I saw the last 15 minutes of Ben Hur 17 times (re Crucifixion)....with all 16 CAS primary classes + Ricci Centre students. Privately during the week I also watched Mel Gibson's "Passion" for the first time....what a contrast with BH
* Friday March 26: visit to Ricci Centre by A-Yi and fellow students from a nearby high school. Sorry no photos....photographer in class
* Friday/Sat/Sun March 25,26,27: Hong Kong Caritas team of 14 volunteers and leader Betty visited poor areas, running health and safety programs at Ricci & Marco Polo
* Monday 28 - Friday 31: visit to poor areas by Hong Kong PIME friends. Photos of group yesterday at CAS & at Ricci Centre. Also at Ricci yesterday: "A-Kau" & friends, + "A-Fat" + Joe & Nancy & Mr Chu
* Many thanks HK Rosa C for co-ordinating visits to Marco Polo and Ricci Centre for visitors
|
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below;
Appeal for DVD + TV + speakers for each room; one room = Y1,520 (US$190; AUD$250). Many thanks to:
|
+ Forgot this last week: Easter: Rosie's Easter Basket & About Holy Week
+ About 1980, after people in Australia saw a map drawn c. 1550 (based on earlier Chinese maps!) they were stunned: "Look at Brisbane. Look, there's Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island, Pine River & Fraser Island. There's the lagoon at Surfers' Paradise".....from Gavin Menzies bestseller: "1421, The Year China Discovered the World". The chapter on Chinese exploration of Australia in c. 1422 is mind-blowing. Can also check the 1421 website
+ Coming soon: a new website for riccicenter.com - in the meantime see info at this link
Calendar
| 2005-03-28 to April 1 | HK PIME friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-04-23,24,25 | HK Caritas professional team due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-01 to 07 | I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-15 to July | Kathleen from Belgium, due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-05-21 | DV hike to Bei Ling Mountain |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Wednesday, March 23, 2005: Dear Friends
Holy Week "Spy Wednesday" good morning from Zhaoqing. Morning storm yesterday + heavy rain last night...so maybe today will be fine and clear. May the Storm of Good Friday be followed by blessed Easter Sonshine for all the world
Skies over the past week:
* Last Wednesday, March 16: HK Rosa C, Rosa H, Cecilia (a visiting nurse from
HK) and I joined Zhaoqing Education Office's Mr Wong for visit
to village of Kushui, about two hours north of Zhaoqing. Cecilia also
visited Zhaoqing poor areas during her two day stay
* Last Friday, March 18: Paul went to HK for the annual Sevens Football Tournament (..well done, Fiji!); Rosa H also to HK the same day on same boat, for meetings re helping Zhaoqing poor. Also in HK: Florence's mother now out of hospital after very big operation....Florence helping her recuperate at home
* Last Saturday, March 19:
Rosa C, Lisa (Ricci student) and I attended ceremony organized by Party (as in
The Party) Youth Branch....awards for many people (including ourselves) who have
helped people in Zhaoqing.
Photos soon on Youth Branch's own website.
A most interesting afternoon. Quite a privilege to be there
* Last Sunday, March 20: visit to home of CAS chef Mr Wu ( "chief chef" is not correct as dictionary says "chef" means chief cook?)....then shopping trip to buy bicycle-cart (3 wheeler) for A-Lin (A-Dung's wife, our chief rubbish collector)...then tour of poor areas with Yuki & A-Yi (two senior students from a local school, making plans for visit by large group of fellow students). Same day: Rosa C spent many hours with sick people, using her skills and prayers to heal hepatitis and other sicknesses
* Last Monday, March 21: Two English classes in morning at Xinqiao (forgot to take photos) + two in afternoon at Ng Chuen village school (using Rom's TV & DVD). Rosa C also spent day in Xinqiao, one of her recovering patients being the 15 year old girl with breast cancer (now no need for operation DG)
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below;
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 Anon (Australia) |
8 Peter (DB) |
9 Peter & Ling (MW) |
10 Anon |
Appeal for DVD + TV + speakers for each room; one room = Y1,520 (US$190; AUD$250). Many thanks to:
| 1 Rom | 2 Rom | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
* Yesterday, Tuesday March 22: visit to Ricci Centre for school-less children by Joe & Nancy (who are Canadian citizens & who have a factory in Zhaoqing) + Zhaoqing University students preparing for group visit this afternoon
* Today's China Youth Daily has Julia's report on our work for the poor (..Julia's visit March 3). Also today: Rosa C + Alisha (CAS main office secretary) and I due to have lunch in town with vice-Mayor Suen, Zhaoqing Party vice-Secretary Chan and with Guangzhou Italian Consulate-General Mr Arpea re possibility of a Ricci Memorial/Cultural Centre in Zhaoqing (the mayor's idea!). Zhaoqing City's population now 390,000 by the way
+ Local lady teacher will visit HK during Summer Holidays (c. July 14 to August 25)...looking for part-time work....is an excellent Mandarin teacher
Calendar
| 2005-03-25,26,27 | HK Caritas volunteer team due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-03-28 to April 1 | HK PIME friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-04-23,24,25 | HK Caritas professional team due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-01 to 07 | I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-15 to July | Kathleen from Belgium, due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-05-21 | DV hike to Bei Ling Mountain |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Thank you for a prayer. Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!
God bless
John W omi
Wednesday, March 16, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from wet and cold Zhaoqing. About a week ago there were a few fine days, but since then Winter has re-claimed top spot. Longest and coldest Winter since I've been here. But sunshine in hearts during the past seven days:
* Saturday March 11: Congrats
John & niece Louisa on birth of first baby - Katie. And congrats Mr &
Mrs
Chau in local village electrical shop on birth of first baby - a son. Wonder if
the two toddlers will ever meet?
When I told Rom I now had a great niece, he politely replied he has 40 great
nieces/nephews!
* Farewell for same Rom same Saturday (+ Happy Birthday Trevor) - at Dynasty Hotel in evening. On each of the four days before he left Zhaoqing to go back to Australia via Hong Kong, Rom walked from CAS to Zhaoqing city and back, in two and a half hours. Not bad for someone in his 74th year!
* Also last Saturday: HK Rosa C went to Guangzhou with Wendy (handicapped 8 year old) and her father - to meet with Ken from HK to order special shoes for Wendy....at Joe's hospital. Joe sad these days after death of his mother's mother that same night.
* Sunday March 13: HK Rosa C, Rosa H, Paul and I (after farewelling Rom at pier) visited some tourist sites in Zhaoqing, including one with much Ricci information. Two Rosas and I then had most interesting long chat with Mr Wong of Zhaoqing Education Office re needs of poor students in city and in nearby rural areas. Government is pleased with our help for the poor and is inviting us to expand our work (with assistance of HK/overseas friends)
* Yesterday, Tuesday March 15: A happy afternoon at Ricci Centre - visit by Zhaoqing Party Youth Secretary Mr Leung & CAS teacher Mr Hu + guest teacher Winnie & friend Yummy + computer class with Kam Sim. Yesterday morning CAS Paul also had an English class at Ricci
+ Welcome to China: Dave, an O.M.I. from USA, now teaching at a university in Chongqing
+ Photos of visit to poor areas on February 17 by Janet (Singapore) and Pearl (HK)
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below;
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 Anon (Australia) |
8 Peter (DB) |
9 Peter & Ling (MW) |
10 Anon |
Appeal for DVD + TV + speakers for each room; one room = Y1,520 (US$190; AUD$250). Many thanks to:
| 1 Rom | 2 Rom | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Calendar
| 2005-03-16 | HK nurse due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-03-19,20 | HK Kevin & Pao due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-03-25,26,27 | HK Caritas team to visit poor areas |
| 2005-03-28 to April 1 | HK PIME friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-01 to 07 | I'm due to be in HK for annual OMI retreat |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-15 to July | Kathleen from Belgium, due to work in poor areas |
| 2005-05-21 | DV hike to Bei Ling Mountain |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Happy St Patrick's Day tomorrow!
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Wednesday, March 9, 2005: Dear Friends
Good afternoon from a fine and mild Zhaoqing. After several weeks of absence - the sun, moon and stars have been visiting here recently.....glorious sunrise at about 7am the past few days
Other happenings in our galaxy this past week:
* Last Wednesday March 2, Julia, a feature writer from China Youth Daily, made a special trip to Zhaoqing to report on our work for the poor, after reading internet version of Feb 19 article in Guangzhou Yangcheng Evening News. Julia stayed till Saturday. Also at Ricci and poor areas on Wednesday were locals Winnie and Kam Sim, after seeing March 1 & 2 news programs on Guangzhou Southern TV. Photos & links
* In case my head had stopped spinning, last Thursday March 3, CAS asked me to attend a tourism promotion in Zhaoqing city hall and speak for a minute or two in Cantonese... + media etc....then have tour and lunch with vice Mayor Suen. Mayor Suen is very interested in a Matteo Ricci Memorial/Cultural Centre in Zhaoqing (...watch this space...)
* Last Friday March 4 also was a media day, this time for Liam (assisted by Anthony)....recording a TV commercial for Panasonic
* The same day, three local factory workers used their lunch time to visit Ricci and hand over to HK Rosa H a donation of Y150 for the school-less children which they had taken up at their workplace. Y150 is big money for people who earn as little as Y400-Y500 per month. God bless you!
* Last Saturday March 5: Welcome to the CAS overseas team Paul from Adelaide (...groan......he follows Port Adelaide who beat my Lions in last year's AFL Grand Final). Paul is now with Liam in secondary oral classes.
* Last Sunday March 6: Farewell Anthony, back to Hong Kong today after helping with primary oral classes for two weeks. Thank you and all the best! When TV crew was at CAS they were so impressed with Anthony's singing + guitar that they recorded him doing a special song. Meanwhile.... Anthony thought that last Sat night's start of year buffet dinner at the Dynasty was a farewell for him, but Paul claims it was a welcome for him.
* Also on Sunday: Maureen, Ray, Kelsey, Rom and Paul enjoyed CAS one-day trip to Fengkai. 2003 photos of Fengkai . Sunday, too, was starting day for A-lin (wife of A-Dung, our Ricci helper) to begin work on a project to collect rubbish in the poor areas (suggested and funded by a recent HK visitor). A big job indeed, but a very important one to reduce disease etc
* Last Monday, March 7: English classes at Ng Chuen village primary school. Notice the lovely new floor and wall tiles....as a result of these renovations (paid for by kind HK & overseas friends) the education department and local village authority have (spontaneously) decided to grant the school some Y20,000 for the setting up of a language laboratory. Which is why I'd like to keep up the campaign to continue helping this one village school so that it can be a model for the 17 or so other poor village schools in its district. Government, locals and visitors now have a visible and prompting example of what a huge difference a few dollars can make in the education of poor children.
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below; need $ for room number 10 (I borrowed money from another fund!):
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 Anon (Australia) |
8 Peter (DB) |
9 Peter & Ling (MW) |
10 |
Appeal for a DVD (now c. Y400) and a 25" TV (c.Y800) for each classroom:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
* Yesterday, Tuesday March 8: had joy/privilege of
watching TV news about Ricci Centre ...with Ricci students. A moving experience.
At first they were just happy to see themselves on screen, but then as
they realised how so many people care about them they
became almost reverently quiet. Program having same effect on CAS primary students as they see it this week....at
first they are chirpy at seeing a teacher on TV, then very thoughtful as they
realise the program is all about helping poor children only a few minutes
away from CAS (indeed, some at the back fence). Several classes have suggested
having some fund-raising ....one little boy even offered a Y5 note (graciously
declined).
TV producer wants to do a follow up, maybe in May....interest/response from
viewers has been considerable
*Also yesterday, Rosa C arrived back from jobs in HK....to find that taxi driver did not charge her for trip (even with much luggage) from bus station to her home....because "I saw you on TV....how you help the poor people". I had same experience yesterday morning...not the same driver. My driver's car had plate number 02478. This makes up for opposite sort of experience in bus to Ng Chuen on Monday. Several questionable characters sat behind/beside me....so I carefully held my backpack on my lap....that'll stop them I thought....until I got off motorbike (after bus) and found my trousers had been slashed between the right hand pocket (which contained valuable? used/unused tissues) and my back pocket (which contained even more valuable? used note/scrap paper). I never felt a thing (except embarrassment at having torn trousers)!
* Good news 01 per Rosa C: China Education Fund has sent money with Rosa to fund two Ricci teachers for the next six months. Thank you, Julian and group!
* Good news 02 per Rosa C: Caritas HK will send three teams to our poor areas (Easter, Summer holidays and Christmas) to run health, hygiene and family planning programs in our poor areas. Thank you Joyce and staff!
+ Thank you Kevin for link to your photos from recent trip to Cambodia
+ AITECE now has 72 teachers working in China (I am one of the 72, which numbers rings a bell?!)
+ Zhaoqing will soon have a 3rd KFC - in new shopping centre being built opposite the Dynasty Hotel
Calendar
| 2005-03-16 | HK nurse due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-03-25,26,27 | HK Caritas team to visit poor areas |
| 2005-03-28 to April 1 | HK PIME friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
| 2005-05-21 | DV hike to Bei Ling Mountain |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Sorry for slow replies to email over the past week. As well as a very full week, also had to get my computer fixed after it caught a virus...took several days & a lot of time
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Wednesday, March 2, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from a very wet and cold Zhaoqing. Lovely heavy rain the past two nights....first for several months. Monday night rain accompanied by the first thunderstorm of 2005
A day late with this update.....from now on this diary will be updated DV on Wednesday, not Tuesday. Too many classes on Tuesday
What a week (against a background of the first week back for this semester):
* Tuesday February 22: visit to Ricci Centre by Rom from Melbourne (who used to work in Hong Kong's Vietnamese refugee camps)
* Wednesday Feb 23: Lunar New Year meal for Ricci Centre staff
* Several months ago some local Zhaoqing people from
a local charitable organization visited our poor areas. It would seem they
contacted a local paper whose reporter together with reporters from a HK paper (Seung
Po) and a Guangzhou paper (Yancheng Evening News) then came to Ricci and the
poor areas about a month ago and interviewed HK Rosa H and me
The Yangcheng people published
their story on Feb 19, on page 1......after seeing which Guangzhou Southern
TV (Channel One) sent a crew to Ricci and the poor areas last Friday and
Saturday. Photos of crew
having meal with folk at Marco Polo. First part of TV report (some 8
minutes) was shown last night at 9.30. Second part will be on tonight at
same time. DV this will encourage more people in more areas to care for
the poor, especially for school-less children and for sick people who can't
afford to see a doctor
* Also last Friday Feb 25: visit by former overseas teacher Trevor on way to new job in another province
* Sunday Feb 27 & Monday Feb 28: visit to poor areas, Ricci Centre, Marco Polo Centre, CAS and Ng Chuen village school by 12 OMI's from the Asian region (after their annual meeting, this year in HK). A very, very special group! Among many highlights of the visit: tramp through mud & rain (with gum boots and umbrellas) to visit poor areas, first ever photo of whole school and staff at Ricci, the angelic (no other word) behaviour of CAS primary 6A at English Corner + lunch with visitors. This old man had a few happy tears in his eyes at that meal, no kidding. Thank you HK Rosa C and Rosa H for arranging visit (especially beautiful meal at Hua Qiu Hotel). Rom, Anthony, Ray, Maureen and Kelsey joined the group at different stages
* Yesterday HK Rosa C went to HK for several jobs.
Calendar
| 2005-03-28 to April 1 | HK PIME friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles All 10 rooms now finished. Many thanks dear friends below; need $ for 1 last class room (I borrowed money from another fund!):
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 Anon (Australia) |
8 Peter (DB) |
9 Peter & Ling (MW) |
10 |
+ I'm now devouring "1421" by Gavin Menzies. What a fantastic book about Chinese discovery of the world decades/centuries before Columbus, Magellan & Cook .... + astounding description of how China was light years ahead of Europe in culture/science/"defence" etc (...old name of Beijing: Ta Tu!)
Thank you for a prayer. Please especially remember Florence's dear Mum who had a 7-hour operation in HK yesterday
God bless!
John W omi
Tuesday, February 22, 2005: Dear Friends
Good afternoon from a cold and wet Zhaoqing....where the new semester began yesterday at schools all over the country, including CAS and the Ricci Centre. At CAS Ray has the Go Abroad class, Liam (& Paul, due March 6) secondary oral English, Maureen has kindergarten, and I have primary - helped for at least two weeks by Peter & Ling's son Anthony from HK....and for three weeks or so by Rom from Melbourne. Anthony & Rom: thank you both for coming!
Garth is leaving today for Australia via
Guangzhou....due to resume studies at Sydney University next week, having
polished up his Mandarin these past few months and helped a great deal at CAS.
Ricci Centre is missing Florence for the time being....back in HK while
her dear Mum has an operation. Thank you CAS and Florence for helping Ricci
Centre co-ordinator Rosa H buy books for the new semester
Rosa C continues on her daily round of treatment for sick people....a number of them currently having hospital surgery. Same Rosa also looked after group of HK visitors on Feb 14-15 while I was in HK. If anyone in that group has a few digital photos for the internet you could email them to me anytime. Thank you
* Photos of Feb 14-18 - Peter Borg, Joyce & Teresa, Kowloon Station meal, OMI gathering, train to Zhaoqing, visit to Zhaoqing by Janet & Pearl. Forty Valentines ago, on Feb 14, 1965, I left my family's home in Brisbane for the seminary. In some ways it seems like yesterday...
* Last Saturday, Feb 19, front page article re Ricci Centre in a Guangzhou newspaper. Will try to have a scan on this on www next week
* Photos from yesterday, Feb 21: Farewell lunch for Garth and evening meal for HK visitors from St Benedict's at Shatin
Calendar
|
2005-02-27,28 |
OMI Asian meeting group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles 9 rooms now ok. Many thanks dear friends below; need $ for 1 last class room:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 Anon (Australia) |
8 Peter (DB) |
9 Peter & Ling (MW) |
10 |
+ Some ideas for a
more chronological and meaningful Advent-Christmas-Lent
Last semester I went to Ricci for classes once a week ...on a Friday afternoon. But this semester, because of CAS timetable, I need to change Ricci classes to Tuesday, today. Still hope to get diary done each Tuesday, after 3 CAS classes in morning and before Ricci
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi (...on way to Ricci...)
Tuesday, February 15, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from
While in HK I have use of a mobile: (852) 60902025. Due to return to Zhaoqing by train this Thursday afternoon,
with Ray, Maureen, Kelsey and
Hope you have had a good start to the Lunar New Year of the Rooster. I again
wish everyone a HLNY!
Chinese Zodiac - the 12 animals - an easy way to remember them - I'm a Dog, what are you?
The past week:
* Last Tuesday, Feb 8, Lunar New Year Eve: a
lovely surprise when Joe came by
himself from
* Last Tues-Wed-Thurs-Frid: fireworks large and small, all hours of day and night. Most shops in village were shut. Families had their annual get together. Everyone in good clothes. A happy time of the year
* Last Friday, Feb 11: visit with Ricci caretaker A-Dung and his wife and baby + nephew & niece to wife's home village of Hau Yau
* Last Sunday, Feb 13: Aron
left CAS after his holiday in
* Also last Sunday….in HK: 8am Breaking of
Bread at Notre Dame + meeting with ND
committee re visit to Zhaoqing by some 40 people May
14,15 + visa office with Rom + then with Rom to Shueng
Shui in New Territories to visit Stan
* Yesterday…in HK: met former
+ Yesterday’s
+ Also yesterday: visit to visa office where I found out that non-Chinese HK
permanent ID holders can now obtain a three year multiple entry residence visa
for China for HK$600
+ What a
great review of a great book = must read!
Calendar
|
2005-02-12 (to 16) |
Maureen, Ray, Kelsey & I due to be in HK, returning with Rom …and Anthony! on Feb 17. Rom due to to stay at CAS for a few weeks, helping at CAS and visiting local poor people |
|
2005-02-14,15 |
Goretti & friends from HK due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-21 |
Start of new semester |
|
2005-02-27,28 |
OMI Asian meeting group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit Zhaoqing & poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles 9 rooms now ok. Many thanks dear friends below; need $ for 1 last class room:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 Anon (Australia) |
8 Peter (DB) |
9 Peter & Ling (MW) |
10 |
Quiz about Australia & New Zealand (I got only 6 out of 10....shameful)
Heard on grapevine: JPII to resign on Feb 19?
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Tuesday, February
08, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from Zhaoqing
on the eve of Lunar New Year. I wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year, the
Year of the Rooster. CAS like a ghost town with all the
students and nearly all the staff away on holidays. May everyone have a
safe and happy holiday
The past week:
* Last Wednesday night, Feb 2: A Last Supper for
Francis, who, because of visa problem etc, has left CAS and gone to
Hong Kong. The place not the same without you Francis.
Thank you for having spent two semesters at CAS. God bless you always!
* Last Friday Feb 4: CAS new teachers from
Brisbane Ray (Go Abroads) and Maureen
(Kindergarten) and their daughter Kelsey arrived via Guangzhou and are now
settling in. Welcome! I went to Guangzhou to meet them at the hotel
where they stayed overnight. Before that our CAS van took a local teacher to
Guangzhou airport - wow......beautiful...just like Hong Kong airport, though
smaller.
* Last Saturday Feb 5: Lantau
Island HK family Olivier, Catherine + Hugo, Emile and Joseph arrived for visits
to poor areas, starting with Lunar
New Year arty at Marco Polo at which Ray, Maureen and Kelsey also helped
Before the party during lunch in the village,
and that night walking around town, their were audible gasps as locals saw the four (blond!) children
* Last Sunday Feb 6: After a tour of CAS, the
above team ran Lunar New Year
BINGO at Ricci Centre. Thank you HK Rosa C and Florence
for helping contact children for Sat & Sun gatherings. Rosa
C's new baby, Bosca and dear Mum home from hospital yesterday. Poor areas being inundated with relatives and friends coming for
the Lunar New Year. Creek near area B now really clean
* Yesterday, Monday Feb 7: Aron
returned from odyssey around China....which reminds me: Garth also still based
at CAS as he continues his holiday in this part of the world
* Today, Feb 8: CAS new teacher Martin (UK)& wife Nell (Philippines) due about midday. Welcome!
+ More
photos of HK teachers' visits last year
|
+ Long time ago, I saw a
movie called "55 Days in Peking". But now I know that most of
the material in the movie is fiction, not fact. Have just finished
"Dragon Lady" by Sterling Seagrave,
author of "The Soong Dynasty". Seagrave convincingly shows that the Empress was not
crazy/evil etc as commonly thought/taught. He also shows the Boxer Rebellion
and Peking "Siege" were very very
different from what is commonly thought/taught. |
USA:
* He didn't cheat just at the ballot box.....check
what he wore during the debates
* And he & his
team keep airing the insane/immoral idea of
invading Iran (by denying it)
Calendar
|
2005-02-10 |
Rom due HK from Australia, staying at ND |
|
2005-02-12 (to 16) |
Maureen, Ray, Kelsey & I due to be in HK, returning with Rom on Feb 17. Rom due to to stay at CAS for a few weeks, helping at CAS and visiting local poor people |
|
2005-02-14,15 |
Goretti & friends from HK due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-21 |
Start of new semester |
|
2005-02-27,28 |
OMI Asian meeting group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-28 |
Paul due HK from Australia; due Zhaoqing/CAS c. Jan 31 |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit Zhaoqing & poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles 7 rooms now ok; need $ for 3 more rooms:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 Anon (Australia) |
8 |
9 |
10 |
Please note: I'm due to be in Hong Kong Feb
12-16, staying at Notre Dame in Kowloon (852)
27157263.
As usual I'll try to check my email each day. Due to return to Zhaoqing on afternoon of Feb 17
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Tuesday, February
01, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from Zhaoqing
on the first day of a new solar month. Pretty cold here....my latest trick for
warm sleeping last night - two pair of warm pyjamas!
Only Senior 3 and Junior 3 students still at school (at CAS and most other schools)...their
holidays start on Wednesday (& they come back on Feb 14, a week earlier
than rest of gang)....preparing for public exams in May/June
Ricci Centre students also on holidays (from January 29 to Feb 20)....I wish
dedicated Ricci teachers Cherry, Florence, Janet, Rosa H and local
Rosa a well-deserved rest and happy holiday
People on the move everywhere in China these days....going home for Lunar New
Year (February 9). The most important time of the year in
China....just like Christmas in other countries. Again wishing everyone
safe travelling and a safe & happy holiday
The past week:
* Last Tuesday, January 25: toys delivered to Ricci for poor
children - thank you Olivier and Ms Feng! (and... as Francis & I walked down the hill to meet
delivery truck....goats!)
* Last Saturday/Sunday, Jan 29-30: visit to Shangchuan
Island & Toishan by Florence, Francis, Rosa
C, Rosa H and myself. Now know return trip from Zhaoqing
can be made comfortably in two days, and can even be made in one day if
necessary (if you don't mind sitting in a bus/van/boat for 10 hours in one day)
* Yesterday morning, January 31 (feast of John Bosco): a
sister for Polly & Jan Jan - Bosca!
+ Francis' visa situation: Even though Foreign
Experts Department has given Francis another year, Security Office (=
Immigration Department) is caught by very strict law regulating visas for
people from Sri Lanka (+ Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Puerto Rico and Nicaragua....why
these 6 countries still not very clear). The Security Office junior staff are
surprised that man in charge has bent law and given Francis 3 more months, but
that still leaves CAS without a teacher for half
the semester, so CAS not very happy. Also ...Francis may not leave China during
this time...may not go to HK etc. Whole
situation towards Francis is very unwelcoming
+ More photos of visit Jan 22,23,24 by HK Caritas staff Betty, Constance & Joyce
+ Zhaoqing City news:
city is short of money, most public servants' salaries have been reduced (by up
to 50%). Previous mayor in prison for financial scandal (may he who once invited me for a lovely meal soon be
free again)
Calendar
|
2005-02-03 |
Maureen, Ray and Kelsey due Guangzhou from Australia. Due to travel to Zhaoqing/CAS on Feb 4 |
|
2005-02-05,06,07 |
Olivier, Catherine & children due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-10 |
Rom due HK from Australia, staying at ND |
|
2005-02-11,12,13,14 |
Cynthia and friends from HK due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-12 (to 16) |
Maureen, Ray, Kelsey & I due to be in HK, returning with Rom on Feb 17. Rom due to to stay at CAS for a few weeks, helping at CAS and visiting local poor people |
|
2005-02-14,15 |
Goretti & friends from HK due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-21 |
Start of new semester |
|
2005-02-27,28 |
OMI Asian meeting group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-28 |
Paul due HK from Australia; due Zhaoqing/CAS c. Jan 31 |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit Zhaoqing & poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles 6 rooms now finished; need $ for 4 more rooms:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
Please note: I'm due to be in Hong Kong Feb
12-16, staying at Notre Dame in Kowloon (852)
27157263.
As usual I'll try to check my email each day. Due to return to Zhaoqing on afternoon of Feb 17
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Tuesday, January
25, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from misty/foggy but mild and fine
Zhaoqing. Kindergarten and most secondary
students start Lunar New Year holidays this Saturday, primary students and
staff already on holidays. Wish everyone a safe and happy holiday, especially
people who are travelling.
In Australia and other southern regions, students
and staff are just starting their academic year this week - wish you a happy
year. Today is also birthday of OMI
congregation (born Jan 25, 1816)
The past week here:
* Thursday January 21: Hong Kong friends Joanna
and Izabela returned to HK after several days of visits to
Ricci Centre and poor areas
* Friday Jan 21: Liam left for trip to Vietnam....with a shaved head (to solve
problem of two? hair dyes that sort of didn't work out but sure gave senior
students plenty to talk about)
* Saturday Jan 22: Jo and Trevor finished their
time (an appropriate phrase) at CAS and left for Australia. Every good wish for
the future!
* Same day: reporters visit poor homes + working
bee at Marco Polo (to clean up creek and make bridge safer)
* Sunday night Jan 23, yesterday Jan 24 &
today Jan 25: visit to
CAS,
Ricci Centre, poor areas and Yunfu by Hong Kong Caritas senior staff Betty, Constance and
Joyce. Caritas already helping many places in China and soon DV will run health and education programs for poor people in our
area
* Also yesterday: CAS Senior Three student
Richard and Zhaoqing friends Niko
and Rain visited Ricci Centre for classes with school-less children. Thank you!
+ Farewell to long-serving CAS primary
school English teachers Helen (going to Emirates as a translator)
and Winnie (going to have a well-deserved rest after seven years of devoted but
tiring work at CAS)
+ Latest on Francis' visa situation: yesterday
a fresh appeal was put to immigration office
supervisor at Security Branch. Supervisor and assistant spent half an hour pouring over Francis' documents and consulting
handbook....and finally, very kindly, agreed to a three month extension of
Francis work permit. After that? "Not
sure". Multiple entry "No, sorry".
DG some progress. In a few days when Francis'
passport is collected we'll know more details when we see exactly what his new
visa says.
On the same theme, during this saga, it transpired that Francis has a Foreign
Experts Certificate....(accidentally?) given him last week by
school....and......lo and behold....so do other overseas staff...including this
old man....has had one for three and and half years
but CAS never got round to telling me/us ...just "kept certificates
safe in office because you don't need them" (same as local teachers'
certificates....to stop them leaving...without certificate can't get job in any
other school). How thoughtful. Back of certificate book says
"This certificate/book should be returned to (school) before the bearer
leaves
Calendar (forgot
this last week, sorry)
|
2005-01-29,30 |
Trip to Shangchuan |
|
2005-02-03 |
Maureen, Ray and Kelsey due |
|
2005-02-05,06,07 |
Olivier, Catherine & Family due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02-10 |
Rom due HK from Australia, staying at ND |
|
2005-02-12 (to 16) |
Maureen, Ray, Kelsey & I due to be in HK, returning with Rom on Feb 17. Rom due to to stay at CAS for a few weeks, helping at CAS and visiting local poor people |
|
2005-02-21 |
Start of new semester |
|
2005-02-28 |
Paul due HK from |
|
2005-05-14 to 16 |
HK Notre Dame friends due to visit Zhaoqing & poor areas |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Appeal
for Ng Chuen tiles 6 rooms now finished; need $
for 4 more
rooms:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
Must read:
Fireworks
in Washington, despair around the world (Guardian)
George Monbiot A televisual fairyland
More photos of 1996, 1997 and 1998 (
Saturday Jan 28, Sunday Jan 29:
February 12-16: I'm due to be in Hong Kong, staying at Notre
Dame in
As usual I'll try to check my email each day
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi (on way to
meet van with load of toys kindly donated by
Good morning from a cool but fine Zhaoqing. Has been pretty cold here lately.....men in our
school repair section said their thermometer showed zero (!) last Friday and
Saturday. This old man for a few weeks now has been wearing cap & warm sox to bed ...+ cardigan/football jumper on top
of warm pj's. Peter Barry once had trick of
putting heater in small kitchen to counter cold when getting out of shower next
to kitchen. I don't have heater, so I put hot water boiler on, and leave lid
open to let steam fight the cold! Have my cap on the whole time, except during
Eucharistic Prayer of Mass + when under shower.
* Last Monday/Tuesday Jan 10, 11: visit to Zhaoqing
by Cecilia (HK) and Clare (Sydney)
* Last Tuesday/Wednesday Jan 11,12: visit to Ricci Centre + poor areas by Hong Kong and Singapore friends
* Last Wednesday Jan 12: visit to 2111 by a group of CAS Go
Abroad students
* Last Saturday,
Jan 14, CAS primary school students went home for holidays. Secondary
and kindergarten continuing for two more weeks before beginning the Lunar New
Year holidays. Also last Saturday, FAQ at top of
this page was updated
* Yesterday, Monday Jan 17: welcome to Hong
Kong friends Isabel and Joanna, visiting
Ricci Centre and poor areas these few days, assisted by HK Rosa C who
visits the poor areas every day and is best able to guide visitors to the
neediest families
+ For the past week or so, goats' milk has been
delivered to CAS for me to try....by an old man who has started a goat farm on
the hill between CAS and Marco Polo. The experts say
GM is good for us and so far I haven't baaaa
noticed baaaa any baaaa
effects, no kidding
+ Some weeks ago, nurses from a local hospital
visited the Ricci Centre by appointment with HK Rosa H +
o.k. of parents and gave needles to the children. Same medical team was
in the poor areas again last Sunday afternoon, assisted by HK Florence to
encourage parents to allow children to be inoculated. Also in the poor
areas we have, with the kind support of a HK friend, started a rubbish
collection....giving a rubbish bin to each family and starting a clean up of
the badly polluted local creek near Marco Polo
+ On a serious note,
Francis is in the wars again with his visa, due to expire Feb 8...."must go back to Sri Lanka to renew it" is the word from
local visa office. Francis, Doris (CAS secretary) and I due to go to
Guangzhou this Friday to try the main visa office there, using Francis' HK I.D.
card as a bargaining chip.
Thank you for a prayer for this situation
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles 6 rooms ok; need $ for 4 more rooms:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
Must read -
George Monbiot: America's
war with itself (Dec 21, 2004 in The Guardian) + Killing vs Helping (Jan 4, 2005 in The Guardian) + Punitive
And It Works (Jan 11, 2005 in The Guardian)
On the same theme, written 68 years by Evelyn
Underhill (The Spiritual Life, pp. 66-67):
|
"... the prevalent notion
that spirituality and politics have nothing to do with one another is the
exact opposite of the truth. |
How someone "did something about it"
last week: BBC
producer resigns over Springer 'blasphemy'
Happy Birthday today, Tuesday Jan 18, Joe Wong
in Guangzhou - his phone number: 86-135330892740.
Earlier this morning I phoned Joe....he enjoys using hospital library computer
to see his Dec 31 photos on China8
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi
Tuesday, January
11, 2005: Dear Friends
Good morning from Zhaoqing.
New Year continuing to move along:
* Last Tuesday, January 4: Aron back
at CAS + congratulations Francis!
* Last Thursday, Jan 6: Re-union meal for Aron
* Last Friday, Jan 7: Aron at
Ricci Centre for school-less children. Same day -Christmas crib shifted
back to Ricci.....and .... oral
tests finished for secondary. Oral English classes in secondary almost finished
for this semester
* Last Saturday, Jan 8: Senior One students
at 2111, a rather special group
* Last Sunday, Jan 9: Cakes for poor on door +
a wedding promotion at Jinli!
* Today, Jan 11: CAS visitors Cecilia (HK) and Clare
(Sydney)
+ B1 Centre now has a name: The Marco Polo
Hotel, I mean Centre. Ricci and Marco Polo - two Italians... Mama Mia!
Calendar
|
2005-01-11, 12 |
HK friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-01-17 to 20 |
HK friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-01-23,24 |
HK friends Joyce and group due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02 |
c. Feb 10 or 11, Francis and I due to go to HK, returning c. Feb 16 |
|
2005-02-17 |
Rom from Australia due Zhaoqing for work with poor |
|
2005-02-21 |
Start of new semester |
|
2005-09-01 |
Start of new semester: |
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles 6 rooms ok; need $ for 4 more rooms:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 Norma Jean |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
Ohio -a repeat of Florida:
“Senators Should Object to Ohio Vote” —by Jesse Jackson
+ “Ten Preliminary Reasons Why the Bush Vote Does Not Compute,
and Why Congress Must Investigate Rather Than Certify the Electoral College”
and congrats Michael Moore for
Best Picture of the Year!
Thank you for a prayer
God bless!
John W omi (....just
before leaving for ferry pier to meet HK boat with a special group of
visitors...)
Tuesday, January
4, 2005: Dear Friends
Happy New Year! ....from a very cold Zhaoqing. Where did 2004 go? And how 2005 is
already galloping along. Again I wish everyone good health and
safety and peace right through the new year
December 31, Jan 1 & 2 were CAS
holidays. Before and since these days our English classes in secondary
have spent quite a lot of time following the Tsunami tragedy. Many friends have
expressed sympathy to Francis for the large loss of life in Sri Lanka
Some people have asked "Why does God allow
earthquakes to happen?" I went to www.google.com
and when I put in "earthquake"+"original"+"sin"+"satan"
I found some very interesting articles. One particular one was about Saint
Augustine. He said that when God made the world, it was "good" (= no
faults/earthquakes/tragedies/death). But then Adam and Eve and Satan between
them messed things up, resulting in disorders and faults, even in the physical
world. ... c.f. Jesus' words about Satan being the
Ruler of this world and how he, Jesus, had come to free and heal the world from
Satan's control. Which is why people like Merlin Carothers
have spent many years praying for healing of the San Andreas Fault beneath
California. Dear Lord, please also heal the fault underneath
Sumatra in Indonesia!
* Last Thursday & Friday, Dec 30-31: Ten special Hong Kong friends of HK Rosa H visited the Ricci Centre and poor
areas
* Last Thursday night, Dec 30: Florence,
Francis, HK Rosa C and I attended end of year concert at Xinqiao Primary School (girl in photo with Rosa is the
one mentioned in last week's diary, the 15 year old
with breast cancer for whom we again ask your prayers)
* Friday Dec 31, Francis and I got bus to
Guangzhou where we had lunch with
Joe, then train to Hong Kong for several
happy gatherings with friends at Notre Dame and Mui Wo
* Joining us for Mui Wo gathering and returning to Zhaoqing with us was Aron who
taught at CAS in 2003.
His many admirers very happy to see him come back (photos next week...)
* This week sees Oral English tests being held
in secondary school = Aron, Garth, Francis, Liam and I talking to students in
small groups. Trevor continuing classes with Go Abroads
& Jo continuing with kindergarten.....but end of semester is in sight and
students are already sniffing the Lunar New Year holidays with delight (..official end of semester is January 28..)
Calendar
|
2005-01-11, 12 |
HK friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-01-17 to 21 |
HK friends due to visit poor areas |
|
2005-02 |
c. Feb 10 or 11, Francis and I due to go to HK, returning c. Feb 16 |
|
2005-02-21 |
Start of new semester |
Appeal for Ng Chuen tiles 5 rooms done; need $ for 5 more rooms:
|
1 Winnie & friends |
2 Lilian & Francis |
3 Hazel & Jock |
4 Maria's friend |
5 St Jude's K'garten |
|
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
Wishing everyone Good Health and Safety and
Peace in 2005!
God bless
John W omi