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.
Chak Jei described that she dislike being restrained or disciplined. At the beginning of the transition from the garment industry to the job market, she had to adapt to the position of “house parent” and take care of children who were full of thorny, rebellious, and emotional. She was more relaxed than other parents. She plays with her children like friends, listens to the girls’ hearts, and the children accepts it. She also opens her home to welcome the children to play, pray and read the Bible. Even after their leaving the home, she often contacts them as a caregiver and continues to be their pal.
“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.
