Bridges of Friendship

Nature sometimes has a funny way of working in with our plans! In late 2012 International Christian Assemblies (ICA) and Christian Action organized a carnival which we called One People One City.

Our aim was to raise funds so that we could build bridges of friendship with the people of Tin Shui Wai. But on the day we almost needed more solid bridges than that!

The rain came down in torrents! But a river of people turned up to our carnival! People came to shop for bargains, and to be entertained by very talented performers. More importantly they came to show that they care about the poor in Hong Kong.  One of the families who has particularly benefited by this project is the Yu family. 

Mr. & Mrs. Yu have two sons, aged five and fifteen. Like thousands of teenagers worldwide, her teenager’s apparent ‘addiction’ to computer games was causing a tremendous amount of stress in the family, and Mrs. Yu was at her wits’ end. When she saw how much Christian Action’s volunteers had helped her best friend, Wah Chun – (Its Carnival Time), Mrs. Yu invited us into her home. 

Dr. Edmund Teo is the senior pastor of
International Christian Assemblies

Her husband was extremely skeptical that anyone would be selfless enough to help, but our volunteer encouraged Mrs. Yu to express her frustrations. Since then, Mrs. Yu and both her sons have regularly participated in ‘family bonding time’ activities at our centre. While her son still spends way too much time playing computer games, there is now peace in their home. Mrs. Yu’s husband told her: “In the past, you were visited by others.  Now you have made tremendous progress and are able to visit and encourage others - that’s awesome!” 

Mrs. Yu’s face lit up with joy as she told of her husband’s approval of the changes in her family. Their relationship is also getting stronger as we teach them the importance of mutual recognition and affirmation. 

This year, International Christian Assemblies and Christian Action are partnering in another initiative – the Agape Community Intervention Project.   This project will build on relationships we have established with churches in the Tin Shui Wai area during previous projects. Funds raised from the 2012 carnival will help build stronger families and communities in Tin Shui Wai, thanks to incredible support from International Christian Assemblies and the Hong Kong community. 

If you were unable to attend the carnival it’s not too late to help build bridges – just click on the link to contribute now!