A Mid-Autumn Success

‘What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.’

- James 2:16-17

Scripture calls on all of us to love our neighbor, and that means taking action. Since moving our Headquarters to Choi Wan Christian Action has had the honor of serving many of our neighbors - and it is my pleasure to tell you about one such event that we recently held for our elderly neighbors!

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture; its popularity is on par with that of the Chinese New Year. This year the Festival is on September 29, and is followed closely by National Day, on October 1. To make this a joyous and memorable occasion for our elderly neighbors we invited 160 senior citizens from Choi Wan and Wong Tai Sin to join a "family party" at our Headquarters.

In attendance were also many of this community’s key stakeholders, including: Mr. Thomas Wu Kui Wah, JP, the recently appointed District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr. Li Yong Zhan, Head of the Religion Group, Coordination Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as Rev. Jok Chung Lun Johnny, Senior Pastor, Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Church, to be our officiating guests.

A large part of the caring and ‘loving on’ the seniors was courtesy of 57 wonderful volunteers. The activities included a flag-raising ceremony, the playing of the National Anthem, and words of encouragement from the special stakeholders.

The first Flag-raising Ceremony at
Christian Action Headquarters

One part of the day’s proceedings that was a huge hit with the elderly was when one of our staff members took to the stage and performed a popular Cantonese song. The Seniors called out for more and more! Pretty soon I joined in the fun also, singing the ever-popular "Shanghai Tang". It was such a happy afternoon.

Thanks to Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Church, the Seniors were able to take home gifts of Mooncake. Christian Action also gave each of them a 5kg packet of rice. As she exited the event one old lady was thanking everyone, saying it was not so much about getting a gift but more about being remembered and cared for.

To all my dear friends near and far, my family and I would like to wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Siew Mei