September News

1. WHAT ARE WE THANKFUL FOR?

In our busy day-to-day world it is so easy to lose sight of what is important. Particularly, the importance of saying thanks. Firstly of course we are thankful for the amazing way that the MD just is making it all happen. And we are thankful for you and your amazing support. We do not tell you this often enough. Your chats sustain us, your financial support enables us to be here, and your friendship is a great encouragement to us.

Last month has been particularly difficult for Sue, she developed an abscess on her tooth and a visit to the dentist saw her prescribed medication which made her feel much worse than she did from the pain from the tooth. It was amazing but as soon as she stopped she immediately felt much better. Last weekend we had some nice activities planned. Including a party at our flat for our friend Katey who works in China. But Sue’s condition made that not as enjoyable as we had hoped. Yet through all that He continues to sustain.

It is also a challenge for our resources as such things as a visit to the dentist are not covered by our support. But we know we can trust Him in all circumstances and we are standing on that and so we are thankful.

2. YES WE HAVE BANANAS

During our recent visit home, we became aware of the high cost of bananas in Australia, due to cyclones and plant disease. A friend even told me that she paid A$5 for one banana!

So as a banana lover I am very thankful for the cost of bananas here. A hand of bananas in Hong Kong costs around HK$5-7. That’s around A$1 for a whole hand! Perhaps if you were thinking of a visit to Hong Kong, that might just be the kicker for you banana lovers.

3. CROATIA – THE RIGHT STUFF

Yesterday we went out to the old airport runway at Kai Tak, where Crossroads still has about 32 containers for storage. We were checking on the furniture stored out there and making sure all was ready to load a 40’ container for Israel next week. As well as the furniture, we will include many boxes of soft toys and games for distribution to the large numbers of children caught up in the recent fighting.

Another task while we were there was to bring back some office furniture and stacking chairs intended for a shipment at the end of this month to Croatia. This group is working hard to help orphans and youth in an area of the world still struggling to recover after many years of strife. They have asked for furnishings for orphanage, youth centre and offices.

We have been able to bring together a lovely set of office desks and cabinets all in a matching red wood finish, with toning office chairs in excellent condition. We will be able to include a set of stacking chairs in a matching colour for their meeting room, and a reception desk as well. It is so lovely to be able to put together such a beautifully co-ordinated set of furniture like this. We know they will be thrilled. And the amazing thing is that this furniture has come together from at least 4 different donations.

Not only this, but we will be able to send gym equipment, including weights, darts sets and a table tennis table and computers for their work with the youth. All the household equipment & furniture for setting up the orphanage will be included too, in the two 40’ containers of love we are from Hong Kong.

4. FROM ENGLAND TO CROSSROADS ON A BICYCLE

We have been keeping you updated about our friend Tim who is cycling to Hong Kong from England to raise money for Crossroads. In his first month he has made great progress and is now in Ukraine on his way here. If you would like to keep up with his journey then you can have a look at his Web Page; http://www.cycle2crossroads.co.uk/

5. MORE FROM SAMOA

Since last month we have had some more feedback from our recent shipment to Samoa. This group is dedicated to addressing the needs of the community around them in tangible and non-tangible ways. It was a great encouragement to have them come and serve on our team for 2 months, especially since, in a special touch of timing, they had received and unpacked 2 containers from us just before they came.

While they were with us, they shared the following:

“Well, the moment has finally arrived. 5 years ago we sat and made a huge long wish list of things we needed for our then newly established Samoa base. We did not even have a teaspoon at that time. Now 2 x 20 foot containers are here, packed with everything you can think of: chairs, mattresses, beds, tables, mirrors, dressing tables, hutch dressers, wardrobes, fridges, microwaves, everything you need in a kitchen, tools, weed-eaters, 44" TVs, DVDs, VCRs, tools, outdoor furniture and more. What an awesome gift!!”

It was a great encouragement to our team to hear first hand from the Samoa team just how much of a difference these goods made. Prior to the containers’ arrival, some of them didn't even have a bed to sleep on. They told us that there was no furniture at all in the fales (traditional Samoan huts) except for handmade bunks. There were no drawers, no laundry baskets, no wardrobes or anything for them to store their clothes in. They had one very broken fridge, one blurry TV and one washing machine between 50-60 people.

Now they have all of the above and more!

We’re so pleased to have been able to send these items that will be tools in the hands of these workers as they see healing come to their community.

6. INTRODUCING SOME AMAZING STORIES

Over recent months we have been introducing you to various team members. Well recently we have been having a season where team members have been telling their story. What an encouragement as we hear over and over how the MD has brought this wonderful group of people together from all over the world. So many different amazing stories of how people came to be here from places as diverse as Zimbabwe, France, Switzerland, Fiji, India and of course Australia, over 20 countries in fact.

But the theme that came through over and over again is the heart the MD has given each one for people in need. It is a major part of what brings us together and keeps us focused.

7. SOME POINTS TO NOTE

For your information we would love some covering – on a couple of things. Firstly a point of thanks that we now have a very good tenant for our Gosford flat. We would love some cover for our health, particularly Sue. Our shipments for the rest of the year are now coming together quite well. We would like cover that all would happen smoothly. We also have some shipments that need sponsorship. One in particular a wonderful shipment to Zambia that is being held up as we seek the funding. Please ask for a release of finances

Also give thanks that our bedding in of the new application system continues to go well.

8. ONLY IN HONG KONG

The last month has seen us confronted with some interesting food selections, which highlights the very different ideas about what constitutes good food.

Chickens feet have never been high on our menu lists, but Durian a fruit much like a pineapple brings the greatest challenge. Often described as “smell of hell…taste of Heaven” Frankly we find it even hard to walk past in the supermarket, reminding me of days cleaning out the grease trap, but here it is considered a great delicacy and many of our friends here are desperate to get us to get over the smell and give it a try. But like red bean and vegetable ice blocks can’t see that happening anytime soon.

9. HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US

We are constantly encouraged by our many friends at home, here in Hong Kong and from other countries , who faithfully support us and also remember us to the MD and keep in touch through email and mail. The MD’s provision has been amazing, last year we found that he provided what was needed to the $, and this year we have gained some new supporters to cover those we have lost from last year. Our support covers such things as food, accommodation, electricity etc. One of our friends expressed surprise to hear we need support, so we do need to keep communicating this fact. If you would like to help there are three ways you can provide financial support for us.

1. You can send a cheque to us here in Hong Kong made out to Crossroads International. Our address is below.
2. You can send a cheque or pay by credit card through our Australian office of Crossroads. P.O. Box 152, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia. Make sure you mark it for Phil & Sue Warner’s support.
3. To claim it as a tax deduction you can pay by cheque through ADRA in Australia. Just send a cheque made out to ADRA to the Wahroonga office again marked for Phil & Sue’s support. We can also arrange for any US support to be tax deductible
4. You can also deposit direct into our Australian Account (contact us for details)

We do think of you and chat to our Father about you often.

Every blessing

PHIL & SUE