Islam File      The New Translation

"Same-sex marriage" file

A group of Hong Kong professional people is forming a new organization to help the poor in Hong Kong - good news!

Meeting yesterday in my home - photos  

Hundreds join protest over sacking of Ming Pao editor

- see below - Ming Pao - my article in today's paper "Freedom of the Press ... and HK"

Extradition deal with China is 'a joke'

The Australian Law Council has urged the federal government not to ratify an extradition treaty with China in light of Operation Fox Hunt.

1 Maccabees 15

In 138 B.C., Antiochus son of Demetrius made war with Trypho.
This same Antiochus became hostile to Simon  after the Romans renewed their treaty with Israel.

When Antiochus sent an army to attack Israel, Simon defeated that army.

A disloyal and ambitious Jew named Ptolemy got Simon and two of his sons drunk at a banquet and killed them.

Simon was succeeded by his son John as leader of the Jews.

Dear God,  please protect good leaders from disloyalty

Psalm 32

Happy is the person whose sin is forgiven.

For a while I refused to ask for forgiveness, and my body paid the penalty.

But then I said "Lord, forgive me"
and my spirit and body revived.

Lord, when I do wrong, please give me the grace to say sorry and ask forgiveness

Recording 

Recommended: check these readings early morning, think about them during the day, check them again at night. This habit gives us extra energy, courage, motivation, peace and compassion for each day

Philippians 3.7-11

Because of Christ, I have come to consider all my former advantages as a scholar as disadvantages

Nothing is more important than knowing Christ Jesus my Lord

For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ

All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. I want to share his sufferings by carrying the Cross with him

This is the way I can hope to receive eternal life

Christ Jesus my Lord, knowing you is No. 1

Recording 

 John 1.35-51 (for today's Feast of Saint Philip and Saint James, apostles)

John the Baptist told his disciples Andrew and John that Jesus was the Chosen One of God.  Andrew and John then followed Jesus

Andrew took his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, and Peter followed Jesus

Jesus met  Philip and said to him "Follow me".  Philip called one more man, Nathanael (Bartholomew) and said to him "we have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. He is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth"

Jesus, please help me introduce more people to know and love you

Recording 

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family      Full English text

24:   (Recording of 24:)

Labour also makes possible the development of society and provides for the sustenance, stability and fruitfulness of one’s family: “May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children!” (Ps 128:5-6). 

The Book of Proverbs also presents the labour of mothers within the family; their daily work is described in detail as winning the praise of their husbands and children (cf. 31:10-31). 

The Apostle Paul was proud not to live as a burden to others, since he worked with his own hands and assured his own livelihood (cf. Acts 18:3; 1 Cor 4:12; 9:12). Paul was so convinced of the necessity of work that he laid down a strict rule for his communities: “If anyone will not work, let him not eat” (2 Th 3:10; cf. 1 Th 4:11).

35:   (Recording of 35:) 

In assessing the environmental impact of any project, concern is usually shown for its effects on soil, water and air, yet few careful studies are made of its impact on biodiversity, as if the loss of species or animals and plant groups were of little importance.

Highways, new plantations, the fencing-off of certain areas, the damming of water sources, and similar developments, crowd out natural habitats and, at times, break them up in such a way that animal populations can no longer migrate or roam freely. As a result, some species face extinction. 

Alternatives exist which at least lessen the impact of these projects, like the creation of biological corridors, but few countries demonstrate such concern and foresight.

Frequently, when certain species are exploited commercially, little attention is paid to studying their reproductive patterns in order to prevent their depletion and the consequent imbalance of the ecosystem.

002:   (Recording of 002:) 

The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. 

Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.

This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

Superior General in this photo at Ricci Centre is also in this photo (front row, next to two nuns) with Pope Francis!

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 3rd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Gansu

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 3rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Burundi

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Boko Haram 

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items:   2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

In one week's time, on May 9, the people of the Philippines will elect a new president and a new vice-president. This article is essential reading to understand how the Philippines is in danger of becoming a failed state:
A Primer for Philippine Politics 

1 Maccabees 13-14

After Jonathan's capture, Jonathan's brother Simon became leader of the Jews.  He rallied the people to defend their land against an attack by Trypho.

Trypho was forced to abandon his attack by a heavy snowfall. As he returned to his own land, he killed Jonathan.

Trypho killed Antiochus and became king of Asia.

Simon made peace with Demetrius. He also renewed the treaties with Sparta and the Romans.

Israel had peace during the time of Simon.

Dear God, please give the world
leaders who work for peace

My recording of this reading

Psalm 31

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress. My eyes are full of tears, my heart full of sorrow.

Everyone makes fun of me. My friends don't want to know me.
Save me, Lord, from this mess.

I praise you Lord, for you protect those who trust you. You keep them safe from slander and lies.

Be strong, let your heart take courage, all you who  trust in the Lord

I trust in you, Lord. My life is in your hands

Recording 

Philippians 2.13-16

It is God who gives us the spiritual energy to be good and to do good

Don't be someone who is always complaining and arguing

Live a life of light in our dark world. May your life of light offer the world the word of life

Jesus, help me avoid complaining and arguing

Recording 

John 7.32,45,46

The religious leaders sent the Temple police to arrest Jesus

When the police returned to the leaders without Jesus, the leaders asked "Why didn't you arrest him?"

The police replied "There has never been anyone who has spoken like him"

Jesus, in the history of the world, there has never been anyone who has spoken about goodness and truth like you

Recording 

   Darlene Starrs (Blogger from Canada)

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family     Full English text

23:  (Recording of 23:) At the beginning of Psalm 128, the father appears as a labourer who by the work of his hands sustains the physical well-being and tranquillity of his family: “You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you” (Ps 128:2). It is clear from the very first pages of the Bible that work is an essential part of human dignity; there we read that “the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Gen 2:15) . Man is presented as a labourer who works the earth, harnesses the forces of nature and produces “the bread of anxious toil” (Ps 127:2), in addition to cultivating his own gifts and talents.

Pregnant, jobless, homeless- Regulations set traps for Hong Kong’s migrant workers

34b:   (Recording of 34b:) 

Many birds and insects which disappear due to synthetic agrotoxins, are helpful for agriculture: their disappearance will have to be compensated for by yet other techniques which may well prove harmful. 

We must be grateful for the praiseworthy efforts being made by scientists and engineers dedicated to finding solutions to man-made problems. 

But a sober look at our world shows that the degree of human intervention, often in the service of business interests and consumerism, is actually making our earth less rich and beautiful, ever more limited and grey, even as technological advances and consumer goods continue to abound limitlessly. 

We seem to think that we can substitute an irreplaceable and irretrievable beauty with something which we have created ourselves

1:   (Recording of 1:)  

THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.

Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. 

With Jesus,  joy is constantly born anew. 

In this Exhortation I wish to encourage Christians to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.

There I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a great huge, trouble-making bikie steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig.

"Well, whatcha' gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears.

"Come on, man," the biker says, "I didn't think you'd CRY. I can`t stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," I say. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my wife with another man and then my dog bit me."

"So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit
here watching the poison dissolve; then you show up and drink the whole thing! But enough about me, how's your day going?"

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Monday,  please bless the people of Europe & Russia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 2ndt of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Fujian

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 2nd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Niger

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify ISIS 

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items:   2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Islam File    The New Translation

"Same-sex marriage" file

Shame, USA, shame, 
shame, shame:

Solitary confinement is inhumane. I should know – I spent 30 days there

I'm no fan of Trump, but this story is over the top ...much ado about nothing:

Trump devises 'zany' way to pronounce "Tanzania"

He did not make a mistake - people in T alternate between the 2 ways to pronounce "Tanzania"!

1 Maccabees 11

King Ptolemy of Egypt pretended to be friends with Alexander. But then he went to war with Alexander.

Ptolemy's army won the battle, but not long after both Ptolemy and Alexander died.

Demetrius then became king.  He had an unstable relationship with Jonathan even though Jonathan on one occasion rescued him from former supporters of Alexander.

Demetrius was replaced as king by a young Antiochus. Antiochus confirmed Jonathan's position as leader of Israel.

Dear God, please stop countries from fighting each other

My recording of this reading

Psalm 28

To you, O Lord, I call, my rock, hear me. If you do not heed, I shall become like people in the grave.

Lord, you are my strength and my shield. In you my heart trusts.

Thank you, Lord, for so often hearing my prayer. I will always thank and praise you.

You are the strength of your people Israel. Save your people. Be our shepherd and carry us for ever.

Lord, please help people who are in big danger today

Recording  

Philippians 1.27 -2.4

Avoid anything in your everyday lives that would be unworthy of the Good News of Christ

Be united in your convictions, and united in your love. There must be no competition among you, no conceit

Everyone should be self-effacing.
Always regard others as better than yourself

Put others interests before your own

Jesus, help me say "no" to anything unworthy of your Good News
 

Recording    

John 7.1-13

Jesus now stayed in Galilee. He could not stay in Judea because the religious leaders wanted to kill him

Not even his brothers believed in him

In Jerusalem, no one spoke about him openly, for fear of the religious leaders

Jesus, people were scared to talk about you, your brothers didn't believe in you, and the leaders wanted to kill you. How small my  problems are compared with yours
Recording  

Publisher to quit HK over security fears

Ming Pao staff threaten industrial action over sudden dismissal of top editor

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family      Full English text

20:   (Recording of 20:)  This thread of suffering and bloodshed runs through numerous pages of the Bible, beginning with Cain’s murder of his brother Abel. We read of the disputes between the sons and the wives of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the tragedies and violence marking the family of David, the family problems reflected in the story of Tobias and the bitter complaint of Job: “He has put my brethren far from me… my kinsfolk and my close friends have failed me… I am repulsive to my wife, loathsome to the sons of my own mother” (Job 19:13-14, 17).

A year after the Bali Nine executions, Indonesia prepares firing squads again

32:   (Recording of 32:) The earth’s resources are also being plundered because of short-sighted approaches to the economy, commerce and production.

The loss of forests and woodlands entails the loss of species which may constitute extremely important resources in the future, not only for food but also for curing disease and other uses. Different species contain genes which could be key resources in years ahead for meeting human needs and regulating environmental problems.

Pope:  Holy Spirit works in laypeople, 'is not property of the hierarchy'

288e:   (Recording of 288e:) 

Mary, Virgin and Mother, 

Obtain for us now a new ardour born of the resurrection,
that we may bring to all, the Gospel of life
which triumphs over death.

Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,
that the gift of unfading beauty
may reach every man and woman. 

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Friday,  please bless the people of South America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 29th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Chongqing

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 29th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mauritania

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, on this Muslim day of prayer, please bless all Muslims!

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items:   2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

    Islam File    The New Translation

"Same-sex marriage" file

BBC video  
Upsurge in East African drug traffickers    
I hope this report does a bit of good, though it's been so heavily edited that it's not able to cover many aspects of the big picture (e.g. does not mention the way Nigerian Drug Lords at Dubai airport are tricking passengers into carrying items to Hong Kong) 

BBC video

Refugees chosen by Pope - 'We are famous'

1 Maccabees 10

When King Demetrius was challenged for the throne by Alexander, Demetrius tried to get Jonathan's support for a possible war with Alexander.

Alexander then also sought Jonathan's support, and appointed him as high priest of Israel.

Demetrius again tried to win Jonathan's support, but Jonathan and the Jews did not trust Demetrius.

Alexander and Demetrius went to war. Demetrius died in the battle.

Alexander then became king. He married Cleopatra, daughter of Egypt's Ptolemy, thus securing a treaty with Egypt.

Jonathan met Alexander and Ptolemy and was given great honor in their presence.

About 147 B.C. Demetrius son of Demetrius challenged Alexander for the throne.

This younger Demetrius also challenged Jonathan to fight.

Jonathan defeated the army of Demetrius. Alexander then gave Jonathan new honors.

Dear God, please help all countries live at peace with each other
My recording of this reading

Psalm 27 

The Lord is my light and my help, whom shall I fear? 

The Lord is the stronghold of my life, before whom shall I shrink?

Though an army encamp against me, even then would I trust.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

It is your face, O Lord, that I seek. Hide not your face. I am sure I will see your goodness in the land of the living.

Hope in the Lord, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!

Lord, you are my light and my help. I will always praise you. 
Recording

Philippians 1.13-25

My chains have become famous and have given courage to many other believers. Many others are now becoming more daring in announcing the Message without fear

I hope and trust that I will always have courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death

My heart wants to go two ways. One part wants to depart this world  and live for ever with Christ in heaven. The other part wants to stay in this world to help more people to know the Lord

Jesus, give me courage in spreading the Good News

Recording

John 6.59-69

After hearing what Jesus said about his flesh and blood, many of his disciples said "How can anyone believe in such crazy ideas?"  Many disciples then stopped following Jesus

Jesus said to the 12 apostles "What about you? Are you also going to leave me?"

Peter replied "Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life. We believe you are the Holy One of God"

Jesus, please don't ever let me stop following you

Recording

Nigerian bishop warns Boko Haram is down but not out

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family      Full English text

19:   (Recording of 19:) The idyllic picture presented in Psalm 128 is not at odds with a bitter truth found through-out sacred Scripture, that is, the presence of pain, evil and violence that break up families and their communion of life and love. 

For good reason Christ’s teaching on marriage (cf. Mt 19:3-9) is inserted within a dispute about divorce. The word of God constantly testifies to that sombre dimension already present at the beginning, when, through sin, the relationship of love and purity between man and woman turns into domination: “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you” (Gen 3:16).

Fr. Hans Kung says Francis responded to request for free discussion on infallibility dogma

 Cheque book solution on asylum is unconstitutional
A bench of five justices of the Supreme Court of Justice, the highest court in Papua New Guinea, has unanimously ruled that the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island is unconstitutional

31:   (Recording of 31:)  Greater scarcity of water will lead to an increase in the cost of food and the various products which depend on its use.

Some studies warn that an acute water shortage may occur within a few decades unless urgent action is taken.

The environmental repercussions could affect billions of people; it is also conceivable that the control of water by large multinational businesses may become a major source of conflict in this century.[23]

288d:   (Recording of 288d:) 

Mary, Virgin and Mother, 
Filled with Christ’s presence,
you brought joy to John the Baptist,
making him exult in the womb of his mother.

Brimming over with joy,
you sang of the great things done by God.

Having stood at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith,
you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection,
and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit
so that the evangelizing Church might be born.

When I saved the Papua & New Guinea flag for asylum seekers' story on today's menu, I had to smile at the saved file name: PNG.png !

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Thursday,  please bless the people of S.E. Asia & Pacific

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 28th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Beijing

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 28th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Lesotho

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Qaeda

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items:   2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Pope writes back to prisoners:
He encouraged them to transform the past “into a journey of growth, of faith and charity.”

Islam File    The New Translation

"Same-sex marriage" file

Yesterday was day 3 of the annual Oblate retreat in Hong Kong. At the end of a talk on Pope Francis' call for Christians to do more for the poor, our retreat master posed these two questions for priests:

"During the week, how many meals do I take with my rich friends, and how many meals do I share with the poor?"

"During the week, how many hours do I spend with my middle-class friends, and how many hours with the poor?

Maybe from now on I can try to have at least one or two meals with the poor each week? 

Chris McDonnell   (Wed UK blogger)

Anticipating Spring and the changing Seasons
Pope Francis is basically asking  “What are you doing? 

1 Maccabees 9

King Demetrius sent another army against Israel. The size of this army was so large that many of Judas' soldiers deserted him.

Judas had only a small force to fight the king's army. Judas could have saved his life by running away from the battle, but he courageously chose to stay and fight.

Judas died in the battle and his troops fled. Judas' brother Jonathan succeeded him as leader of the Jews.

Jonathan gradually reclaimed control of most of the country
and again there was peace for a time.

Dear God, please give me some of the courage of Judas

Psalms 24-26

The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples. It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe.

May all hearts open their doors to the Lord. Let him enter, the king of glory.

Lord I hope in you all the day long. Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth.

God my savior, teach me your way of truth

Recording 

Philippians 1.1-9

From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the believers in the Church at Philippi

We wish you the grace and peace of  God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ

I thank God whenever I think of you. Every time I pray for you, I pray with joy, remembering how you helped to spread the Good News

You have a permanent place in my heart. God knows how much I miss you. I love you as Christ Jesus loves you

My prayer is that your love for each other will increase more and more, helping you always to know what is good and to avoid what is bad

Jesus, thank you for all the people who have a permanent place in my heart

Recording 

John 6.52-58

The people said among themselves  "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

Jesus replied "If you refuse to eat my flesh , and drink my blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life

For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in them

As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me

This is the bread come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever"

Jesus, thank you for the gift of your Body and Blood
in Holy Communion

Recording 

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family     Full English text

18:   (Recording of 18:) The Gospel goes on to remind us that children are not the property of a family, but have their own lives to lead. Jesus is a model of obedience to his earthly parents, placing himself under their charge (cf. Lk 2:51), but he also shows that children’s life decisions and their Christian vocation may demand a parting for the sake of the Kingdom of God (cf. Mt 10:34-37; Lk 9:59-62).

 Jesus himself, at twelve years of age, tells Mary and Joseph that he has a greater mission to accomplish apart from his earthly family (cf. Lk 2:48-50). In this way, he shows the need for other, deeper bonds even within the family: “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Lk 8:21). 

All the same, in the concern he shows for children – whom the societies of the ancient Near East viewed as subjects without particular rights and even as family property – Jesus goes so far as to present them as teachers, on account of their simple trust and spontaneity towards others. “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3-4).

China may be readying new crackdown on religion

30:   (Recording of 30:) 

Even as the quality of available water is constantly diminishing, in some places, there is a growing tendency, despite its scarcity, to privatize this resource, turning it into a commodity subject to the laws of the market. 

Yet access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights.

Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity. This debt can be paid partly by an increase in funding to provide clean water and sanitary services among the poor. 

But water continues to be wasted, not only in the developed world, but also in developing countries which possess it in abundance. This shows that the problem of water is partly an educational and cultural issue, since there is little awareness of the seriousness of such behaviour within a context of great inequality.

Recommended by a HK reader

288c:   (Recording of 288c:) 

With Mary we advance confidently towards the fulfilment of this promise, and to her we pray:

Mary, Virgin and Mother,
you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,
welcomed the word of life
in the depths of your humble faith:
as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,
help us to say our own “yes”
to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,
to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

10 years ago today

2006-04-27 Class + noodles for migrant worker mothers & children at Xavier Center

Bad Bernie was in prison for seven years. The day he got out, his wife and son were there to pick him up. He came through the gates and got into the car. The only thing he said was, "F.F."  His wife turned to him and answered, "E.F."
Out on the highway, he said, "F.F."  She responded simply, "E.F."
He repeated, "F.F." She again replied, "E.F."
"Mom! Dad!" their son yelled. "What's going on?"
Bad Bernie answered: "Your mother wants to eat first!" 

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Wednesday,  please bless the people of East Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 27th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Tibet

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 27th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Uganda

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Shabaab 

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items:   2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)