When a little thing means a LOT!

The devastation and heartbreak caused by an earthquake is something most of us will never experience, so this week I took our whole management team to see the movie Aftershock, because CA is involved in an earthquake-prone area.  The film about the 1976 Tang Shan earthquake was made in mainland China, and the collapsing buildings reminded me not only of the Yushu earthquake, but also of the block of flats that collapsed earlier this year in Hong Kong.  I think it’s ironic that sometimes we learn the best lessons in the midst of great devastation.

When the block of flats collapsed in To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, killing four people, the Das family in the neighbouring block was glad to survive even though they lost most of their possessions. It was traumatic to then see their own home, with its 16 years of memories, being demolished because it was unsafe.  But the one with the deepest sense of loss was seven-year-old Ashani.

Ashani mourned for the thing she remembered most vividly – a soft toy that looked like a fish.  “It was like losing my best friend,” she said. “I needed to hold it when I went to sleep, and I dreamt it would come back to me.”

The family was scheduled to move into another block of flats in Shek Lei, but their immediate need was for emotional support. A member of staff from Christian Action’s SHINE Centre who had followed up the Das family’s case, contacted Jenny Ma Kiu-sang, a volunteer who serves through Christian Action. With great dedication, Jenny watched the family’s video clips again and again, studying images of Ashani’s toy fish. Then she made a replica of the beloved toy!

“My cheerful daughter has returned,” said Mr. Narayan Das, “the fish has put a smile on her face; she’s back to normal!”  It was a small thing to do, but it meant a whole lot to Ashani; she had a new `friend’ to take to her new home.  And her family was glad with her.

When we are moved by compassion to do something for someone else, the thing itself may be of little value, but to a hurting person in need of a little TLC it can mean the difference between depression and hope.

The Das family’s emotional situation was not unusual for our staff at the Tuen Mun SHINE centre. SHINE is one of the very few centres in Hong Kong serving the ethnic minorities in our midst. The majority of these people have suffered in some way, so our staff members regularly show compassion and care as they try to provide the needs of traumatized families.  

Pray for the SHINE staff as they reach out with the patient love of Jesus to do something, however small, that usually means a lot to people in need.

Have a great week.

-Siew Mei