播道兒童之家60周年相片展覽暨服務分享
本院為慶祝創立60周年，於本年度舉行一連串慶祝活動。「60周年相片展覽暨服務分享」是我們第一個慶祝活動。在7月9日及8月13日下午，我們接待了助養人，友好、家屬、義工、個別支持者來到我們當中，分享我們的成果和喜悅!
昔日創辦人申路得姑娘與第一批孩子的大型照片放在入口處附近，讓大家也感受一下當年的這個大家庭的氣氛。六十年是一個不短的日子，我們選了一些精彩相片，放在兒家時間長廊，簡單握要地介紹本院服務之進程，一同見證天父對我們的大愛。
當日我們安排了參觀新大樓的設施與服務, 來賓參觀了「全年無休」的日間院護服務及需求日趨殷切之青年宿舍服務。
最後還有孩子表演及服務使用者的分享。感謝來賓蒞臨，給予孩子們的支持和鼓勵。我們會繼續努力，讓神的愛延續下去。
感謝神,兒家過去六十年，栽培不少孩子長大成人，貢獻社會，人才濟濟,主恩滿載。
今天，兒童之家六十周年紀念，有很多位海外院友相約這個期間回港相聚，分享生活近況；大家再走走當年留下不少足跡的地方，陪感興奮。
The growth of a child is like cultivating seedlings. To thrive strongly, it requires careful irrigation, soil loosening, and fertilization.
Thanks to the Rotary Club of Kowloon Tong for giving the seven youngsters from ECH the opportunity to broaden their horizons. In December 2019, they went to Taiwan for a 5-day tour of the “Experiential Learning Trip to Taiwan with Fellow Travellers”. They learned to cooperate with the Rotary Club of North City, Taiwan, and organized activities for the Elderly Center, which aimed to bring joy to the elderly. For this trip, all these youth had to take up the role of preparation by themselves. The entire itinerary consists of booking air tickets, transportation and accommodation, itinerary routes, travel budgets, etc., all are planned by the youngsters. This allowed them to learn plans and develop a spirit of cooperation. This ever first trip to other country in their life did bring them the most memorable experience.
“I am very brave today. I am brave enough to go out and interact with the elderly in the class. This is a big breakthrough for me! Everyone has more communication, and many events are going smoothly, so I appreciate everyone’s effort and hope to keep the momentum in the next few days.”
Hei
“I can offer help to hold this meaningful service, I feel so satisfied because I can have opportunity to serve other people in need during the trip, so it is not just fun but also let me learn how to take care of the elderly.”
Fung
“I am so happy today, especially everyone is trying his/her best to perform own part and create a wonderful atmosphere for the elderly. Those elderly are very happy. We feel very grateful.”」
Kwan
“At last, we have to say big thanks to Pik Yu and Max for their valuable comments. Also, they provide the opportunities to us and let us try to arrange all the itineraries by ourselves. Of course, we must thank for the sponsorship from Rotary club of Kowloon Tong for having this chance of being one of the participants. In the Graduation ceremony, you can see our development and growth during this trip. Again, big thank you to all our companions!”
Man
以雜誌形式專訪不同時期在兒家生活的院友，眼中的「家」
六十週年籌委小組訂定主題為「薪伙傳家愛」，表達了承傳福音使命，需要結連福音「夥(伙)伴」，包括堂會、熱心贊助的商界和朋友，攜手同行，向社會傳遞家庭的「愛」。
11月17日晚上，我們安排了異象分享晚會，邀請各介襄助，一起幫助孩子建立他們的「第二人生」。
Leo, a former resident of the youth home, attended the “2nd Chance in Life – Youth Ministry” kick-off ceremony to inspire other young people with life renewal testimony.
Leo grew up in a traditional family. His father is strict, and he would discipline him by beating and scolding. In order to reduce conflicts, he avoided the father who came back in shifts at night. Starting when he was young, he would sleep with his head before 11 o’clock every night. When he did something wrong, he was beaten by his father, and there was case that he was admitted to hospital for stitches. Later, he was referred by a social worker to live in the youth home of the Evangelical Children’s Home. From that time, he had to rely on his own ability to make ends meet. At that time, he just graduated from high school and failed to enter university. For the sake of his future, he took IVE Advanced Diploma course during the day and worked at night to make a living. Even though the social worker suggested him to apply for CSSA, he refused. He led a busy life of self-improvement and self-reliance every day, and he never looked back to the past, nor remembered who he loved or hated.
It was God’s plan for staying in the youth home. There were other home alternatives at that time, but I moved into the youth home of the Evangel Children’s Home. He was invited by his family mentor to participate in an evangelistic fellowship with Tung Fook Kowloon East Church to learn about the gospel. During the period, he heard a sermon that touched his heart deeply. The content was roughly to remind that living a Christian life should follow bible and act like Jesus. The two passages of Scripture were like fists into his heart:
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
Matthew 7:3
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24
As time passed by, he thought he should have let go of his past pains and forgave his father. It was not until one time the pastor prayed for him and gave him a hug like a father, which softened his heart. When the pastor said “I’m sorry” on behalf of his father, Leo burst into tears because he hadn’t has such beloved feeling for a long time. The feeling of “love”, the Holy Spirit reminded him to forgive his Dad verbally, and to express it from the bottom of his heart. Indeed, there is no denying the fact that parent-child relationship is an ironclad DNA, and the Ten Commandments of the Bible also state: “Honor your parents so that you are blessed.”
A strange thing happened. After a few weeks, when he returned home for dinner with his mother, his father asked him if he no longer recognized him as his father. At this moment, he finally understood why he was moved to forgive his father when he ran that day. It was no coincidence. , God has already prepared. On that night, their father and son broke through the long-frozen iceberg and repaired the relationship between father and son. When you “really” “from the heart” forgive your father and repair your relationship with your father, you can share your heartfelt feelings with each other frankly and feel relieved.
After sharing his testimony at the “2nd Chance in Life – Youth Ministry” kick-off ceremony, Leo embraced his father and was much moved. Dr. Choi Yuen Wan prayed for them after the event.
Chak Kwai, who had left Evangel Children’s Home admitted to the Chinese University of Hong Kong to study Information Engineering four years ago. He has achieved a lot today. He has been working in the IT field for half a year. Graduated with first-class honors and stepped into the workplace, Chak Kwai is grateful for God’s guidance and care. He also thank for the supporters. “Only relying on your own ability is unmanageable.” Chak Kwai humbly shared his path of growth that was full of grace.
Earlier, he made a special trip back to the Evangel Children’s Home to meet up with superintendent, the trustee of Yuk Ching Charity Trust which sponsored him tutorials, the house parents, social workers and the DSE students of the home. Precious memories are around corners in the home. This “home” has witnessed the love of Heavenly Father, and the staff healed his childhood trauma with love. In a stable environment, he can plan for his career development.
Due to illness, Chak Kwai’s family member was unable to take care of him. He began to move into the Evangel Children’s Home in Form 2. At that time, he refused to open up himself. He was restrained and found it hard to communicate with others. In retrospect, the house parents described him as “unable to be connected”. Onson, the house parent, has an unyielding will to serve and bring changes to the children with love, time and patience. On the day of the home reunion, Onson described Chak Kwai as responsible and hard-working that he earned a living with part-time job. He is well-prepared for future, diligent and studious, and admired him in giving back to Evangel Children’s Home as volunteer. This beloved “Dad” who is not his biological father, always sees the merits of him.
At the reunion, the memories came to life. Onson had been taking care of Chak Kwai at the Peter House for many years. Onson had evening prayers by bedside with him, asking him to entrust his troubles to his heavenly Father; serving him with desert when he studied at late night. Chak Kwai responded inadvertently and truly, saying, “As long as it is made by Onson, it is delicious.” What a heartwarming response!
Onson and Chak Kwai are in ties like “father and son”. Though he has left the home, Onson still cares about him. This “Home” is filled with extra love because God is love.
