From Clutter to Community

Early in 2000 after I de-cluttered my wardrobe I didn't know what to do with the clothes I no longer wore. Throwing away good clothes seemed wasteful so I put them in cartons to deal with later. Then there was a light-bulb moment: why not sell them and raise revenue for our services at Christian Action?

Happy that it would protect our environment, create opportunities for employment and provide good clothing for the needy among us, I committed the idea to the Lord as I usually do and waited for guidance.

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Frontiers Beyond Factories

Victoria Rotary Club funded a project in 1987 aimed at steering young refugees away from factories, and that became one of my first assignments through CA, then called Hong Kong Christian Aid to Refugees. Like those refugees, I too was in my twenties. This project won the Regional Rotary Community Project of the Year and the Rotarian in charge, Walter Buhler became my mentor until his passing in 1998.

There was a labour shortage and it was easy to find work in the factories, but those bright young Vietnamese refugees in Kai Tak Camp could easily pursue white collar work and therefore better opportunities on resettlement. All they needed was some coaching.

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Are you doing what YOU love?

As the saying goes, "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life”.

My dear colleague, Susanna Lee, has recently returned from a year in Qinghai. She was working with our children's homes and the rehabilitation centre. During my visits to Qinghai or while speaking with her on the phone, it was clearly apparent that she was enjoying her time there immensely!

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Homogenized Hong Kong

There were 451,000 non-Chinese people in Hong Kong five years ago and there are probably many more today. My regret is that I don't tell you often enough that I cherish every opportunity I get to spend with that remarkably vibrant group.

I wish you could have been there on May 29, when our Ethnic Minority community was celebrated and honoured at the annual Cultural Exchange Variety Show which we hosted in Yau Ma Tei.

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Pray, Pray, 'Rain Away'!

The weather report for Saturday June 4, was RAIN, RAIN,and more RAIN. I knew rain would discourage people from coming to volunteer for our Flag Day, and it would mean others would hurry past instead of stopping to donate, so I went down on my knees and began praying!

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