Recently God opened another door for me in market place ministry. I joined the Committee of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers UK Chapter and I was given the task to organise this year's Dragon Boat team. The London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London. By the 8th June, The Dragon Boat Day, I managed to recruit a team of 21 paddlers and one drummer, mostly engineers plus three of our church members.
There were 44 teams entered this year, including 3 club teams, the "professionals". Each team had 3 heats, with the best 8 entering the Final. All our members were novices, with only a few who had done it before. With just one practice under our belt, a top ten finish would have been an amazing result.
I understand the secret of dragon boat racing (involving 16 paddlers) is synergy, not power. 16 paddlers working in unison would generate more speed than 16 powerful paddlers who are not. Thats what I tried to work on and encourage in my briefing before each heat. The result was an excellent team spirit (see pic. attached).
The race was a 250m dash. Each heat was a 4 boat race. We won the first heat comfortably with 1 min. 18 sec.. Our 2nd heat improved by 4 sec., beaten only by a club team. We won the 3rd heat again with 1 min. 18 sec.. Amazingly, our best time of 1 min. 14 sec. got us into the Final. Although we did not do well in the Final, because by then we were all totally exhausted, it was incredible that we got into the Final nonetheless and I give all the glory to God!
Through this event, we have learnt a valuable lesson on the power of synergy. We have also made more than 20 new friends. We are working on activities to reach out to them. I pray and hope that all of them will be saved one day!
One other thing that surprised me was how God sustained me in the 4 races. I only felt the strain the next day. I echo what the psalmist says in Ps.71. 'In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame......Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone......Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.' [Ps 71:1-2,9-10,18 NIV] Yes, I will continue to declare God's power and might to all who are to come!
It is most reassuring to know that 'God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?...." No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them......God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.' [Num 23:18-26 NIV] God's people are blessed people. No one can curse whom God has blessed!
As we build God's church, let us continue to pray to God like Paul did 'that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ..... proclaim it clearly......Be wise in the way......act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let....conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that......may know how to answer everyone.' [Col 4:2-6 NIV]
'Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? [Prov 30:2-9 NIV] You are blessed because you know the answers and you believe. :o)
Amen!
There were 44 teams entered this year, including 3 club teams, the "professionals". Each team had 3 heats, with the best 8 entering the Final. All our members were novices, with only a few who had done it before. With just one practice under our belt, a top ten finish would have been an amazing result.
I understand the secret of dragon boat racing (involving 16 paddlers) is synergy, not power. 16 paddlers working in unison would generate more speed than 16 powerful paddlers who are not. Thats what I tried to work on and encourage in my briefing before each heat. The result was an excellent team spirit (see pic. attached).
The race was a 250m dash. Each heat was a 4 boat race. We won the first heat comfortably with 1 min. 18 sec.. Our 2nd heat improved by 4 sec., beaten only by a club team. We won the 3rd heat again with 1 min. 18 sec.. Amazingly, our best time of 1 min. 14 sec. got us into the Final. Although we did not do well in the Final, because by then we were all totally exhausted, it was incredible that we got into the Final nonetheless and I give all the glory to God!
Through this event, we have learnt a valuable lesson on the power of synergy. We have also made more than 20 new friends. We are working on activities to reach out to them. I pray and hope that all of them will be saved one day!
One other thing that surprised me was how God sustained me in the 4 races. I only felt the strain the next day. I echo what the psalmist says in Ps.71. 'In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame......Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone......Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.' [Ps 71:1-2,9-10,18 NIV] Yes, I will continue to declare God's power and might to all who are to come!
It is most reassuring to know that 'God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?...." No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them......God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.' [Num 23:18-26 NIV] God's people are blessed people. No one can curse whom God has blessed!
As we build God's church, let us continue to pray to God like Paul did 'that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ..... proclaim it clearly......Be wise in the way......act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let....conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that......may know how to answer everyone.' [Col 4:2-6 NIV]
'Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? [Prov 30:2-9 NIV] You are blessed because you know the answers and you believe. :o)
Amen!
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