We dreamt of migration 30 years ago but never thought it came this way.
The year 2019, to most Hongkongers, was a year of deep sadness, distress and betrayal. A life-changing trauma started creeping into most Hongkongers when the Anti-Extradition Bill Movement broke out in July 2019. Hundreds of thousands came to the streets on 9 June 2019. A week later, almost 2 million people had taken part in a mass protest according to an estimate. Police inaction during the indiscriminate attacks on ordinary people by Yuen Long gangsters and the police brutal crackdown broke most Hongkongers’ hearts, including ours.
Leave Hong Kong!? Really? It is a huge decision.
“What if our decision was wrong?”,
“What if we do not have enough money to support our living?”,
“What……”
Worries and anxieties kept flooding in.
“Lord, I need your word. I need your leading as you had led the Israelites by pillar of fire and pillar of cloud”, I prayed.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
(Psalms 48:14)
God answered.
Yes, He is my God for ever and ever. He will be my guide even to the end of my life.
We planned to “look around” different places in the UK. But God led us to Reading through a casual suggestion from a friend of Vivian. In that drizzling midnight on 21 April 2021, we came out of Heathrow Airport, filled with excitement yet more with uncertainties and anxiety. We headed off to Reading.
Our English is okay but not fluent at all. We found it very frustrating in listening because of the strong accents. One time, we were on the phone with a hotline representative. Not a single word could we understand her! English church? No way!
A Hongkonger said to Vivian there was a CV workshop organized by her church (The Gate). Vivian said to me, “Let’s go and get some information for our son and daughter.”
So there we went, not knowing it was the door God opened for us in the UK.
People were very nice and welcoming. I was most impressed by Joanna’s warm smiles and a tall black guy who gave a closing speech saying they understood what was happening in Hong Kong and the challenges the Hongkongers were facing in this foreign land. He said “we love you Hong Kong people”. “Really?” instantly I shouted. Everyone laughed. He was Pastor Yinka!
Days after, Vivian said let’s go visit this church. “OK”, reluctantly I replied. In the worship, we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. The love and the touch of the Holy Spirit hem us in, behind and before.
Our new spiritual journey unfolded in the Gate Sindlesham. Pastor Joanna and Pastor Mabel welcomed us with warm hugs the first Sunday we went to Gate Sindlesham. Their warm hugs not only welcomed us to a church, but welcomed us to a new family. Alison and Graham then invited us to a coffee and prayed for us. Every Sunday we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. The more we came, the more we got connected to this church, the more we felt loved and trusted. God is here.
At the beginning, we struggled hard with English. We joined a connect group with a mix of Hongkongers and local British brothers and sisters. Back in Hong Kong, I have been in church for over 30 years, served in different ministries — bible class, Sunday preaching, fellowship groups…… pretty good at bible knowledge and Chinese bible scripture. Yet in the group I was like a dumb!
Countless times I frustrated, “Why here? Is it a mistake?” The more I struggled, the more love and encouragement I received from the church, the more chance I was offered to serve. I was asked to do the service lead on Sundays, to teach in the connect group. I was even given the chance to preach on Sundays.
“Cantonese?” I asked.
“Hahaha…… no worries, you can do it in English.” Yinka said in a broad smile.
Every time I felt incapable, every time God said,
9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
(2 Cor 12:9)
In Gate Sindlesham, I felt genuine brotherly love, trust and selfless support. I always called church as family. It’s not lip service nor church slogan, I truly meant it. We got all sorts of support which helped us settle very well in the UK. God is taking us on a new journey of serving Him in English like a missionary to the UK. That’s God’s wondrous plan we have never thought of.
Still struggling with uncertainties and anxieties about job, finance, language ability, no companion in church? Fear keeps creeping in and frustrations whirling?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Shout His name into the darkness. When you are sinking, cry out to Lord Jesus and He will reach out to you.
Feel strengthless and lost in the wilderness? Take a small step, one at a time. God will surely lead you, guide you and give you sufficient grace to make it through. The Cave of En Gedi was the deepest pit of David’s life when he was fleeing Saul. In Psalm 13, David wailed in distress, “How long, how long, how long, how long?” Yet David chose to trust God,
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
(Psalm 13: 5-6)
God is our loving father. He always cares, He always knows and He desires the best for you and me. He is preparing something you have never imagined.
"What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him.
(1 Cor 2:9)