7 Quick Takes: The Sierra and Shiloh Edition

We are two months into our Hong Kong adventure. I am still trying to figure out if it feels like an eternity, or the blink of an eye. I am not sure. Time is a funny thing. I thought it would be a good time to hear from my mini co-adventurer's. A few weeks back I was reading through a journal gift we were given by our Cape Town church family. It is filled with many kind messages, memories and photos. More than anything, I so appreciated reading the messages with reminders of Gods voice leading us into this new season and the encouragements to not lose sight of our purpose here. 

One particular message struck a chord that went along these lines: 'I had a picture of your girls flying a kite on an open patch of grass. For me, it was Gods way of conveying that He is watching over them, that He has in mind for your girls, wonderful plans that you will see fulfilled in the fulness of time. You are making a precious investment in your girls lives through your devotion to Christ. I cant wait to see what unfolds over the years to come.' 

I so savoured the reminder that this is not Kev's thing, or 'our thing' as a couple. Sierra and Shiloh are equal partakers in this calling and I want to keep reminding them of that too. I remember a big hurdle for me, whilst processing the possibility of moving to Hong kong, was the girls. I remember thinking, 'if it was just Kev and I, then of course, what an adventure! But having kids changes everything'. 

What about schools? What about friends? What about close family and beloved grandparents? I observed how many people in the same season with kids, were choosing to move closer to family for the exact reasons I wasn't wanting to move away. It seemed foolish to even be considering the possibility. I remember one morning at moms group, a friend genuinely puzzled, asked me why on earth I would want to raise my kids in a place like Hong Kong? And I get it. For those who know Cape Town, the contrast in terms of open space, outdoor beauty, green lawns and beautiful homes, is chalk and cheese. 

However, sometimes those aren't the most important things for our kids. They're amazing, yes! What I would do to have walk on the Sea point promenade with our girls riding bikes, the cool fresh (clean) sea breeze, followed by a dip in the water at Queens beach (followed by a Creamery ice-cream, of course). 

But they're not everything.

Sometimes following Jesus is costly, and it has cost all four of us in some way or another to move to Hong Kong, but in the words of Eric Liddell...

'He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose'.

I am so excited to see how our girls grow and mature through these new life experiences, as they interact with different cultures from all over the world, and they hopefully gain an understanding of what it means to live for more than yourself.

They have already shown amazing adaptability, flexibility and adventurous spirits. They have made friends far quicker than Kev or I. I had a laugh to myself the other day, because I already cannot keep up with their social lives! It's amazing to see how kids really just need their parents, and they can be 'home' anywhere in the world. I am also so challenged by the way they just accept and open up to new friends. There are no layers of complicated personalities to unravel and gingerly navigate beforehand. They just get right to it. Kisses, hugs and all.

Having said all this, I had very real moment with Shiloh a few weeks back, which really helped me to reflect on the big change the last two months has been. It was about week 2 into school and we were in our morning taxi ride on the way to school. We were discussing the fact that she REFUSES to wear her school apron (they are supposed to wear it over their play clothes, but it is red and she says its disgusting). After a few moments silence, and me wondering how strong I should be in pushing her to wear it, she turns to me and in a croaky voice she says, 'Mom, you know, its really hard for me and Sierra, everything is so new for us. In Cape Town we knew the way everything worked and we were comfortable there, but everything here is very new.' 

My heart. 

I wanted to curl up on the back seat of the taxi and hold my baby and cry with her. In a moment I was aware of how I had brushed off so much of the changes, because the girls were seemingly doing so well. They were happy - they were having fun. I realised in that taxi ride that it was true - they were doing so well, but still, it was all new and it wasn't always easy and they were processing a lot on the inside.


So, here are 7 quick takes from Sierra and Shiloh...

1/ Lets start at the beginning, why are we even here, living in Hong Kong?

Sierra: Daddy had to come and lead Watermark Church because they didn't have a leader. Also, God told Mommy and Daddy in their hearts that we must move here. Pretty much, a church needed a pastor and Jesus told us to GO!
Shiloh: Because God asked us to and the church didnt have a leader. So Mommy, Daddy, Me and Sierra are going to be the leaders.

2/ What is your favourite thing about Hong Kong so far?

Sierra: My favourite thing is that there aren't robbers. Its safe. Oh, and I love going for egg tarts and to the Botanical Gardens.
Shiloh: I love the tall buildings and its so exciting because it is all so new and its so different. Oh and there is a new TV at home and other new stuff.

3/ What about Hong Kong is similar to Cape Town?

Sierra: Nature. I mean, what you do is the same. I mean what you have is sometimes the same, and what you buy is sometimes the same. There are still people, some of them just look a little different.
Shiloh: Well, in Hong Hong, they usually don't have an oven in the kitchen, but we do have an oven, so thats the same. Nothing else is the same.

4/ What is different?

Sierra: In Cape Town there are water restrictions and in Hong Kong there isn't. Also, there is air pollution in Hong Kong. I miss family that I was close to. I also miss all the fun places we went to on holiday like Morgan bay, Jakkalsfontein and Hermanus.
Shiloh: The tall buildings and we have to walk everywhere because we don't have a car.

5/ How is school going?

Sierra: My school is fun and I think they have good rules. I like everything that we do there. I have also made friends! We do lots of maths and we wear uniform. I have a longer day at school.
Shiloh: Well, I go to school on the school bus now. My friends are Cally (actually Kelly), Willow and Audrey. 

6/ Tell us about your new home?

Sierra: Our home is similar to the one in Africa, but everything is smaller and we don't have enough space for some stuff. I like it so much. 
Shiloh: Its part of being new to Hong Kong. We have a play room and bunk beds for me and my sister. Sierra is at the top and I am low down.

7/ How has your new church been?

Sierra: My church is cool. I like it so much and I have friends there and we have fun.
Shiloh: Its good. The name is Watermark Church. Its fun. I answer every question in the class.

Sneaking in a necessary last one...

8/ What has been your favourite food in Hong Kong?

Sierra: Definitely spring rolls and dragon fruit. Oh yes, and shaved ice dessert. We just discovered it recently at a friends birthday party.
Shiloh: Egg tarts and dumplings and shaved ice.

Goodbye from these mini adventurers xxx