Category: Supporter Stories

The 2^nd Chance in Life Transitional Youth Sponsorship Program, equips foster home youth for their independent living. Through the guidance of different mentors and companions, capital is built in the aspects of “career, financial, personal and social.”

“Wealth Management and Savings for Future Planning”

To live independently, understand first financial management, and then invest in the future! Dicky, the instructor of the “Financial Management Workshop”, shares the “twelve styles” of financial management with his own experience. He encourages young people to spend time, save monthly, be disciplined and take good risk management plan, everyone can enjoy financial freedom! Young people at youth home are actively studying and have tried different ways to manage money!

“Career Guidance”

When CK, a young man from youth home, started his job search, he was guided by Kenny on how to distinguish recruitment information, compare different types of jobs, and understand industry development and the opportunities for further education. Encouraged by this life coach, CK started his first job to work in property management as a clerk in a real estate development company. CK shared: “Colleagues treat me well and are willing to teach me. After a few months of learning and operation, he will be transferred to other positions to learn more.”

“Attitude and Grooming Workshop”

Remember the stressful situation of having job interview? Young people always feel distressed when they encounter a job interview for the first time in their lives.

Alice, a beauty business supervisor, helping as their workshop instructor, teaches young people proper attitude and grooming skills. Well-equipped young people will naturally improve their interview performance!

“Workshop on “Personalities” and “Interpersonal Relationship”

Knowing yourself and learning to get along with others are very important for young people in the workplace. In the workshop, Mr. Kurt let the youth understand that each person created by Heavenly Father has his/her own characteristics and strengths, each has different destiny, and the most important thing is how to respond to the Heavenly Father! He hopes to walk with them and be their “Tree Hole”.

“Community Resources and Living”

Youth Home mentors train foster home youth to live independently. The “Community Resources and Living” workshop introduces various resources, including employment, further education, medical care, housing, care funds, etc., to help them broaden their knowledge and get access to community resources.

Chak Ching Ha (Chak Jei) has been a house parent at Esther House (for secondary school girl residents) for 14 years and has been in contact with the lives of hundreds of children. The supporting and developing process is both joyful and sad. As she is about to retire, she looks back to the past, learns from each other with the heart of Christ, and teaches her children the way to go with the word of God. “Only by opening up one’s own life can you touch the lives of children; only if you are more childlike can you have a heart with them.” This is the key to her relationship with her children.

“Surrogate” Parent and the Real Parent – Cheuk Yin

Cheuk Yin, the first child she came into contact with after joining the job, impressed her most. She is dependent on her personality and often clings to Chak Jei, which leads to eccentric misunderstandings, but a child redressed her: “As long as she takes the initiative to find Chak Jei, she will not refuse, but girls are not aware to turn to her.” It shows that the children love her very much! Chak Jei sees great importance to caring for the soul and invites Cheuk Yin and her family to go to church to reconcile the relationship with her family through God’s love. The past pains are healed by God and life is no longer the same. Cheuk Yin regards Chak Jei as another Mom; this “parent” witnessed her dating, getting married, and having children.

Finally Grown Up – Mei (alias)

After leaving children home, Mei lived in public housing but was unable to live independently. She often called back our children home to threaten with her “suicide” attempt. Chak Jei worried about Mei’s future, but she can only pray for her and accompany her. She is grateful that Mei has become active after participating in the training course. She has a stable job and learns about financial management. Recently, she plans to open a restaurant and looks forward to seeing Chak Jei’s presence at the opening. She felt so relieved to witness Mei’s improvement.

Sorrowful Time – Ah Sze (alias)

Chak Jei knew that Sze could not keep up with her studies, but she was interested in beauty and she found a course for her. The child was very happy having a way out. But her mother determined that she was not serious, regarded this as a waste of money, and insisted not to sign. Ah Sze felt very angry. Because she was not trusted, she went astray after leaving Evangel Children’s Home at the age of 18: drug abuse, premature marriage and early pregnancy, divorce, child abandonment…like repeating the path of the previous generation. It was all because of one decision that changed Sze’s life.

Chak Jei still feels distressed whenever she recalls. She takes care of every step of the children’s growth and actively brings the gospel to them. Only the love of Christ can heal the wounds. “It is God’s eternal truth that changes people’s hearts.” Only by accepting Jesus can you have a heart to be taught and your life to be changed.

Samuel Fung, alumni of the Evangelical Children’s Home, a strong and muscular firefighter reflected from his figure, is humble and gentle in his heart. He emphasized that he do not like to observe the rules, but his goal was to join the disciplined force. And he loves to abide in Christ His law.  Being a firefighter is the childhood goal, and the more important goal is to imitate the Lord Jesus throughout his life.

Admitted to Evangel Children’s Home after Father’s Death

Samuel lost his father since childhood, and it was very difficult for her mother to take care of her seven children alone. In order for his mother to take care of him and grow up under the guidance of God, when he was three years old, he was arranged to stay in the Evangelical Children’s Home.

“I still clearly remember the first day, who greeted me at the door and picked me up…” said Samuel emotionally! The painful feeling of being separated from his family still filled his heart. But he was grateful to have lived here, learned to persevere, and obey God’s teachings. He was brought up by Miss Ruth Sundquist (Sun Ah Yi), the founder, and her love was deeply heartfelt. This children home brought him beautiful memories and developed him.

Career and Talent Development

Since Samuel was a child, he had the ambition to become a firefighter. It was because he was deeply moved by witnessing the heroic behavior of firefighters. He also believed that firefighters were very powerful and could not only put out fires and save people, but also tidy up the collapsed mess and serve the community. Significantly, firefighters give people a rational and strong image, and they must make judgments quickly and accurately on the fire scene. Samuel describes himself as a sensitive and gentle person who is easily touched. Some rescue missions require his gentleness to understand the other party’s needs at the moment, let the other party change their minds, and save their lives. He understands that not every task can be fulfilled. He has to admit weakness, accept limitations, and pray for mercy. It is enough to be “a little light around”. He thanked God for his gifts and would use it to serve him.

Samuel shared that firefighters are under heavy work pressure, and errors in decision will affect a life. Once he faced with a woman who tried to jump off the building, the situation was very critical. He could not wait for the expert to arrive. He immediately persuaded her and finally lobbied her to return to a safe position successfully. He knew that he had crossed the line, but in the face of life and death, he only prayed for wisdom to deal with it. Because of the high pressure at work, he emphasizes that he must manage his body, mind, and soul to “touch” more lives. Therefore, he attaches great importance to physical exercise and maintaining a healthy mood.

Time Touch Tears

The three Ts taught by the pastor: Time, Touch, Tears, became a reminder of his work. Understand that everything is not in our own hands, but in God’s time. Learn to wait patiently (Time); understand the needs of others and touch their hearts (Touch); carry others’ tears and be a companion (Tears).

Find the Goal Overcome the Pain

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.” Psalm 1:1. Samuel faithfully obeyed God throughout his life. As an “elder brother”, he returned to the home to encourage the children to find their goals and be successful one day. By following His words, they would be able to overcome the pain of the past.

Postscript

Every part of Samuel’s sharing is full of blessings and grace. God is the first in everything, and the Lord is the greatest. He emphasizes that he does not love to obey rules, but only loves to obey the rules of God. He pinpointed that Samuel, his English name, means God hears prayer. Samuel revealed much his humility, willingness to lay down his self, put the sovereignty under the control of God, obey God’s teaching, and he blooms an abundant life.

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.