Due to the spread of the coronavirus, a new on-line tutoring platform-“Hang Seng Academic Assistance Programme” will be used for our On Tai Service Centre’s tutoring class from today to 28 August. Each of our 24 clients, from grass-roots families, are allowed to raise a maximum of 30 queries from their studies via the e-platform. Pray that we strive to relieve part of the parents’ burden.

Christian Action’s (CA) $10,000 Reasons Campaign appealing for donations of the current government cash handouts, in full or part, is getting good response. Pray that we reap a bountiful harvest amidst the current adversity and economic setback. We are grateful for any level of giving. Every cent counts.  

Praise God! Today 83 students ranging from secondary school to doctoral degree programmes will be awarded education grants, under the High School Scholarships and Tertiary Education Grant Programme, for the upcoming academic year of 2020 – 2021. Pray that this will better equip the students in Qinghai to acquire higher education, thereby breaking out of the poverty cycle.

Project Teal III, jointly organized by CA and other organizations, will hopefully begin in early August. 85 women from our New Arrivals Mong Kok Service Centre will benefit from free cervical cancer screening services, including self-sampling, co-testing and medical follow-up care for identified cases. Pray that they would feel cherished and cared for as we follow Jesus’ example to share His divine love with them.

As Hong Kong is battered by the third wave of the Coronavirus attack, more people may suffer both physically and mentally. May our Lord prepare the mindset of HK people to battle and overcome the pandemic.  Pray for His complete protection for CA’s board members, staff, supporters, clients and their families, especially those who are sick. May CA be blessed to deliver hope and care as one body of Christ through our ministries.

48 of our donation boxes have now been placed on counters of a well-established local restaurant chain throughout August. Pray that we garner enough financial support to sustain our ministries at this critical moment.   

To contain the spread of the coronavirus, all training courses under the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) have been suspended since mid-July. Pray fervently for His divine insight, protection and provision for all our clients, volunteers, partners and staff of CA; that our services would resume very soon.

A few of our clients in the shelter under the Migrant Domestic Workers Programme will attend the hearings at the Labour Tribunal and Small Claims Tribunal this week. Pray for His inner peace, mercy and justice for these marginalized sojourners working far away from their hometowns to earn a living.

Please continue to pray for the smooth operation of our new round of the “Youth Ambassador Scheme for Ethnic Minorities” and the “SHINE” project. May God connect the right persons through these initiatives to reach the community and help them embrace greater integration. 

To prevent the epidemic spread, we have reduced the frequency of our daily free meal collection at our headquarters to twice a week. Despite this change, the beneficiaries will collect 6 meals instead of 5 for a week. Pray that we always strive to serve with faith the needy in our beloved neighbourhood. Amen!

Answered prayer
Hallelujah! The bidding process for purchasing the third batch of rehabilitation equipment was completed last month. Pray that all delivery procedures of the equipment to be donated through CA would arrive on schedule in Qinghai; and together we empower the children with disabilities on the Tibetan Plateau.

Our new initiative “Flying Over Self-Reliance & Mutual Help” which aims at promoting mutual community aid, at On Tai Estate, started in late July. Pray that the newly-formed team will strive to be the light of our district and serve residents, especially during the pandemic outbreak.

Today Mrs. Cheung-Ang Siew Mei JP, our Executive Director, in her capacity as Chairman of the Justice and Social Concern Committee (JSCC) under the HK Christian Council, will hold a meeting. May God guide her words and steps; and continue to use her as His good channel of peace as strife escalates.

The renovation of our ESR’s Sheung Shui Community Sales Outlet will be completed this week. Pray that the work including the computer, CCTV and internet networking, data storage and POS installation will be completed on schedule; and we will strive to obtain different sources of income to sustain our diverse services.

Our New Arrivals Mong Kok Service Centre is seeking an appropriate venue to accommodate a meal-box vending machine so that its clients from grass-roots families may get 3 free meals daily.  Pray the initiative will truly relieve part of the burden, especially for those who have become unemployed or underemployed due to the pandemic crisis.

The summer activities of our Tuen Mun SHINE Centre, including tutorial classes, interest groups and sports trainings, have been launched in August with a different degree of adjustment due to the pandemic crisis. Pray that we strive to foster community cohesion through our ministry.

Hooray! Christian Action Asia (USA) has gained 560 more viewers via its current Facebook promotion. Pray that this virtual platform will grow into a strong network for our ministry of supporting the vulnerable children on the Tibetan Plateau.

Throughout this month, our Social Enterprise Division has co-organized several green collection events in different places with some district councilors in Kowloon East. Pray that we help advocate the importance of environmental conservation through our consistent efforts.

Please join us as prayer partners as we meditate on the scriptures “to act justly; to love mercy and to walk humbly with our Lord” Micah 6:8 on this World Humanitarian Day. May the Holy Spirit inspire more to be involved in humanitarian work; and commemorate those who have served so well in this area. Amen!

Some handmade soap, made by our clients on welfare benefits at a DIY Workshop, is now for sale at the lattice shop in our Sheung Shui Centre. Pray for His wisdom and provision that we will serve the disadvantaged in one of the poorest districts of Hong Kong.

25 student mentees from our Long Ping Centre have just finished a 5-day “2020 workplace experiential programme” in different professions like IT, engineering, environmental conservation, health care services, etc. Pray that they will be empowered by this valuable experience to pursue their dreams.

CA’s fundraising income has been cut significantly due to the coronavirus, grounding to a halt our street-level fund raising and other promotion campaigns. May God shower His blessings on us and guide us in our fundraising strategies when we try our best to solicit aid from different parties.  Pray that more members of the public will be moved to help the unfortunate and needy both near and far.

To prevent coronavirus infections, our Tuen Mun SHINE Centre team will reach out to clients and keep in touch with them through work group formations and regular phone calls. Pray that we strive to help them integrate into the community with ease, despite racial and cultural differences.

Today Christian Action Asia (USA) will host its Board meeting. Pray that the Board will strategize initiatives which are centered on His plan and show His concern for the disabled and disadvantaged children in Qinghai through our ministry. Amen!

The summer holidays will end soon, and 7 interns will complete their internship under the summer internship programme of our Social Enterprise Division. Pray that both the interns and CA will benefit from the programme as a whole.

Our Tuen Mun SHINE Centre is applying for after-school tutorial classes for ethnic minority (EM) students in Tuen Mun. Pray for a smooth application process to related government departments; and that we will partner with more schools to jointly help EM children to catch up with their studies.   

Let’s pray for wisdom and strength for all local staff of the Qinghai office under the China programme to serve the disabled and deprived children at the Xining Children’s Home when the latter return after the summer holidays. Pray for His continuous protection and direction, and that our HK staff will be able to return to Qinghai once the epidemic is under control.

Please pray that more devoted Christians from the UK will be inspired to embrace our Friends of Qinghai Programme.  May His name be glorified.  Amen!

In spite of the epidemic crisis, our On Tai Service Centre Ministry Coordination Team has been carrying out interviews with 115 mentees for the Personal Development Plan under the Child Development Fund’s Mentorship Programme since late July. Pray that they would be coached to map out their future plans; and decide to live out a God purposeful life. Amen!

A series of programmes under the “HKCSS Chatroom for Parents” 社聯爸媽茶座will be jointly launched with HKCSS from mid-August to January 2021 to better equip 35 of our clients on welfare benefits in wise parenting for the e-generation. Pray that we strive to optimize more local resources and partnerships to serve our clients.

A new school term will begin soon.  Pray for His full protection for all our students under the care of our social services programme, who connected with our staff over the summer vacation, that they would be recharged both in Hong Kong and Qinghai.