Faith in Action is to Love Thy Neighbour

"Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them,'"Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 'Go in peace;a keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

- James 2:15-17

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, my heart ached when I saw how the low-income families, elderly and street sleepers were badly impacted by the pandemic on news reports because of their lack of resources.  At the same time, I was grateful to those who were working tirelessly to fight the coronavirus at the frontline like health care workers as well as our street cleaners.  Although I kept praying for them for God’s strength and protection, which seemed to be the only thing we could possibly do when we were virtually grounded, I felt deeply that it’s not enough.

I was studying the book of James then.  James 2:15-17 captured me and I prayed to God for boldness and opportunities to put my faith into action – to serve the needy in physical ways.

God listened to my prayer very quickly.  He led me to participate in the Street Cleaners Outreach at Hope of the City to help distribute masks and hand sanitizers to street cleaners at Yee Kuk Street Refuse Station in April.  My husband and son accompanied me during the first visit.  It was a joyful one and not as hard as we thought.  We had a great time chatting with cleaners there and got to express our care and appreciation to them.  I joined the visit again two weeks later and it was heart-warming to see that they remembered us.

We had a great time chatting with cleaners there and got to express our care and appreciation to them. I joined the visit again two weeks later and it was heart-warming to see that they remembered us

I particularly enjoy chatting with Uncle Wo (和叔), who is the leader of a team of cleaners.  He always shares unreservedly about how he brought up his daughter, who is an adult now and of whom he is proud, and his work life.  I am truly inspired by his life wisdom as a parent and a leader in his workplace.  He once shared with me about his brief encounters with churches when he was invited to Christmas celebrations as a child, and promised to visit the Hope Centre someday.  I pray that God will work in Uncle Wo’s heart and lead him to faith one day.

Now I am visiting the Refuse Station every two weeks with Hope of the City and I hope to build relationships with cleaners there.  As I get to know more about the hardships they endure at work, the more I remember them in prayer now, especially on days with bad weather or heating degree.  As they share more about their life, more physical and spiritual needs are revealed.  I thank God for the privilege to befriend with these cleaners, with whom I do not have chance to get in touch ordinarily.  God opens my eyes to see the worth of every one of them.  I also pray that God opens their eyes to see the same through our act of care and appreciation.