Unlocked

 

Locksmith Basil

 It's Mon so I go to to the rooftop to hang laundry. Then I turn the knob but the steel door will not open. I don't have my phone. I shout but no one hears.  After a long time I see Rose - Eben and Sau Wing's helper - on their balcony one floor below. I shout: "I’m stuck. Please call my wife." She nods. Soon Dinah knocks on the door but I have the key. We arrange that I throw the keys down so Dinah can get it to open the door from the inside. 

 Dinah and Rose try. But it will not open from the inside too. Our housemate Pei Er try. She calls the maintenance guy but the door just wil not open. Initially I felt calm and did not panic. But the overhead sun is very glaring since it is noon. I am feeling cold.

Spiderman Hong

As time passed I feel worried and felt like smashing the old lock. It is cold at 16 C and I am in a t-shirt and shorts with slippers. I put on Dinah’s tiny washed jumper which is dry by this time. 

Our top floor neighbour Mr Yan hears the noise and comes out. By this time Basil and Hong arrive responding to Dinah's call for help. Mr Yan opens his window for Hong to climb up to the roof then down to where I am. 

I feel exhausted at this point but am so glad to see Hong climb to the roof top carrying a ladder.

Unlocked

 Basil works on the lock from the inside whilst Hong works on the lock from the outside. Exhaustion is setting in but I no longer feel alone up here. 

 The door is finally unlocked after 2 hours. I am cold, dehydrated, sunburnt and quite traumatised. But feel so glad to be rescued. So happy to see Dinah, Pei Er, Rose, Basil, Hong and Yan! 

 Basil hugs me. He says that these things happen when we are about to preach. He means that distractions happen but we also get a true story to share with the people : ) 

The moment

Earlier Pei Er wisely asks Dinah to take photos because she like Basil knew that Holy Spirit is doing something. So we have photos now : ) 

After everyone leave, Pei Er, Dinah and I reflect over lunch. We are thankful to be planted in this Tree of Life community. Our plans were disrupted - PeiEr was on her way to play badminton; Basil was hosting lunch; Hong was on his way for an appointment. But each came without hesitation. And it was the first time we met our neighbour. I just felt so thankful. 

Rose & Pei Er

  After lunch, Pei Er starts to worship. Then she says this must mean something. It dawns on us that 27th Jan is the day Dinah and I are supposed to leave HK after a year here. Our return flight is scheduled to depart at 2:10 pm. 

 It's significant I'm unlocked at 2 pm, rescued by our new family. It's symbolic I'm unlocked - from old paradigms of pastoring, from suppression and fears. And launched into a new destiny - becoming a Tree of Life for the nations.