V2Catholic.com  A voice for the poor  Edited by HK prison chaplain 
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I . 胡頌恆神父    jdwomi@gmail.com  

Links, Search & Archives     Imitating Pope Francis

         

This website's anti-drug campaign  saves people from going to prison in HK     See & share inmates' letters! 
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How campaign began  HK:how long prison for  trafficking?   www.AsylumSeekerHK.com 

I am now in South America - due back HK Jan 26 Please God. For the time being this website will be in Update Mode: not a daily menu as usual, but updates when I can do them

Large map of South America

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I wish all dear readers a Happy New Year!

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January 1, At Port of Spain Airport, Trinidad & Tobgo, in transit on way from Caracas to Paramaribo (Suriname). Happy New Year, everyone!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be in the home of the famous West Indies cricket team! Arriving here from Venezuela is a bit like arriving back in peaceful, orderly, safe HK after a stint on Mainland China ....a sense of relief.

After yesterday's really happy gathering at my hotel in Caracas for the families of 7 inmates in HK, a small (?) nightmare adventure unfolded: the meal cost almost 3,000,000 Venezuelan Bolivars. Everyone here is a millionaire...the result of hyper-inflation...which continues to skyrocket each week. But I did not have so much local currency...local currency is a rarity...no-one has access to much of it. And no one uses the banks because they give the official rate: US$100.00 = B$1,000. Whereas on the street - the Black Market - US$100.00 = B$3,500,000 (or higher)!!! Only a fool uses the bank.

This is why my drama began. On arrival in Caracas, I changed only US$50, thinking I could use my Visa card or US$ for family gathering meals ...as in Colombia, as in Mexico. My US$50 at the airport (from a porter) got me B2,000,000....so I was B1,000,000 short to pay for the meal. The hotel said I could pay that B1,000,000 in US$ or use my Visa card, but guess what rate they would charge?  Only the official rate! Which meant I would have to pay US$10,000 ...for a meal for 22 people!!!

The stupidity of the situation was not a factor with the hotel officials...they were following the rules. No amount of reasoning would move them. And I needed to pay that bill before I could check out this morning.

For many hours last night - New Year's Eve - my kind professor friend (see yesterday's blog) asked many friends to change money for me ....but no one had any cash. No one could even access so much cash from their bank (a ridiculously low limit is imposed ....to try to stop money leaving the country).

At 3.15 this morning the professor texted me - after numerous phone calls between himself, his friends and the hotel during the night: sorry, can't get any cash...you'll just have to pay in US dollars ...after he persuaded the hotel to give me a rate of US100 = B4,000 and maybe the hotel staff would do something on the black market to help refund some of my money. But that still meant I'd be paying a fortune.

The professor had warned me to get to the airport 5(!) hours early for my 9.45am flight to Port of Spain....because of security checks...and to check in online. I thought he was exaggerating. He kindly ordered a safe taxi for me for 5.30am. But as part of Plan B, before I said Mass at 4.45am in my room, I checked-in on line (....with much difficulty....talk about obstacles...the airline website kept saying my surname was incorrect!...I tried and tried....tried using my ticket confirmation number, my e-ticket number, tried using all possible combinations of John David Wotherspoon....still got the same crazy message: "your surname is incorrect" ...then I discovered....the bleeding airline (surely not my mistake???...not impossible) had added a "q" so that my surname was "Wotherspoonq"!!! Please don't say it out loud! Thus renaming myself, after quite a battle I was finally able to check in on line. Proved to have been a most important battle to have fought!).

Nearly forgot, during the night, the hotel wifi kept failing ....and kept causing my faithful Toshiba to crash every 10 minutes...just a minor detail in the school of learning more patience and perseverance.

Now back to the main story. I knew that the only possible place to change money before dawn on New Year's Day (!) was the airport ...a trip of 35 minutes from the hotel. So, when the driver arrived on time at 5.30 I used my Google translate to give the hotel clerk (who was like a prison guard making sure I did not escape without paying for the meal!) a disingenuous (not sure of spelling, just tried to check with Google, but airport wifi has gone!) message in Spanish that was not untruthful: "I go to church. I leave my luggage here. I will come back at 7am. I will pay you at 7am". He was confused but agreed, gave me a luggage ticket, and I took only my passport and wallet for a first trip to the airport! Where at International, no money changing porter had any money at that time of the morning. My prayers kept continuing...and my kind driver had an inspiration: try the domestic terminal....where after quite a search and a long wait, a porter...very discreetly out of view of the military who are everywhere...gave me B3,500,000 (!) for US$100! Deo Gratias, Alleluia, Alleluia....

But the drama was not yet over. Back to the hotel we headed, my faithful driver's chariot making all sorts of unhealthy noises....almost no 21st century cars on the road in Caracas...most are from the 20th century...and broken down cars litter the side of the road. Please Lord, bless our engine!! Which He did...and we got back to the hotel, where a most bemused clerk was not a little bewildered to see me produce B1,000,000 ....I even gave him a tip for being so patient during the night....then with my luggage in the taxi (except for my heavy jacket - not needed in Suriname - and some items from the prisoners' families which I left in stored luggage at the hotel...for free!) I headed back to the airport...trying to think about today's Mass readings, practising Spanish with the driver, praying for his engine...I mean his car's engine...and refusing to look at the time on my phone in case I put the driver under too much pressure.

I paid him generousley, booked him for arrival Please God when I'm due back in Caracas on January 4, then started searching for the Caribbean airlines desk. A friendly young guy in uniform I'd asked for help to change money on my earlier visit to International turned out to be the check in man for Caribbean...and he gave me the alarming news: the flight is closed...you should have checked in two hours ago!!! But then, smiling, he produced my check-in tickets...the missing passenger who had checked in on line!! If no on-line check in, no me on plane! He also said I could take my travel trolley as well as my back pack as carry on luggage (only 9 passengers on the 70-seater turbo jet).

Then in the departure lounge, at the only canteen open at that hour (now about 8am) he helped me order a little breakfast and he and two colleagues invited me to sit at their table ....during which time they were fascinated/alarmed to learn that so many people from Venezuela are in prison in HK for drug trafficking ...and they said they will spread the news about our anti-drug FB No More Mules....and one of them, a lady, said she is good friends with a radio host and will make an appointment for me on the afternoon of Jan 4!

What an experience. To think that some people spend their lives watching other people's adventures on TV....when you could be having your own adventure in Venezventura!!

As each new above frustration appeared, I tried to say "Lord, I offer this up as a prayer for Venezuela and as a prayer to stop people from Venezuela being drug mules"

Thank you Jesus for your incredible protection on this trip. But please, if any more experiences like that of the past 24 hours, please strengthen my old heart to keep up with the pace of life! Nothing wrong with my heart, thank Goodness, but it sure beat a bit faster from 3pm yesterday to 8am this mrning!

I'm now looking forward to a bit of a rest in Suriname (...famous last words?..). Only a few families to meet and have to stay 3 nights because flights only a few times a week. Maybe even time for a swim. I also hope to do some "fishing" and some campaign publicity work.

Looking forward to using my beautiful Suriname visa....and re-using my Yellow Fever certificate (from Africa in 2015).

Thank you for a prayer!

 

Australian grandmother on drug charge escapes death penalty in Malaysia

Daniel Daring: The Mother of God

 

 

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Dec 31 Caracas, Venezuela: Yesterday at my hotel there was a happy gathering for the families of 7 inmates in prison in HK - all 7 having gone to HK via Sao Paulo where they were given their drugs by the African Drug Mules operating in Sao Paulo (whose agents in Venezuela had recruited the 7 mainly on the pretext of local jobs - genuine ordinary jobs - in Sao Paulo). 

Tomorrow I'm due to go to Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname.

Thank you for a prayer!

A few times over the years I've been asleep during take off, but on yesterday's flight from Bogota to Caracas... I was asleep not only for take off but also for landing! I missed both!

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Dec 30 Caracas, Venezuela: I arrived here around 1pm after 90 minute flight from Bogota....on maybe the only flight to use the airport today....no problem at immigration or customs....very few passengers....no bank or money changing office at airport....exchange rates on street many times better...hyper-inflation. Airport porters...no work to do....exchange money

I was again blessed: unable to find a legitimate money changing place at the airport, I joined a queue which had a desk where money was being exchanged...only to find it was the office for paying your parking fee! But....a very kind elderly man ...a retired professor...Jesuit trained!...gave me a crash course in survival in Venezuela ....and even drove me to my hotel...where he most kindly also helped me phone families whom I'm due to meet tomorrow.  

I was feeling a bit sorry for myself since I'd had only a muffin and cup of tea for breakfast at Bogota airport, then only another cup of tea and roll on flight for lunch....so I was looking forward to something to eat at hotel...with my professor ...who had only a cup of tea while I had a lovely meal consisting of chicken, mashed potatoes and salad. But it didn't seem right for me to have so much ...after having seen lines of people on the street queuing up to buy ...a loaf of bread. French revolution scene? US Great Depression scene?

Hotel has agreed to let me have lunch with families tomorrow...but has set a maximum of 20 people ..."because we don't have much food".

And money here is useless, worthless....and increasingly so each week.

How much longer Venezuela can survive is the question. Chaos is on the menu when people are starving and penniless.

Now I can better understand why this poor place is easy prey for the Nigerian Drug Lords looking for drug mules....the people here are desperate. No wonder there are so many Venezuelan inmates  in prison in HK.

O Holy Spirit who brought order out of chaos at the beginning of creation, please help the people of Venezuela get their country back on the road again!

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I wish all dear readers a Happy Epiphany tomorrow. 

Epiphany seen in Mexico City a few days ago (3 Kings in place of Santa who stopped work on Dec 25?)

 

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Dec 29 Bogota, Colombia: From 12 noon today until about 4pm I met with six family groups...representing six Colombian inmates in prison in HK.  A very fruitful day which included a long table lunch and much sharing. Families from now on will keep in contact by W/Ap to support each other and to spread the campaign message: Don't take drugs to HK....and their W/Ap co-ordinator will be in contact with No More Mules editor in HK who is forming a network of South American W/Ap F/B editors. Hopefully No More Mules activity will slow down the flow of  mules from South America to HK

On the flight from Mexico City to Bogota yesterday there was a lovely breakfast/brunch not long after take off....and then...surprisingly ...a few minutes before landing....a drink and a packet of peanuts...the drink causing some passengers to make a visit to toilet after plane had begun its descent (or was it the peanuts?)

 

Snowden's Twitter about HK asylum seekers

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Dec 28 Bogota, Colombia: Two young OMIs kindly met me at airport this afternoon and one of them drove me to my hotel where I'm due to meet a number of families tomorrow. Turns out that Mexico, like USA, has no immigration procedure when you leave the country....just airline details. No offence to airline staff, but a dedicated and professional immigration staff would be more difficult (impossible?) to influence if you needed to leave a country illegally. 

 

I arrived at Mexico City International Airport at 5.30am this morning....as did tens of thousands of other passengers....and I almost succeeded in using the self-check-in machine....but needed help a  couple of times. Flight passed over a number of Central American countries....spectacular. Spectacular because flight was in an old plane which didn't/couldn't fly very high. 

One passenger next to me today on flight from Mexico City - a clothes company manager - was the first person I've met who spotted the mule on my name card ...without having it pointed it out to him (card).

After Mass at the new Guadalupe basilica yesterday, I visited the old basilica ...which when you enter requires you to walk "uphill", because its front is sinking! For some great photos Google: "basilica de guadalupe sinking". In fact the whole city is sinking!

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Dec 27 Mexico City: A long but happy day today: meeting with a family which has one branch  in HK (not in detention), then concelebration at 10 am Mass at the Basilica of Guadalupe (...a most memorable privilege...),  then a tour of the Basilica property, then an  enjoyable 3 hour meeting with the families of 2 Mexican inmates in prison in HK, then late yesterday afternoon a hunt for a "universal" adapter....so I can use my computer which has a HK plug. Found one...but it took a couple of hours. I brought several adapters from HK but they cannot be used in this part of the world. Due to go to Colombia tomorrow. Thank you for a prayer.

No arrangements had been made for me to meet any media people yesterday ...so Jesus took care of things: one of the relatives is a newspaper reporter and he will do a story to publicise the  anti-drug campaign!

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Dec 26 Mexico City where I arrived bout 7pm local time from the US, without immigration check. When you leave HK or any other country, you go through immigration. But not when you leave the US - no immigration check! Just airline check. 
Tomorrow I'm due to meet some special people here in Mexico City. Thank you for a prayer

Tonight I got a registered Yellow Cab (paid at airport YC office) to go to hotel. Driver could speak only a little English and I could manage only a few phrases of Spanish....but we managed to communicate. When a car cut across our path my driver taught me how to say "Malo, stupidio conductore" to describe the other other driver. My driver also said he has 4 grown up children: two sons and two doctors

Dec 26 US time: Update from  Los Angeles airport where I arrived a couple of hours ago from HK. Have been able to get earlier flight to Mexico City ...leaving shortly. Great movie on flight from HK: Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson...a true story about Desmond Boss, a Christian conscientious objector who served as a medic during the US attack on Okinawa during WWII ...saving 75 men without firing a shot. Inspiring movie!

Tues/Wed Dec 26-27

As part of my anti-drug campaign, I'm due to travel from HK to Los Angeles today ...with a connecting flight to Mexico ....so I may not have a chance to update this website for a couple of days. If I can, I will. From Dec 28 HK time I hope to post updates of this website each day as usual. I'm due to return to HK on Jan 26, after publicity work and meetings in 9 countries with families of 55 South American inmates in prison in HK. Thank you for a prayer each day!

 

Pope compares plight of migrants to Christmas story

 

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

Feast of St Stephen - THE STORY OF STEPHEN:

Acts 6.8-15: One of the seven deacons, Stephen, was filled with grace and power. He began to do many miracles. A group of Jews tried to beat Stephen in a debate. But they could not win, because the Holy Spirit was guiding Stephen in his speech. The group then got some men to falsely accuse Stephen of being disloyal to Moses and to God. The group had Stephen arrested and brought before a meeting of the religious leaders. At the meeting, false witnesses accused Stephen of speaking against Moses and the Law.
Jesus, please protect people who are accused by false witnesses
Recording of this reading

 

Acts 7.1-54: The meeting of religious leaders had falsely accused Stephen of being disloyal to Moses. So Stephen gave a long speech, full of loyalty to Moses. Then he made a stinging attack on the leaders: "You stubborn people, with your pagan hearts and pagan ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did. Your ancestors killed the prophets who foretold the coming of the Just One. You have gone further: you have killed the Just One himself". When the leaders heard these words, they were very angry and wanted to kill Stephen.
Jesus, Just One from heaven, please don't let me resist the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit of God, please increase your influence in my life
Recording

 

 

Acts 7.55-58: Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand. "I can see heaven thrown open", he said, "and Jesus standing at the right hand of God". At this, the religious leaders at the meeting covered their ears with their hands. They sent Stephen out of the city and stoned him. The false witnesses (who were required to throw the first stones) put down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Paul.
Recording

 

 

Acts 7.59- 8.3: As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit". Then he knelt down and prayed "Lord, do not hold this sin against them". Then he died. Paul entirely approved of the killing. That day a bitter persecution started against the church in Jerusalem and everyone except the apostles fled to the countryside. Paul began working for the destruction of the church. He went from house to house arresting men and women and sending them to prison
Jesus, thank you for the example of Stephen who, like yourself, forgave those who were killing him
Recording

The stoning of Stephen

 

Reflection on the above readings:

Stephen's extraordinary forgiveness of Saul surely had something to do with the deradicalization of Saul. A powerful lesson for today's radicalized IS world 

Good King Wenceslas with lyrics - sung by a children's choir
- a famous St Stephen's Day story about helping the poor

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  10 years ago today:

At centers - HK Canossian group; HK Yuen Long group; Macau Clara group; Macau Thomas group

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 All HK prison inmates received a special treat yesterday for Christmas Day - a leg of chicken ... Christmas Day being one of just a few "leg" days each year...most days being "wing" days!

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

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N 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 26th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Xinjian

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 26th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Togo

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

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Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2018!

Mon Dec 25

  Christmas Day - O come let us adore him! 

 

Yesterday a group of 30 poor people from Yau Ma Tei area and about 20 volunteers went to the Mercy Centre on Cheung Chau Island for a 4pm Midnight (?) Mass followed by a meal at a local seaside restaurant ...my Christmas dinner with the poor. Many thanks to all those who arranged yesterday's function - bus, ferry, Mass, meal - a very happy afternoon and evening.

 

With a real baby!    Christmas Flash Mob

 

The astounding child from Nazareth That great truth revealed by the man from Nazareth would only be realized when his followers had shunned all exploitation, violence, and abuse and organized a community to live out these extraordinary values together.

 

  I'm due to leave for South America tomorrow. Please God due back HK January 26. I will try to update this website each day as usual. If website is not updated, please check this website's Facebook page for info

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 25 

 

Psalm 97: The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his robes. His throne is justice and goodness. The skies proclaim his goodness. All peoples see his glory. Let those who serve idols be ashamed. Let all creation worship the Creator. Light shines forth for good people and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice in the Lord, all good people. Give glory to his holy name.
Lord, you indeed are God of the universe 
Recording

 

Titus 3:1-7: Remind everyone to be obedient to government officials; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels; to be courteous and polite to everyone. There was a time when we too were ignorant; when we lived in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves. But then the kindness and love of God our Saviour were revealed, and God saved us because of his compassion. God saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth, and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit whom he has poured over us through Jesus Christ our Saviour. So we are justified by his grace, and look forward to eternal life. 
Jesus, Saviour of the world, you are our Saviour
Recording

Luke 2.15-20: After the angels went away, the shepherds said to one another "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about". So they quickly went and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. People who heard the shepherds talk about the angels were amazed. As for Mary, she treasured every moment of what had happened and pondered the whole event in her heart. The shepherds went back to their fields glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen
Jesus we adore you, Jesus we adore you, Jesus we adore you, Christ the Lord
Recording

Reflection on the above readings:

There's something in our DNA that draws us to the Baby Jesus, like metal to a magnet. Note the way the teenagers in the Christmas Flash Mob YouTube at top of today's menu fall to their knees at the sight of the Baby. That Baby not only sweeps us off our feet. He also makes us fall to our knees in loving adoration.

Daniel Daring - The Word became Flesh

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10 years ago today:

Christmas Day - all day party at Marco Polo Center

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 Maybe I've been listening to too many Christmas carols and looking at too many nativity scenes .... but I thought I heard a sheep baaaa when I posted the main photo at the top of today's menu. Check it and see ...can you hear a baaaa ?! (No, I'm not trying to pull the wool over your eyes...)

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

Sun: Africa 
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia 
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N. 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 25th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Ningxia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: 
On this 25th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Comoros

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2018!

Sunday Dec 24 
  Christmas Eve - O come let us adore him! 

YouTube - brilliant!  
The Christmas Scale

It's hard to believe that the greatest message the world will ever hear is contained in one simple scale

 

Today is the anniversary of Lottie Moon, a small woman with a huge heart who served as a missionary in China for nearly forty years in very difficult conditions

 

Message from Refugee Union, HK:

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. midnight Mass readings 

Isaiah 9: The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light. On those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing on them, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken and removed. For there is a child born for us, a son given to us, and dominion is laid on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonder-Counselor, Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace. 
Jesus, Prince of Peace, thank you for the peace and hope and joy of your friendship
Recording of this reading

 

Titus 2: God's grace has made salvation available for the whole human race. We must give up everything that does not lead to God. We must delete our worldly ambitions. We must be self-restrained and live good lives here in this present world, while we wait in hope for the blessings that will come with the Coming of the glory of our God and savior Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from wickedness, and to purify us so that we would have no ambition except to do good.
Jesus, please help me give up everything that does not lead to you
Recording

 

 

 

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Reflection on readings for 4th Sunday of Advent: 

Daniel Daring: Obedience of Faith

Video commentary in Italian with English, Chinese and Spanish subtitles

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10 years ago today:

Christmas Eve a.m. - three English classes at Shiyan Government Primary School in Deqing (two hours from Zhaoqing)

After 3.15pm  Christmas Mass at leper center +  after 5pm Christmas Mass at Yunfu church (one hour from Zhaoqing)

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Hour of Love HK radio program 8.30 pm HK time tonight - with items about HK prison inmates

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  Last night as I worked at the computer I listened to this great Christmas YuoTube by Boney M. And my curiosity got the better of me to learn a bit about Boney M so I went to this Wikipedia article which has many interesting facts, including this one:
Boney M. are the only artists to appear twice in the top 11 best selling singles of all time in the UK, with "Rivers of Babylon" in 7th place and "Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord" at number 11 (..what do both songs have in common?!)

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

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia 
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N America    
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless the people of Africa

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Inner Mongolia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Zambia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless all Muslims in my country

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Sat Dec 23

2 days to Christmas. O Immanuel, you are our king and our judge, the One whom the peoples await and our Saviour. O come and save us, Lord our God

 

One of my favorite videos - enjoy!  Bob Welsh: My Christmas Eve

 

For my journey next week to South America, I now have a new name card:

Name card was designed by some kind HK friends. It took me quite a while to work out the meaning of the images on the card. What can you see?! (hint 01: drug mule); (hint 02: a drug mule is a human person who has a head/face); (hint 03: a mule is an animal with a head)!

 

Good News for the Poor - now also in Spanish.
Click here for English, Chinese, Spanish...(scroll down)
I'm due to take several hundred Spanish copies to South America, and to each will be added a flyer warning about the danger of drug trafficking to HK.

 

Australia's largest ice haul linked to China

 

Clericalism, celibacy and child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Australia
(first published at John Menadue - Pearls and Irritations

 

 

Pope condemns 'cancer' of cliques in Christmas message to staff
Francis says some of those chosen to help him reform Holy See have shown themselves to be not up to the task

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 23

 

Luke 1.63- 66: The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. "What will this child turn out to be?" they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him. 
Lord, may I treasure your message in my heart
Recording 

 

Reflection on the above readings:

Today's readings are all about the Christmas Baby's cousin, John the Baptist, born 6 months before the first Christmas. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus. Which is also the job of every Christian - to prepare a way for Jesus, to help other people know and love the Baby born at Christmas.

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 My Christmas wish has been fulfilled: My passport came back last nigh with colorful visa from the Embassy of Suriname in Beijing. But that was close. Tomorrow is the last day of normal deliveries by Fed-Ex before Sunday and Christmas public holidays! God bless a kind friend in Beijing who kindly expedited the visa application process when it ran into trouble because a bank transfer fee did not arrive

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

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

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Djibouti

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

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Fri Dec 22 - Happy Winter Festival

3 days to Christmas. Jesus born at Christmas, please give hope and peace to our troubled world!

 

The Christmas story told by children from St Paul's Church in New Zealand

 

MercyHK is arranging for about 50 poor people, mainly men, a number of them street sleepers, to travel to our centre on Cheung Chau Island on Dec 24 for a Christmas Eve Mass and meal. Our hope is that some of the street sleepers will fall in love with the centre and agree to stay there....like some of their friends who are now already at the centre.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

Song of Songs 1-2: The bride says:
Kiss me. Your love is better than wine. How right it is to love you, you whom my heart loves.

The bridegroom says:
How beautiful you are, my love, how beautiful you are.

The bride:
He has taken me to his banquet hall and his banner over me is love.

The groom:
Come then, my love, my lovely one, come. Show me your face and let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful.

The bride:
My beloved is mine and I am his.

Dear God, please give me a lover's love for you
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 33: Ring out your joy to the Lord, all good people, for praise is fitting for loyal hearts. For the Lord loves justice and right; he fills the earth with his love. By his word the heavens were made, he spoke and the universe came into being. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, he is the source of all true joy. May your love be upon us, O Lord, since we place all our trust in you.
Lord, we trust in your precious love
Recording

 

 

Luke 1.39-45: As soon as she could and as quickly as she could, Mary went to Elizabeth's home in the hills near Jerusalem. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in Elizabeth's womb jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth said to Mary "Of all women, you are the most blessed, and blessed is the baby in your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord?  Blessed are you for believing God's promise".
Mary, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus
Recording

 

Reflection on the above Bible readings:

Joy is one of the features of Christmas because it is one of the features of Jesus...he is a Saviour, a God of Joy. Christians display joy...even in difficult times. A Christian who rarely or ever is joyful needs to have a spiritual check-up.

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10 years ago today:

Christmas card game a.m. at Ricci Memorial Center & a'noon at Xinxing after Mass - with Fr David omi, Colette & Jack

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 It was Christmas and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the prisoner, "What are you charged with?"
"Doing my Christmas shopping early", replied the defendant.
"That's no offence", said the judge.
"It is if you do it before the shop opened", said the prosecution lawyer!

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

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia        
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia            
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: S. America     
Sat: Cent, N. 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 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: 
On this 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Rwanda

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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Thu Dec 21

4 days to Christmas. Jesus born at Christmas, please give hope and peace to our troubled world!

 

Yesterday I was at Lo Wu women's prison for about 8 hours ....leaving home at 8.30am and getting back at 7.30pm. Another group of South American inmates have asked me to meet their families when I go to South America next week please God ....bringing the number of such inmates to around 55. And on the way home when I checked my Gmail I saw a really good piece of news: my beloved passport now has a Suriname visa and is on its way per Fed-Ex from Beijing to HK ...thank you Jesus! (and see below)

 

China's new purge: "low-end migrant workers".
Policy risks making Beijing a "gated community" and exacerbating problem of equality

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

(sorry, mixed up...these are readings for Dec 22)

1 Samuel 1: Each year, Elkanah and his two wives Hannah and Peninnah, went to Shiloh to worship the Lord. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was barren. Each year at the temple, Peninnah would taunt Hannah because she was barren. One year at the temple, Hannah prayed in great distress: "God, if you give me a child, I will dedicate him to you". Not long after, Hannah conceived a son whom she called "Samuel". When Samuel was weaned, she took him to the temple and gave him to the priest there to serve the Lord for the rest of his life.
Dear God, please bless all women who are unable to have a baby
Recording of this reading

 

1 Samuel 2: Hannah praised God for giving her a child: "My heart rejoices in the Lord. The Lord, our fortress, is holy. Don't speak proudly, for the Lord knows what's in our hearts. The Lord breaks the power of the strong. He gives strength and victory to the weak. He blesses the barren woman. The Lord raises the poor from the dust, and gives them a seat of honor with princes. The Lord guards the steps of good people, but scatters bad people in their pride." 
Lord, please "scatter" bad people
Recording 

 

Luke 1.45-51 (a): 

Reflection:

The Universe started from a tiny atom which exploded (the Big Bang). Christmas reminds us how Author of the Big Bang began his human life as a tiny atom in his mother's womb ..... unleashing a spiritual explosion which began at the first Christmas

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10 years ago today:

USA Fr David omi, Colette, Jack; Macau Salesian Secondary School Fr Martin & team;  clothing from CECI HK

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 My latest friend in Africa is a 16 year old boy whose mother I met yesterday.....16 year old is looking after his younger brother and sister ...and also looking after his mother's mother who has just had a stroke. I will try to send a Christmas present per Western Union. Mother and I met yesterday ....and son and I met last night - thanks to WhatsApp!

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

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

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Benin

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

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Wed Dec 20

5 days to Christmas. Key of David, who open the gates of the eternal kingdom, come to liberate from prison the captives who live in darkness

Has had 6,900,000 views!
Say Merry Christmas (4 mins)

 

New video by Hong Kong's prisons unit shows how drugs cause broken families, regret and sorrow

 

Yesterday I attended a most encouraging meeting to help me prepare for my coming trip to South America. Kind friends are even going to phone the 48 families I'm due to meet in South America ....families of 48 South Americans in prison in HK for drug trafficking.....to let the families know the times and places of meetings....which is good news for me because most families don't speak English!

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  Chris McDonnell 

The 'O' Antiphons of Christmas
The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours in the week before Christmas

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 20

Isaiah 7: A foreign king and his army attacked  Jerusalem. The king of Judah and his people were full of fear. God told Isaiah to say to the king of Judah: "Keep calm, have no fear. You will not be defeated. The Lord himself gives you a sign of his protection: a maiden is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call God-with-us."
Lord, please help me understand how you are God-with-me every day
My recording of this reading

 

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

Luke 1.26-38: In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to a man named Joseph. The angel said to her "Mary, Rejoice! You have been greatly blessed by God. You are to conceive and have a son whom you must name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God". Mary said to the angel, "How can this happen since I am a virgin?" The angel replied "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will specially bless you. Know this too: your cousin Elizabeth has, in her old age, conceived a son, and is now in her sixth  month". "I am the handmaid of the Lord", said Mary, "let what you have said, be done for me". And the angel left her. 
God the Son, thank you for becoming a baby in Mary's womb
Recording

 

Reflection on the above readings: 

As Christmas comes close, the Bible readings begin to focus on the mother of the Christmas baby. Six days before the baby's birth, were she and Joseph already in Bethlehem by now? Or still on the way?  Let's often think of them this week.

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10 years ago today:

Thank you Julie & Shenzhen friends for milk powder;Welcome Fr David, Colette, Jack + Garth; 12 year old brain tumor patient

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 Christmas smile

Little boy in "Outback" Australia had never seen rain. 
There had been a drought for more than 5 years.
Then just before Christmas the clouds began to form.
On Christmas Eve water fell from the sky.
The little boy ran to the window to see what was happening.
He called out to his mother "Mum, what's that?"
His mother replied "That's rain, dear"  (..reindeer..)

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

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia         
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia      
Thurs: S.E.Asia, Pacific 
Frid: South America    
Sat: Cent, N 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 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Gambia

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

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Please also join me in praying for the very many deformed and handicapped people from China who are on the streets of HK as beggars...as well as deformed people in China itself ...like Hung Chun Cai

    My Africa trips: 
2015: Tanzania, Malawi

2016: Kenya, Uganda

2017: Southern Africa, Dubai ( The Last Run)

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Australian Chinese for Families Association

Gay marriage: an elephant in the room (by John W)

Video: What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts 
同志婚姻自2004年立法後，美國麻省的改變 （ 廣東話附字幕版）

  Frightening YouTube reports: LGBT radical impact on educational institutions (No. 5); LGBT infiltrating churches (No. 6); US corporations massively supporting LGBT agenda (No. 7). What has happened in the US is now starting to happen in other places. Some day our children will ask "why didn't you do more to stop this evil?"

 

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Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre

Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"

 

HK readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK prison inmates: Sun: Lo Wu; Mon: C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai Lam; Tue: Stanley Wed:  Hei Ling Chau   Thu: Lantau 
Fri: Lai Chi Kok       Sat: Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres

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On revolving map: Left click bottom right silver button Left click country Left click state/province ....till you find your city/town !

Left click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page             Table shows location of readers: HK 24%;  Australia 22%;  UK 14%;  US  13%;  Canada 6% ; Tanzania 5%

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This website was launched  in construction mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ the King. The official launching  was held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20, 2012. Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012.  Previous visits 4,932. Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this main/index page. Visits to other pages and to Facebook page are not recorded. This site's 2017 statistics. Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!                              

                    

 Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡 頌 恆 神 父   
 jdwomi@gmail.com  HK mobile  +852- 67095674
 China mobile +86-13828421861 -  (only when in China)
PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Hong Kong                      

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