Simba Mate means ‘from perseverance comes strength’  in Shona.  This was our school motto at Hillcrest, or to put it more accuratly from the first Shona teacher at Hillcrest – Mr Rondozai (who could forget his lovely, kind, gentle character and the old car that he always drove)  – came this excellent translation (thanks to Hillcrest College Website) ‘the strength that we have is inexhaustible, one can give freely of one’s talents and strength to society and other people without loss to yourself’.  And Hillcrest College and Prep school definitely installed that in their students.  We were taught to serve, to think of the community and to give of ourselves no matter the cost.

Strength

Isaiah 12:2:  Behold, God is my salvation;  I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.

If strength is meant to be inexhaustible, where does this come from?  I know that God is my strength and my salvation.  I know it is not always possible to be strong.  There are times when I feel exhausted, weak, and sometimes I want to get off the ride and just stop. There are times when I want to ask for help, but I don’t always know how to ask; I’m used to doing things myself. However, I also understand that this is ok.  That it is ok to actually rest and recharge – I am, after all, not superwoman.  It’s ok to ask for help, and most importantly, to allow yourself to be helped.  This is a learning curve for me.

Back at the end of August, my strength was tested.  I had to return to England to help out there for two weeks.  When you are called upon, you act without really thinking – you just do.  You go into big girl mode.  You call people to find out information.  You arrange the air tickets – again, I worried about when I was arriving there and when I would get back, but I didn’t think about the actual travelling as such.  Going was fine, coming back was an ordeal – 2 hour train ride, 1 hour bus, then 4 hours sleeping (or trying to sleep) on the floor of Heathrow Terminal 2, then a 14 hour layover in Frankfurt, then 13 hour flight to Hong Kong, to say I was exhausted is an understatement.  To also say that this is where my inability to ask for help was a hindrance, instead of asking the pilots in my family to help with the planning of the tickets, I went ahead and did it – hence the long stopovers.  However, you do it, your strength holds out.  God holds you and sustains you in these moments.  I couldn’t have done it, though, without people praying for me, my boss sending a heart emoji every morning, and my cousin messaging every day.  You clear the boxes, you sort the rooms, and you do what is needed. In the end, everything is well. I had a good two weeks with my parents; it was nice to be with them. I do miss them. It was also nice to surprise people by just turning up at church or at my old workplace.

Returning to Hong Kong after my trip back to the UK was not easy.  I know I am where I am meant to be, but oh, the guilt (and yes, I know guilt is not from God, but I still feel it), the doubts, the mortality and realising how temporary life is, really drained my strength. But thanks to God, my wonderful boss and friends, I am persevering…

Perseverance

Romans 5:3-4: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope

If we are to have strength, we need to persevere.  We all get trials and tests.  When tests and trials come, we have a choice: do we give up, or do we persevere?  I persevere because I know God is with me.

I arrived back and decided to join another home group,  for various reasons, all personal.  The group I have joined has been a source of enormous strength and encouragement.  I feel I am really me with them.  I can see opportunities to grow, learn, and use my gifts again.

Hong Kong has recently experienced a tragedy.   The fire in Tai Po has been devastating; it was hard not to feel the pain and anguish.  It was vast and all-encompassing.   When we experience these tragedies, we ask lots of questions,  we ask God the why questions,  and He doesn’t always answer, but in the silence in the midst of the suffering, people unite, people pray, people act, we come together,  and maybe that’s part of how God works in this world. He uses us to be His hands and feet on Earth.   He didn’t cause the fire; he may not ride in on a cloud and fix our problems, but He is always there in the middle, in the hands of the people, in the bravery of the firefighters, in the acts of service, in the arms of those giving comfort.  And He is there as people persevere and rebuild.

Work is also going well.  I am coming up to having been back here for a year, and it’s crazy how time flies. We have days where the children can drive us crazy, but then we have children who truly make your day, their smiles, their laughter, and their willingness to trust you is a real privilege. I have two gorgeous girls, for example, who come into the class. Thanks to Pepper Pig, insist on saying good afternoon Mr Miss Kate (they haven’t quite got the Mr/Mrs/Miss down yet, but they are only 4 years old), they procede to choose their library books happily chatting about something or singing their favourite song at the moment – which happens to be the songs from KPop Demon Hunters – thankfully we’ve moved away from Frozen. I turn around to put the library books away, which for them is a signal to hide under the table. I play along – I pretend to look in their bags, in the tiny bin, all with them going no and giggling (they don’t really know how to hide quietly), and then I’ll look under their table. They do all the work asked of them, they try their best to read the words – or at least recognise the first sound to find the word, and leave with smiles on their faces and a huge one on mine and a very warm heart.

Og Mandino said, ‘I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.’ Life isn’t always easy, and we can often look at it and ask, “Where is the good?” or “Where is God?” But this reminds me that we cannot see the stars or recognise the beauty in life without hardship. I often feel like I’m tired of being refined by the fire, but I will always be grateful for the fire and the scars, as they are what make me appreciate the beauty, the stars, the simple things, and the goodness of God. The scars are part of me and make me who I am.

Hope

Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Advent is now upon us. Christmas is a joyful time of the year. The lights, the music and spending time with loved ones. I love Christmas time – I love the carols, the Church services, the feeling of new hope, peace on Earth, and the idea that maybe all will be well. I try hard to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I also find this time of year difficult. I know Jesus is all I need and that He only wants the best for me, but it is hard not to feel lonely at times. I do and am struggling with singleness (more so over Christmas), I do worry about my future, what will happen to me, where will I end up, but I live in hope. In my Advent devotion from the Salvation Army, it says this:

‘Some Bible commentators state that ‘hope’ and ‘wait’ are interchangeable in God’s Word. The season of Advent embodies this truth. The Jewish people waited centuries (and some are still waiting) for the arrival of the promised Messiah. This wait can only be persevered through the intentional stirring of hope.’

Another year has come and gone. I am in Hong Kong this year for Christmas and will spend it with special friends. I trust God has me in His hands; He has looked after me this far. He will continue to do. I will continue to have strength, to persevere and to hope in Him. And as my school song says at the end:

In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset,
At a moment in my life when the night is due.
And the question I shall ask only God can answer.
Was I brave and strong and true?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Thank you for journeying with me this far and reading my rambling mind. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2026.

We are halfway through 2025, and I have now been back in Hong Kong for 6 months.  It is hot again, and the humidity is the hardest part.  I hope I find you all well.  What have I been up to over the last six months? I’ve been doing hikes, working, and meeting friends. I’ve joined a pilates class, attended a concert, visited various temples and wetland parks, and worked. I’ve tried all kinds of food and looked in the mirror, thinking, “Yes, I’m losing weight.” But the next day, I’d look again and think, “Ahhh, I’ve put on weight.”

I’ve experienced the great joys of the children’s laughter and the great sorrow of losing my uncle. I’ve had to cope with the fluctuation of my emotions, which is nothing new. I’ve also had to come to terms with the fact that although I’ve lived in Hong Kong before, I need to accept and give myself permission to accept that it is all new again, with the same and new challenges of uprooting and starting again. Although a lot is the same, a lot is also different – but I couldn’t really say what was different, or at least what I find different. It’s also a bit like a pressure cooker; the pressure of the last few years in the UK has boiled over. Certain words can trigger memories or deep-rooted feelings, which can become overwhelming. Please do not worry. I am well and happy. I have very good friends who are walking alongside me on this journey.

On my Mondays, the days off I have, I’ve gone on various walks with my cousin. He’s very patient with me as I struggle up what to him seem like very easy hills. I was never the fastest walker/hiker when I was here the first time, but three years out of action have made me slower. Two of our first walks were from Tung Chung to Mui Wo. It is a fascinating little rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. It’s known for its scenic beauty and relaxed atmosphere. It is also an ancient village dating back to the Ming dynasty and played a role during the fall of the Southern Song dynasty in the 13th century. It also had silver mines that gave the area its name. It also has a darker past, as in August 1945, after WWII ended, Japanese soldiers carried out a massacre in Mui Wo, killing at least nine villagers and arresting hundreds. However, you wouldn’t know that today with all its beautiful nature and tranquillity. This also led to another of my fantastic bloopers that will never be lived down. I forgot a water bottle in Mui Wo that my cousin had kindly lent me on our first hike. I only remembered it when I got home – me being me felt guilty about this and it being within my ablity to fix it trotted off to Mui Wo – which is an hour each way by bus to retrieve the said water bottle, bringing frustration and hilarity to my cousin who is learning he has a very daft cousin. The second time we did it – I double checked that I had the water bottle.

The second hike Nick took me on was to Tai O. This was a little longer than the hike to Mui Wo, but not as much uphill, so it was slightly easier. It was, though, on the first day of the Chinese New Year, so when we reached there, it was crowded. Tai O is a fishing village located on Lantau Island, on the opposite side to Mui Wo. The village is known for its scenic stilt houses (pang uks) over the water. The settlement dates back around 300 years, and was involved in smuggling and piracy due to its secluded inlets. It was briefly occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century but was resettled after the Great Clearance in 1669. It became a Tanka fishing village under British rule, saw naval anti-piracy battles and served as an entry point for immigrants during and after the Chinese Civil War. It once had a thriving salt and fishing industry, but this is all in decline due to a declining fishing industry, an ageing population, and fire damage that occurred in 2000. It remains a beautiful and unique destination – the Venice of Hong Kong.

The other hike I did, I did alone. I got the bus up to the Big Buddah. Decided to have a bite to eat and drink before I set off. I organised a lovely route before I set off. I bought a cap as I was without one, but didn’t think about water. This proved to be a bad idea, as although it should have been downhill, the first 2km were a very steep uphill. I was halfway up when I realised I should have got a bottle of water – why do I do daft things? Too bad there was no way I was going back, as even though some of it was downhill, there were still other parts that were uphill. Onwards we went, only to find that the path my phone was guiding me on was closed to the public. So, we took a scenic detour here. Thankfully, it led me straight out onto a path that I knew from the walk to Tai O and not too far into that hike from home. There was also a lovely vending machine next to a recreational centre where I managed to quench my thirst. Believe me, lesson learned.

Easter came and went. We had a lovely Easter service at Church. Good Friday was a solemn occasion at St. Andrews, but it was followed by a lovely fellowship of lunch and coffee with a group of friends. I spent Easter Sunday celebrating with Jessica, Tim, and Taliah, after another lovely service.

After Easter, the weather has become way too hot to do any hikes, or at least long hikes. So instead, I went to museums and temples. There are a lot of temples in Hong Kong, and although not something I worship, they are beautiful and interesting to go and see. They are all built for different gods or deities.

The first temple I visited was Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin. This temple was built in the Ming Dynasty and dedicated to Che King (also known as General Che), a loyal and brave military commander from the Song Dynasty. He is revered for escorting the last Song emperors to safety during the Mongol invasion and for his role in suppressing rebellions and clearing epidemics. The temple was, in fact, initially constructed in response to an epidemic in Sha Tin, with locals believing that invoking Che Kung’s name would bring protection and healing. According to legend, the epidemic ended when the temple was completed. This is still an active temple, and while I was there, a steady stream (more than I had seen before) was coming in and bowing with incense. Rubbing an idol for money and good luck. Whilst I don’t personally believe it, and I will admit I look at it through the eyes of a Christian, there was apart of me that felt great sadness and curiousity, that there is so much distress and angst in this world, that there is a belief that rubbing on a iron pot will bring us luck and money, it did make me think are there any idols in my life that I worship. If only I could have that, it would make me happy. Maybe my “if onlys” are my idols. When I look up to God, I see how He has worked constantly in my life, taking care of all my needs. I only need Him. I am also very thankful to be able to visit these Temples, which serve as places of worship. There is a sense of tranquillity in these places, and I always feel respectful and pray for God’s guidance. I do not partake in any of the rituals; I merely stand back and observe. However, as a Christian, I find it hard not to see it through my faith and see the emptiness that lies in these incredible statues.

The second temple was totally different. Where the first one was a shrine worshipping Che Kung, this one was a Taoist Temple. It was the Fung Ying Seen Koon Temple in Fanling, a striking Taoist temple believed to be the home of immortals. Its architecture ranges from pavilions and halls to tiles and decorations, all exemplifying the traditional Taoist design. The Grand Temple is dedicated to Taishang Laojun, Lü Dongbin, and Qiu Chujing, as well as a temple for Guanyin. The Yuen San Temple honours Doumu and the sixty Great Generals of the Chinese sexagesimal cycle. There are notable features of the “Yellow Emperor Inquires after the Tao” sculpture and the “Scroll of Eighty-Seven Immortals” carving. This was also a place where people are buried, and so while in the temple, there is a sense of worship. All around are rooms with what is known as columbarium niches, where families place the ashes in urns and into a niche. They then come to worship or pay respects to their ancestors. Twice a year in Hong Kong, there is a public holiday for grave sweeping, where people visit their ancestors’ graves to pay their respects, leaving money and other tokens. Ancestor worship/respect is very important here. While I don’t go for the whole worship of our ancesters – I do remember becoming overcome with emotion when visiting my grandparents resting places – tears then were shed, I don’t believe that I need to worship them, but I do often think of them and wonder what they would be thinking of me or how I wish I had had more time with them, to learn from them, to hear there stories and wisdom.

This has become a very long post, so I’d better start wrapping up. Life on the whole is good. I haven’t found the meaning of life, but I know that the God that I worship has a plan, that He is in total control and that in Him I have meaning. That I have been chosen, that I am loved and that nothing can separate me from Him. While I miss my parents and still get feelings of guilt for leaving them, I know that I am in the best place for me, and that this is another step on a great adventure.

(Historical and factual points: I got the information from Wikipedia, or the websites of the Temples; otherwise it is all me)

Happy 2025, I hope that you have all had a wonderful start to the new year, and that this year brings you joy and contenment.

You may wonder why I have chosen this picture, but for me it is a symbol of hope.  This is the cross that you find in the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral.  Back in 2022 my dad, mum and I took a trip to Coventry Cathedral.  I had always wanted to go as I can remember dad talking about his memories of when he was a small child and being taken up Cleeve Hill to watch the bombing of Coventry.  This Cathedral has now been rebuild – or at least a new one is built next to the ruins of the bombed one.  It was a very poinient and spiritual visit.  Here was a place that wasn’t hiding or covering up the destruction, there was no attempt to fix it either – ok they maintain it so that it doesn’t collapse and is a danger to the public, but they acknowledge the hurt and the brokeness.  However, they don’t leave it there as a ruins or scar, right next to it is the new Cathedral – a very striking and well designed piece of architecture.  There is hope, joy, faith and peace in it.  There is also a strong sense of reconciliation and a look to the future.

As many will now be aware that back in late August beginning of September I made the decision that something had to change in my life.    The trajectory of my life was going absolutley no where.  I loved my Church and that was fulfilling, but one cannot live just for one day of the week to be fulfilled.  Yes, I do know that life is not all about excitment and happiness.  Instagram and Facebook posts do not show the majority of life, which can be a bit of a bore at times.  Holidays are great, but they are not reality.  When you look at the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, it’s easy to forget that they were there for 40 years.  It is skimmed over, or interjected by the big events of the giving of the commands, the miricals.  The majority of the time they were just walking around a desert, eating the food provided by God, doing the everyday tasks that were required, living life.  And so, yes I realise there are going to be large parts of my life that are not exciting.  That I am not always going to enjoy work, that I am going to have to put the effort into making things happen.  The problem is that  I was changing into a person I didn’t like and I couldn’t see a way out.

Back in August, I lost my aunt – see the previous post to know more.  And after her funeral, and chatting with my brother, he said something very poinient and wise, he commented on how brave Dad, Mum, Uncle John, Aunty Shirley, Uncle Robin, Mandad and Nan had been in moving from the saftey of the UK to Africa, that they had gone into the unknown, they had paved the way for us.  He said that we needed to be brave to honour them.  So much of my life I have played it safe, I haven’t always pushed myself.  However, I also knew that I had to do something drastic and change something in my life.  Life in the UK wasn’t working for me.  My mental health was bad, I couldn’t see a way out, but I also knew that I had to make the decision.  I am the type of person who will make decisions that will please others, that will try and keep everyone else happy, I am easily swayed by those closest to me, and so I knew that for once I had to be a little selfish and make the decision by myself for what I believe is right for me.  So after a lot of praying, soul searching and umming and aahing I made the decision to return to Hong Kong to teach English at the same tutorial centre.  Yes I know that isn’t exactly ground breaking or new or brave – I’ve done it before, but I truly believe that God has placed me back here.  I pushed a door and it opened wide.  And at times it can be the bravest thing, turning around, and going back so that you can then move forward again.   Infact I don’t see it as going back wards at all, it’s moving forwards into what God wants me to be.  My hope and prayer here is that as I settle back and as I follow this path that God will heal my wounds, that I will learn to love myself like God loves me and that I will plow new paths and, like my old school song says, be brave and strong and true, and to fill the world with love my whole life through.

So on the 1st January 2025 I set flight to Hong Kong.  Being typical me, I knew I was having to start work on the 4th January so wanted to arrive on the 2nd so that I could at least have a day of rest inbetween landing and work that I booked a flight with the arrival in mind not the taking of.  It only dawned on me that I was flyiing out on the 1st of January at 9.30 in the morning from Gatwick.  Now being a long haul flight you need to be there 3 hours before which makes it 6.30 in the morning – that’s not a problem – used to waking up extra early to get to places for 6am in Zim, but the night before is New Years Eve – public transport won’t get me there for that time and it’s Gatwick which is a little harder for us to get to from where we are.  Typical Katherine, but never mind.  mum and I went up the night before and stayed in a travel lodge.  The flight over was a good enough flight, Emerates weren’t bad – will travel with them again and Dubai Airport is easy to navigate.

I land in Hong Kong and all is going well.  I find a taxi that takes me to the hotel so far so good.  Oopsy, the taxi doesn’t take card only cash – I hadn’t bargined on that so there I was, after 24 hours travelling running around trying to find an atm.  The poor taxi driver, was very patient and stood waiting with my two large suitcases and handluggage as I dashed down a level in a complex that I didn’t know and found it.  All’s well that ends well – he was paid with extra for his understanding.  Got into my hotel room changed and then went on the hunt for food.  The next day worked out how to get to work by actually going to work to see them, made an appointment at the bank on the Monday to sort that out, then of to TST to meet up with cousins which was special.

Started work on the Saturday, and it felt like I had never been away.  I’m a little rusty and I have new names to learn, but I have some seriously lovely students who make it all so worth it.  Kids’ Zone is a truly special tutorial centre.  It is run by the most amazing couple and I am so blessed to have them as friends.  And I am so blessed that my cousin introduced me to them back in 2017. 

I am also increadibly blessed that I am now living with a very special cousin.  God is truly working through these people to help bless me.  I hope and pray that I can bless them as much as they have blessed me.

Life is going on, it is settling back into a routine and I am taking my time before I start getting back into groups and other things.  So life revolves around work at the moment.  I hope that when I write again next month I will have more to say.  This week we are about to celebrate Chinese New Year.  We are going into the Year of the Snake.  My I take this time to wish you all a Happy and Blessed Year.  May 2025 be a year of renewal, reconciliation and healing for all.  May it be a time when we acknowledge any scars we have but look to the future and new beginnings.

How I long to breathe the air of Heaven

Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets
To look upon the One who bled to save me
And walk with Him for all eternity

There will be a day when all will bow before Him
There will be a day when death will be no more
Standing face to face with He who died and rose again
Holy, holy is the Lord

(Songwriters: Brian Johnson / Phil Wickham / Bill Johnson / Chris Davenport. Hymn of Heaven lyrics © Be Essential Songs, Bethel Music Publishing, Brian And Jenn Publishing, Songs For Tim, Cdavs Music)

On Friday the 23rd of August 2024 our lives were changed for ever.  My dear, dear Aunt decided enough was enough and silently went to be with the Lord.   I have struggled for a week trying to find the right words, to be able to express the deep loss that I and so many of us feel.

Where to begin, you have always been there, from the moment of my birth right till now.  You have been an aunt to me, a second mum, a surrigate gran and a constant source of love and support.  When things were bad I could always count on you, I could always go to you, there would be no judgment, no expectations to be anyone other than just me.  The memories are just to many to number, where to begin.

The memories of Christmas’s – this always involved us going to Church in the morning then piling in the car and traveling back into town to your home, where we would spend the day surrounded by family and fun.  Alongside the normal Christmas presents there was always delicious food.  There would always be at least three courses before we came to the Christmas pudding which was always drenched in brandy, as you insisted on setting it on fire and bringing it to the Christmas table.   However, by the time you got to the table the pudding would be out, so back into the kitchen, more brandy, and it would repeat until it lasted till the table.  Nobody ever thought to just light it at the table.  You were always fully involved in the snowball fights and all the party games.  However, one of my fondest memories of Christmas were the duets you and mum would play – of course this was after a few glasses of champagne, so many a note was missed or added – but there was lots of laughter and joy.

New Years Eve again was a highlight. Snowballs, lots of food and wine.  This was the only time in the year you would ever go swimming, in all our clothes.  We children were under strict instruction not to splash as you didn’t want your hair or face to get wet.  And then who can ever forget the traditional New Year’s Day picnic.  Each of us would always have a story to tell.

Although festive days were always fun and memorable – you were always there in the everyday events.  You were there to support us in our achievements – the memory of you and mum attending my first swimming gala where you both gave the teacher what for when I was put in the non swimmers group even though I could swim only to be informed that I had said I couldn’t swim because I would rather have picked up bottle tops rather than swim lengths.  Uncle John and you would come out every Sunday for a Sunday roast, and you always joined in the fun – even diving into the hay on the side of our bank – how none of us seriously injured ourselve only God knows the answer to that.  However, that was you to a tee.

You were adventurous and a trend setter.  It was yours and Uncle Johns bravery going out to Africa in the beginning that led mum and her family out.  It was because of your example that I don’t feel like I was brave going to Hong Kong – I had the example of yourselves and my parents that this can all be done.  Your bravery and zest for life was evident till the very end.  You were in so so much pain for so long, and where it would have been so easy to just give up and take to your bed, or to not do anything, but you didn’t.  You fought it till the very end, and the one blessing of your passing is that you are no longer in pain.  Your strength, courage and determination not to give up is such a strong testomony to who you are, and if I can emulate even a small part of that I will be so happy.

Your refusal to grow old – or at least appear old – is another strength of yours.  You never shied away from technology.  You got your first computer and had to use it regularly at the Publicity in Mutare. Often, I would get a phone call while I was at work saying how do I do this or that, and I would have to talk you through it.  This never ended, the last being this year when you lost your mouse!  This in latter years would leave to a little bit of hilarity as I would then video call, but you never stopped trying or learning.  If you thought the video calls were amusing, the texts were something else.  I’m still trying to work out the one text, which was just the letter ‘p’. 

You were also a huge example on how a life was about service.  Your commitment to the WWI, the Special Olimpics in Zim and all the other charitable activities you were involved in, helped form who I am today.  It didn’t matter who you were, you accepted everyone.

The thought of the future, at the moment, without you brings sadness and uncertainty.  I will miss being able to come sit and knit or sew next to you.  I will miss the picnics and the laughter.  I will miss being able to come to you for it all.  But I will miss you for you the most. 

I thank God, though that I was born into this family.  That I had the honour of having you as an Aunt/second Mum.  Know that you are out of pain and resting in the Lords arms.  You are with your mum and dad.  You have run your race and you are now at peace.  God Bless you Aunty Shirley.  I love you.

Well 2019 has come and gone, we are now moving our way through a very crazy 2020. It is hard not to think about or remember how when I was a child we longed for Christmas, how the year took for ever to get through, and now as an adult Christmas comes way to soon. Also, when did I get to the stage of life of becoming a ‘When I was young I remember …..’ I honestly, sometimes feel like I’m still 18 and wondering what am I doing with my life. Here in Hong Kong, I sometimes cannot believe how much has happened, and what I had thought my life would have been is nothing like it has turned out to be.

This post has been in the making since the beginning of the year, but honestly it’s so hard to find words to describe this year.

Our first Sunday back at church after 4 months spoke about faith, love and hope. I’m going to try and use that to structure this blog.

Faith

Beginning of the year was great, I decided this was the year I would become fit and healthy, loose the weight, get a more active social life, etc. However, life gives you lemons every now and again, rather than honey.

For Chinese New Year I was encouraged, or should I say told, not to spend a third Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, to go and explore Asia. Great idea, however where to go. Great wall of China – not a good idea with this bad flue they were having (little did one think, it would spread )? Veitnam – to expensive. Kota Kinabalu to cousins – perfect, oh but wait they are in Cape Town still? I know Singapore to see two of the dearest friends Ian and Narelle – oh and I better not forget their dog Cho.

A true Godly couple who live what they believe and I miss them here in Hong Kong.

Singapore was great, very clean, safe and totally different to Hong Kong. It was great to spend time being a tourist, I went to the gardens by the bay, went up the sands hotel, visited a war memorial, went to the presidential headquarters, Chinatown and learnt a lot about the history of the place.

It was a great 5 day retreat, and then came back down to earth with a bump. I got back to Hong Kong, just as Covid-19 rared its ugly head, and work closed for two or possibly more weeks. This was the end of January. Work had gone from 300 students in January to 50 for the beginning of February, to say I was worried is an understatement.

For two weeks, I was at home, wondering, praying, do I still have a job, what should I do if I don’t. If work opens the thought will the children come back, but we dont know what the future holds.

Hong Kong is such a transient place and with this a dear friend and co-leader, Lisa, in my women’s group on Tuesday left to return home to Canada.

Things just seemed to be testing our faith more and more. Church had become my second home, a place I could rest, grow and socialise and two Sunday’s into February they had to decide to stop services and all activities on church property. What to do, how do you grow and have a community now?

The rise of Zoom. People adapt, we find new ways to keep going. Work started up slowly, we learnt how to do online classes. First one zoom class then the next. We are by no means where we were at the beginning of the year, but the children are slowly coming back. In fact, I feel I am becoming a better teacher than before, but still got a long way to go.

The ladies group committed to coming to zoom classes, we of course missed the physical meetings but the women have taught me and bore with me as I tried to lead and pastorally care for them remotely. We studied through a lenten series where we were taken each week to the cross where we find our hope and salvation.

Each day for the past ten months, I have had to rely on faith. Faith that life will carry on, that I have a God who can keep us going.

This faith leads to work. To get up daily, to carry on living what we believe in. To go out into the world, to do our jobs with the same determination, same discipline even if we may never get the worldly return. To smile in the face of adversity knowing that in the end God will work all thing out for the best.

Love

Love is something we say so often. I tell my parents every time we talk that I love them – and I do. I love my family warts and all. We don’t talk as often as I would like but I know they are there and hope they know that I’m there for them to.

It’s now coming up to the end of October . We have been in lockdown of some sort now for so long, it’s hard to think how it will all end. It’ll be Christmas soon, and where I was going to be either in Aus or UK, it’s definitely not an option. It’s easy to feel depressed over that, but I have been so blessed with wonderful friends who have kept me sane, they have truly been a surrogate family. And where I see love in action.

A few weeks ago three of us went to the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It was so beautiful and relaxing. Well worth the visit.

When I look around the world, I see ao much hate, but if you look hard you can also see so many people standing up against hate, be it the Black Lives Matter, or all the other charities out there helping those in need at the moment.

Love must be outward looking. It must produce a distinctive character where we can love the lost, the lonely and those who challenge us. For humans this isn’t easy. I need to constantly remember and choose to love.

Love = labour =love the lost

Hope

Well, as I said earlier it is coming up to the end of October, church has resumed services again. Groups at church can’t happen so still doing zoom. However we did meet socially for a walk in the park and coffee. Here are two photos, one with the obligatory and normal life masks, the other without, yes breaking the rules for 5 seconds lol.

I help with the youth at church, last week we posed the question ‘If you could go back in time, what would you tell your past self?’ One girl replied, to enjoy going to Japan more, as one day you can’t. It’s so true, we have all taken life for granted in some way or another. Life is not the same, it’s never going to be exactally the same again. She then asked when Covid was going to end. I couldn’t answer, but like everyone we need to hold onto the hope that it will do one day. Maybe next week, maybe next year, we don’t know, it is in God’s hands, and with scientists and medical people being his hands here on earth. What we can do is hope. Not a naive hope, but an active, realistic hope that chooses to believe that all things will be completed in time.

Every day we have a choice to wake up, to hope and believe that today is a new day, a new start. To learn our lessons and to face our challenges with hope. This will help us to endure and will lead to life changing certainty.

Hope = endurance = life changing certainty

Day by day, if we put one foot forward, ideally towards Christ, we will change, we will find joy and the faith, love and hope will happen.

When we get to the darkness of the night, the loneliness of our life, utter hopelessness before we can finally accept our weakness and desperate need for God.

Good morning from a very hot Hong Kong. As I sit here on the train, I realise it was Easter when I last wrote to you all. Since then, I have completed the Lantau trail, started the Maclehouse trial and attended some dear friends getting married. All highs for me here in Hong Kong.

Well happy New Year to everyone. I hope that 2019 has started well for you all. It’s been over three months since I got back from a fantastic time spent with my family, and it was straight back into the swing of things.

Christmas was spent with my brother, his family and my parents. It was such a special time. I have two gorgeous nephews who I enjoyed playing with. Children can bring such joy into a persons life; their innocence and zest for life is catching. It’s hard not to have your spirits lifted when you see the joy of them playing on a trampoline, or swimming in the pool or anything really. They are also so well mannered and well behaved I am one proud aunt.

Us all at Australia Outback Extravaganza.

Work is going well. It’s nice to be back; I have become to feel really at home here in Hong Kong. There is a comfort here that I can’t really explain; I feel right being a foreigner in a foreign land. It helps having made more friends, I have a great home group of ladies who have been my rock, and lifesaver more than once.

January came with choices having to be made, do I stay do I go, do I look for a new job or stay with the one I have. These decisions were having to be made sooner than I had expected, and if you know me you know sometimes it’s hard for me to make a decision for that day, let alone one for November. Have I answered those questions, yes I have? I have a good peace about it and am looking forward to the next chapter. I have decided to stay here in Hong Kong for the next two years, so that takes me up to November 2021. With regards to work, I’m sticking with Kids’ Zone. Life is a learning lesson, I have so much more to learn, and I really feel God has me here for a reason.

January also saw me doing another four stages of the Lantau Trail. A gorgeous trail through remote parts of the island.

A few photos from stages 4, 5 and 6.

Stages 7 & 8 went from one side to the other along the coast. It took me through farmland and two semi-abandoned villages, ones you have to wonder how people found the area first and how did they get supplies. I must admit it was one of my favourite walks.

Isn’t it gorgeous?

February also saw Chinese New Year. This is always an extraordinary time of year for the people. On the first day, I spent the day with some incredible people who had given up their time to feed the homeless here in Hong Kong. Like most places, there is a massive gap between the have-nots, and those who have. The couple I went to the wedding reception organised it with a group of other people. We gave out at least 120 meals with toothpaste, toiletries, fruit and all with a smile and aptly guided by an ex-homeless man championing the cause.

This also included a chap deciding to record me talking about Chungking Mansions and then promptly carried on videoing me get into a taxi, get out the taxi, walk into the said place and eat there. It was a wonderfully humbling day, and I have met some lovely people doing it.

The extraordinary people on the day. Remember we can make a difference even if it is just to one person.

Both February and March went by in a blur of work and more work. I have one more stage left of the Lantau trial to complete. Hopefully, I will do it on Easter Monday.

And so as I end for this belated blog may I wish you a Happy Easter. As we solemnly remember the crucifixion on Good Friday, the pain and suffering of the Christ on the cross for our sins, we acknowledge his sacrifice recognizing He is no longer on the cross but rose on the third day conquering death and then ascended into heaven where He is seated on the right side of God the Father and is preparing a place for those who believe. God Bless you all

Well, everyone, I have been here for over a year now. The year has sped by and its hard to think that it’ll carry on speeding by. In June/July I will have to start evaluating what my next step is, do I stay, go somewhere new or go back to the UK. Only time will tell.

Well, the last two months have been productive I guess. I have completed two stages of the Lantau trial. Both of which are up hills and made me question my sanity doing this. Especially seeing that when I got to the top, you couldn’t see anything because of the mist/fog.

The first was Sunset Peak, not much sunset at the top, in fact, I didn’t deviate from the path so didn’t get to the peak as you have to turn off the trail a little and because I was on my own and couldn’t see more than ten steps in front didn’t think it was wise. However, it’s incredible how many people were on the trail in that condition.

Feel like I’m in theLord of the rings here.

I got to the top and was above the clouds and I couldn’t but marvel at Gods incredible creation as you can see from above. It was so beautiful and pure — something I would love to be but for the grace of God.

Sorry, the photos seem to be a little jumbled, a little like my life.

I also managed to do the Lantau Peak three Wednesdays ago. It was again all uphill, and it didn’t help that the bus driver overshot the bus stop and went a fair bit downhill before he remembered making me have to climb up before even starting the stage. Again not much of a view, but very satisfying. I ended at the wisdom poles and the big buddha which was very impressive.

My hikes have helped a lot in helping me settle in Hong Kong. They keep me sain and grounded.

I also had the greatest pleasure of going to the reception of a friends wedding. I first met Arianne at partnership back in January, and she has become a wonderful friend. She has such a huge heart, and I was so blessed to spend the evening with her and Jeff. It was also lovely to meet three new friends there too. Thank you for inviting me and for the photo. 😘 There are some people who just radiate with light and love, and this couple certainly does.

During October/November I was blessed with spending time with my dads oldest school friend and his wife, who was out visiting their son. Dad had gone to school with Paul from primary school. After high school, they went there separate ways only to be reunited 10 or 11 years ago. It’s fantastic to see the transformation in dad when they are together; he goes from the serious guiding father/teacher to a young boy again. You know that the two of them got into boyish mischief that only they could. That there is an unspoken history that they know and share; a familiarity that mum and I can’t share. I can’t help but hope that it’ll happen to us all when we meet long lost friends, that every person we meet leaves an indelible print on our lives that only they can make. I treasure every one of you and am so grateful for all you have done, are doing and will do for me. Please never underestimate the impact you have on someone’s life, you are important and valuable beyond treasure.

Well, it’s coming up to Christmas. I’m looking forward to having four weeks with my parents and three weeks in Aus with Matthew and family. Christmas is such a special time, but it’s also hard for so many. So as we celebrate let’s remember those who are alone, have lost loved ones or going through a rough patch. Within the joy of celebrating the birth of a baby, let us not forget that with this joy for Mary and Joseph came pain and suffering for so many in Bethlehem. Remember that ultimately that baby Jesus came to earth to save us through His death 33 years later; however, let us also remember He has beaten death and has risen and is now in Heaven and will come again.

Where ever you are may God bless you and keep you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Well, summer has finished, unfortunately not the weather. It’s still hot and humid. Thank goodness for air conditioning. I am now back into normal timetable and have my Wednesday’s back off so I can resume my hiking. Although it was nice having two days off in a row, I must admit to preferring having a day off in the week, there are a lot fewer people around and so you can do more.

The summer saw a lot of lessons and relaxed children who enjoyed their lessons hopefully. It saw us in the homegroup doing the fruit of the spirit. Some I still need to work on 😁. On Wednesday evening saw me leading a discipleship explored course which, hopefully, benefited the group. This also led to me being more aware of the great sacrifice that was made for me and how I need to react with a humble heart and bear my cross.

Nothing really happened that was life altering for me. I guess you can say that this was The Bland stage of the title. It wasn’t good nor was it bad, it just was. And isn’t life like that. We can often feel other people are having adventure after adventure if we believe what Facebook or Twitter shows us when the reality is so different. Now don’t misjudge me, you may be one of the lucky few, whose life is a constant party, or holiday, but mine isn’t. It’s getting up, going to work and then going home. It’s the constant struggle I have, no matter where I am.

The good of the summer was the catching up with three of my boys from Newick. It was wonderful to hear their news and to spend time with them. They certainly made me proud of the young men they are turning out to be. It was a privilege to look after them at Cheltenham College and I will always hold a special place in my heart for them all. Again, though, it reminded me how important it is for me to be aware of the impact we have on others. I hope and pray that I am a positive impact on them and all I come into contact with.

Well September has now come and gone, wow, the months are flying by. This month saw me complete the last stage of the Hong Kong trail. This was over the Dragons back, ending at the Big Wave beach. It was a wonderful walk, even though I got slightly sun burnt and stung by a wasp. This itself led to an amusing story as while I was sitting examining the bite and putting on some papaw ointment, I was trying to find the good in this situation. Typical Katherine mode I was talking out loud to myself, when a nice looking Aussie man came walking by. He asked if I was ok which I replied that I had been stung and I was trying to find the joy in the situation, bless him he was nice about this looney asked if I needed help. I replied I would be ok and he carried on walking. Once again a chance to play the damsel in distress and do a little flirting but not me 😂😁. Anyway here are photos from this walk.

Two weeks later Hong Kong had one of the worst Typhoons to hit. Fortunately and unfortunately where I was was sheltered and so it felt like a normal rain storm for me. But other places got hit hard. Like I was told, by everyone at work I taped up my windows

Did this stop them from breaking…

We will never know but it didn’t happen to us thankfully, Windows and apartment still standing. My roommate insisted we got torches so, like a good girl, of I went and bought two torches, much to Angels (office girl at work) humour who insisted that I wouldn’t need it. This led to even more hilarity on the Tuesday when I admitted she was right and I hadn’t used said torch and had, on that day left my phone at home. Her response was at least I had a torch with me, which of course I didn’t as that was at home next to my bed, leading to her having a good laugh at my expense, but all in good humour

That Wednesday I decided, rather naively to try and go for a hike. I wanted to start the Lantau Trail. I started of by catching the ferry to Mui Wo to then walk two stages

The first stage was from Mui Wo to Nam Sham, via the old path rather than the road. It was a nice walk, with a few ducking and stepping over loose branches. As I got to the top this it did involve me actually climbing through a fallen tree, and saw me on my hands and knees. Here are some photos for this stage

My obstacle at the end.

I had then wanted to carry on over sunset peak. This however was a no go because of the typhoon. I had got about a quarter of the way in when I was abruptly interrupted by a large tree in the way and men cutting it with chainsaws so I had to turn around and go back. I have yet had chance to go again, hopefully next Wednesday but we shall see what lays ahead.

I am reminded as writing this, that life can and does take sudden turns. Some good and some bad. When going through the good, be glad and enjoy remembering others maybe going through rough times, and like whenever we are going through the rough we all need help. Even if it’s just an ear to listen. God bless you all.

Unknown picture source, but so cute.

Strange title, but I’m standing here on the MTR and when I look up it is the sign you see over the doors. If I’m honest I’m more worried about people getting squished by the two doors, the one on the platform and the train doors as people take their lives into their own hands playing a Russian roulette when they say the doors are closing. So far no one has been caught but it’s amazing if you look at the photo below.

We are coming up to our summer course at Kids Zone. While many children are looking forward to a restful summer holiday in the UK, youngsters here in Hong Kong still feel the pressure to succeed and so parents are signing their children up to more English classes to help them, to prepare them for the coming academic year. I have 4/5 year olds coming for an interview class, as they all get interviewed for schools, and depending on how well you do determine whether you get into a good school. It’s scary really the pressure youngsters are under, both here and in the rest of the world to perform and achieve. We had a brilliant sermon at church where Alex talked about the fruit of the spirit, which was about love. However he started by quoting David Brooks and about the two characters we have, the resume character and our eulogy character. The first are the skills we put in our resume and the second are what we are talked about at our funerals. How we all know our eulogy character is the most important but we focus so much on our resume character that we lose sight of the important things. It’s incredible how true it is.

I have managed to do the next three stages of my Hong Kong trail. It was absolutely beautiful, even the up hills. I finished up at a beach where on the weekends it’s a lovely hub for catamaran but on this particular Wednesday it was deserted. It was so calm and peaceful and grounding when I put my feet into the water. The first of the three stages was a challenging hike, half up hill and the half going down hill. It had two high points, Jardine’s Lookout and Mount Butler. Facts about Jardine’s Lookout from Wikipedia “Jardine’s Lookout was the sight of fierce conflict in the Battle of Hong Kong and particularly, the Battle of Wong Nai Chung Gap. The Hong Kong Volunteer Defense Corps and Middlesex Machine gunners manned two pillboxes and other areas defending the pass around Jardine’s Catchwater, as well as Canadian Winnipeg Grenadiers defending the adjacent Mount Butler. Japanese forces, after landing on the North Shore of Hong Kong Island; used Sir Cecils Ride and moved up to this pass midway up the lookout and were engaged by Commonwealth forces. The fighting was the preliminary conflict in the Battle of Wong Nai Chung Gap.” In the Second World War, Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese and the text above is about the valiant efforts to defend this part of Hong Kong from the Japanese. When you reach the peak of this point there is a plaque for the Canadian Winnipeg Grenadiers, and especially one Major John Osborn who sacrificed his life for the life of his men. This path then leads to the top of Mount Butler, a 436 metre high hill on Hong Kong Island. I am sure that it would have had wonderful views, but when I arrived there it had decided to be come rather dull and overcast. Here are some of the photos that I took doing this hike.

The next week I did the next two stages which ended at the beach. These stages, apart the beginning and the end were flattish and easy-going. Here are some photos for this stage.

Well, we are well into our 7 week summer course at work. In fact it we are over half way. I have really been enjoying the course. The children are relaxed, due to more sleep and less pressure, this makes it easy to actually make the classes fun as then they respond more. I’ve got one boy whose mum helps in the office. The other day she said that her son had enjoyed his first lesson, Miss Kate is dramatic apparently. I guess I get that from my wonderful parents 😂😁. It did help it was horrible histories.

I have managed to go out a couple of evening and watched, first Incredible 2. This added to my coolness with the little ones at work as I could get excited about Baby Jack Jack and the others. I watched this at Times Square and they had really decorated it nice for the movie

The other movie I watched was Winnie The Pooh, or is it Christopher Robin. It, again, was cute with the talking toy animals, I so want an eeyore. I really enjoyed it but felt it was more for adults than children.

Life has been good these last few weeks. However, I am finding I’m thinking more about the future and what my next step is but as they say sometimes life’s detours are God’s shortcuts. So as long as I trust in God, and actively wait, the path will show itself.

Whatever you are doing I hope you are all well and that your path brings you peace and happiness.