Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
As we approach the end of the year, during this season of Advent when we look forward to Christ’s return, we reflect on our service through our threefold mission and one challenge:
1. Connecting church in unity
Our vision is to establish a Christ-centered caring community, connecting local churches to serve and testify about Christ. We established the “One Church in Community” group, starting in Yau Ma Tei and Jordan, inviting pastors and organizations to participate.
On November 22nd, we visited “The Ripples" coffee shop of the Grace Baptist Church in Tai Kok Tsui, with Pastor Derek Ng Ming-Kwong and Brother Bobby Wan Han-Kiu from Business As Mission sharing about the relationship and possibilities between the church and business.
Additionally, on October 29th, we started the "One Church in Community" core group, exploring and practicing the true meaning of church unity in the area.
2. Equipping believers to practice Faith in community
We view community service as a form of spiritual practice, a devotional journey through action, and a way to demonstrate the Gospel. Every neighbor we meet is a partner in our spiritual journey, helping us to introspect. This is not just about helping others out of duty; spiritual cultivation brings the motivation to visit the homeless, street cleaners, and low income families every week. We do not always see the changes we expect; often, the transformation begins within ourselves. Weekly community visits in Jordan, monthly visit the Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui, and sharing meals with the homeless continue, as keep the transformation going.
3. Serving the community amid challenges
Preparing for our weekly material distribution activities keeps our staff and volunteers busy. Yet, in the fourth quarter of this year, the Lord has given us the strength and opportunities to organize and participate in various large-scale events:
- 22/10: Praxis Outing in Lamma Island (Organizer)
- 19/11: Blessed Sharing Feast (Co-organizer)
- 14/12: New Life Church "Sai Kung Street Christmas Carnival" (Co-organizer)
- 26/12: IWA "Christmas Carnival in Yau Tsim Mong District" (Co-organizer)
We are grateful to see neighbors experiencing Christ's love and the warmth of the church through these events.
4. Constantly learning to rely on God
Although we do not have stable economic support, Praxis manages to operate each month by Faith. There are few regular donors, but the Lord continues to move people to donate and allocate funds, miraculously leading us through highs and lows. Before Christmas, we even received Christmas gifts from the church to encourage our staff.
Furthermore, at the General Assembly on November 24th, the chairman announced the resignation of our voluntary ministry advisor, Dr. Karen Chi. We sincerely thank Karen for her selfless dedication and efforts over the years, helping Praxis grow into a well-organized community, especially in administrative structure and pastoral teaching. It will take time for Praxis, our staff, volunteers, and neighbors to adapt. Yet, we firmly believe that the Lord has the best arrangement. We bless Karen as she embarks on a new journey and look forward to serving together again in the future.
Best Regards,
Praxis co-workers
18/12/202
