It is hard to believe that we have been in Hong Kong for more than a month. In some ways it feels like we just arrived because everything in the culture still feels so new, but in other ways it feels like we've been here for ages. One thing that has become increasingly clear as we have progressed through the internship is that it is very much a process of trial and error as we figure out what works and what doesn't at the school, at church, and in our leisure time. Last week we decided to try something new: Margaret and I wanted to find a way to make ourselves a more effective resource for the school and better utilize our time at Pooi To, so we approached the principal about doing American culture lessons either as substitute teachers one day a week or in an American culture club after school. The principal was on board with both of these activities but suggested that we target the lower forms, because the upper forms are too busy with studying for their exams. (Only 18% of all of the students in Hong Kong will be able to progress to the university level, so they are under quite a bit of pressure.) On Wednesday we substituted in two of the second form classes (equivalent of our seventh grade) and did a presentation about American holidays. Margaret and I are trying to start the Western Culture Club after school on Thursdays for forms one and two (grades six and seven equivalent, US)—an opportunity for the students to improve their English while learning about American culture. Last week we went into their English classes to present about the culture club, and we plan to start the cultural lessons this Thursday. The response as indicated by the sign-up sheets seems quite enthusiastic. Our main concern is that the students will not be able to understand us; when we went into the classes to tell them about our cultural club, we were the recipients of quite a few blank stares, so we are concerned that the English level in the youngest forms will not be high enough for us to successfully interact with them about American culture. Please pray that the language barrier between us and the students will not impede our work or the quality of our interactions.
A Unique Cultural Experience
One of the founding members of the church died recently (his membership number was 001), and we were honored to be able to attend the funeral on Saturday. It was similar to an American funeral with a few key differences: funerals in Hong Kong are never held in the churches; they are always held in what could be called a "funeral parlor," or perhaps more accurately, a "funeral building" (there are only three funeral buildings in all of Hong Kong, each with many stories and rooms where funeral services can be held simultaneously). Before walking into the room for the service, everyone ties a white handkerchief on their arm as a way of expressing sorrow and sympathy. At the front of the room there is a picture of the deceased surrounded by lights and flowers. All of the family members wear black robes and sit in a section together to receive the condolences of visitors. For the funeral itself, the casket is wheeled into the middle of the room and left open for the duration of the funeral. At the end of the funeral, all of the guests walk around the casket to say a final goodbye. The family gives a gift to all of the funeral attendees—a coin and a piece of candy—as a way of expressing gratitude for their attendance. Because space in cemeteries is limited and expensive, most people in Hong Kong are cremated (although this man was buried); it usually takes time for legalities to be cleared up so that the deceased person can be either cremated or buried. As a result, funerals in Hong Kong are sometimes held as many as three weeks after the person's death.
The mood of the day changed when we loaded on the bus to head to the cemetery. The family passed around snacks and candy, and there almost seemed to be a party-like atmosphere. Michelle told us that on the way to the cemetery, the mood changes because people are celebrating the fact that the deceased is in heaven. It seemed to me that this was a very healthy way of viewing death—first mourn the loss of the family member or friend and then celebrate their relocation to Heaven. The cemetery itself consisted of levels and levels of concrete on a hillside with graves lined up in close proximity to best utilize the available space. After a brief graveside service, the funeral process was completed and we headed back to the church. There was a funeral meal afterwards, but Margaret and I were unable to attend because we had our Thai English class. All in all, I am grateful that we were invited to attend the funeral and gain insight into another aspect of Hong Kong's culture. We have now been to both a wedding and a funeral, which seems to me to be a very complete cultural experience.
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1 comment:
Interesting description of the funeral, Emily! Thanks. Learning comes in many ways. Blessings on you. -- Terry
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