Good Neighbor of the Homeless

Group 6 and Group 7 (Sham Shui Po)

　　The guided tour was organized by the Christian Concern for the Homeless Association in Sham Shui Po. Their “homeless” clients include street sleepers, people who risk homelessness, and those who live in poor conditions. Our tour guide is a client of the association. The route mainly consists of places he frequents, including a Chinese barbecue eatery, a Chinese preserved fruit store, a McDonald’s, and a cybercafé. The first two are shops that he frequently patronizes, and the last two are where he takes a rest and enjoys his spare time.

　　There are two things that have made a deep impression on me. The first of which is about the small shops in the area. We arrived at the preserved fruit store only to find that it was closed down. A staff member of the association told us that the landlord would not sign a long-term contract with the preserved fruit store owner, who could only renew the tenancy every month. It is likely that the store owner decided to close the business because of the high rent and lack of stability. Our tour guide said the shop assistant mentioned nothing about closing down when he visited the store just a few days before. It was clear from his tone that he was helpless.

　　The second thing is about living conditions. Our guide used to live in an extremely cramped space with deplorable conditions: he was bitten by bedbugs every night in an unclean home that charged higher rent than luxurious flats. He had to take a rest in McDonald’s and cybercafés because the conditions at his home were appalling. Though we only spent a few hours with him, we could tell that the association has evidently improved his situation. Not only does he now have a flat to live in, and an association to call home, but he also has Jesus as his savior. This is great witness to how Christian Concern for the Homeless Association becomes a neighbor of residents in Sham Shui Po.

　　During the tour, our guide repeatedly said, “What I want is not relief materials. All I want is someone to care about me.” His words reminded me of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37). With this story, Jesus taught us to be a disciple who truly loves God, one who obeys the teachings of Jesus and loves his neighbors with compassion. God is challenging me again: He wants us to not only be sensitive to the material needs of those surrounding us, but also earnestly respond to their wounds and their spiritual longing.