Talent In Limbo

Aron fled his war torn country to get away from guerilla rebels. He was a 14-year-old when he was first called on to draw posters and banners representing opposing factions, first by one side and then the other. He eventually became a threat because he knew too much about too many important people.

Aron fled to Hong Kong in 2003 with the help of an agent, and sought refugee status. He says, "There was no government assistance. I had to find my own food and shelter. But during the times I was in the prisons and detention centres in Hong Kong, they were havens - like safe houses - nothing like the prisons in my own country."

Despite the fact that Aron was unable to attend school after eighth grade he is an aspiring writer. He developed a wiki portal in his native language, has a Facebook page with over 4500 likes, and wrote a blog about his life in Hong Kong which still gets over 100,000 hits every month, even though he stopped blogging two years ago. But after participating in our photography course his true talent became obvious. Last November he participated in the Hong Kong Human Rights Arts Prize, organized by Hong Kong Justice Centre (formerly known as Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre). His photograph of an old man pulling a boat onto a beach was short listed and exhibited at Sundaram Tagore gallery. It was later sold via silent auction, and Aron received 50% of the proceeds.

Aron says, "Christian Action is one of the organizations that truly helped me. Not being allowed to work drove me to despair. I had to seek assistance or die.” Since Aron has started coming to Christian Action he has attended English classes through the British Council, completed in-house word processing classes, and is currently completing his high school certificate through our partnership with Hong Kong International School. His Christian Action case worker said "Aron has been deeply traumatized by his past experiences, yet he remains incredibly self motivated."

This extremely talented man, born a Hindu, has now made the most important decision of his life. Unable to work, he’s had time to explore many religions. In late 2013 he decided to commit his life to Christ. He says he has never seen any other religion demonstrate unconditional love. Our mission statement puts it this way: "Christian Action's services are based on the example of Jesus Christ who came to serve all people, regardless of their age, gender, nationality or religion."

Aron was finally recognized as a refugee in 2013, and is waiting to be placed in his destination country. No-one knows where or when that will be. He is in a state of limbo. Please pray for Aron and countless others like him.