Dear Ubuntu Sisters,

The work for the rights and dignity of migrant workers in Hongkong continues, as we all well know. The Ecumenical News Service recently reported on a Palm Sunday (April 5, 2009) march in Hongkong by 6,000 migrant workers which urged the Hong Kong government to ensure that the rights of Filipinos and other ethnic minority groups in the territory are indelibly protected, and their contributions to society recognised.

Can't you just envision the streets where the march took place and the intensity, strength and vibrancy of that gathering, given what we experienced of the wonderful women and men we met in Hongkong??

Let's continue to pray for justice and equality for all migrants in Hongkong and world wide!

Diane


H. K. Christian leaders join Filipinos to reject race discrimination
By Francis Wong

Ecumenical News InternationalDaily News Service
9 April 2009 ENI-09-0290

Hong Kong, 9 April (ENI)--Christian leaders on Palm Sunday highlighted racial discrimination in Hong Kong at a rally that attracted 6000 Filipino migrants, where protestors said such practices should not be tolerated.While those present at the 5 April rally were predominately Filipinos, some Thais, Nepalis and Indonesians also marched to the government head office after a best-selling magazine columnist had described the Philippines as a "nation of servants".The protesters, many of whom waved palms in commemoration of the procession by Jesus a week before he died, as a peace sign, called for strict enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in Hong Kong, which is a Special Administrative Region of China.The rally was supported by Evangelicals, Methodists, Roman Catholics and the World Student Christian Federation (Asia and Pacific region) as well as Muslims.Members of the Catholic Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos joined the rally to complain at a "master-slave" treatment of domestic workers in Hong Kong. They urged the Hong Kong government to ensure that the rights of Filipinos and other ethnic minority groups in the territory are always protected, and their contributions to society duly recognisedControversy had erupted when Hong Kong columnist Chip Tsao wrote in HK Magazine on 27 March, in what he called a satirical piece, an article he said was making fun of the poor treatment by Hong Kong people of the Filipino domestic maids many of them have.In his article titled "The War at Home", Tsao said he was angered by the Philippines' claim on the disputed Spratly Islands, where China also claims sovereignty. He said that if there were a war between China and the Philippines, he would be forced to fire his Filipino maid.The article was however, seen to ridicule the 127 000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong. Tsao later apologised after he was banned from entering the Philippines for his "arrogance and disrespect".While protesting at the demeaning treatment at the hands of many of their employers, church leaders and domestic workers at the 5 April rally urged the Hong Kong government to ensure that the rights of Filipinos and other ethnic minority groups in the territory are protected and their contribution to the development of the area is recognised.

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A poem shared by Susan

Sacred Journeys, A Womanʼs Book of Daily Prayer, Jan L. Richardson, p.35

Generation to Generation
From generation to generation
women meet in common spaces,
sharing sacred places
in the journeys of our lives.

From generation to generation
women call to women-kin,
yearning deep within
to be seen with Spirit-eyes.

From generation to generation
women risk, their fears confessing,
and seek out words of blessing
to melt away the scorn.

From generation to generation
women sing out of the shadows
and labor in the echoes for the holy to be born.

Nearing our journey

As we near the time for us to begin our journey, I thought I would post this poem that our Ubuntu team sent out, from Jeanie:

My Sister sent this to me and I thought of each of you. It may be something we can share on Friday or Sunday with our new "sisters" in Hong Kong. Jeanie

The One Flaw In Women
By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
'Why are you spending so much time on this one? '
And the Lord answered, ' Have you seen my spec sheet on her?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,
have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,
have a lap that can hold four children at one time,
have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart
-and she will do everything
with only two hands. '
The angel was astounded at the requirements.
'Only two hands!? No way!
And that ' s just on the standard model?
That ' s too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish. '
'But I won ' t, ' the Lord protested.
'I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick
AND can work 18 hour days. '
The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
'But you have made her so soft, Lord. '
'She is soft, ' the Lord agreed,
'but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish. '
'Will she be able to think? ' , asked the angel.
The Lord replied,
'Not only will she be able to think,
she will be able to reason and negotiate. '
The angel then noticed something,
and reaching out, touched the woman ' s cheek.
'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one. '
'That ' s not a leak, '
the Lord corrected,
'that ' s a tear! '
'What ' s the tear for? ' the angel asked.
The Lord said, ' The tear is her way of expressing her joy,
her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,
her loneliness, her grief and her pride. '
The angel was impressed.
'You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing. '
And she is!
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness,
love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don ' t take ' no ' for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They ' ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Isaiah 40:27-31

from the Old Testament, Isaiah 40:27–31

O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired or worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Stay strong! We are in the home stretch and will be leaving for CHINA
soon! From Jeanie: In order to be informed and prepared for that visit, I encourage you to read the two documents that were emailed to you. The first is a one-page summary of the (village clinic) project and the second, a seven-page detailed in-process proposal. This information will be most helpful too, when we return and begin the final phase of our Ubuntu Journey - telling our story! I hope you've already lined up a speaking engagement or two with your local church and/or United Methodist Women's groups within your District. Carol will provide more on this when we are in Hong Kong.

My refuge

The summer seems to be quickly winding to an end, and that means that our journey to China is quickly approaching. We should each be encouraged to pray for one another, to pray for our group leader, Jeanie; to pray for all of friends and family and churches that have been so supportive of our trip. And to pray for the people of China, for the many friends we have yet to meet, and for our sisters in Christ.

Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
Psalms 25:20

Less then a month to go

With less then a month before we leave for our journey, the excitement is starting to build. So many last minute details... Visas, room assignments, gathering photos... Let's make sure we make plenty of time for prayer. Pray for China. Pray for our group. Pray for our supporters. Be blessed as you continue to prepare for our Ubuntu Journey.

Suggested articles from Diane

Ubuntu Friends,

The home page of the General Board of Global Ministries features an article on how churches in China are preparing to receive visitors to the Olympic Games. These are exciting times all around in China!

See www.gbgm-umc.org.
Or http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5069.

Cheers,
Diane