FROM STRANGERS TO BLESSINGS

From Strangers to Blessings

How far is the church from the sojourners?

Candice Au

(Youth Global Network)

/ Oct. 20, 2023

Hong Kong's community is home to many asylum seekers, but we may not be aware of their existence, let alone understand what they need. Last summer, while participating in a food distribution service in Yuen Long district, I met several South Asian women. For various reasons, they and their families were forced to stay in Hong Kong as asylum seekers for five to ten years. After several home visits, I found that they often feel anxious about the future, and some are more resistant to contact with the outside world. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work in Hong Kong and can only rely on government and non-profit organization support for their livelihood, bearing tremendous pressure both economically and mentally. They worry about their children facing social and learning difficulties in Hong Kong, and on the other hand, the future direction of the family is hard to predict, and the road ahead is unclear. In addition to material support, they need to be seen, heard, and accepted.

Starting in September this year, the Global Youth Network (YGN) and the Yuen Kei Alliance Church Family Service Center co-organized a sewing class to teach asylum seekers to make cloth products. We hope that through the training of sewing techniques, asylum seekers can learn to use sewing machines, and no matter where they settle in the future, they can master a craft. During the process, what the tutors and I are most grateful for is seeing the satisfied smiles on the faces of the asylum-seeking women students when they pick up the products they have made.

Through the production of cloth crafts, asylum-seeking women can also get a space for rest from the tremendous pressure of life, and can enhance their self-confidence and sense of ability. God reflects His inner richness and beautiful image through different human works and crafts. Genesis Chapter 4 records that Lamech's sons Jabel, Jubal, and Tubal Cain became professionals in living in tents, herding livestock, playing the harp and flute, and forging bronze and iron tools. God gives people different gifts and allows people to gain strength and rest in creation. Although the women participating in the sewing class temporarily lost job opportunities due to their status as asylum seekers, they can still show their creativity and vitality through the sewing class and bless others.

Thank God for the brothers and sisters of the Yuen Kei Alliance Church D4E Fellowship, who allocated funds from the social fund to purchase second-hand sewing machines and fabrics for sewing teaching. At the same time, the body and young people who are good at sewing also put in time and effort to teach sewing skills. Through this learning space, people of different ethnicities and age groups can gather and build each other. During the process, the staff of the Family Service Center also came into contact with the children of asylum seekers and got to know and build them through board games. The community, institutions, and churches have always been a whole. In a limited space, there are still many opportunities for lives to touch each other. Hope to let more people see God, and more people see each other.

Learning Resilience from our RAS community

Alexander Pforte

(Branches of Hope)

/ Nov. 17, 2023

Recently, a good friend of mine left Hong Kong for good. Over the past few years, I’m sure many of us can relate to this, and no doubt have many similar stories to share. But there is one fundamental difference to this particular story: instead of feeling a sense of loss and a lump in my throat, I felt immense joy, almost exuberance. Of course, I will miss my friend dearly; but their departure marks a tremendous milestone for them and heralds the beginning of a future they were denied in Hong Kong.

That is because my friend was, until recently, a member of the refugee and asylum seeker (RAS) community in Hong Kong. There are around 15,000 RAS in Hong Kong, all of them seeking protection in our city and engaged in lengthy legal proceedings in pursuit of this. Unfortunately, less than 1% of applicants are ultimately successful and recognized as a refugee; but even then, they are not allowed to remain in Hong Kong. Processing the claims takes many years, even decades, after which the majority of RAS community members are removed from Hong Kong and sent to their country of origin. There they face an uncertain future, along with potentially the same hardships and dangers that they sought to escape by travelling to Hong Kong in the first place.

My friend is extraordinarily fortunate to be part of the 1%, and is starting a new life in North America. I say that their departure heralds the beginning of a future they were denied in Hong Kong not just because, no matter what, they would never have been allowed to stay – PR or even just a HK visa is not on the cards for the RAS in our midst. I say it also because of the exceedingly difficult existence RAS have to lead while they are here due to systemic economic and financial disenfranchisement, punctuated for the majority by a prohibition from earning an honest living through working.

But I do not wish to dwell on these depressing facts and statistics. Rather, I want to celebrate the resilience of the RAS community, embodied by my friend who recently left Hong Kong. They were in Hong Kong close to 15 years when they finally left, but at no point did they let the uncertainty of their situation cloud their spirit. They did whatever they could to help themselves in this difficult situation, making friends wherever they went, and even helping the local community any way they could. For example, during COVID they went shopping for elderly neighbors and cooked meals for some of them. Since they could not work in the beginning, they bartered for what they needed, always careful not to cross the line of the law. And when they were recognized as a refugee and allowed to work, they started at the very bottom of the restaurant industry, despite having a professional degree in their country of origin. It shames me to think what minor inconveniences in my life will already send me spiraling, knowing what my friend faced every single day. I pray in the bright future that lays ahead, my friend might choose to become a professional life coach, for there is so much we can learn from them.

Indeed, there are many lessons to be learned from my friend’s experience in Hong Kong. First and most tangibly, we are called as Christians and decent human beings to walk with one-another. My friend was able to make the best of their situation in Hong Kong because of the community and network they built up around them. Our relationships are a fundamental building block in human resilience. Together we are not just strong in the physical sense, but in the mental, emotional, and spiritual sense as well. One mind may struggle to see a way forward, but several may discern a straight and brightly lit path. So let us walk with the RAS community members among us, in our churches. Don’t be afraid to be their friend and to share their burden through that friendship; pray with them and for them earnestly.

The second lesson is not to rely on ourselves to provide for all our needs or the needs of those whom we wish to support. So often we see individual Christians and whole churches overwhelmed by the enormity of a task or a need in a particular community. God does not call on us to solve all our problems ourselves, on the contrary; we are called to Him and to each other. I challenge my brothers and sisters in Christ to look beyond their immediate horizon to recognize the network of organizations and agencies already serving the RAS community in Hong Kong, and to allocate their time, resources and finances to them instead of attempting to stem the tide yourselves. Afterall, is it not in the spirit of this City of Hong Kong to strive for efficiency and impact?

The same lesson applies to those of us, like myself, who work in such an organization. Professional pride tempts us to spread ourselves too thin. It takes humility and confidence to acknowledge when a request lies beyond our means or mandate, and to refer the request to another entity better suited to handle it. If we do not, we only manage to disappoint and frustrate the very people we seek to serve – when I think of my friend, the greatest stress to their resilience in Hong Kong was not hearing “no” as an answer, but receiving empty promises.

Let’s not sugarcoat the reality of the refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong. Life is tough, constrained, and uncertain. It moves at a glacial pace, sometimes it even seems to be standing still. But my friend has taught me that this doesn’t mean the human spirit must capitulate, though it may be tempted to. On the contrary – when we all stand together, even the toughest circumstances may be overcome.

No Refugees Here. Members Only.

Darren Pollock

(St Andrew’s Church)

/ Dec. 15, 2023

I like to tell people we have no refugee programme at St Andrew’s Church, that there is no pastor or ministry worker for refugees and there is no magical refugee fund (although hundreds would tell you otherwise). Why do I tell people this? Well because it's honestly true. We are the church gathered at 138 Nathan Road and as we all know a church is not a building but its members. The members of St Andrew’s who also happen to be refugees are the very same as every other member.

Frasier is one of our church members. He is a refugee, but he is also a teacher, a pastor, a friend and a christian. He has been a member of our church for as long as I can remember.

Frasier began attending the 9:30am service and the men's fellowship on Thursday nights. He is a great guy to have around. He has made friends, comes to church regularly, and is a faithful member of the men's fellowship, where they study the Bible, pray for each other, and do life together. They even enjoy the occasional sherry. It's as simple and as complicated as that.

Frasier is a valued member of our church family. He receives pastoral care, discipleship, and discipline just like any other member. The church members and staff support him in all of life's challenges, big and small. If Frasier were not a believer, we would reach out to him with the gospel as any other seeker who comes through our door. We have thirty members like Frasier, and we are grateful for each one.

While there is always room for improvement, I like to think that on Sundays and at our midweek gatherings, our members are treated as just that. We are intentional about welcoming people, greeting people warmly when they arrive, and introducing them to other members of the congregation. We prioritise helping them get involved in church activities and our discipleship groups without distinction. This could include things like volunteering, joining a small group, or participating in worship services just like we would anyone else. And while there are cultural and language barriers at times this is nothing new for our city or our church and if anything makes our church stronger through our diverse congregation. In doing so we can shed the stigma of being seen as “just” a refugee or asylum seeker and more profoundly as a member of Christ's church gathered on Nathan Road.

This may be too idealistic but thinking about these issues it is easy to feel hopeless as we try to care for our members and the situation and challenges they face in the city. If you are anything like me you see the images of the displaced in Palestine and the tragedy that has befallen the Afghani people following the third earthquake in swift succession and your heart is broken. Or grim statistics concerning refugees in the city where 14,000 refugees and asylum seekers were estimated as of 2022. Furthermore, as many of us are aware and lament, the practical situation and social policies are far from improving.

Amidst the frustration of what often feels like a hopeless situation for our people like Frasier and others in the city, I have found solace in some of Jesus' strongest words about the end times. In Luke 21:5-11, as he speaks to the destruction of the temple and the end times, he says, "When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." Amidst the apocalyptic language, we are given words meant to assure the church to keep their trust in God even in the most challenging of circumstances. War, famine and displacement are dreadful things and yet Jesus while describing these terrible events, Jesus tells his listeners not to be afraid.

Despite its language and imagery of destruction, Luke 21:5-11 is a passage of hope, grounded in the belief that God not only remains present in the world but is directing it and these things must happen before he returns and sets the record straight. Amidst what seems like impossible circumstances for our church members, we have a hope that one day the Lord will return and make things right. The situation is terrible, but we do not need to lose hope. So in the meantime, we try to do what we can and look forward to the great invitation that Isaiah gave us: "Come, all you who thirst, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price!" Isa 55.11. One day there will be a banquet for God’s people, they can all come, they won't have to pay and all of this sin, death, hunger, displacement will be forgotten because we will enjoy the Kingdom of God and God himself forever.

Frasier and others have hopefully learned this hope at our church and our members have learned that Frasier is a member just like them and we face the challenges and support one another together as we do it. All our members hopefully know that in a world marred by sin God has saved us and will one day put everything under his Lordship. It is a precious thought to our refugee and asylum seeker members.

See Christ in Refugees

Phyllis Wong

(Kowloon Union Church)

/ Jan. 26, 2024

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of connecting with and serving refugees in church. Walking alongside them has been a remarkable experience.

Refugees come from diverse countries, with varying skin colors, ethnicity, religions, cultural backgrounds, genders, education levels, professions, and personalities. Despite these differences, they share many commonalities with us. They have strengths and limitations, a need for love, the capacity to love and express themselves, and dreams. They are all part of the human family, beloved by God.

I am grateful for the encounters with refugee friends in my life. Their resilience, compassion, and unwavering trust in God during adversity have been a tremendous source of encouragement and inspiration.

Let me share the story of Allen, a single mother from East Africa who sought refuge in Hong Kong due to political reasons. She resides in a small room on Hong Kong Island, surrounded mostly by local Hong Kong residents. Initially, her neighbors ignored her greetings, leaving Allen feeling disheartened and rejected. However, a minister encouraged her not to give up and to continue treating others with kindness, staying true to her convictions.

Allen persisted in greeting her neighbors each morning and took the initiative to keep the communal areas clean. Over time, hearts softened. Her neighbors noticed her acts of kindness, and their attitudes shifted from indifference to friendliness. Allen's sincerity eventually melted their cold hearts, turning stony indifference into warmth. She also participated in the church's "Peace Ambassador" program, sharing her story in various churches and schools, offering encouragement, and raising awareness about the plight of refugees.

The church often emphasizes the importance of welcoming guests and travelers. According to the teachings of the Old Testament, we should receive foreigners and sojourners as if they were our own people. I have visited refugee friends multiple times, and their gracious hospitality has deeply moved me.

Despite their material poverty and lack of financial resources, they understand the value of hosting church pastors and fellow brothers and sisters. Whenever we visit, they generously serve us delicious home-cooked dishes from their native cuisine. In their tiny rooms, where there isn't enough space for chairs, we sit on their beds, joyfully savoring the food and listening to their stories.

I remember one single refugee friend whose living quarters could only accommodate a single bed. He placed the food on the bed to welcome me and another visiting brother. He expressed his happiness, acknowledging that even though the place was small and humble, we had come to visit him. On that day, I was moved beyond words.

Refugees themselves were once foreigners and sojourners, but now they have become hosts, turning the tables and touching my heart.

True hospitality lies in genuine, wholehearted, and sincere giving. True generosity is when, despite our own lack, we are willing to offer what little we have to others. I have deeply learned and experienced this from my refugee brothers and sisters.

Recently, our church's "Peace Project" organized a sewing workshop. Several refugee sisters participated, creating clothes, bags, and items they needed, such as aprons. They even made a uniquely African skirt for me to wear on International Refugee Day. Among these sisters, there was one single woman whom I affectionately call Sally. Using different fabrics, she crafted a beautiful piece of art and placed it in a frame. She shared that the process of creating helped her find inner peace, focus, and tranquility. Meanwhile, Sally had to learn patience while working with an old, frequently malfunctioning secondhand sewing machine. Her first creation placed a mountain right in the center. The reason? During the process, she resonated with Psalm 121: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.".

Refugees indeed endure much pain, have faced numerous dangers, and confront many deficiencies in life. Yet, I see their resilience, generosity, sacrificial giving, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. Through refugees, I catch a glimpse of Jesus Christ!

Who Will Take the Baton to Become the Neighbor of Refugee Families?

Ruth Li

(CCC Wan Chai Church)

/ Feb. 2, 2024

Illustration by Syrian refugee Diala Brisly (for #WorldRefugeeDay, International Rescue Committee UK) The church I belong to is one of the few Cantonese churches in Hong Kong that cares for refugees seeking asylum through educational assistance. We sponsor over forty refugee students seeking asylum, who come from more than ten families. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a small number of families successfully obtaining refugee status and immigrating to Canada. More often, we see students grow up in Hong Kong, from kindergarten to high school, from elementary school to young adults in their twenties.

Since 2019, many Hong Kong people have moved abroad, and Cantonese churches in Hong Kong are no exception. The number of members of the refugee concern group has also decreased due to immigration. The so-called “pull one hair and move the whole body”, it was ideal for a servant to closely care for one or two families, but it is no longer easy to achieve. As one of the pastors of the church meeting who is involved in the charity work, the power of individual compassion is not enough to inherit many ministries. It can only slow down the development, stick to the post, and get to know the servants and refugees who have not been familiar with in the past. The “Refugee Kitchen” that was common before the epidemic, those gatherings of nearly a hundred people have also become the past. However, every service begins at the feet, and the ministry needs to be restarted and varied according to the shrinking of the servant team.

Last year, the refugee concern group invited several families from the same country to the church to participate in the Christmas fellowship, play “fool”, eat pizza, share personal testimonies, and pray for each other. In the laughter of several high school students and mothers, believers of different races gathered together to inspire each other. Many church members have never directly communicated with refugees, but they all express blessings with Christmas greetings.

Sharing allows us to experience that it is more blessed to give than to receive. And every relationship connected because of service, actively gathering and walking together, allows us to experience the blessing of caring for each other. People who have only participated in the ministry through donations in the past, if they can take one more step, learn to love each other with people of different backgrounds, work together for the Lord, walk with the Lord, it is another kind of blessing. Everyone does not stay in hearing about God, choose to face God directly, confess the heart and strength of service, walk with God together, and learn to become a neighbor of refugees. May we always be blessed to walk with the Lord in the limited. For example, when refugees move in Hong Kong, it is also our opportunity to become their neighbors. Hong Kong people know how to find second-hand treasures. When everyone is praying, looking for furniture and appliances that meet the requirements for refugees, although it seems trivial, easy to solve, it really deeply affects the moving refugees. Everyone learns to respect and listen to each other in this difference.

I remember a family from West Africa, as parents shared with me the joys and sorrows of our respective families. What amazed me the most was that they continued to give birth in economic difficulties. They went from a family of six to a family of eight. They had to move to the North District due to the increase in population. Because the parents do not have transportation subsidies, they cannot send their children to school from north to south every day, and the students have to be absent for a few days every month. Parents, like raising children in African villages, also have to move from downtown subdivided houses to live in village houses in the North District, students go to school across districts, children “sleep with their eyes open” in class and can’t keep up with learning, parents’ choices under limited resources, Sometimes it’s very different from Hong Kong’s grassroots families.

Listening patiently to their detailed narration, as parents have the strength but cannot work hard, and also listening to their evaluation of our hard-working life is blessed, the interaction in it makes me think again, how to see my own blessings in difficulties. At that moment, I told the other party that many young working couples in Hong Kong choose not to have children, which is exactly the opposite of their continuous childbirth, and there are also many Hong Kong people who find it difficult to face unemployment and need others to care. Both the sojourner and the local community have the need to be cared for, and everyone’s heart asks: Who is my neighbor? May the Lord Jesus ask such a question in more people’s hearts and awaken love. May each mission group continue to have people take over and collectively become the neighbors of refugee families in Hong Kong.

Daily Little Stories of Living with Refugees

Katie Ho

(Kowloon Union Church)

/ Mar. 8, 2024

International Cat

An Egyptian family has a tabby cat named Salsool, which means ‘life’ in Arabic.

Salsool is very hospitable. We like to pet cats, and Salsool likes to pet people. Everyone must be petted by him before entering the house.

But when the whole family communicates in Arabic, they have to speak to the cat in English, because they say Salsool doesn’t understand Arabic. It turns out that Salsool was given to them by a Pakistani neighbor, so the cat’s mother tongue should be Urdu, and he has to live in English in his new home.

Thinking of many refugee friends who only learned English after coming to Hong Kong, from not knowing ABC to speaking very fluent English in a few years, the process is unimaginable, but from it, you can see their extraordinary learning and adaptability. On the contrary, learning Cantonese is not so easy. Firstly, the vocabulary and grammar of Cantonese are more complicated, and secondly, there are not many systematic learning methods in the market. However, I know an Egyptian girl who came to Hong Kong at the age of eight. Through watching TV and YouTube, her Cantonese was the same as other Hong Kong people when she was fourteen.

This yellow cat named Salsool symbolizes the experiences of many refugee friends. Despite facing many cultural differences and difficulties, they still overcome various difficulties with strong vitality.

Like most cat owners, cats indeed bring a lot of laughter and vitality to this family. If you find that the cat at home doesn’t pay much attention to you, you might as well switch to another language to communicate with him. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t understand Cantonese.

When I became Apple Support

This uncle’s thinking is very out of the box. Sometimes he will talk to you about the meaning of technology to humans, and the next second he will talk about a sparrow on the street reminding him of childhood memories. So every time I talk to him, I have to listen carefully to what he needs.

A few times he wanted to ask me how to use the phone. He has an iPhone 7 that is full of mon. His first request was that the notifications would only pop up at the same time, causing him to read WhatsApp late and miss some opportunities; but too many notifications made him feel very annoying and troubled.

So I turned off the function of notifications appearing at a fixed time, turned off the notifications of useless apps, and taught him how to send photos in WhatsApp, and he happily left. At that moment, I felt that he was no different from some of my relatives’ uncles. They would be troubled because they couldn’t keep up with technological progress, but as long as they took a few simple steps, they could solve their troubles and inconveniences in life.

The second problem he had was, how to edit recordings on the phone? So I taught him a simple method. He was very happy to say that he had asked many people but no one was willing to teach him. Everyone said they were too busy to drive him away. He was very happy that someone was willing to sit down and teach him how to use the phone.

Later, he shared a poem he had written before. Although I didn’t understand it, the content was probably:

“Language is the whole world. Therefore, language gives life, deep in our hearts. Perhaps what we need most is a word.” This uncle reminded me of Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, who wrote a poem like this:

“Poets are fantasists. They fantasize about everything they have, even fantasize about pain, fantasize about the pain they really experience. And those readers, when they read those pains, do not feel their own pain, but the pain they have never recognized. This track, satisfying our rationality, this carriage, they call it heart.” The English translation of Fernando Pessoa’s poem is as follows:

"Autopsychography"

The poet is a pretender,
Who pretends so completely
He even pretends to pain
The pain he really feels.

And those who read what he writes,
Reading of pain, feel truly
Neither of those pains he has,
But what they themselves have not.

So round its track goes
Wheeling, to entertain our reason,
This string of carriages
They call the heart.

"We reach out for the light, wishing to be among the stars!

Gloria Chan

(The Hong Kong Society for Asylum-seekers and refugees)

/ May 8, 2024

It has been exactly one year since I first stepped into the field of volunteering to help asylum seekers and refugees. Under the guidance of my teacher Isabella, I have spent this year helping those in need fill out legal documents, accompany them to submit information, organize ‘storytelling sessions’ for these families, distribute goods provided by benevolent donors to them, take them to see doctors, and introduce students to these marginalized individuals… Due to changes in the larger environment, and as a ‘novice’ with no experience, my contributions this year are far less than what our NGO ‘Hong Kong Asylum Seekers and Refugees Association’ has done before, like a drop in the ocean. Yet, this year’s experience has allowed me, as a participant, to witness the relationship between my teacher Isabella and the refugees, as well as the relationship between the local community and the refugees, transforming from ‘strangers to blessings.’

I remember the first time we organized a distribution of goods, we had to adopt a ‘first come, first served’ method for registration and distribution. Our NGO’s member names are ‘quirky and interesting,’ with various symbols and strange characters. As a rookie, I couldn’t keep up with the registration speed, and some ‘veteran members’ would help me sort things out and tell me who those strange names belonged to, to avoid duplicate registrations or omissions. Later, I learned that many of them had been staying in Hong Kong for nearly ten years and had a deep relationship with Isabella. Isabella knew their children’s amusing stories by heart, and they hoped to help our NGO and Isabella within their capabilities. Later, I discovered that every time we met, the ‘veteran members’ had a light in their eyes that spoke of gratitude.

Among our NGO’s official volunteers, I am the most junior. The more senior ones can always predict which items are suitable for which families during distributions, always conveying more ‘love.’ And Isabella’s long-term partners always provide our NGO with the needed goods, such as the most popular toilet paper. This should be the result of long-term close contact with the ‘members,’ to be able to help them with what they need.

Providing what is needed accelerates the relationship between people from distant to close. Our NGO’s partners have walked with us for many years and have reached the realm of ‘thinking what we think’ and ‘giving refugees what they need.’ In the past six months, I have witnessed one of our NGO’s new partners building this ‘From strangers to blessings’ relationship with us, from acquaintance, sympathy, to understanding, and help.

The world is tough, and people are in a foreign land, trying to push away the boulder that blocks their fate, facing failure repeatedly, and with a slight misstep, they ‘once fell into darkness, in that unsatisfied world’ (excerpt from ‘Reality and Desire: Cernuda’s Complete Poems Before Exile’). Our NGO and partners do their best to help them choose their direction, and although they cannot push away the boulder of fate for them, they do their utmost to lift a glimmer of light to discern the path ahead.

‘If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.’ (Isaiah 58:10)"

Refugees are not ‘difficult’—From Strangers to Blessings

Joni Chan

(Youth Global Network)

/ Jul. 3, 2024

In the year 2000, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 20th as World Refugee Day, a day for global attention to refugee issues. On June 15th this year, churches and Christian organizations in Hong Kong jointly organized a special event with the theme “Refugees are not ‘difficult’—From Strangers to Blessings,” aiming to raise awareness among the community and church members about the protection and support of refugees. This event attracted over 150 participants, including church brothers and sisters from different countries and ethnicities, Hong Kong residents, as well as refugees and asylum seekers.

During the event, we worshipped together, enjoyed ethnic dance performances and hymn singing, and listened to a deeply moving speech. The highlight of the speech was shared by Kerry Chan, the founder of the “Blessed Vision Foundation,” who talked about her experiences and testimonies in starting refugee ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, when masks were scarce, Kerry and her colleagues distributed masks and met a refugee brother. This brother then introduced many others seeking asylum in Hong Kong to Kerry and her colleagues. Through this brother’s introduction, Kerry and her colleagues visited the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (ISS), the agency designated by the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department to distribute government aid to non-refoulement claimants, and were invited to a meeting by the ISS supervisor at that time. From distributing a single mask to meeting a refugee brother, and then meeting an ISS supervisor, Kerry’s testimony showed us God’s guidance and human cooperation in caring for the needs of refugees.

On the day of the event, there were various booths, some selling handmade crafts by refugees, and others selling Syrian refugee board games. The Environmental Protection Department also set up a booth specifically for refugees and asylum seekers, explaining Hong Kong’s upcoming recycling program. This was not only to promote environmental protection but also to provide practical information to help refugees and asylum seekers better integrate into the community.

World Refugee Day is not just a gathering but a call to action. We hope to mobilize more local churches and community brothers and sisters to pay attention to and care for the refugees and asylum seekers among us. They are not just strangers but true blessings: they bring unique experiences, resilient perseverance, and a desire to contribute to the society that welcomes them.

As we look forward to next year’s World Refugee Day, let us remember this year’s theme; let us no longer see refugees and asylum seekers as strangers but as blessings; let us continue to welcome them, support them, and learn from them. By doing so, we not only enrich their lives but also our own. “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1-3)

From prisoners to brothers and sisters

Esther Tung

(The Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association Ltd. )

/ Jul. 25, 2024

In the prison ministry we often come across Refugee and Asylum Seekers. Our ministry not only covers the various prisons of Hong Kong but also the Immigration Detention Centres. As often when coming to HK as a refugee or asylum seeker one needs to find a way to leave their own country and often they can be easily exploited or without much knowledge of how laws and procedures work in other countries they are sold a passage out via illegal means which could mean detention or imprisonment when they land in Hong Kong. As asylum seekers are not allowed to work while they are in Hong Kong they can also be arrested and imprisoned if they work or find other illegal means to make money. Our ministry runs Christian classes inside the institutions where inmates/ detainees voluntarily attend to worship God, fellowship and read the word together along with volunteers. It’s really something quite profound as we worship together. There are no bells or whistles in the institutions. There is no technology or strong visuals or interactive audiovisual to attract people’s attention. Instead it is the bare minimum of a group of worshippers coming together to sing sometimes without any music and share the bible together flipping passages using the paperback versions of the Bible. In this simplicity there are no differentiations between class, race, education, financial or status we are just all brothers and sisters in Christ worshipping our Lord together. We could be anywhere in the world as each person shares worship songs in their own language and in their own culture and expression and everybody joins in. There’s an acceptance and understanding that we are all created in the image of God and when we believe we are His children regardless of our backgrounds. It is in the prison that we share that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and that God has called each of us for a purpose and our life is about living out this purpose for His glory.

In contrast life outside as a RAS in Hong Kong is very tough as often they have to wait for a long time while their claim for refugee status is being processed and they have many concerns and a powerlessness to be able to do anything about it due to the laws of Hong Kong. Many have shared their struggles to make a future for themselves and for their families, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of self pity and frustration or going back into illegal means of survival. However what I have found is that those who in the prison have grasped the truth of the gospel will continue to grow strong in faith and when they come out of the prison they are able to be a blessing to others even while they are awaiting for their claims to be processed. Rather than going back to crime they decide to trust in God and serve Him while they are waiting. RAS brothers and sisters that I know will use their time post-release to participate in feeding programs to feed the poor even though they themselves are considered the most poor, undertake personal visits to inmates who are still inside, help at various churches and even establish their own ministries to support other RAS people to grow in their faith and love for the Lord. They are able to do this because they have a strong understanding of who God made them to be. They are not restricted by how others may label them or how their environment restricts them instead they know that wherever they are they are called to be as it says in 2 Peter 2:9 “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that [they] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvellous light”. They will be a light to those around them wherever they are and in whatever circumstances. They know that regardless of lack they have a Father who can supply all their needs and who will provide for them. That He is working behind the scenes for their good as they continue to follow Him and allow Him to use them. This makes their testimony and their impact even more powerful as they are able to show that God is able to turn their ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3) despite all the challenges that they face and the stigma which is much more than many of us. Through their weaknesses they demonstrate that their Father Lord is strong!

I’ve personally been so encouraged by their lives and am inspired myself to have more faith through seeing their lives of complete dependence on Him for all their needs as well as still pouring out themselves to serve others. We continue to grow together as family, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Securing a new life through empowering others

Centre for Refugees

(Christian Actions)

/ Jul. 9, 2024

“No one chooses to be a refugee. One day everything is fine, and the next everything is completely turned upside down. It’s totally out of our control,” says Sophie, a refugee who spent 11 years in Hong Kong. Sophie can only be identified by her first name for safety reasons, yet this is one lady’s story of how despite incredible hardship, she found the strength to empower others to never give up, through her dream for a better tomorrow.

Sophie and her two-year-old daughter fled East Africa to escape political persecution in 2012 and arrived first in Guangzhou before making their way to Hong Kong. After a rough two nights of sleeping in a public playground, she was advised to approach an NGO, Christian Action Centre for Refugees, based in Chungking Mansions. Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, Chungking Mansions is a hub for many ethnic groups, traders from all over Asia and Africa, ethnic food outlets and much more. This colourful, sensory environment provides a taste of home and familiar faces, for many asylum- seekers.

First established in 1985, as a direct response to Vietnamese refugees arriving in Hong Kong, Christian Action Centre for Refugees served nearly 200,000 Vietnamese refugees from 1985 to 1997. Unfortunately, due to strife and wars around the world, we needed to re-start the Centre for Refugees in 2003. Hong Kong’s first and only drop-in Centre, has since then supported many hundreds more asylum-seekers and refugees; by providing humanitarian assistance, medical and psychosocial support, emergency response, education, employability, training and outreach services. Over 700 beneficiaries, hailing from dozens of countries, escaping political or religious persecution, war and violence have been able to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the

Centre and have been given a sense of empowerment and confidence, to live with hope and dignity for their future.

Christian Action Centre for Refugees quickly became Sophie’s lifeline and helped to support the future for her and her family. She obtained official refugee status in 2014 and as part of the Centre’s Employability initiative was able to work officially as a server in a prominent Club House in Hong Kong. However, having spent years at the Centre for Refugees in Chungking Mansions, Sophie noticed that the Centre was often full of male refugees, but not so often with women. From her own experiences, Sophie knew first-hand the common plight for female refugees; regularly left at home to look after the children, holding few or no professional skills and having rare opportunities to socialize. For many ladies, after fleeing terrifying circumstances, this leaves them feeling scared, sad, sometimes depressed, hesitant to even step outside the door and fearing what the future may hold. Sophie was on a mission and wanted to create life-changing opportunities for her fellow female refugees and asylum-seekers.

It was this mission which inspired Sophie to join Christian Action Centre for Refugees, in an official employee capacity, to help others who are going through similar situations. In fact, Sophie was the first approved refugee to join Centre for Refugees as a full-time staff member. Sophie spearheaded a new programme called L.E.A.D. – Ladies’ Empowerment, Art and Development. As a result of Sophie’s vision, this programme brought together a group of talented and entrepreneurial women asylum- seekers and refugees to create beautiful arts and handicrafts together, learning valuable entrepreneurship and educational skills in a safe space. Very popular among the female refugees and asylum-seekers, this programme has grown from strength to strength and now includes classes for Cookery, Sewing, Jewellery-Making, Make-up, Baking & Sports for therapy and wellness.

“For example, our cooking class provides a wonderful platform for learning, and for cultural exchange with locals. Here, ladies from nine different countries come together to share and showcase recipes from their respective cultures,” says Sophie. This is called “Kitchen Away from Home” and is also a prominent part of the Centre’s outreach activities. The food produced during cooking classes is cooked-up in big batches and can be shared

with other clients who are at the Centre, or can be picked-up for their families at home - as part of the Centre’s food assistance programme.

Another aspect of the programme managed by Sophie includes outreach activities, that help the local community understand the challenges faced by refugees. This helps promote racial diversity and inclusion among the community through sharing their culture, experiences and dreams. With public-speaking training, this gives the women a platform to share with others their inspirational stories of strength, resilience and hope for the future. “We shall walk together out of the darkness” is what Sophie often says to the women to encourage them to speak out, by sharing her own journey.

Sophie’s story is a genuine inspiration and one which demonstrates her strength of character and the ability to turn from a tragic situation, to develop an opportunity and create life-changing chances for other women, who find themselves in a similar position. The L.E.A.D. programme gives a chance to learn, socialize, build community, grow skills, confidence and hope for the future, despite challenging circumstances.

Sophie continued to find ways to support and empower women in the refugee community, always showing a deep compassion for women who struggle with common issues. Helping them to find an outlet through the L.E.A.D. programme, as well as a new community and family, a new voice and a new optimism for the future. Sophie was recently granted resettlement to North America with her family, but her legend at Centre for Refugees lives on. Her role as manager of the L.E.A.D. programme has been fulfilled by another recognized refugee, Uzma, who also benefited from the community, opportunity and skills that the L.E.A.D. programme offered her. A true example of how this programme, through Sophie’s persistence and vision, has empowered other ladies to build a new life for themselves and their families, safe from fear and with hope for the future.

Sophie is grateful for her journey and saw Hong Kong as her second home while awaiting resettlement. Sophie is also grateful to Christian Action Centre for Refugees for offering a lifeline to her and her fellow asylum-seekers and refugees, for supporting a just and equal future for this community which deserves care, recognition, safety and a brighter tomorrow.

Jordan Walking Tour

Katie Ho

(Kowloon Union Church)

/ Dec. 13, 2024

Earlier, I volunteered for a Jordan walking tour led by Sampson Wong to raise funds for the conservation project of Kowloon Union Church. The group consisted of 24 participants, mostly in their 30s and 40s. The itinerary included visiting or viewing the following landmarks from a distance: Kowloon Cricket Club, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Education Hub, Cox's Road Children's Playground, the underground shopping mall at Bio-Inova Tower, the Tsim Sha Tsui Lego Museum, Prudential Centre, Terrible Baby at Eaton HK, Jockey Club Innovation Tower at PolyU, and Kowloon Union Church.

Sampson’s explanations and the participants' insights that day sparked many interesting observations and discussions. This two-hour walk inspired me to ponder: if people from different socioeconomic backgrounds took the exact same route and listened to the same content, would their observations and discussions be different?

Consequently, on a Tuesday morning in October, I led a group of refugees and asylum seekers along a similar route. Relying on my memory, I retold everything Sampson had shared, albeit with a bit of my own embellishment. This group had about 30 people, coming primarily from African countries including Egypt, as well as Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines and India. Their average age was slightly higher than that of Sampson's group, though people over 60 were still a rare minority. Despite their unique legal status, most of them had lived in Hong Kong for more than five years and had already become a part of local society.

We set off from Kowloon Union Church, turned the corner into Cox's Road, and paused between Carmen Villas and The Regalia. An elderly couple jogging past caught our sight. The old gentleman looked back at us twice, and by the third time, he couldn't help but ask me if I was leading a tour. I casually replied, "Yes." Without showing any annoyance about us blocking the street, he simply said, "Have a great time!"

Facing the Cricket Club, I mirrored Sampson by asking everyone to guess what the pillars on the roof were. A few guessed flagpoles, while the most creative answer was lightning rods. Then, everyone noticed the year 1932 inscribed beneath the flagpoles, and many immediately realized this dated back to the British colonial era. Walking a few steps further, we went up the stairs of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Education Hub, only to discover it is normally closed to the public on weekdays. As a result, our group of over 30 people stood in front of the black iron gates for over ten minutes. Fortunately, no security guards or anyone else came to question us throughout the wait. Later, a friend from Egypt shared that this staircase reminded her of the alleys in Alexandria, Egypt, where narrow stairs lead to European-style architecture, giving her a special sense of familiarity.

Although it was slightly cool that day, some men were already dripping with sweat by the time we reached the front of the former Escola Camões. When we arrived at Cox's Road Children's Playground, the participants rushed to rest on the red park benches. I recalled that during Sampson’s tour, the two-hour walk was continuous, with the group only stopping to gather in a circle to listen to his explanations and insights. In contrast, the physical stamina of the foreign friends in this tour was not as strong.

Everyone quickly noticed the design features of Cox's Road Children's Playground, where semicircular motifs appeared everywhere. What surprised them most was that even the exterior of the public restroom matched this overall design theme. As for the mysterious sphere in the center of the park, after the secret was revealed, another Egyptian friend shared with me her belief that the circles within the semicircular design were more than just visual features; they must hold some spiritual or energetic significance. A lady from Kenya agreed, noting that the sphere in the park must serve another purpose, as it couldn't possibly exist solely for the aesthetic pleasure of residents looking down from the upper floors of Eastview.

Due to time constraints, we did not walk through the underground shopping mall at Bio-Inova Tower, which is a rare down-to-earth, working-class mall in the middle of Jordan’s luxury residential area. Some tour members were pleasantly surprised by the section of Tak Hing Street that was specially constructed to accommodate a large tree; they were all well aware of Hong Kong's habit of sacrificing nature for development. Someone noticed that the 7-Eleven on Tak Hing Street featured a mural with French elegance—wondering if it might be the only 7-Eleven in Hong Kong with a mural. I could not provide an answer. In my eyes, the sophisticated elegance of the mural felt completely at odds with the capitalist oppression and condensation that 7-Eleven is often criticized for representing. Yet, it turned out someone genuinely appreciated how it added a splash of color to an otherwise cookie-cutter convenience store space.

We soon arrived at the first floor of Prudential Centre. Many tour members were shocked to learn that the two massive red pillars actually serve a functional purpose for ventilation. I borrowed an observation made by a participant from the previous tour: looking out from Prudential Centre, Nathan Road is visibly sloped. One lady remarked that no wonder she gasped for breath every time she walked toward Tsim Sha Tsui! Perhaps because none of the local Hongkongers in the previous group lived in Jordan, they shared a sense of distance regarding these new discoveries—much like returning home satisfied after seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. However, many refugee friends in this group either lived in Jordan or frequented the neighborhood. These new discoveries, such as the steepness of Nathan Road, instantly refreshed their impressions of daily life, breaking the monotony of their day-to-day routines and established order.

As I was leading the group out of Prudential Centre, a security guard in a white uniform ran up to join us. I thought to myself that we were finally going to get scolded. To my surprise, the guard wore a smile and asked if I usually led these tours. Still on my guard and assuming he was looking to hold someone accountable, he instead clarified his intention. He gently reminded me to advise tour members not to lean against the railings in the future, noting that some ladies' long hair had almost gotten caught in the adjacent escalator. He concluded by warmly welcoming me to bring more tour groups to visit in the future. I have always felt that Hong Kong’s shopping malls have no room for non-consuming humans, probably because I was chased away several times as a child when doing homework assignments that required interviewing tourists in various places. The overly friendly attitude of the Prudential Centre staff completely redefined my understanding of Hong Kong malls. Yet, another part of my mind couldn't help but think: is the economy doing so poorly now that even non-consuming humans are being welcomed into shopping malls?

Upon returning to Kowloon Union Church, we first introduced the architecture of the historic monument inside the sanctuary. Many tour members regularly attend church activities here, but this was the first time I heard them share their favorite spots in the sanctuary. Some favored the archway at the outermost edge of the altar, while others noticed a window near the roof composed of three segments forming a circle—representing the Holy Trinity, a concept they all knew well.

I had assumed that their observations would be vastly different from those of the Hongkongers, but everyone’s discoveries and the things that piqued their interest were remarkably similar. Many of my assumptions about taking refugee friends on a walking tour turned out to be completely unfounded; human curiosity knows no class boundaries. The greatest difference lay in physical stamina—a one-hour walk had completely exhausted the energy of many. While curiosity is not divided by class, a person's physical state and health conditions are indeed heavily influenced by their socioeconomic status. Walking is a luxury for many simply because we lack the time to stroll and observe our surroundings. While Hongkongers rush to work, refugee friends are equally rushed—hurrying to report in, meet with lawyers, visit the ISS (International Social Service), or gather daily necessities. Having this rare pocket of time to stroll through Jordan together and truly feel the details of the city unexpectedly had a soul-cleansing effect akin to a religious ritual, granting everyone a fresh perspective to continue living well on this very same piece of land.

The testimony of a Pakistani Christian who fled to Hong Kong

Bruce Koller

(Christian Grace Church)

/ Jun. 20, 2025

My name is Paul Maqsood, I am from Pakistan. I was born a Christian but came to know Jesus when I was a teenager. I read the Bible and decided I want to live like the Bible teaches. I felt like a fire inside me and I want to do something for God in my Community to help the other Christians.

There was no church in my area and my father had a lot of land. I asked him to donate some land so we can build a church in my area. I registered my church with the government and started to build and when the Muslims in the area heard about me building a church, 4000 to 5000 people came and they started beating me until I was unconscious and then threw me in front of the church.

My father was very disturbed by all of this and told me to leave and go to Hong Kong. I came to Hong Kong in 2002 for fear of my life. In 2005 My father became very ill and wanted me to come back to Pakistan before he passed away. So I came back that year to see my father before he died. When I came back, I fell in love with a young girl and we married in 2006 and started a family. Inspired by God’s word, in 2007 I made another registration with the government to start a church in my area. Again a mob of people came and beat me, they broke every tooth in my mouth, broke my knee and it was so intense I couldn’t respond, to protect myself. I left Pakistan for fear of my life in 2009.

I appreciate what the Hong Kong government has done for me, especially in the beginning. Living here for over 14 years I have hoped somehow things could become more normal for me and other Asylum seekers. It is not easy to live on the allowance that we receive, especially as prices of housing and food have increased so much over the years. It is illegal for us to work, and with rising prices it is impossible to find a place to stay for 1500 HKD a month. We can only shop in Park N Shop for our food, the prices are more and more expensive in the big stores. I can find cheaper prices in other shops, but I can’t use the coupons in those shops. I am required to travel to Tuen Mun to register every week. I am given some money for transportation, but only 200HKD. It is more than $30 to get there and back home. I have no money to buy good clothes and shoes or hygiene items.

Living here as a Pakistani is a little difficult. Some people treat me nicely, especially the older people. I can speak some Cantonese and so I talk to the people sometimes in the parks. The younger people don’t know how to relate to me. Some of them misbehave and don’t treat me with respect. If I take a seat on the MTR, no one will want to sit next to me. I don’t know if they are afraid or they don’t like me being in Hong Kong, sometimes when they see us they put their hand over their mouth or they make a sound of discussed or like I am smelly. We are not dirty people, we shower every day, but it makes us feel like we are not people. I don’t know why they feel this way. Even those of us that have HK ID are treated in the same way. I have been to the mainland and the people there treat us with respect, they treat us much better. When I have gotten to know some local people, their attitude changes and they see that we are people just like them. I do believe we should love one another and even though I am treated, at times much differently, I try not to let it bother me and keep in my mind an attitude of love and respect to everyone I meet.

Author's Note: Paul is involved now in serving other asylum seekers, helping them find hope and purpose in life. He has always wanted to serve God in some way and has pursued that road, helping and caring for the “neighbors” around him.

Unwelcomed

Tony Read

(The Vine Church)

/ Nov. 14, 2025

Today, refugees are bad news all around the world. It has not always been so, but many western governments are currently wrestling with the issues of how to balance compassion with immigration, how to prevent illegal migration, and how to deal with relocation. The public voice, often fuelled by right wing politics, is asking searching questions and demanding protectionist action against over-assimilation. Rational concerns are now bordering on racism, and empathy is dissolving into the mere ‘wringing of hands’.

Around 1400BC （some place it earlier） this same scenario played out in Ancient Egypt when a group of nomadic Jews entered the country to find food because of a regional famine. At that time Egypt was well resourced and had vast stores of grain established by the administration for just such an issue as this. It welcomed the immigrants and put them to work as repayment for their hospitality. Many years later a new administration came into power and became anxious about these immigrants who had grown into a sizeable distinct ethnic group and feared that they might became a political threat. But at the same time they were dependent on their labour force for the nation’s ambitious construction programme. Their solution was slavery, brutality and attempted genocide in a bid to control the situation to their advantage. God’s solution was to free them to serve him as a witness to his goodness and power.

Today in Hong Kong we have around 15,000 asylum seekers who are seeking government recognition as successful claimants. The government carefully navigates its legal responsibilities and UN Covenant Agreements to conduct its own screening process to make sure that it does not repatriate to their home country those who would be in danger of persecution or face life threatening political situations. It then charges the UNHCR （United Nations High Commission for Refugees） with the responsibility for processing successful claimants to third countries that will accept them and eventually offer citizenship if appropriate. This entire process enables the HK government to fulfil its long standing policy of non-acceptance of refugee settlement in HK. In practice this whole procedure often takes many years before a final decision can be made and enacted. Meanwhile many asylum seekers are living in limbo with little recognition and minimal support; while successful claimants are awaiting for resettlement in a political climate that increasingly rejects them.

During my time in Hong Kong as a pastor I have personally been blessed to know and walk alongside many asylum seekers.

I think of Jxxx who witnessed his father being shot in Africa and had to flee for his life because he came from the wrong tribe, who became desperately ill, was transported to HK by a friend he does not know, became so depressed by his treatment in HK that he tried to take his own life, and was eventually freed by God to go and serve him as a missionary.

I think of P.Vxxx who got caught in the middle of a long drawn out insurrection, who was threatened and tortured by one side and then by the other as the battle front moved back and forth in their rural area. Eventually he fled for his life and came to HK where he lived on the streets until he was put into detention where he found a group of bible believing christians who were also asylum seekers. When he was eventually freed by God he came to our church with his friends and become one of the founding members of our asylum seeker ministry.

I think of Sxxx who was an army general in a government that got overthrown by rebel forces and had to escape for his life. When God freed him he became a passionate preacher and shared his life message whenever he had the chance.

I think of Rxxxx who struggled as a Christian in a muslim country and whose life was under threat for breaking the rules of islamic culture. He then fled to HK and struggled again to find meaning for his life until God freed him to become a ‘chaplain-like’ visitor to asylum seekers at detention centres in HK.

These and many others have become freed to serve God in Hong Kong but not freed from the stigma and discrimination of being designated as illegal immigrants, even after being recognised as successful claimants. While they are undergoing the screening process asylum seekers are given polite but minimal support necessary to comply with hard-won court proceedings requiring the government to recognise basic human rights commitments.

As christians we also have our own basic scriptural commitments to consider. We will of course naturally care for those asylum seekers who are part of our own congregations. However, we should also consider the wider injunctions as fellow travellers on the ‘Jericho road’. “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed” （Psalm 82:3）, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute, speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy” （Prov 31:8-9）. Our lives are intrinsically connected with those around us because God has called us to be ‘in the world’. When we help and advocate for the marginalised, it’s then that the world sees that we are ‘not of it’.

Embracing Compassion: A Call to Action for the Body of Christ

Ahmed Andrew

/ March 25, 2026

Greetings and blessings to you and your family in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a member of a Sunni Muslim family, I encountered significant obstacles during my early years. My family faced dire financial difficulties while being embroiled in political and religious struggles. My father made the difficult decision for me to leave my homeland in search of safety and a better future, aspiring to acquire refugee status in Hong Kong to support my family.

Arriving in an unfamiliar place, I was met with uncertainty. The challenge of finding employment led me towards illegal activities, ultimately resulting in homelessness and addiction. When I turned to the Muslim community for help, I was unfortunately rejected. It was during this difficult time that I found solace at St. Andrew's Church, where a stranger extended kindness by offering me food and clothing. It was here that I f irst experienced God's compassion, prompting me to begin reading the Bible.

My name is Andrew. I grew up in a Muslim country, but by the grace of God, I am now a former Muslim and a refugee who found faith in Jesus here in Hong Kong. I have been fortunate to be supported by many followers of Christ in this city and have felt His deep love. Today, I represent the ministry of our Lord, reaching out to ethnic minorities, asylum seekers, and refugees at the Living Well Community Centre.

The Role of the Body of Christ and Our Responsibilities

The body of Christ holds a crucial role in our mission, particularly regarding refugees. Early in my spiritual journey, I was deeply touched by the love and compassion I received from my brothers and sisters in Christ. These relationships have been fundamental to my faith development and have helped me grasp the importance of being a part of this community. Each person has a purpose—some act as God's hands, while others reflect His heart.

Jesus was a remarkable miracle worker, bringing healing to the sick and raising the dead. In Matthew 25:35-40, He guides us on how to treat those we do not know:

> "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..."

In Hong Kong, there are around 15,000 to 17,000 asylum seekers and refugees who face significant hardships as they seek hope and a brighter future. How can we, as the body of Christ, address their needs?

Our Local Mission

While many Christians focus on outreach efforts abroad, we must not overlook those in our own communities. Countless refugees endure hopelessness and despair for years, often facing limited resources. They depend on the ISS for financial support, which offers only HKD 1,500 for rent and HKD 1,200 in food vouchers per adult. Support for children is even less: HKD 750 for rent and HKD 600 for food.

Consider how challenging it would be to navigate such circumstances. Finding affordable housing is tough enough, not to mention sourcing basic necessities for children like milk, diapers, toys, and school supplies. We should refrain from passing judgment on others based on their refugee status, whether they are seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing persecution. Our responsibility is to extend love and compassion to everyone during their times of need.

In Luke 10:36-37, Jesus poses the question:

> "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The answer is evident: the one who acted with mercy. Will we be that neighbor? If each church in Hong Kong committed to supporting just 10 to 15 refugees, we could transform lives and restore hope. With approximately 1,500 churches and various NGOs in our city, we have the capacity to create a meaningful difference. Are we prepared to take that step?

A Call to Action

If we allow ourselves to become complacent, we risk forgetting our role as the body of Christ. We must look beyond our immediate concerns and welcome those who are strangers among us. God commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, as noted in Matthew 22:39:

> "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Even a single act of kindness can profoundly impact someone’s life. I recall my time as a refugee when a Christian brother named Jeffrey Andrews showed me love by providing clothes and shelter.

'How can we be that support for someone today?'

Through mentorship at Union Church Hong Kong, I was sponsored to attend Bible school, which eventually led me to become a missionary and motivational speaker. The love and support of the body of Christ changed my life dramatically.

We must reach out to refugees and asylum seekers, humbly inquiring about their needs—scholarships for children, dental treatments, and school uniforms. We can also provide monthly financial assistance. Among these individuals are persecuted Christians who have been trapped here for years. Rather than feel helpless, we can teach them skills, educate them, and sponsor some for resettlement elsewhere. What can you do to help?

Conclusion: The Urgency of Our Mission

We live in a beautiful city filled with diversity. Thousands of strangers, whether refugees or asylum seekers, are already here seeking support and compassion. God has placed us here for a purpose.

I encourage you to take small steps to help those in need. Reach out to churches and NGOs assisting refugees, learn more about their lives, and take meaningful action.

Through prayer and petition, we can go before God and ask for His help. Let us humbly represent ourselves as the body of Christ, remembering that our God is just and faithful. As stated in Matthew 7:22, we are reminded to live authentically and thoughtfully.

We must ensure that we are ministering to God’s people with love and compassion. As Jesus emphasized in John 14:15-16:

> “If you love me, keep my commands...” We are not Jesus, but in His name, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to reach out with love. Let us take steps of faith to change lives for those struggling. James 2:17 reminds us that:

> “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

In closing, let us pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this opportunity to be Your children, following our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us recognize how we can assist those abandoned by society. May we rise to the occasion, empowered by Your love, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs compassion. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Serving Asylum Seekers: A Journey of Life Transformation

Clareta Chia

(Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees)

/ Apr. 10, 2026

Five years ago, amidst the height of Hong Kong’s strictest COVID-19 restrictions - a time characterized by masks, social distancing and a pervasive sense of isolation - a chance encounter opened a door for my family that I never expected. It led me into the heart of a community in Yuen Long, often hidden behind the bright lights and busy streets of the bustling “Pearl of the Orient”. This was my introduction to the Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees, and its founder, Ms. Isabella Ng. It has since become one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

Faith Beyond the Four Walls

My upbringing in the Roman Catholic faith taught me that “doing good” is not an elective or a weekend hobby; it is a core component of a life lived for Christ. My parents raised me with the conviction that service is the ultimate expression of faith. Now, as a parent myself, I feel a sacred weight to pass this philosophy onto my own children, Sophie, Kiara and Oliver, aged 20, 18 and 15. My hope for them to understand that faith is not contained within the four walls of a church but is found wherever a neighbour is in need.

In a city like Hong Kong that never seems to stop, Sunday is often guarded as a day of rest. Our family has chosen a different rhythm. Every Sunday, we trek from Hong Kong Island to the far reaches of Yuen Long. This journey crosses more than just geographical districts; it crosses social and economic divides. We go to be present with families who, despite living in one of the wealthiest cities on earth, are often forgotten by systems meant to protect communities in Hong Kong.

Laughter: Our Common Language

Our initial service was simple. We held sports, dance and arts and crafts classes for the children. Children who just wanted space to be carefree. My memories are vivid: watching Oliver redirect his passion for soccer to teach a young boy from Pakistan how to dribble and control a ball; seeing Kiara show an adorable little girl from the Philippines how to twirl and swirl like a princess; and watching Sophie sit on the floor, eye-to-eye with a young girl, patiently working through a complex craft project. We’ve cheered together as the children played a thrilling soccer match in Yuen Long park. We’ve giggled together over conquering the steps to the Smeeze dance. We’ve sweated together while trying to craft floating paper dragon boats for Dragon Boat Festival. In these moments, the heavy labels of “refugee” or “asylum seeker” simply disappear. Language barriers vanish, replaced by the common language of laughter and the shared joy of creation. Tucked in a small room in a community center, these modest spaces are turned into hubs of creativity and hope. We are reminded that children, regardless of their legal status, are made in the image of God - and deserve a space to play, to dream and to be seen.

From Play to Advocacy

Over time, our relationship deepened. Over weeks of conversations and shared stories, we realized that while the “play sessions” were vital for the children’s spirits, the physical and systemic needs of the families required us to do more. We started to bring donations of essentials - household goods, clothes and shoes. We held educational sessions for the families on health and clean air within shared living spaces. We learned that the Gospel isn’t just found in Sunday masses but in the consistent, weekly act of showing up for those whom society has pushed to the margins.

As we became Sunday fixtures in the Yuen Long community, the staggering disparity between our lives and theirs became impossible to ignore. My children have grown up with the freedom to travel, to study and to plan their futures. Contrastingly, many of the asylum seekers we work with have been stuck in legal limbo for decades, waiting for the government to recognize their right to exist legally within the borders they call home. Many of them speak fluent Cantonese. They live and breathe Hong Kong’s culture. Yet, because of a few pieces of paper, they are denied the basic benefits that we take for granted. The unfair predilection of these families is stark and systemic. They exist in a vacuum where basic rights are withheld. Children are not entitled to subsidized education. Lack of access to subsidized healthcare and public housing focus families in cramped subdivided apartments. Many could be driven into the shadow of illegal work just to afford basic necessities.

My daughters’ service evolved into advocacy. Working with Isabella, Sophie and Kiara began to assist families in navigating the daunting legal labyrinth of paperwork and deadlines required to seek the right to stay. By helping families navigate the process, Sophie and Kiara are practicing a profound form of inclusion - making sure these families find their footing in the place they call home.

The Gift of Receiving

While we began this journey with the intention of giving and serving, we quickly discovered the beautiful humbling secret of community service: these families have given us far more than we could ever provide for them. In the small, crowded rooms of Yuen Long, we have been the recipients of incredible hospitality. We have been blessed with shared stories and experiences that have transformed our own lives. The community has given my children a perspective that no textbook could offer - a front row seat to the virtues of resilience and hope. We have learned that joy comes from our connections to one another. We went to Yuen Long to change their world, but in the end, they were the ones who changed ours. For that, I am eternally thankful.