My Precious Serendipity
Eva Ho
(M. Div.)
When we decided to leave the mission field that we were serving at the time, my husband and I felt the need for comprehensive training in theology, so we applied for theological studies overseas. Much to our surprise, however, the Heavenly Father brought my whole family including my husband and our children back to Hong Kong. After our return to Hong Kong, I was planning to study an online theology course to accommodate my family needs. Yet I remembered what Rev. Dr. Moye said, so I first prayed and sought God’s will. Eventually, God guided me to study a full-time course at HKBTS, where I experienced the best three years of my life!
Challenges before Joining HKBTS
After leaving Hong Kong for nearly seven years, our family returned to Hong Kong in mid-2015. We had to start all over again–reengaging in a church, finding a home, settling the children’s schooling (at the time we met an influx of “doubly non-permanent resident children” reaching their schooling age, and hence high competition), work arrangements for the transitional period, etc. These were all immense challenges for us. Nevertheless, by God’s great grace, we were able to tackle these swiftly. Our children were just over three and less than one year old respectively when they left Hong Kong. For them, Hong Kong was a foreign land; it was merely the root of their parents. Fortunately, with the help of the school and teachers, they quickly adapted to the new environment.
Abrupt Culture Shock
A year later, just as I thought I was completely engaged in the life and culture of Hong Kong, even understanding the new slang and expressions used by the local newspapers and social media, yet this middle-aged returnee-missionary who entered HKBTS and was learning with mostly younger fellow students, suddenly came to be aware of the generational differences deep down in our culture, language, thoughts and values. This led to an unexpected and unprecedented culture shock that struck my heart! Not to mention that I had left school and had been working in the commercial world for over 20 years before serving full-time away from Hong Kong. I was completely disconnected with academics, and was clueless about the new technology and learning tools. Looking at the overwhelming amount of unfamiliar books, articles and terminologies, I was so frightened and baffled that I had no idea what to do!
Precious Serendipity
Faced with these seemingly colossal challenges and a sense of powerlessness and frustration, I remembered Dr. Moye’s words, “Teachers at HKBTS are not only knowledgeable academics, but also have the hearts of pastors who are willing to help students in all aspects.” However, as a full-time mother who was studying during the daytime, my hours on campus were fully used to attend lectures. If it was already a stretch to even spare time to go to the library, how would I have time to speak to teachers? I could only pray to God in silence as I did not want to graduate with only a stack of books and notes alongside a list of half-understood academic terms! I prayed that God would give me the chance to speak to most of the teachers at least once before I graduated.
Three years passed by, and I truly enjoyed every chapel service and lesson at HKBTS, as well as the relationships I built with fellow students and the staff. What I was more thankful for was being able to speak to different teachers and staff in person, however much or little, and sharing about our lives! They listened, taught, guided, evaluated, shared and walked with me; they gave me the courage to open up my fragile life that I dared to cry, to face and deal with issues, wrongdoings and traumas in my early life, and to learn to accept my limitations, so that I know how to make the right choice, and focus on only what I could do. Time flew by during these three years; I truly thank my Heavenly Father that, through the help of my teachers and the work of the Holy Spirit, my broken life was healed and freed time and time again, so that I could experience the unconditional acceptance and love from our Lord Jesus Christ ever so deeply!
I thank my Heavenly Father for His calling, the generosity of my mother church, the support of my fellow brothers and sisters, my husband and my children that enabled me to study at HKBTS where I could learn new knowledge and reflect on myself, my beliefs, and my conduct. I pray that God would forgive my sins and iniquities, and examine my thought and being, and help me live out what I believe! At your will, Lord, may I be Your worker who does not need to be ashamed for the rest of my life!