Hongkong – the fragrant harbour

At the airport I was met by my colleague, Dieter. He was primarily there to meet a Swedish church group visiting Hongkong. I could accompany them in the bus. First stop was Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre. Founded in 1930 by the Norwegian Karl Ludvig Reichelt.

Tao can mean either "the way," or in the Chinese translation of the Bible, "Logos," referring to Christ as the word of God. Fong translates as "wind" or the “Holy Spirit”. Shan means “mountain”. So, Tao Fong Shan can be translated as "the mountain of the Christ wind." It’s a wonderful place. So beautiful.

After spending some time with the Swedish group (from Lund) Dieter showed me his work place: The Lutheran Theological Seminary. Also a beautiful place. On the same mountain, next to the centre.

On Saturday morning we met John Lemond, who has been working with dialogue in Hongkong a very long time. He is a colleague of Dieter, who says that John knows almost every Rabbi, Imam and Hindu priest as well as Buddhist leader in Hongkong.

It was so interesting to listen to him explaining the meaning of the symbols in the Christ Temple. In front there are three bible quotations in Chinese, alluding to the name of the Centre:

The Word became flesh … (John 1:14)

The wind blows wherever it pleases … (John 3:8)

… the word was with God. (John 1:1)



I am happy that I was able to experience this unique place. It gave me a good start fro the Assembly in Busan.