Thought for the Week

Last week, I joined Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) on "Thought for the Week". For 15 years now, I've always felt so prepared, but I was pressed for time this year. Thankfully it was a topic very dear to my heart, and I managed to get all in one take! I was honoured to speak about Ray and the plight of refugees in our city. I encourage you to listen here or read the summary of my message below.

Every day, there are men, women, and children who are forced to abandon their homes to escape from war, torture, and other violations of their human rights. The negative news about "fake refugees" makes my heart sink. Thousands of people seek protection in HK, many of them are educated and capable. Most come without their family.

Ray is a refugee who was a working professional in his home country but he had to flee from persecution in 2004. Since then, he has not seen his family and has been waiting for resettlement in another country. Ray has not given up hope. He trusts in God's purposes for his life. In 2013, Christian Action asked if he could work for the Centre for Refugees.

Ray is one of the few refugees with permission to work in the city, and his contributions have touched many lives. For three years he has run community outreach and education workshops at schools and churches to raise awareness of refugee issues in Hong Kong. He also supports the soup kitchen at the Centre for Refugees. The food programme does not receive any government support; it relies on donations and a strong-willed person like Ray to keep it running.

I pray for the media and community to look at the refugee issue under a positive light, one that is free of discrimination and prejudice. For more information on our Centre for Refugee's Campaign against Hunger, visit here.