WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.660 This is one of my favorite days. One of my favorite days is when we come together and we get to hear stories of what God is doing in people's lives. 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:13.960 And so you're going to hear a series of a couple testimonies as we kind of put a cap on Romans 8. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:22.120 We'll come back to Romans 8 later on, but we'll hear some stories of what God has been doing in people's lives, particularly to people. 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:28.980 And I think we've talked over and over and over that we're all on a journey. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.880 So if you're hearing that for the first time, we're on a journey. 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:36.960 I'm Tobin. I'm a teaching pastor at Watermark Community Church. 00:00:37.020 --> 00:00:41.039 We want to welcome you because you should be hearing that over and over and over. 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:44.359 And as we go on these journeys, we learn. 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:47.280 You know, as a guy, I have been learning a lot. 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:49.019 And women probably go, amen. 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:55.260 But, you know, I think that for some reason, guys, we just feel like we're just supposed to know everything. 00:00:55.259 --> 00:01:00.820 You know, it's just, and so you're not ever to show that you don't know something, never ask questions. 00:01:01.259 --> 00:01:08.579 And you just have this incredible storehouse of knowledge in our brains for every situation and every circumstance. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:16.819 And I need to confess to you that for me, being a husband and being a dad is hard. 00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:21.599 I mean, I think that I never thought that being a dad was going to be hard. 00:01:21.679 --> 00:01:23.859 I never thought that being a husband was going to be hard. 00:01:24.259 --> 00:01:27.599 I just saw people doing it, and I figured, well, if they can do it, I can do it. 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:32.359 And I never figured out how they were doing it or if they're doing it well or what does it look like. 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:35.919 And I just didn't have very good models for what that looked like. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:42.079 And so, especially parenting, I feel like I'm very teachable from God's Word and from people around me. 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:48.219 And I'm always asking questions like, why did you do that with your kids, and how did your kids turn out, and why did they turn out the way they did, 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:54.319 and how can they turn out better, and how can you help me with my kids turn out better, and all of these things. 00:01:54.400 --> 00:01:58.780 And so, one of the things I learned really early was I started doing, asking questions. 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:04.480 Because I realized that I didn't have questions asked of me very often as a kid growing up by my parents. 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:09.579 And so, I've got it in this tradition, and I'm very careful because my kids are here and they're listening. 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:15.040 But just beginning, you know, my kids are my heroes in some sense. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:23.400 I'm learning more about the Lord and grace and mercy through parenting than my kids than I could have ever learned someplace else. 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:25.300 And so, I learned to ask questions. 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:28.920 And so, what I've done, and you can ask my kids this, hopefully. 00:02:29.880 --> 00:02:34.200 From a very early age, I would find places where I could ask them a series of questions. 00:02:34.820 --> 00:02:36.780 And the questions would always go something like this. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:40.219 The questions would go, do you know that I love you? 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:43.599 And how they would answer that. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:45.759 And then I would ask the question, well, how do you know that I love you? 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:48.599 And I would listen to what they would have to say. 00:02:49.139 --> 00:02:51.800 And so, I've been doing that now for 14 years. 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:55.860 And this week was the first time I got the answer that I never expected. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:59.740 So, it was KK, our 7-year-old who just turned 8. 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:02.040 And usually, I get her up in the morning. 00:03:02.140 --> 00:03:03.240 We get her ready for school. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:04.820 And we're preparing. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.040 And I'll take her to class. 00:03:06.140 --> 00:03:10.520 And the last thing I do when I bring her into school is I kind of get my hands on her face like this. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:13.280 And I look at her and I say, do you know that I love you? 00:03:13.980 --> 00:03:15.140 And I wait for the response. 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:17.620 And then I say, how do you know that I love you? 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:19.160 And so, this time I said the same thing. 00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:20.480 I said, do you know that I love you? 00:03:20.519 --> 00:03:21.699 And she goes, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:22.179 You love me. 00:03:22.219 --> 00:03:22.879 I know, I know, I know. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:24.979 I said, well, how do you know that I love you? 00:03:25.019 --> 00:03:27.379 And she goes, well, you tell me all the time. 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:30.439 I said, okay. 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:32.280 How else do you know that I love you? 00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:34.879 And she said, well, because you take care of me. 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:36.639 I'm like, okay, that's good. 00:03:36.959 --> 00:03:39.019 Well, this week, all those same things happen. 00:03:39.079 --> 00:03:43.479 And at the end of that time, she goes to me, why? 00:03:46.179 --> 00:03:47.000 Why do you love me? 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.620 Why do you take care of me? 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:54.719 And she said to me, do you love me and take care of me because I'm good? 00:03:56.340 --> 00:03:57.419 Because I've been good this week? 00:03:57.560 --> 00:03:59.839 Are you loving me and taking care of me because I've been good this week? 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:05.899 Are you loving me and taking care of me because I've been kind this week? 00:04:05.979 --> 00:04:07.000 Those were her two responses. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:09.219 First time I ever have a kid say, why? 00:04:09.339 --> 00:04:10.859 And it's because I do this. 00:04:11.899 --> 00:04:13.099 And I thought about that. 00:04:13.099 --> 00:04:15.259 In my mind, I'm racing like parent. 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:18.259 Okay, alert, alert, new category. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:19.659 No one ever asked why. 00:04:19.660 --> 00:04:21.240 What do I do when the why comes? 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:23.720 And so I just listened to it. 00:04:23.760 --> 00:04:27.260 I thought, you know, what if I just said, yeah, I love you because you obey? 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:31.720 Or what if I said to her, yeah, you're right. 00:04:31.760 --> 00:04:34.580 I love you because you're doing all the right things. 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:35.680 You're making all the good grades. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:40.879 Or what if I said to her, you know, KK, I love you because you're so beautiful. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:46.319 Or KK, I love you because you never tell a lie. 00:04:47.100 --> 00:04:49.939 What if I had said that to her as a condition to my love? 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:50.800 What would have happened? 00:04:52.159 --> 00:04:56.620 Well, what would have happened was I would have set up this idol within her world, this 00:04:56.620 --> 00:05:02.240 idol of, well, if I do these things, if I perform this way, my dad loves me. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:08.340 And she would have gone on this journey of performing and doing, trying to be smart, trying to be fast, 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:14.920 trying to be honest, trying to be beautiful, trying to be good so that I would love her. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:19.360 I would have created this idol in her life. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:24.660 And she would have spent all her life striving for that idol. 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:30.900 As we look at Romans, Paul asks us all one question. 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:37.620 He asks us in a very intimate and personal way, what are we striving for? 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:44.980 What is it in our world that we strive for? 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:51.780 And then if we get it and we do it and we keep doing it over and over and over, then God loves us. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:55.180 And we're made right. 00:05:57.019 --> 00:06:02.819 And what we realize as we go through the gospel of Romans, foundation by foundation by foundation, 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:04.920 is the truth is this. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:07.759 God loves you. 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:09.300 That's his child. 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:13.720 And if you say, why? 00:06:15.400 --> 00:06:17.800 He would say, because I love you. 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:27.980 That there's nothing you can do today as God's child to make him love you more. 00:06:29.900 --> 00:06:31.180 You can't perform. 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:34.400 You can't keep doing things to get more of that love. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:39.219 Because he doesn't love you because of the idols and things that we hold on to and that we strive for. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:43.859 He loves us because he loves us. 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:48.019 How do you feel about that? 00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:55.179 How does that make you feel? 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:59.540 For some people, it makes them feel very uncomfortable. 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:02.620 It makes them feel like, well, I got to do something. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:04.100 I got to earn it. 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:06.459 I got to prove to him that I'm worthy of my love. 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:07.920 It's like my neighbors in China. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:09.540 It was really interesting. 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:11.399 Christina and I, we moved into this new flat. 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:12.720 And I think I've told this story before. 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:14.780 But these people helped us. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:15.680 They were actually our landlords. 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:17.720 And we wanted to thank them. 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:19.100 And so Christina baked some cookies. 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:22.600 And so I went over to their house and I gave them these cookies. 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:23.520 And I said, thank you so much. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:24.520 I really appreciate it. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:25.980 You guys have been such a big help. 00:07:27.200 --> 00:07:30.400 Well, the next day we had this knock on our door and we had this cake. 00:07:31.460 --> 00:07:32.700 And they gave us a cake. 00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:35.140 And I thought, well, that's interesting. 00:07:35.340 --> 00:07:39.280 We gave them something to thank them for everything they've done and how much they've taken care of us. 00:07:39.539 --> 00:07:40.839 And they gave us a cake. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:44.379 And I figured, okay, let's try this out. 00:07:45.119 --> 00:07:48.159 So the next day we make a bigger cake. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:51.399 I'm not teasing you. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:56.219 And I take it over to them and say, hey, we just want to thank you for being a great neighbor. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:58.359 And we really appreciate everything you've done. 00:07:58.359 --> 00:08:01.239 And we just want to give you this cake because you're just a great landlord. 00:08:01.419 --> 00:08:03.959 And we appreciate you guys. 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:05.679 You know what happened? 00:08:06.739 --> 00:08:08.219 The next day we got a knock on our door. 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:10.060 There was two cakes. 00:08:12.940 --> 00:08:19.060 And I realized we live in a world and we live in a culture where it's very hard to receive grace. 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:27.660 We live in a world and we live in a culture where it's very hard to hear, I love you because I love you. 00:08:29.320 --> 00:08:32.820 Because we struggle with this brokenness in us. 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:37.000 And this brokenness tells us you're only loved if you perform. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.259 You only love if you do things. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:46.220 But what Romans has been telling us over and over and over is if you're God's child, he loves you because he loves you. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:52.700 If you're God's child, there's nothing you can do to earn more of his love. 00:08:52.700 --> 00:09:01.320 If you're God's child, there's nothing you can do to lose his love. 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:09.700 If you're God's child, there's nothing you can do today that would make God turn his back on you, 00:09:09.920 --> 00:09:16.460 not want to talk to you, not want to be involved in your life, not want to love you, not want to care for you. 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:22.780 Nothing you can do can change God's love for you. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:26.180 Do you know that? 00:09:31.900 --> 00:09:33.879 Do you live like that? 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:47.399 I think if we're honest, a lot of us know it, but in our hands and our hearts we strive for other things. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:54.899 Paul says at the end of Romans 8 that there's nothing that can take you away from God's love. 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:58.700 Nothing created in the universe, not even yourself. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:04.660 And so the question is, once we understand that, then what is our proper response? 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.940 We're not responding and doing to get. 00:10:08.780 --> 00:10:13.660 We're responding and loving because of what Christ has done for us. 00:10:15.020 --> 00:10:21.759 And the Bible says really clearly that one of the clear, very first responses that we are to have is God's people. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:29.179 Once we get our head around his love, once we understand grace, once we understand what he's doing in our lives, 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:36.659 one of the very first things that we are to do to show our understanding of this is to give testimony, 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:43.299 to share our story, to share what God has done in our lives, 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:49.299 to talk to people about God's grace, his mercy, his love, his forgiveness. 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:52.019 And so that's what we want to do today. 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:55.219 So I'm going to invite Yvonne Louis. 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.179 Yvonne, where are you? 00:10:57.479 --> 00:10:58.599 You're hiding right there. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:00.159 You're underneath me. 00:11:00.219 --> 00:11:01.599 So you were like, I couldn't even see you. 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:04.339 I'm going to invite Yvonne to come up. 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:09.019 And Yvonne is going to just share a little bit about her journey. 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:18.039 And Yvonne is doing this totally, she said, I don't want to do this, but because I trust you, I'm going to do that. 00:11:18.079 --> 00:11:19.799 So I promise not to embarrass her. 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.659 So come on up here. 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:28.059 Now you've seen Yvonne all the time up here, and she's helping us lead worship. 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:34.759 And I've known you for eight years, ten years? 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:35.259 Close. 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:35.839 Ten years? 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:36.699 Close to ten. 00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:39.579 Before we even started the church here, I've known Yvonne and her husband. 00:11:40.099 --> 00:11:45.000 And so I thought that Yvonne is actually, she's actually moving. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:48.559 And so she's moving back to northern Montana. 00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:50.419 It's Canada. 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:53.719 I call it northern Montana. 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:55.699 Now he's joking about Canada. 00:11:55.700 --> 00:12:00.480 But I thought I just would love to get Yvonne up here. 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:02.440 And I've known you for ten years now. 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:13.040 And just love for you to maybe start off by just kind of sharing to the Watermark family as you're up here worshiping, leading music, and helping us worship the Lord. 00:12:13.140 --> 00:12:17.600 Just share a little bit about yourself and how you came to be in Hong Kong and at Watermark. 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:22.259 Just a little bit of history. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:26.139 Because many of you I haven't spoke to personally. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:33.059 As I came to Hong Kong with my family, I had a husband and three kids. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:36.259 And we all came together to Hong Kong in 2001. 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:45.139 And then one by one, my kids moved home for university in Canada, northern Montana. 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:51.720 In 2007, my husband, Jeffrey, we were attending Island ECC back then. 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:55.580 And he was diagnosed with cancer, colon cancer. 00:12:56.360 --> 00:13:03.199 And so in 2008, we went home to Toronto, Canada, Ontario. 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:06.220 I have to get used to saying those things. 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:08.860 Toronto in 2008. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:13.480 And in three short weeks, he was gone, right? 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:16.660 So I spent about four months in Canada. 00:13:16.660 --> 00:13:22.540 And then I came back to Hong Kong in the spring of 2009. 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:29.320 I was thinking about just finishing off a degree that I started years ago. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:37.920 And then that was the beginning of my faith journey on my own in Hong Kong for five years. 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:41.160 In 2009, I started working at the school. 00:13:43.260 --> 00:13:51.520 And during that time, I thought God was calling me to join Watermark as we pray for Area 15, 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:55.100 which is now Watermark, right? 00:13:55.100 --> 00:14:00.060 So I remember, I mean, with Jeffrey. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:06.940 So I remember my first time we kind of interacted was on the second floor of Island ECC. 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:11.540 And so almost every Sunday, you guys would be staged here. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:13.899 You would be sitting right there with your backs towards the thing. 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:18.320 And I'd go pray with you and pray for him and that stuff. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:23.820 You feel comfortable maybe sharing a little bit about just what he did before? 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:25.700 Yes. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:28.040 He has an amazing story. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:36.639 The reason why we came back to Hong Kong was that he wanted to join a mission organization that served China. 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:42.279 He was part of an organization called Cornerstone Association Limited. 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:48.840 And it's just a company that has a cover to go into China, right? 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:53.720 So he was helping with orphans and rebuilding schools. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:56.779 And he had a heart for education. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:15:01.399 So for five years, he worked with Cornerstone. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:06.340 And after that, he decided to join the school that I was working at, CAIS, 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:12.899 because he wanted to touch – he wants to really go into education. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:17.620 He wants to get a doctorate degree so that he can work in China at that time. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.019 Yeah. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.379 Yeah. 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.679 Yeah. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:29.220 I mean, I remember just the people that he touched in his lives and the people who came into his life and just was amazing in that sense. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:37.080 So as you think about this journey you've been on and you've experienced the whole gamut of life, 00:15:37.160 --> 00:15:41.379 I think in some ways some of us are kind of naive and we talk about going on a journey, 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:46.120 but we always talk about the journey being, you know, very easy in life and things like that. 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:51.500 What would you say are some of the things that the Lord's been teaching you or what are the things that, you know, 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:57.620 the experiences that he's been showing you in his life and through all of these circumstances, 00:15:57.820 --> 00:16:00.440 these highs and these lows and things like that? 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:09.540 Last week's sermon, a few of those who were here last week, we talked about God is good, right? 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:11.200 And God is for us. 00:16:11.640 --> 00:16:16.680 And I think I remember Tobin was asking us, do you really believe that God is for you, 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:20.980 even though that you read in the Bible, but do you feel that in your heart? 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.740 That's what it is. 00:16:22.020 --> 00:16:27.840 And he also asked that if all things do work for good for those who work, who loves God. 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:35.700 And when I was, when he was asking those questions in my heart, really, honestly, I couldn't say yes right away. 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:36.899 You know, I cannot just say amen. 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:42.399 Because these are tough questions to answer even for me now. 00:16:44.280 --> 00:16:49.320 I think that it's a struggle between spirit, mind and heart. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:57.019 My mind, I agree that God is good and God is for me and he's looking out for me. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.480 I know that. 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:59.439 I can see it as I look back. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:04.480 I know for the fact that he is leading me and he's providing for me. 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:15.220 But I think sometimes my heart needs to catch up to that fact that he is for me and he is good. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:21.220 So it is a three-step forward and two-steps back process. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.819 Process. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:25.000 You make some progress and then you move back a little bit, right? 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:28.900 And another lesson that I learned is to travel light. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:37.620 Not just in terms of luggage or furniture, but to travel light in terms with God. 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:44.640 You know, sometimes we carry a lot of baggages in us or on us. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:49.800 And God said, you know, I'm ready for you. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.759 You know, I'm ready to forgive you. 00:17:51.820 --> 00:17:53.380 You don't have to carry all those things. 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:56.600 And so I've learned to travel light. 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:59.120 Keep my list short with God. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:01.680 I think that's in Romans too. 00:18:01.800 --> 00:18:05.980 At the very beginning, we said that we cannot do anything to earn God's grace. 00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:08.140 But we try. 00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:09.580 We often try. 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:12.939 But I've learned that, yeah, God, thank you. 00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:16.319 I just all have to do is say thank you and travel light. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:23.019 And I only have two pieces of luggage to take on board this week, this Wednesday as I leave. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:26.480 So not much to take home. 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:32.039 But I'm very happy that I don't have to lug it all by myself. 00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:32.839 That's great. 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:44.619 As you think about your time here in these last couple of years, what would you say, I mean, even just the last three years at Watermark, what has been the importance of community in your life? 00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:48.720 Or how has the community helped you in this journey you've been on? 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:57.819 Well, even before Watermark, when I was denied an ECC, my care group was really, my community group at that time was really close. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.980 And we've gone through everything together. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:07.100 And for myself in Watermark in the past five years, well, not five years, only three years old, right? 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:08.099 Yeah. 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.480 Yeah. 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.119 Yeah. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:18.919 Since I joined Watermark, there has been time that, when I think about it, the word lonely or alone comes to mind. 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:23.459 But when I realized, what I realized is I'm not alone. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:30.899 I have people that God has placed strategically around me just to be there at the right time. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:35.219 And he placed me in Watermark. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:40.740 My first care group was Tin Hao and Millen and Sylvia. 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:43.740 So, yeah, they were so great. 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.500 And they made me feel so welcome. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:52.839 Even, I think I remember we had community group meetings with only the three of us at the very beginning. 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:54.200 And it was wonderful. 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:57.000 I got to hug both of their attention. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:20:09.599 And God had given me that time just to have monopoly over, you know, I don't even know the word, their love. 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:18.159 So, he has placed, like I said, there are people placed in different places in my life. 00:20:18.699 --> 00:20:25.439 The past five years in my church, at school, where I work, in my studies. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:28.980 I even have Christian people, you know, where I was studying. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:38.140 And even a Christian, I don't know, massage therapist who keeps saying to me, you don't really need to come, you know. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.440 Have you prayed about this? 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:43.599 And so, he's not trying to get my business. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:47.579 He's trying to say that you need to lean on God and drop it off and not to carry it. 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:49.500 And I learned that. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:52.199 And I'm not alone in this greater community of God. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:21:00.500 It is there I find those who walked beside me who I can lean on and accept my goods and my bads. 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:03.119 And I feel approved. 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:08.259 I feel accepted and loved and treasured just being me. 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.699 I don't have to be anyone else. 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:15.480 In another word, the CG has exemplified Christ to me. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:18.360 Christ and Congestion, O love. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.440 That's great. 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:25.599 Yvonne is one of those people that she can't get rid of us because she's even at our school, our kids' school. 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:30.500 So, every time we drop our kids off or our kids get in trouble, I know that never happens. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.599 But so, she's right there. 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:34.440 So, she's right in the midst of all these things. 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:41.200 As you think about this next leg of your journey and you're going back to Canada, what are some things we could pray for you? 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.799 I have to make a list. 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:44.720 So, I don't know if you want to write down. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.299 I'm sorry. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.700 Okay. 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:52.099 I have been in Hong Kong since 2001. 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:53.700 So, I've been here for a long time. 00:21:54.460 --> 00:22:03.380 And my kids, yeah, I haven't lived with my kids for a long time, especially my eldest, Jeff Ryan, since 2002. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:07.900 So, I want to be a part of their lives again in a deeper way. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:13.980 So, I ask for prayer for that because two of my children, they're not walking with God. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:17.740 Jeff Ryan and Jenny, they both feel that right now they're okay. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.500 They don't really need God for now. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.440 Yeah. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:26.600 And Gregory, he is actively serving in the church. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:30.039 But I think he still needs, you know, I just want to be with them. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:35.320 So, pray for me that I will have the courage and energy to do just that. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:38.740 And my in-laws, that's another prayer item. 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:44.179 He mentioned it many times about the challenges of interacting with in-laws. 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:48.359 And I wrote down here, I'm no Ruth, right? 00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.539 Yeah. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:57.419 This journey home will involve some rebuilding, you know, bridges to rebuild bridges between me and my in-laws. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:59.360 And it is complicated. 00:22:59.800 --> 00:23:01.600 So, that's prayer item two. 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.360 Prayer item three. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:09.920 As much as I wish to retire, as you can see that I'm way too young for that. 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:20.800 So, I need to find a job that I can support myself and a home in Toronto or Waterloo where my children are. 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:26.880 And the last one, item number four, is a church community. 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:29.360 That's the last but important. 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:35.320 I know that I will have moments of doubts and uncertainties about moving home. 00:23:35.560 --> 00:23:38.060 Maybe I made the wrong decisions or something like that. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:42.900 So, many unspoken fears and negative self-talks. 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:47.779 So, pray that God will provide his people around me in my new church home. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.060 Thank you. 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:49.360 Thanks. 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:55.380 Thanks for being on this journey and blessing us and being a part of our church family. 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:56.820 And so, I'm going to pray for Yvonne. 00:23:57.700 --> 00:24:00.420 And we'll probably just thank you for this day. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:04.180 We thank you for your mercy in our life. 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.300 I pray for my dear sister here. 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:09.640 I just thank you that your hand has been upon her so faithfully. 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:12.580 Even in the difficult, difficult times. 00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:14.480 And so, Lord, we just rejoice. 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.860 We praise you. 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:23.200 We praise your name as you play out her story and you make it even something amazing to people to look at. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:25.100 We pray just for peace. 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:28.000 That she would know that you're going before her. 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:35.500 That the decisions, there would be no fear, no doubt, no what ifs as she walks towards you in this process. 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:41.819 We pray that for her kids, for the two who don't know you yet, that you would open their eyes. 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:45.039 And they would see what they're striving for. 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:50.319 And they would ask questions of whether that is the ultimate thing that will give them happiness and meaning. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:54.119 And sustain their lives in the way that you've sustained their mother's life. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:56.819 In the good times and in the difficult times. 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:59.779 And we pray that you would find a church family for her. 00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:06.740 I pray that you would open up opportunities that she could find a family that meets needs. 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:09.879 That she can use her gifts and her talents to serve there. 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:13.700 And to share the story of all the amazing things you're doing in her life. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:17.980 For those who need to hear of your mercy and your grace and your faithfulness. 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:20.640 And so we just thank you for our dear sister Yvonne. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:26.500 We pray just many blessings upon her as she goes from here on this week. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.900 And we know that your hand is upon her. 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:33.380 And we thank you that we can see some of these stories and be a part of these stories. 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:35.900 And we pray all these things in your son Jesus' name. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.640 Amen. 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.740 Thank you. 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:49.279 When we got together and several of us were dreaming about what kind of church did God want us to plant, to start, Watermark. 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:52.140 A couple of the sayings that kept coming to our head. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:59.880 We wanted to be a church for the glory of God and for those who weren't in church on Sunday. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.099 Do you hear that? 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:08.480 We feel like we wanted to be a church for God's glory and for the people who weren't already in church. 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:11.939 That we feel like God called us to be a church that was outwardly focused. 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:15.740 Not just about what's happening within us, but outwardly with us. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:17.240 What's going on in the community. 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:19.259 What's happening in people's lives who aren't in church. 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:23.319 And how can we meet them and bring them to the family of faith. 00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:26.379 We wanted to be a place where people could take their next step in their journey. 00:26:26.459 --> 00:26:27.339 No matter where they were. 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:29.019 The testimonies aren't perfect. 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.899 We're not perfect people. 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:31.600 But whatever that next step is in the journey. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:34.240 We wanted to be a place where people could come. 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:35.180 They could meet the Lord. 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:37.420 And they could take that next step. 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:41.759 And so I wanted to ask Will to come up. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.980 And you're changing positions on me too. 00:26:44.060 --> 00:26:44.680 Everybody's kind of. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.140 And so Will. 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.000 This is Will. 00:26:47.780 --> 00:26:48.680 Can you say hi to Will? 00:26:48.820 --> 00:26:49.480 Will, everybody hi. 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.560 Hello. 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:52.220 And so Will is. 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:55.340 I just got a chance to meet Will. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:58.000 I've known his relatives a lot longer. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.799 He has very famous relatives. 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:01.859 So I don't know if he sticks up to that. 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:04.559 But Will has been here for six months. 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:11.119 And he's from the land of perpetual spring and good summers and great weather. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:11.859 England. 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:14.420 And that's a joke. 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:14.920 Okay. 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.099 And so. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:19.140 But he's been practicing a lot on his Texas accent. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.960 And so I figured he could come up here. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.220 And. 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.000 But I just. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.599 I really. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.019 I just wanted. 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:25.099 You're heading out next week too. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.359 Right. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.399 So everybody's heading out. 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:28.599 This time next week I'll be on a plane back to England. 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:29.259 Okay. 00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:31.819 So you're going to catch the soccer. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.639 But you guys aren't into soccer, are you? 00:27:33.679 --> 00:27:34.240 Not anymore. 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:34.839 I'm so sorry. 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.479 No Tobin. 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.359 Where's Chris? 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:38.799 Okay. 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.079 No. 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.799 In a bad few weeks. 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:43.199 Yeah. 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:46.219 And I'm a bad person. 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:46.639 I know. 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.000 So. 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:48.059 Yeah. 00:27:48.219 --> 00:27:48.519 I mean. 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.179 Hey Will. 00:27:49.219 --> 00:27:50.459 I thought maybe you could just come up. 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:53.720 And we were talking about all the things that God has done in our lives. 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:55.299 And just what it looks like to be on a journey. 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.319 And maybe just. 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.519 Can you share a little bit about. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.340 Just how. 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.299 Yourself. 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:01.200 And how you came to be in Hong Kong. 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.980 And at Watermark. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.680 Absolutely. 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.519 So. 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.940 As Tobin said. 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.000 I've been here since January. 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:08.799 I came out to Hong Kong to bring. 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.960 My business. 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.960 Which I've been running in England for about seven years. 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.660 Out here. 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.720 Open up a branch in Hong Kong. 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:20.620 I advise parents on choosing UK boarding schools. 00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:23.579 Which is quite a small and niche job. 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:28.640 But it was actually through education that I became a Christian. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.480 Which is very recent. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.039 As Tobin says. 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.960 Everyone's on a journey. 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:34.180 I'm right at the beginning of my journey. 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.980 In Hong Kong. 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:39.120 It's the first time I've attended church on a regular basis. 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:44.259 And it was only last year that I read C.S. Lewis's books. 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:46.100 To begin with on education. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:48.579 And they made so much sense to me. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:51.180 That I began to read him on Christianity as well. 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:53.140 And so when I came out to Hong Kong. 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:55.539 I wanted to start a bit of a new chapter. 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:59.500 And I started by going to St. John's. 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:01.019 And then I met Bernard. 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.860 In March. 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:04.039 And he said. 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.720 Why don't you come along to Watermark? 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:07.500 So I've been coming here since about March. 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.360 That's great. 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:08.720 Yeah. 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.519 So maybe. 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.779 Within that. 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:12.420 During the time you've been here. 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.940 Share a little bit about what. 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.759 God's been teaching you. 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.140 You know. 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.460 You said you're at the very beginning of the journey. 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:18.660 And you've been learning. 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:20.759 What are some things you've been learning about yourself. 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.799 And about him. 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.759 In this process. 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.380 Right. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:25.640 So. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:28.940 I used to think that the British weren't. 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:31.180 Very good at introspection. 00:29:31.320 --> 00:29:31.660 But then. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.779 Hearing Chris speak. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:35.120 Maybe that's just more of a personal. 00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:35.900 Flaw. 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:39.560 Because he's great at it. 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:43.420 So I think the thing which has most. 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:46.040 Forcibly struck me in the last. 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.320 Six months. 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:50.220 Has been the utter truth of what. 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.780 Has seemed to be the. 00:29:53.300 --> 00:29:54.740 Central theme of every single. 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.440 Service here on Sunday. 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:56.880 Which is. 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:59.300 This idea that you're. 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:00.580 Either. 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:02.220 On a journey towards. 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:02.700 God. 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:03.540 Or. 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.860 That. 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:06.080 You're setting up some. 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.360 One or something. 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.380 Up in your life. 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.040 Instead of God. 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.420 Which is. 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:09.940 Usually. 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.140 Yourself. 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.660 Tobin's very good about. 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:14.840 Visualizing the journey. 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:15.880 Either towards God. 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.480 Or to yourself. 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.240 Either being. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.060 Wrapped in. 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:18.560 In yourself. 00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:19.760 Or trying to. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:22.720 Open yourself. 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.359 Up. 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.900 To other people. 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:25.980 To God. 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.859 So that's the. 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:29.099 Thing which has struck me. 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.099 More than anything. 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:32.519 The idea of God's plan. 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.039 Is still. 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:33.940 One of. 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:36.180 Which is very mysterious to me. 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.740 But the idea of God's design. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.400 Is one that has been. 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:42.519 So clear. 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.579 In the last six months. 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.480 That by. 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:47.440 Trying to open oneself up. 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.819 You seem to be pleasing. 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.819 Some. 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.019 Design. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.299 Created by him. 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.619 So I very much felt that. 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.359 In my own life. 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.139 Trying to. 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.359 Please God. 00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:58.039 By being a. 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.700 Good brother. 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.700 A good son. 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.679 A good boss. 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.359 A good colleague. 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:03.059 And always coming up. 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:04.159 With the temptation to. 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.720 Set myself up. 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.639 As a. 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.339 As a. 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:07.619 You know. 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.399 An idol. 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:09.119 In my life. 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:09.379 Instead. 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.059 On an absolutely. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.779 Daily basis. 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:11.980 But. 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.339 I've also seen it. 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.179 In the last six months. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.039 In just my experiences. 00:31:16.419 --> 00:31:17.179 In Hong Kong. 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.799 Through watermark. 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.859 Particularly through my CG. 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.480 I see. 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:22.299 Amazing attempts. 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:23.379 By people to. 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.039 Put. 00:31:25.439 --> 00:31:25.759 God. 00:31:26.179 --> 00:31:27.500 In the center of their lives. 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.379 To be selfless. 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:28.919 To be. 00:31:29.439 --> 00:31:30.259 Very generous. 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.980 With their time. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.220 And. 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:33.419 Their. 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.819 Their kindness. 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.659 To me in particular. 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.240 Tobin. 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.500 And. 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.259 And Bernard. 00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:38.759 Have both. 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.559 Given me. 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.839 Furnished me with books. 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:42.039 And. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.639 And even. 00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:44.259 Just small things like that. 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:44.779 Such a. 00:31:45.199 --> 00:31:45.599 Amazing. 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:48.879 Amazing model. 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.699 For how to be. 00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:50.720 A good Christian. 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.240 I'm very. 00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:52.839 Selfish about my books. 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:53.519 When I buy a book. 00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.079 It's for me. 00:31:54.179 --> 00:31:54.879 And I keep it. 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.379 But. 00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:56.659 Tobin and Bernard. 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.119 In fact. 00:31:57.459 --> 00:31:58.480 Bernard gave me this amazing. 00:31:59.139 --> 00:32:00.179 Smythson's diary as well. 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.419 Just. 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.539 Amazing generosity. 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.039 And in the same. 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.680 Same breath. 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.480 In my job in Hong Kong. 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:08.220 I'm always coming up. 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:10.039 Always meeting people. 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:10.539 Who. 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.799 Don't have God. 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.839 At the center of their lives. 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:13.619 Who. 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.240 Particularly with education. 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.839 Think that if their child. 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.480 Can just get into the right school. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.759 Then their whole world. 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.539 Their whole happiness. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.500 Will be. 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.319 Solved. 00:32:22.659 --> 00:32:23.099 Or. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.700 In my. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.659 Experience. 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:27.119 With the expat scene out here. 00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:28.700 That if they can just. 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:30.420 Go out to Lang Kui Fong. 00:32:30.879 --> 00:32:32.099 And go mad for a night. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:32.619 That they're. 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.239 Their happiness. 00:32:33.239 --> 00:32:33.699 Will be. 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.479 Will be assured. 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.379 And so. 00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:37.019 The experiences in Hong Kong. 00:32:37.159 --> 00:32:37.739 Both personally. 00:32:38.199 --> 00:32:38.539 And. 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:39.519 In. 00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:40.719 Meeting people. 00:32:41.219 --> 00:32:41.919 Have just confirmed. 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:42.959 That central fact. 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.279 About. 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.719 The Christian faith. 00:32:45.439 --> 00:32:45.539 Yeah. 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.319 And so. 00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:47.399 You mentioned a little bit about. 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.399 Your community group. 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:48.839 Your CG. 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.339 And what. 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.500 What they. 00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.059 Maybe. 00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:52.119 Can you share a little bit more about. 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:52.379 Like. 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.139 What kind of role. 00:32:54.239 --> 00:32:55.179 Have they played in your life. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.559 And you know. 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.459 There's some people in here. 00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.459 Who aren't in community groups. 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:57.719 And. 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.639 They're trying to decide. 00:32:58.679 --> 00:32:59.719 Why should I get into one. 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.399 What does it look like. 00:33:00.699 --> 00:33:00.939 So. 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.979 What would you share. 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.240 Has. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:04.220 That role been in your life. 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:04.740 Well. 00:33:05.360 --> 00:33:06.120 It's a small. 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.259 It's a microcosm. 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:08.980 Of what Watermark. 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.500 Has been. 00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:10.860 In my life. 00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:11.380 And why it's been. 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.599 I just can't imagine. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.400 The last six months. 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.539 Without Watermark. 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:15.779 So the two things. 00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:16.860 I'm most grateful for. 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.419 Are. 00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:17.979 Firstly. 00:33:17.979 --> 00:33:18.019 Firstly. 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.799 Just the fellowship. 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:20.179 And secondly. 00:33:20.459 --> 00:33:20.699 The. 00:33:22.219 --> 00:33:23.259 Continuing understanding. 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.179 Of the Christian faith. 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:24.959 And the CG. 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.899 And Watermark. 00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:27.259 Have both been amazing. 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:27.839 At doing that. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.500 The churches. 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.199 I've been aware of. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.519 In England. 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.519 They do have. 00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:32.579 Fellowship. 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.479 But the sort of churches. 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.299 I grew up. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.039 Sometimes attending. 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.199 The fellowship. 00:33:37.199 --> 00:33:37.779 Was. 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:39.839 Often. 00:33:40.199 --> 00:33:40.539 Around. 00:33:40.639 --> 00:33:41.259 Cups of tea. 00:33:41.979 --> 00:33:42.759 And not very nice. 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.199 Biscuits. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.039 Usually. 00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.539 In a room. 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.860 In a drafty room. 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.500 At the back. 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:49.259 Of the church. 00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:50.700 And it was very voluntary. 00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:51.559 Whether you would ever go. 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:51.779 And. 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.539 Into it. 00:33:52.580 --> 00:33:53.059 It sounds. 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.640 Not that. 00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:54.539 Terrifying. 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.039 But really. 00:33:55.360 --> 00:33:55.860 The idea. 00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:56.440 Of all these. 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.180 Usually old ladies. 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:59.039 With their cups of tea. 00:33:59.059 --> 00:33:59.660 And horrible biscuits. 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:00.940 Just. 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:02.220 You know. 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.000 Required so much. 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:03.259 Whereas. 00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:04.039 Watermark. 00:34:04.080 --> 00:34:04.559 And in the CG. 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.900 The fellowship's just so. 00:34:06.360 --> 00:34:06.740 Warm. 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.600 And opening. 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.240 And. 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.039 You know. 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.420 It's. 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.480 It's a very different feel. 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.159 And then. 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.179 On the understanding. 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:14.799 Of faith. 00:34:15.379 --> 00:34:16.119 Both formally. 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:16.919 Through. 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:18.439 Your preaching Tobin. 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.519 And through Chris's. 00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:21.059 Apologetics course. 00:34:21.439 --> 00:34:21.839 I just. 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.399 Have felt. 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:24.339 So many questions. 00:34:24.339 --> 00:34:24.899 That I had. 00:34:25.299 --> 00:34:25.839 Have been. 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.460 Answered. 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.159 And Jeremy. 00:34:27.319 --> 00:34:27.500 And. 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.259 And Chris. 00:34:28.299 --> 00:34:29.079 Have also taken time. 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.659 Out of their days. 00:34:29.799 --> 00:34:30.460 To answer. 00:34:30.919 --> 00:34:31.579 Further questions. 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:31.879 From me. 00:34:31.939 --> 00:34:32.199 It's just. 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.279 Amazingly kind. 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:34.139 But even. 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:35.919 Other members. 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.779 Of the CG group. 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.719 Just. 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.599 On our. 00:34:38.939 --> 00:34:39.599 Very active. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.379 WhatsApp group. 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.399 And. 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.359 And in other ways. 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:43.480 Just constantly. 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:45.380 Living. 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:46.500 Trying to live. 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.140 Live a communal. 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:48.079 Christian life. 00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:49.480 In a modern world. 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:49.740 It's. 00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:50.500 It's amazing to see. 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.000 Yeah. 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:52.220 I think that always. 00:34:52.420 --> 00:34:52.720 If you. 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:53.980 Add diet coke. 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.579 To anything. 00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:56.260 Even bad biscuits. 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:56.920 It helps. 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.340 Right. 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.180 So maybe you could. 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:59.039 Go back with that. 00:34:59.160 --> 00:34:59.960 Go back with that. 00:34:59.960 --> 00:34:59.980 Go back with that. 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.300 Go back with that. 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:01.619 Well. 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.099 Will. 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:02.360 As you. 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:02.980 As you think about. 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:04.320 Your next stage. 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:04.860 Of your journey. 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.639 You're going out there. 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:06.059 You know. 00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.320 And. 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.420 How can we. 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.400 How can we pray for you? 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:08.559 I mean. 00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.280 What are some things. 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:09.559 I mean. 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.860 It's been so obvious. 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.500 As God. 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:13.139 Has you here. 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.420 And when I heard you. 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:14.860 Going back. 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.159 I was like. 00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:15.539 Oh no. 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:15.960 You just. 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:17.500 Seen all these things. 00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.659 Like the perfect storm. 00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:19.179 Of colliding. 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:20.579 And you see God's hand. 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.359 In your life. 00:35:22.359 --> 00:35:22.619 Right. 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:23.259 So how can we. 00:35:23.379 --> 00:35:24.359 How can we keep praying for you. 00:35:24.399 --> 00:35:25.059 As you head over there. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:26.839 Well. 00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:27.719 I've been praying. 00:35:27.919 --> 00:35:29.699 As to how I can keep on serving. 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:30.480 Watermark. 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:32.119 And the community here. 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.719 Back in London. 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.819 So certainly. 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.919 If anyone's coming over to London. 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:35.779 Do get in touch. 00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:38.819 Very few of my. 00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:39.960 Close friends. 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.339 And none of my family. 00:35:41.399 --> 00:35:41.839 Are Christians. 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:42.899 So. 00:35:43.339 --> 00:35:43.699 The. 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:44.679 Principal. 00:35:44.919 --> 00:35:45.059 Thing. 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.859 Which is on my mind. 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.379 Is just. 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:47.919 How I'm going to. 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.079 Replicate. 00:35:49.179 --> 00:35:50.460 The experiences I have here. 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.460 On Fridays and Sundays. 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.899 Back in London. 00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:53.219 So. 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.779 Any prayers. 00:35:55.359 --> 00:35:55.960 For that. 00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:56.500 Journey. 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:56.779 Just. 00:35:57.279 --> 00:35:58.159 Eric put it very well. 00:35:58.839 --> 00:35:59.639 A couple of months ago. 00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.899 When he said that the Christian journey. 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:01.719 Seemed to be one of. 00:36:02.359 --> 00:36:02.799 Slow. 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:04.199 And unspectacular. 00:36:04.339 --> 00:36:04.779 Progress. 00:36:05.319 --> 00:36:05.639 And I. 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.579 I very much feel that. 00:36:07.319 --> 00:36:08.199 As Yvonne said. 00:36:08.759 --> 00:36:09.779 Three steps forward. 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.839 And two steps back. 00:36:12.279 --> 00:36:12.960 Any prayers. 00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.899 Just for the continuing. 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:14.559 Slow. 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:16.159 And unspectacular. 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:17.480 I hope it keeps on being progress. 00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:18.319 Rather than regress. 00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:19.980 Would be very. 00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:20.900 Gratefully received. 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.480 That's great. 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:23.320 Thanks. 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.059 I'm going to pray for you. 00:36:24.200 --> 00:36:24.660 Can I pray for you? 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.080 Yeah. 00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:26.059 I'm going to pray for Will. 00:36:26.200 --> 00:36:26.880 And then I'm going to. 00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:28.340 I'm going to close this up. 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:28.860 With a prayer. 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:29.460 Father. 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.980 Thank you for your hand. 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.640 Upon us. 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:34.300 Thank you that you. 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:34.880 Love us. 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.900 Because you love us. 00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:36.700 You know. 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:38.100 Thank you for my brother Will here. 00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:39.180 Lord. 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:40.160 I know that you. 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:42.000 From the very beginning of time. 00:36:42.140 --> 00:36:43.080 You had a purpose. 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:43.840 A plan. 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.340 You called him. 00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:47.120 You opened his eyes to your son. 00:36:47.240 --> 00:36:48.800 And in the process of bringing life. 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.300 And people. 00:36:49.620 --> 00:36:50.500 And literature. 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:51.600 And work. 00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:53.400 And friends and family. 00:36:53.600 --> 00:36:53.880 Together. 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:56.420 You continue just to show him your son. 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:59.760 And the struggles that he's moving in with his life. 00:36:59.800 --> 00:37:00.640 That we all struggle with. 00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:01.079 Which is. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.500 Who are we going to serve? 00:37:02.620 --> 00:37:04.380 And what are we living for? 00:37:04.640 --> 00:37:04.660 And. 00:37:05.160 --> 00:37:05.340 Father. 00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:06.800 I thank you for what you've done in his life. 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.380 And I just pray. 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:07.720 Father. 00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:07.940 You. 00:37:08.180 --> 00:37:10.039 We know that you will go before him. 00:37:10.700 --> 00:37:12.360 We pray for a good church family. 00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:12.980 Back home. 00:37:13.140 --> 00:37:14.180 In London. 00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:15.019 We pray that. 00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:16.720 You bring people around him. 00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:17.860 In a community that would love him. 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:18.780 And that would encourage him. 00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:19.780 I pray just for wisdom. 00:37:19.780 --> 00:37:20.280 As he. 00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:21.720 Interacts with his family. 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.059 And. 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:24.099 I know that for most of us in here. 00:37:24.200 --> 00:37:26.099 That is a huge prayer request. 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:26.280 Of. 00:37:26.640 --> 00:37:28.180 How do we love our family well. 00:37:28.220 --> 00:37:29.680 And how do we point them to Christ. 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:32.059 In families that are so counter. 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:33.120 Christian. 00:37:33.760 --> 00:37:35.740 And so I pray for your grace upon him. 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:37.400 I pray that you would just give him patience. 00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:39.420 I pray that you would help him to be. 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:41.120 Methodical in his prayers. 00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:42.160 And his loving them. 00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:42.920 And sacrificial. 00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:44.460 In his time. 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.460 In his words. 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.319 And with his books. 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:48.679 And I pray that they would see a change. 00:37:48.699 --> 00:37:50.779 And they would ask about what that change is. 00:37:50.839 --> 00:37:52.879 And he could just point to your son Jesus. 00:37:53.819 --> 00:37:54.019 Father. 00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:56.019 I pray for wisdom as he walks with you. 00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:58.779 And I pray for a community to walk together with him. 00:37:58.960 --> 00:38:02.239 And I thank you for just allowing us to experience just a glimpse. 00:38:02.819 --> 00:38:05.679 Of your mercy and grace in his life. 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.199 And it is amazing. 00:38:07.679 --> 00:38:11.719 And to know that there are multiple, multiple, multiple stories out here. 00:38:11.719 --> 00:38:13.000 Of glimpses. 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:17.159 And that we can, you weave all of those together into a tapestry. 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:19.819 That's this amazing picture of your kingdom. 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.500 Wherever you are. 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:22.299 Wherever we are. 00:38:22.399 --> 00:38:23.219 Wherever you send us. 00:38:23.299 --> 00:38:24.299 And so I thank you for my brother. 00:38:24.799 --> 00:38:26.980 And we pray all these things in your son Jesus name. 00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:27.439 Amen. 00:38:27.439 --> 00:38:27.579 Amen. 00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:27.639 Amen. 00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.799 Amen. 00:38:28.799 --> 00:38:30.819 Amen. 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:32.900 Amen. 00:38:35.900 --> 00:38:36.839 Amen. 00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:37.679 Amen. 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:37.759 Amen. 00:38:37.759 --> 00:38:37.819 Amen. 00:38:37.879 --> 00:38:38.059 Amen. 00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:38.199 Amen.