Less Talk, More (Christian) Action!

In my thirty-plus years of serving underprivileged communities, the injustices that migrant domestic helpers have had to suffer has grieved me constantly. When the pandemic struck it worsened considerably. Our city was terrified and felt helpless - which exaggerated unacceptable behavior, like the forced eviction of domestic helpers; resulting in some of them being left outside to fend for themselves in public parks; nothing could be more reprehensible!

On March 5th 2023 we collaborated with St. Andrew's Church, Harvest Mission Community Church (HMCC) and International Christian School (ICS) to organize a day of activities for domestic workers, and it was a resounding success!

The day included free health check-ups and consultations at St. Andrew’s Church for 58 domestic helpers provided by four volunteer doctors and able helpers from HMCC. Our Centre for Migrant Domestic Workers (MDW) staff, along with four ICS volunteers, also distributed 500 packs of masks and COVID-19 rapid test kits to domestic workers in Sha Tin Park!

Two of the medical team members shared their thoughts about the day:

‘My name is Ho Ling Chung, and I was asked to make a presentation about work place injuries and the preventative exercises migrant domestic workers could use. As a physiotherapy student I felt inadequate for the task, but in the end, I felt I received more than I gave! It was never about my skills, rather it was about how God could use me to show the migrant domestic workers His love.’

‘My name is Alvin Leung, and when the HMCC team leader invited me to participate in this outreach, I thought it would be a good chance to use my expertise to show how much God loves us. I give all glory to God for providing the necessary tools, such as free laboratory cholesterol tests, which presented a clearer picture of the state of these clients' health. I discussed with them various health problems and how to avoid them. We held hands to pray and I learned about their life stories. I left filled with joy after realizing how God loves this city and how much He cares about the migrant domestic workers.’

In scripture we read Jesus’ beatitudes. We also read of Jesus’ actions, such as washing the feet of his disciples and, as we’re about to celebrate this Easter weekend, His laying down His life as a sacrificial lamb on our behalf. I also see Jesus in the lives of those who served migrant workers on March 5th.

God bless you,
Siew Mei