HONG KONG, Kowloon
Comments by the Faithful & Discreet Slave class about those serving where the need is greater, specifically in their relationship to the progress of the worldwide Kingdom Preaching work:
"What accounts for such progress? Many things. Missionaries trained at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and, more recently, upwards of 20,000 graduates of the Ministerial Training School have made a huge contribution. So have the many Witnesses who at their own expense have moved to lands where the need for Kingdom publishers is greater. Such self-sacrificing Christians—men and women, young and old, single and married—play a significant role in preaching the Kingdom message throughout the earth. They are greatly appreciated."
Watchtower July 1, 2005, Pages 22-23
Kowloon means nine dragons and represents the eight mountain peaks & the ninth being the Chinese emperor. Languages: English and Chinese are Hong Kong's two official languages.
Brief History: On 30 June 1997 Britain was to hand over New Territories, not Hong Kong island or Kowloon. Since half of Hong Kong's population was living in New Territories, knowing that most people in Hong Kong would prefer to remain under British rule, the British tried to extend the lease for another 50 years. However China refused and the British opted to hand over to entire colony. So on 1 July 1997, after 156 years of British rule, both parts of Kowloon were transferred to the People's Republic of China along with the rest of Hong Kong.
Location: Hong Kong is divided up geographically into four major
sections: Hong Kong Island, KOWLOON, the New Territories, and the Outlying
Islands. Kowloon is located north of Hong Kong Island and south of the
mainland part of the New Territories.
Kowloon
refers to urban area of Kowloon Peninsula & New Kowloon bordered by straights
& islands on all sides. It is one of the most densely populated areas in the
world. A tunnel through the mountains links Kowloon to Hong Kong. Population
est: 3,000,000. Population density: 44,000 people/km² or 112,000 people/mi².
The peninsula's area is approximately 47 km² .
Religion: Hong Kong is still very much entrenched in old Chinese traditions. With well over 90% of the territory's population ethnic Chinese, Hong Kong has over 600 temples, monasteries and shrines. The majority of the Chinese are of three main religions or philosophies - Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism. There is freedom of religion in Hong Kong with about 7% of the population professing to be Christians, 1% Muslims and several thousand Hindus and Sikhs.
"Hong Kong is so densely populated that it was once aptly described as "wall-to-wall people." The Mong Kok district has 362,000 people to the square mile [140,000 per sq km]! Much land has been reclaimed from the sea, and yet about 1 percent of the population still lives literally on the water! Known locally as Tanka, they dwell on junks or boats, as did their fishermen ancestors, who came from northern China and set up a tiny fishing village there in the second millennium B.C.E....
"...National Geographic calls [Hong Kong] "the world’s third largest financial center and its eleventh largest trading economy," Hong Kong is preoccupied with making and spending money. "May you be blessed with prosperity" is the usual greeting during Lunar New Year celebrations....Hong Kong consumes more cognac, per capita, and boasts more Rolls-Royces, per acre, than any other place on earth." 1994 Awake!, Page 11, 12
Learning Cantonese, Indonesian & Greek to Help Out Where the Need is Great!
[Letter from a young needgreater brother]
"I'm Rob, a brother in Kowloon English Congregation here in Hong Kong. We have a great English Circuit over here of more than 2000 publishers, mostly Philippinas working here as domestic helpers."
[Note: On the average around 140,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong. Filipino maids are known by the locals as amahs or often feiyungs . In some cases Filipino women with college degrees and perfect command of English are willing to work as maids and nannies for the higher salary they will receive in Hong Kong than they could make at home.]
"There
are a few western brothers over here for work, but many of the brothers have
moved out like myself to help. My congregation. is fairly
typical of the situation here in Hong Kong. We have 230 publishers, 220 of whom
are SISTERS! Out of the 9 brothers in the congregation we have 2 elders and 1
ministerial servant: myself.
"I'm originally from Wembley, London, England. Presently 21 years old. I came out in Oct '96 after I'd heard about the need at a district convention in the June of that year.
"At that time I had been pioneering for 3 years and was associating with the London Chinese Congregation so you can imagine how useful my Cantonese was when I moved here.
"Since the move I have progressed very little in my Cantonese due to being busy in the congregation here. I have also been studying Koine Greek which left little time for other pursuits. However, since April I have started to learn Indonesian, due to the large number of Indonesians in our territory now. Unlike the Philippines, many of them are not fluent in English, but will respond to spiritual help in their own language.
"To aid my studies, after I attend the International Convention in London I'm going to Indonesia for one month. I will have the opportunity to attend the District convention there as well in August. I'm sure this will enhance my ministry even further in the future, although our preaching amongst the Philippines is still very productive.
"We have a great need for mature brothers to take the lead in the congregations out here. We are confident that Jehovah will provide for the congregations despite the limited number of brothers."
Agape,
Rob Robert James Connelly
INTERESTING INFORMATION FROM SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS:
From Small Island to Busy Airport, g98 9/8 11-13
Crime: g97 3/8 4-5Religion: Triads: g97 3/8 4-5
Finding True Riches in Hong Kong: w93 5/15 23
Wall to Wall People: g94 1/8 10-11A Day in My Life in Crowded Hong Kong, effect on daily life: g91 11/8 4-5
Helping the Dead?, g98 6/8 28
Major Cities of Commerce: g94 2/22 10-12,
Branch Office: jv 393; yb92 26; yb89 26
For Current
News Releases: Asia/Pacific
Visit the authorized site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses
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The purpose of the Serving Where the Need is Great Web Page is simply to share many of the joys and experiences of needgreaters throughout the world. It has been prepared with the hope of encouraging all of Jehovah’s servants as well as motivating those who have the circumstances to reach out for this wonderful privilege of service. In no way is the information provided here a substitute for following the instructions of the Society which include contacting the Branch Office in the country in which you would like to serve.