The Situation in Macau…

Macau, located on the southeast¬ern coast of China, about an hour long ferry ride from Hong Kong, is a city that contains an approximate population of 455,000. About 7% of the population is Catholic, 1% is Christian, and the majority remaining is Buddhist.

Idols are apparently worshipped at almost every household door. Everyday, as I walked from the apart¬ment to the learning center with my short-term mission team, I could not ignore the weary souls that lingered by the gambling stations and people that burned incense to idols that they do not comprehend. I could sense a surge of fear, insecurity, and hopelessness among the people. Later, I learned from the local missionary that most people in Macau, especially the teenagers, find neither hope nor growth within their destitute, gam¬bling-oriented city. Although most of them possess audacious spirits to venture and to take on challenges, typically, it is the lack of financial stability that keeps them bounded within Macau.

Challenges…

To take on the role of an English teacher was a challenge to me. I have neither taught nor have served in any children’s ministry. I was afraid I would not be qualified to teach. Yet, to my surprise, most students were eager to participate and to listen even though I did not teach well. While some of the students could be quite naughty, calling me names and talking among themselves while I was teaching; I would say that, in general, they paid a lot of respect to us and were not shy about sharing their personal thoughts as long as we were willing to listen.

Sacrifice I have made for the trip…

Typically, “mission” trips would conjure perceptions of giving, suffering, challenges and sacrifices, which may be the reasons why most people are reluctant to go. To attend this mission trip, I had to make a few financial sacrifices. But the small sacrifices I have made cannot compare to the great joy I received from the trip, the opportunity to work with people from other churches, to be exposed to God’s work in other parts of the world and the opportunity to witness His work on others and me.

(Editor’s note: 2005 short-term mission to Macau will take place from July 7 to 25. Please contact CCM at ccm@ccmusa.org for more detail.)