Diary     2008      - January, February, March, April.   

April 27 - May 3     I'm due to be in HK for annual retreat.       Next diary May 7   DV

2008-04-25   Dear Friends

Friday night hello from Marco Polo Center in Zhaoqing......sorry this update is two days late....computer problems the main reason..... 

Photo reports of past week:

2008-04-18 Happy Birthday Mazenod Center teacher May   +    Wendy happy to make friends with Marco Polo children

2008-04-19   Two groups of Hong Kong visitors  - Cosmas & Damian Tsuen Wan Group   &   Xavier Fellowship Group  

2008-04-23  Thank you Number Four Hospital and Nurse Chow for arranging medical tests for all our children - & - welcome Mr Lam and Mr Lu

2008-04-24  Marco Polo: members of Zhaoqing Cishanui Charitable Society; new water boots for children; Zhaoqing University volunteers

2008-04-25  Visit to all centers by members of International Ladies Club of Macau  - Carol, Heather, Jann, Louise, Susie & Penny

Updated:  Deqing Welfare Home

Our own welfare center here at Marco Polo is growing....three handicapped children and their families  +  four needy people    now living here. New multi-purpose center (mainly for the
handicapped) due to be commissioned early next month DV

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
04-18 Zhaoqing Wang Qun Group - Y710
04-19 Deacon Joseph Liu, HK - Y,2000
04-19 Johnny Leung, HK - HK$1,000
04-19 Mr Chan Suen Tong, HK - HK$2,000
04-19 Wendy Lit, HK - Y1,000
04-19 Xavier Fellowship Group, HK - Y2,000
04-22 Zhaoqing University Students - clothing & toys
04-25 Basil & Susie, Macau - Y3,500 (and a Lions football jumper!)
04-25 Heather, Macau - Macau$1,000 
04-25 Penny & Rob, Macau - Y1,000
04-25 Sonia Turner, Macau - Macau$1,000

Three needy students looking for sponsors (updated).....already three kind offers to help!....two from HK and one from Sydney....the power for good of the internet.....thank you kind people!

Zeolite drops - able to combat Hepatitis B as well as cancer?

Kindle - new wireless reading device

Australia-New Zealand-China standards portal launched

George M has fascinating article this week re Rupert and Cathay......not conven to link here

See also excellent article re   foreign languages much more useful  than "useless Maths" - at www.eurekastreet.com.au 

God bless everyone everyone, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly: Lina (Marco Polo),  Mrs Lee (Zhaoqing),  Mr Leung (Zhaoqing),  Yve (Aust) & Chris (Aust) and an 11 year old girl with Leukemia in Yunnan Province  

Thank you for a prayer!

John W omi

Lina....tonight in quite a lot of pain....we keep hoping and praying

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

I'm due to be in Deqing every second Sunday/Monday:   April 20-21, May 4-5, May 18-19.....on other Sundays I'm due to be in Yunfu. 
Each Saturday I'm due to be in Xinxing.    April 27 - May 2 due to be in HK for annual retreat

2008-04-16   Dear Friends

Good afternoon from Frog Life Park...I mean Marco Polo - where the local frog population is like an orchestra at night, since recent heavy storm rain.....during which a nearby electricity tower  took a lighting strike....after which my computer, monitor & modem all needed to see doctor ( turned off during storm....but not unplugged)

Photo reports of past week:

2008-04-11,14,16: Happy Birthday Peter; Medical College volunteers; Marco Polo steam rollers & Simone; Stella, Thomas, Vinsa; Lina update; primary one girl hit by father 

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
2008-04-09 Saint John the Apostle Parish, HK - HK$7,389
2008-04-15 Macau Taipa Rotary Club, Shirley Chan & friends - Y5,000 (to cover costs for helping Lina)
2008-04-15 Guangdong University of Finance, Zhaoqing Campus - Y2,307  (collected by students from other students....all of whom are far from wealthy)
2008-04-16 Zhaoqing University student - Y50
2008-04-16 Lantau Island Anon, HK - Y5,352

Three needy students looking for sponsors....so far one kind offer...so now just two more sponsors needed please

Pleasures of the Flesh

New site to promote prayer for the sick  www.DoctorJesus.org   Doctor  Jesus    耶 稣 医 生

God bless everyone everyone this Easter Season, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly: Lina (Marco Polo),  Mrs Lee (Zhaoqing),  Mr Leung (Zhaoqing),  Yve (Aust) & Chris (Aust) and an 11 year old girl with Leukemia in Yunnan Province  

Thank you for a prayer!

John W omi

(stolen phone line update: no problem now for 18 days...DG!)

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

I'm due to be in Deqing every second Sunday/Monday:   April 20-21, May 4-5, May 18-19.....on other Sundays I'm due to be in Yunfu. 
Each Saturday I'm due to be in Xinxing

2008-04-09   Dear Friends

Good morning from hot and sticky Zhaoqing......Summer not far away.  May Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have a safe and happy
tour of China (starting today).  He's the only world leader outside of China  who speaks Mandarin.  And neighbor New Zealand is keeping up with the Jones by being the first developed country to sign a free trade agreement with China.  As regards Tibet....see reflections below

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-04-07 English classes at Deqing Number Two Secondary School + request for help by three Senior Three students
Please check this link for info re 3 really poor students looking for help to go to university

2008-04-08 Thank you staff and students of  Mazenod College, Perth, Western Australia for most generous donation to help poor migrant worker families in  Zhaoqing

2008-04-08   Good News -  Wendy's first steps for several months  (after recovering from boiling water wounds on legs)    DG!
And more good news, the two new lumps on back of Lina's head have gone (!);  lump at top of chest is smaller than it used to be, and Big Mac next to her right ear is now a small hamburger....DG! Thank you so many friends around the world who have been praying for Lina....and thank you zeolite drops   Next aim: to help Lina put on some weight.  Lina file

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
April 03, Tineke & Graham Edwards, Melbourne - AUD$100

April 03 Magdalina, HK - most generous donation to people of Xinxing town for building of new center

Smile:  ;;;;;;controversy in France re semicolon;;;;;;;;;

Which is the only city on Chinese Mainland to have legalized horse racing?

New site to promote prayer for the sick  www.DoctorJesus.org   Doctor  Jesus    耶 稣 医 生

God bless everyone everyone this Easter Season, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly: Lina (Marco Polo),  Mrs Lee (Zhaoqing),  Mr Leung (Zhaoqing),  Yve (Aust) & Chris (Aust)

Thank you for a prayer!

John W omi

(stolen phone line update: no problem now for 11 days...DG!)

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

I'm due to be in Deqing every second Sunday/Monday:  April 6-7, April 20-21, May 4-5, May 18-19.....on other Sundays I'm due to be in Yunfu. 
Each Saturday I'm due to be in Xinxing

2008-04-02   Dear Friends

Good evening from Zhaoqing....has been a happy day at Marco Polo with three lots of visitors - see photo reports below.  This coming Friday/Sat/Sun are public holidays for the Ching Ming Festival (when people visit graves....a lovely custom) - this year being the first time that China has a holiday for Ching Ming - and also Dragon Boat (June)  and Mid-Autumn (Sep) - just like Hong Kong

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-03-26 The Wu brothers - both have cerebral palsy

2008-03-28  Assisi Center Noel now able to move arms and legs  after  Monday-Friday therapy  provided by China8 - DG!

2008-03-28 The story of Noel - 10 year old unable to walk....because of laziness.....now receiving China8 therapy (under construction)

2008-03-28  Thank you,  Hope Medical Group of Macau,  for  another clinic at Marco Polo .....and for visiting other centers

2008-03-29  Visit to Marco Polo, Ricci School, Bahkita Center and Mazenod Center by members of Macau International Ladies Club,

 2008-03-31 & 04-01   Thank you Hong Kong PIME group (Alessandra, Rosilla, Sandra & Theresa)  and Hong Kong Aberdeen St Peter's group (Maria, Monica, Paul, Rita & Teresa)  for a memorable Monday afternoon and Tuesday....visiting many places

2008-04-01  Update of Lina photos

2008-04-02 am:  Canadian-American School Go Abroad students doing UK curriculum community service work at Marco Polo Center

2008-04-02 Afternoon visitors to Marco Polo Center:  Angel, Jenny & Bessie  + Leung Yong Di, Yuan Qin Sheng Yuan Su Yan

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
03/29 Peter Ruston & Associates, Macau - Y50,000 (designated for construction/first 4 years' rent of relocated Ricci School at Marco Polo DV!)
03/31 Paul & Teresa HK group - HK$500
04/01 Paul & Teresa HK group - HK$500
04/02 Paul & Teresa HK group - HK$500
04/02 HK PIME group - Y5,000

New site to promote prayer for the sick  www.DoctorJesus.org   Doctor  Jesus    耶 稣 医 生

God bless everyone everyone this Easter Season, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly: Lina (Marco Polo),  Mrs Lee (Zhaoqing),   Yve (Aust) & Chris (Aust)

Thank you for a prayer!

John W omi

Problem: part of our phone/internet line stolen three times in past three weeks (in Area C).
Solution: see bottom of photo report  2008-03-31 above (= let people know, by pictures, that line is ours..+..ask elderly couple living near line to
be semi-honorary guards..+... ask neighbours (who know who good thief is) to inform him that good police will be invited to follow up next good theft
Result: last four days.... good line  DG!

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-03-26   Dear Friends

Good afternoon from overcast but fine Zhaoqing....may be gloomy indeed  for me  this afternoon if China gets beaten by Australia in World Cup qualifier in Kunming. Come to think of it ...not a safe place if Australia loses either.  Only safe bet: a draw!

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-03-19   Wendy in wheelchair at Marco Polo  - enjoying  therapy from Helen  & nurse Chau + visit of Ling & Peter & Blue Sky

2008-03-21  HK Jennie & Michael +  Happy Birthday Helen + shoes from HK Annie 

2008-03-22  A summary of the story of Lina

2008-03-23  Deqing handicapped ....might be able to come to our new center in Zhaoqing DV

2008-03-24  Marco Polo Center construction jobs  - made possible by donations from Rotary Club of Taipa, Macau.
Reflection on these and many other recent renovations: not easy to get done in this part of world....need for continuous dialogue, urging,
checking, listening, arguing, adapting, compromising, threatening, encouraging......bottom line: be around when renovations are being done

2008-03-25  Another report of very sick child  for kind doctors in Hong Kong / Macau to check please

2008-03-25  Thank you  No. 4 Hospital in San Mau for once again providing free injections for our 200+ children 

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
11/15 Anon, Lantau, HK - Y7,600 for new center for handicapped children
03/20 Peter Kwok, HK - HK$500
03/21 Michael Mok, HK - Y1,000

Thank you, Min, for putting article on local website...inviting local people to help China8 help migrant worker families

New site to promote prayer for the sick  www.DoctorJesus.org   Doctor  Jesus    耶 稣 医 生

God bless everyone everyone this Easter Season, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly: Lina (Marco Polo),  Mrs Lee (Zhaoqing),   Yve (Aust) & Chris (Aust)

Thank you for a prayer!

John W omi

(found out reason why no phone/internet  twice last week....part of line down the road was stolen...twice....sells for good price...replaced free by phone company)

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-03-19   Dear Friends

Good morning from Zhaoqing....where the starting-to-appear little birds seem to know Spring is near, but the trees are not so sure - they are shedding their leaves as in Autumn/Fall (..global warming...)
I wish you a Happy Easter this Sunday!   May the Risen Lord give everyone  courage  to face the trials of life.
I'm due to go to Deqing this Sunday for 1pm Breaking of Break & home visits to the sick, then stay overnight for English classes the next day at local primary (a.m.) and secondary (a'noon) schools

We had  a violent storm here on Monday night....after which there was no power for most of yesterday....and when power came back on we discovered there was no phone/internet....due to be fixed today

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-03-12  Marco Polo concert....thank you Lin & students from Zhaoqing Business and Technology College
 + HK Rosa H + HK Peter & Ling    for your most enjoyable inputs

2008-03-14  Marco Polo helpers:  students from Ke Ji College  & soldiers from local PLA base

2008-03-14 Update of story re lady seriously injured at Guangzhou railway station during Lunar New Year

2008-03-16 Marco Polo helpers: Dr He & future doctors from Zhaoqing Medical College,   UK photojournalist David Clark & Min, 
Macau Rotary Club members & HK Rosa H

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
2/04 "DB3" & friend, HK - HK$6,000
2/16 Anon, HK - HK$3,000
2/28 Stephen Lam, HK - HK$1,000
3/4 "DB3" & friend, HK - HK$6,000
3/13 Canadian-American School Zhaoqing -  another donation of books
3/14 Annie & her factory staff in HK - 100 pairs of children's shoes
3/14 Local PLA soldiers - 20 tables for Marco Polo Center
Request from bank in HK: any future cheques - please make out to "John David Wotherspoon", not "John Wotherspoon".  Thank you

Thank you Peter & Ling Barry for taking over the running and managing of the Ricci Memorial Center in town, at 8 Cross Road - Saturday am primary English, Sat evening English Corner...and DV in near future more English Corners in evenings + playgroup in mornings

Sincere sympathy to 
- Hong Kong Notre Dame Parish Lau family in loss of Mr Lau who died in HK on March 16
- Marco Polo Yiang family in loss of Mr Yiang who died at home in Guizhou on March 17
May the Risen Lord give eternal life to the deceased   and consolation & strength to their families

God bless everyone everyone this Easter Season, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly: Lina (Marco Polo),  Mrs Lee (Zhaoqing),   Yve (Aust) & Chris (Aust)

Happy Easter!

John W omi
(..5.30pm ...still no phone line...I'll try to put this update on www at internet shop this evening...and then check email)

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

I'm due to go to Hong Kong this coming Sunday afternoon March 16, to obtain new visa on Monday 17....then return to Zhaoqing Monday night DV.
HK mobile: (852) 6709 5674

2008-03-12   Dear Friends

Good morning from fine and sunny Zhaoqing.  Many good things happening here at Marco Polo this morning   Sincere thanks to the Good Lord and our kind benefactors for so many blessings. 
Before the full stop (.) after "blessings" could be added, yet another blessing came....in the form of a most friendly senior soldier from PLA base near Marco Polo....offering help....inviting teachers and students to visit his base (...this old foreigner understandably not allowed to go...)....arranging for his soldiers to come to Marco Polo and Ricci School for tuition/games/activities with the children.  In turn I offered free English classes to his men....after showing him internet photos of my late father in his soldier days in North Africa.....assisted by MP teacher Janet who shared how her father also was a soldier for some years.
And this afternoon a group of 20 student nurses are due to join in our regular Wednesday concert.  "All this and Heaven too"

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-03-05  Wednesday concert at Marco Polo for our 200(!)  students  from MP, Mazenod and Ricci.  Thank you again Peter!

2008-03-07 Volunteer students from Ke Ji Technical College (near railway station) - at end of afternoon helping children at Marco Polo 

2008-03-09,10   "Wo Jai's" Hong Kong group at  Marco Polo Center and Ricci School

2008-03-11 Visit to four centers  by General Manager Xin and staff  of Guangzhou Tianhe Children's Palace

2008-03-11 Update of story re lady seriously injured at Guangzhou railway station during Lunar New Year

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
March 5   International Ladies Club of Macau  HK$20,000 (for salary of our clinic's full time nurse)
March 8   Joe Chen, Zhaoqing - Y2,000
March 9   Lonita Kan, HK  - HK$200
March 9   Magdalena Leung Po Kin, HK - Y5,000
March 9   Mr Chan ("Wo Jai"), HK - HK$1262
March 10 Francis & May, HK - HK$500

Chinese Zodiac has 12 animals - which one has $$$$$?  (clue....how do you spell "money"?)

Sincere sympathy to loyal Hong Kong    China8 supporter A-yau in loss of her dear brother on March 5.     R.I.P.

Thank you for a prayer

God bless everyone everyone this Easter Season, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly the special seven: Lina (Marco Polo),  Mrs Lee (Zhaoqing), Mr Yiang (Guizhou), Mr Lau (HK), Ms Zhou (Guangzhou), Yve (Aust) & Chris (Aust)

God bless!

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-03-05   Dear Friends

Good afternoon from fine and sunny Zhaoqing.  Some teachers from our various centers are having a shopping trip today....to buy enough books etc for our 200(!) students.  After the recent snow   devastated agriculture in Guizhou Province, maybe even more "migrant workers" and their families will be headed this way

Photo reports of the past week or so:

2008-02-25  Thank you  Zhaoqing Number Four Hospital in San Mau  for another round of free injections for our students

2008-02-27  Usual Wednesday afternoon impromptu concert at Marco Polo for MP's 93 children + 30 from Mazenod Center + Peter

2008-02-29 Lina update  + Friday meating + "One Month" celebration for Andy + Welcome Fr Jean Pascal omi +  Happy Birthday Joseph + evening meal with Thomas Wong, Fr Yuen and Macau group &  Rosa H, Selina, Peter 

2008-03-01,02  Saturday visit to Xinxing; Sunday visit to Yunfu leper center & town - with Macau group + Fr Jean Pascal omi & Joseph

2008-03-01  English classes at Xinqiao Primary School (P3) and Ng Chuen Primary School (P6)

2008-03-04 Visit to all centers by Guangzhou Dr Zhong Jian Ming and group + Peter with A-mui, Andy and Johnny

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Feb 25 Mrs Fung, HK - HK$50,000 for new center for handicapped children
Feb 28 Canadian-American School (CAS), Zhaoqing - for more donations of used books/clothing
Feb 29 Fatima, Macau - Y1,000
Feb 29 Rita, Macau - Y500
Feb 29 Ms Lam Lin Lai, Macau - Y5,000
March 3  Thomas Wong's Macau group - Y4,000

Thank you for a prayer

God bless everyone, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly the special seven: Lina,  Mrs Lee, Mr Yiang, A-Yau's brother, Ms Zhou and Yve & Chris

And God bless all women on Saturday, International Women's Day (..a very important day in China..)

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-02-27   Dear Friends

Good morning from fine and sunny Zhaoqing, a lovely day here after a cold night.  According to the head of Hong Kong's weather bureau, after another 50 years of global warming  this part of the world will no longer have a Winter.  May GW soon be slowed right down

Photo report from last Monday: 

2008-02-24 Deqing:  English Classes at Shiyan Government Primary School & Deqing Number Two Middle School - thank you, Peter!

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
02-25 Thank you  Chris & CECI HK group for more books etc for poor children
02-25 San Mau Number 4 Hospital - free immunizations and check ups for our 180+ children
02-26 Macau Rotary Club - Y5,000 for playground renovations at Marco Polo

World's longest sea-spanning bridge, near Shanghai,  soon to open 

Thank you for a prayer

God bless everyone, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting big sicknesses
 - particularly the special seven: Lina,  Mrs Lee, Mr Yiang, A-Yau's brother, Ms Zhou and Yve & Chris

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-02-20   Dear Friends

Good morning again from Zhaoqing on a cool but sunny day.  The new semester began yesterday....CHS! ...and Marco Polo is full of the sound of happy squeaky voices....in fact 90 something primary one and kindergarten voices (70 last semester)....Ricci School now has 50 something primary two to six (40 last semester)...Mazenod Center also up in numbers.   Exception is Assisi Center which yesterday was officially closed for lack of numbers (with remaining students being bused to Marco Polo each day).  Many thanks to Macau Loretta for supporting Assisi ...and Mandy for teaching at Assisi...these past two years. Mandy now reassigned to Mazenod Center.  Far fewer families at Assisi now...and only three children for class.  We will continue to visit Assisi and keep contact with families there

Rats on Rabbit Zodiac game - great for school use at this time of the year

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-02-15 Update photos of Lina

208-02-17,18 Getting ready for start of new semester:  staff meal (Sunday), new students enrolling at Marco Polo (Monday)

2008-02-19 Visit to centers and poor areas by Fr David omi, Fr Irek omi, Larry, HK Paul & Teresa, Peter and group

File re Matteo Ricci's first home in Zhaoqing  has been updated to include virtual reconstruction of the house

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Feb 13 Mr Hui, HK - HK$10,000 for new center for handicapped children
Feb 14 Lina & family, Zhaoqing - Y800
Feb 15 Mr Kwok, HK - $HK3,000 for new center for handicapped children
Feb 18  Ray & Anne Carriere, BC Canada  - CAD$400
Feb 19 Paul Lee & Teresa Yuen, HK - Y200

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-02-13   Dear Friends

Good morning from Zhaoqing.  Today in Australia is Sorry/Apology Day - well done, Kevin Rudd

Again I wish everyone a Happy Lunar New. May everyone on holidays,  and especially everyone travelling    be blessed with safety

The story of the Chinese Zodiac - why the present 12 animals

Jut one photo report from the past week:

2008-02-10  Lady in hospital in Guangzhou - after fall from bridge when hundreds of thousands were stranded at railway station because of snow

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Feb 10 Dr Zhong Jian Ming, Guangzhou - Y1,000
Feb 12 Mr Fok, St Alfred's Parish HK - HK$500

2008-02-07 Written Chinese characters - unification issues

China has tried hard to stop genocide in Dafur, but time has come to take even stronger action? Spielberg & Olympics

Lamb meat - whale meat...food for thought 

Further reflection re Fr John Dear s.j. (see last week's diary for previous items)

I'm presently reading "Inquisition" by Toby Green.  Excellent

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

Sunday Feb 10 I'm due to go to Hong Kong for meetings Feb 11 & 12. 
Due to return to Zhaoqing Tuesday night Feb 12. 
HK mobile  (852) 6709 5674

2008-02-06   Dear Friends

Happy Lunar New Year from Zhaoqing!  Tonight is the Eve when families have their most important meal of the year...and tomorrow is New Year's Day when people visit relatives, wear new clothes, give lucky money red envelopes...celebrate life!  May this Lunar New Year of the Rat be a good one for everyone. May everyone on holidays and especially everyone travelling    be blessed with safety.  And may someone somewhere stop the illegal sale of fireworks ...so dangerous for children

Photo reports of the past two weeks

2008-01-26   Thank you Hope Medical Group of Macau for clinic,  Zoobiotic Company  in Wales UK for maggot bandages for Lina, 
HK Ling & Peter for moral support - &  Amazing Providence!

2008-01-28  Day One of Zhaoqing District teachers' tour to Hong Kong (Monday:  Ferry from Gaoming, TST)

2008-01-29  Day Two of Zhaoqing District teachers' tour of Hong Kong (Tuesday part A:  bus to Star Ferry, on Star Ferry,  Central Pier, Lantau International School, Po Lin Monastery, SkyTrain, Airport) 

2008-01-29 Day Two of Zhaoqing District teachers' tour of Hong Kong (Tuesday part B: meal at Novotel Hotel; MTR)

2008-01-30 Day Three of Zhaoqing District teachers' tour of Hong Kong (Wednesday: Hong Kong Island - Admiralty, Sacred Heart Canossian School, Caritas, Cathedral, Aberdeen, Stanley, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay)   

2008-01-31 Day Four of Zhaoqing District teachers' tour of Hong Kong (Thursday: Kowloon - St Eugene de Mzenod Oblate Primary School, Notre Dame College, Oblate Primary School, Mong Kok)    

2008-02-02  Day Six of Zhaoqing District teachers' tour to Hong Kong  (Saturday: Guest House, Bus Terminal)       

2008-02-03  Congratulations Marco Polo Center special guest A-Mui on birth of son at 3.15 a.m. on January 29           

2008-02-05  Update photos of Lina at Marco Polo - please keep the prayers going!

With great sadness I report the death of 12 year old Mario Tang Jie who re-entered our local San Chu hospital last Saturday night (the coldest night in living memory for most people) and died there the following night, Sunday Feb 3 after losing battle against tumor of the brain.  May he rest in peace and may the Good Lord give special consolation and strength to his family.  

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Dec 10 Anon, HK - HK$1,681
Dec 29 Stephen Lam, HK - HK$1,000
Jan 2  Francis Lam & family, HK - HK$5,000 (for handicapped children's center)
Jan 3  "DB3" and friend, HK - HK$6,000
Jan 26 Maria, Dominic, Raymond, HK - HK$500
Jan 26 Frank Redmond, USA - Y200
Jan 26  Zoobiotics, UK - bandages for Lina (c. Y3,000)
Jan 27 Stephen Lam, HK - HK$1,000
Jan 27 Hope Group medical team, Macau - medical and other items for Marco Polo clinic
Jan 27 Dr Peter Kwan, Houston/Macau - HK$1,000
Jan 28 Maria  Lam, HK - HK$100
Jan 29 Chu & Cheung, HK - Y4,000
Jan 29 Dorothy, HK - HK$1,000
Jan 29 A-Yau and friends, HK - Y4,000
Jan 29 Ms Lo Wai Lau, HK - HK$3,000
Jan 29 Greg and Wendy Gibson, USA - HK$500
Jan 29 Ms Yip, HK - HK$5,000 (for handicapped children's center)
Jan 29 Mr Ma, HK - HK$30,000 (for handicapped children's center)
Jan 30 Susanna Chan, HK - HK$1,000
Jan 30 Sr Maria Lit, Canossian Congration, HK -  donation from sale of CDs
Feb  2  Julie Kwok, HK - Baby milk powder and other items for Zhaoqing poor 
Feb 4 Tineke & Graham Edwards, Melbourne - AUD$100

Guangzhou Railway Station as you've never seen it before  (not tens of thousands, but hundreds of thousands...at one stage 800,000!)

(Chinese) Translation: Australia your future starts here

South China Australia Chamber of Commerce 

Beautiful article re how every Christian is called to get involved in helping others

Darfur....the tragedy continues.  Someone suggest I put "rwanda darfur never again" in www.google.com  ....... Lord, have mercy.
Mr Bush, Mr Brown, Mr Rudd, Mr Hu....please do something

Can be done....info may  be useful for others:  About 7pm on Friday night Jan 25, I received a phone call from Zoobiotics Centre in Wales, UK to say that maggot bandages for Lina had arrived in HK (several days earlier than expected)  and needed to be applied immediately or maggots would die. No HK friends could be found at such short notice to bring parcel to Zhaoqing....so at 9.30pm I set out in freezing cold and rain and mud to walk to San Mau village...then taxi to front of railway station...where (the first of many signs of Providence..) a bus from Lo Ding just happened to be stopped on its way to Guangzhou...so I got a ticket (Y20) and arrived in Guangzhou about 11.30....at which hour there was no bus to Shenzhen....but I discovered there's a network of taxis...some real taxis some moonlighting private cars....gathered at strategic points of Guangzhou for various destinations...(just as in HK there are special places for cross-harbor taxis) so I went  to Shenzhen rendezvous and got taxi to Shenzhen for Y250 (try beating that price at midnight...). Then discovered that Shenzhen Huang Gong border crossing is open 24 hours...with buses on HK side every 30 minutes to usual places (Mong Kong, Wan Chai etc). This enabled me to get to Notre Dame at 3.15am...where I spent less than 30 seconds inside the door collecting parcel and was on 3.30 return bus from Mong Kong (Prince Edward Rd) to Haung Gong...then another Y250 taxi to Guangzhou (try beating that price at 4.30am...)....after not a little triple negotiating with various parties as they played shift the goal posts game....arrived bus station next to Guangzhou old railway station at 6.20am in time for first bus (6.30am) to Zhaoqing...arrived Zhaoqing about 8.30am.....and  was back at Marco Polo before  9am ...in time for Macau Hope Group medical team to professionally apply bandages to Lina. An incredible night. DG it went safely.   Please see me if you need an overnight return tour to HK!
(..nearly forgot...final act of Providence: taxi driver from Zhaoqing bus station....in cold and wet to Marco Polo at 8.35am...I went to give him a bit extra for the difficult trip through mud and slush...to which he replied -without knowing about reason for HK trip - "no charge...you help poor people...my pleasure to give you a ride".  God bless you, mate!

Happy Lunar New Year!

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

Monday Jan 28 to Saturday Feb 2   I'm due to be in Hong Kong with Zhaoqing teachers' group (see calendar below for details). 
HK mobile  (852) 6709 5674
Next diary Feb 6 DV   

2008-01-23   Dear Friends

Good morning from cold Zhaoqing.   Thermometer says 11 degrees,  bones say 5....which leads on to an old question that the locals regard as meaningless: how can the middle of Winter be called The Spring Festival???
It's holiday time for nearly all students (except those in Junior 3 and Senior 3 preparing for public exams)...may everyone on holidays and especially everyone travelling  be blessed with safety.  Happy Lunar New Year (Feb 7) to all!  (The Year of The Rat)

Photo reports of the past  week

2008-01-18  Day One of home-therapy program for handicapped children  - until new center for handicapped children is ready

2008-01-20 Update for Lina (cancer of neck) - some improvement DG!

2008-01-21  Visit to Marco Polo,  Bahkita, Ricci, Assisi & Mazenod  by Donald & Joan Kwok and family from Sydney/HK/Guangzhou 

2008-01-22 Visit to centers & homes  by HK Discovery Bay benefactors Eva, Lily & May  + meal with HK Rosa H, Selina,  Ling & Peter

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Jan 19 Loretta Ku - Macau - Y3,000 (to support Assisi Center)
Jan 22  Eva, Lily, May & friends - HK Discovery Bay - Y2882 + 500 tubes of toothpaste!
Jan 22  Jane - HK Discovery Bay - HK$1,000

In past few days 
- watched powerful movie - The Camden 28 
- learnt new word "downshifting" from book just finished "Afluenza" by Hamilton & Denniss (thank you Trudy & David for copy). 
Having moved from CAS to Marco Polo,  I'm a downshifter  (try "downshifting" in www.google.com )

I'm also now into maggots - to help Lina (neck cancer).  Maggots due to arrive in HK c. Feb 1 - from UK. 
Most most grateful to kind staff of Zoobiotic

More deaths in Congo than any other conflict post-WWII

Sincere sympathy to OMI China Delegation leader Fr David Ullrich o.m.i. in loss of his step-mother of 41 years Katherine on Jan 19.
Fr David has gone to Texas USA for funeral Jan 24

Today is 25th anniversary of death of Fr Mike Molloy o.m.i., founder of Hong Kong Oblate Mission

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-01-16   Dear Friends

Good morning from Zhaoqing after a very cold (3 degrees?) night.  Not long now to Lunar New Year (Feb 7) and already most schools are on holidays (until start of new semester, Feb 18).  For the next month "nothing gets done" in China....business/government in holiday mode.
In most parts of the world, Christmas is the number one time for family re-unions, but in China no. 1 time is LNY....and  during the coming weeks some 100,000,000 people will travel home...including tens of millions of migrant workers who now live away from home.  Of Guangdong Province's 80,000,000 people, about half - that's 40,000,000 - have migrated here in the past decade or two.  Wishing all travellers a safe trip! 

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-01-09 Happy Birthday Mr Choi + Mrs Choi + HK volunteers Ling, Peter, Rosa C, Rosa H, Selina W

2008-01-10  Wedding meal at Marco Polo Center for Marco Polo primary one teacher Leanne and Mr Shu

2008-01-11,12  Happy Birthday Tim     +    Sat night in San Mao: Ling, Peter, sponsored boys, mobile helmet, kind CAS senior students

2008-01-14 Visit to Marco Polo Center and Ricci School by "Woh Jai" and group from Hong Kong parishes

2008-01-15  USA  Stephen & Brenda at Marco Polo & Bahkita +  visit to Lina at MP  by Amway colleagues + 2008-01-16 Lina update

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Jan 10  COCS (USA/China) - Y2,000
Jan 10 HK Lantau Anon - Y6,000
Jan 10 Brian & Joan Latham, UK - Y1,500
Jan 14 HK Our Lady of China parish group - Y500
Jan 14 HK Francis (per St John the Apostle group) - Y600 
Jan 15  Amway group, Guagnzhou - Y100
Jan 15  Stephen & Brenda Shek + Jing Ling & Nientsu Wong - all in Texas, USA - HK$10,000

Vale Sir Edmund Hillary - how appropriate was your surname

China needs more expats

Shanghai sinking

Australia returns illegally imported fossils to China

Two important NCR articles:   Jesuits at Crossroads     Two winds blowing

John W omi

p.s. Happy Birthday today, Little Brother....and Happy Anniversary today Mum & Dad!

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-01-09   Dear Friends

Good morning from Marco Polo Center in Zhaoqing.......and welcome back to HK Peter & Ling who, like HK Rosa H and HK Rosa C and Zhongshan Mr C  - now have a rented  unit in estate below CAS.
Peter brought with him on train yesterday a large 4' statue for local church (a Madonna)...wrapped in black plastic. When young customs officer asked him was it "golf clubs", Peter replied "it's a woman" ...and officer said "that's fine" and let him proceed

Photo reports of the past week:

2008-01-02  Happy visit to Marco Polo Center by 95 primary two students & 5 staff from nearby Canadian-American School

2008-01-05  USA Tennessee university group at Assisi, Marco Polo, English Corner (+ Garth, John & Lin) - a happy day!

 Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Dec 4 Tineke & Graham Edwards, Melbourne - AUD$300
Dec 12 Iona Collge Library, Brisbane - AUD$41
Dec 31 "DB3 Friend", HK - HK$20,000 (for new center for handicapped children)
Jan 1 Margaret Sheldon, UK - 100 UK Pounds
Jan 2 CAS Primary School, Zhaoqing - Y5,000
Jan 2 Mr & Mrs Nong, Zhaoqing - Y130

India-Australia Cricket!  - hope this controversy doesn't affect OMI Congregation leader Fr Steckling currently visiting India!

I'm now finishing two books that I'd highly recommend:
Alan Hirsch: The Forgotten Ways
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson: Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church

God bless everyone, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting sickness
 - particularly Lina (neck cancer) and Mario (brain tumor)

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

2008-01-02   Dear Friends

Happy New Year from Zhaoqing in China......very cold here overnight (about 2 degrees)...while Southern Hemisphere (Australia) having heat waves.  Wishing everyone safety and good health right through 2008, no matter what the weather is like

"Why is this year 2008?" ...not many people here know the answer

Photo reports of the past week or so:

2007-12-25  Christmas Day - all day party at Marco Polo Center

2007-12-26  At  centers:  HK Canossian group; HK  Yuen Long group;  Macau Clara group; Macau Thomas group

2007-12-27  Christmas Party at Marco Polo  - with visitors from HK  (Fr Gervais and Yuen Long group; Fr Slawek omi, Fr Ronnie omi
& Notre Dame group)  and Macau (Clara and St Joseph the Worker group; Thomas Wong & family group)
+ "One Month Old" celebration for baby Zhou  - son  of Mazenod Center teacher Lina and Ricci School guard Danny

Many thanks Fr Gervais (in above link):  for 10 years I've been putting photos on internet.....transferring them from camera to computer...then re-sizing them and naming them one at a time.  On Dec 27 Gervais showed me how to multiple resize/name photos....so that jobs which have taken one hour can now be done in 15 minutes....thank you indeed  Gervais for teaching this old dog a most practical new trick!

2007-12-28  Visitors/volunteers from Macau  (Clara & St Joseph the Worker group; Thomas Wong and family group)
and HK (Fr Slawek omi, Fr Ronnie omi  & Notre Dame group; Francis, Lilian, Si Chun and Si Yat    from Discovery Bay)
and Zhaoqing  (Joe Chen)  - at Ricci, Mazenod, Marco Polo, Assisi  - & at  Hospital & Muslim Restaurant   + Happy Birthday  Janet!

2008-01-01  Xinxing - old and young:  the oldest parishioner (96)  &  young internet users seeing their own photos on China8

Calendar 

Recent donations  to support China8's work for the poor in Zhaoqing  (God bless all donors!):
Dec 26  Eva Pang - HK - Y2,000
Dec 27  Maria, Raymond, Dominic - HK Notre Dame Parish - Y1,000
Dec 27  Mrs Yau - HK Notre Dame Parish - Y1,500
Dec 27  May Law & family - HK Notre Dame Parish - Y2,500
Dec 27  Mr Wong - HK Notre Dame Parish - HK$100
Dec 27  Daisy Wan - HK Notre Dame Parish - HK$500
Dec 27  Mrs Leung - HK Notre Dame Parish - HK$200
Dec 27  Rosa Leung - HK Notre Dame Parish - HK100
Dec 27  Melbourne Overseas Mission - HK$13,500
Dec 28  Joe Chen - Zhaoqing - Y3,000
Dec 29  Francis & Lilian Lam and family - HK Discovery Bay - Y5,000 (for handicapped children's center)

Smile:  Melbourne's train system

Busiest port in world is not Hong Kong or Singapore or Rotterdam but ....Shanghai

Rockets ready to control Olympic weather

Benazir Bhutto - best article I've read about her

Monbiot - The Kings of England - (applies to USA/Aust)

Woman ordained bishop by three Cath bishops -  she's a "real" bishop  and now she's ordaining women priests

One small (?) local item:  surveyors were here at Marco Polo Center a few days ago...it seems that developers are on the horizon....they want to buy land from Zhaoqing Museum (owners of our land). 
Our landlord Mr Pang (who has lease of land for another 15 years) says nothing will happen for at least two years.  This story to be continued ..."in God's good time"

God bless everyone, especially dear friends local and abroad who are fighting sickness/sadness.
May  the Christmas season give everyone, no matter what our situation, 
a bit more hope/peace/courage/strength/joy for the New Year!

John W omi

If you  do not receive a reply within 2 days,  please send email again to  john@china8.org  or jdwomi@gmail.com . 
Your message / my reply may not have got through. 
Please use a distinctive "subject" like "CAS" to make your message stand out from junk mail.  Thank you  

Diary for September-December 2007