EASTER was celebrated in Jingshan Villas, Shekou, at the weekend with an air of religious significance.
Hundreds of people, old and young, expatriates and Chinese, flocked to the Jingshan Playground and Soccer Field on Saturday for the celebrations.
The children couldn t wait to join in the face painting, egg-and-spoon race, family relay race, musical chairs, water balloon tossing and egg hunting. The organizers announced the official opening at 2:30 p.m.
Jen Minghini, a U.S. national who lives outside Jingshan Villas, accompanied her husband and two daughters. She said her family enjoyed the day very much. We have been in Shenzhen for two years now and we miss Easter back home.
The Jingshan celebrations seemed to have eased her homesickness. They took part in the family relay egg-rolling race and her 8-year-old daughter said the race and egg hunting were her favorites. We felt the spirit of Easter happiness, spring, hope and rebirth, Minghini said.
Captivating International Foundation, a Hong Kong-based charity organization, promoted its charity cookbook during the afternoon. The bilingual cookbook will be published this fall and the proceeds will be used to help Seng Girls Vocational Training School and Home in Qinghai Province, Lynn Velez, the project manager, told visitors.
At the same time, Shekou Fellowship members prepared a special service at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, with music and drama. Finally, Tom Rider, the head elder, delivered a message.
Jingshan Villas, home to more than 800 expatriates of different nationalities, celebrate Easter every year. This year s celebrations were organized by China Merchants Property Development Co. Ltd., Jingshan Management Center, Shekou Women s International Club and Shekou Fellowship.
Maggie Su, director of Jingshan Management Center, estimated it had attracted about 600 people and was the largest Easter celebration yet in the villas. We hope the event will allow the expats to feel the harmony of the city s biggest international community. Home is where the heart is is our service leitmotiv, she said.
This column is solely sponsored by China Merchants Property Development Co. Ltd.
Telephone: 86-755-26880231
Web site: www.Jingshanvilla.com
