In need of some help

Many years ago we both had a heart for Hong Kong and after many years waiting for the right time to come along we were finally released to leave Australia. Even whilst we were in Australia we were comforted by seeing amazing provision through some of the lean “uni years”, we never went hungry even though we got close. As we write we look at the account balance due to the organisation we work for and at our own bank account and find them both, well, empty. We feel that the we are supposed to be in Hong Kong long term, far beyond what our own personal resources could provide for. We made Hong Kong our home and left nothing in Australia, but with our dwindling finances we have had to think seriously about staying here.

As full time volunteers we are entirely without salary or sources of income. To be allowed to stay we must raise enough money for both our organisation costs and for our living expenses. Every month we receive a list of people who have supported over the previous month. We are incredibly grateful for these few and we give thanks every day for their contribution to help us remain here doing the work we are called to and love. Sadly our support base has been getting smaller and smaller as our time here has progressed.

Some have suggested we get paying jobs, save up money and then do what we do. Whilst there is merit in this idea, the need for our work is here and now, people simply are not going to work in the field. The people we serve simply cannot wait another ten years.

Wonderfully we continue to see amazing provision daily. Everything, it seems, to do with babies is expensive. We have been provided with so much of the things that every baby requires for little or no cost, we even have a lovely checkout lady at the local supermarket who will regularly hand us the sample packs of nappies (or diapers depending on where you come from)!

In the past we have been supported by various groups but as their giving priorities have changed we have gradually lost this source of funding. Additionally, most of our support has traditionally come from Australia, the falling exchange rate has wiped out over 30% of our support. We now need to raise $2400AUD/$1700USD per month, we currently have approximately $850AUD/$600USD in regular support. Most of the money we raise is directed towards our organisational support, for the past two months we have been living off $100AUD/$70USD per week and we are finding it increasingly difficult, especially with young Peter. So we write to you in the midst of this global financial crisis and know that it is a difficult time for many, many people but ask if there are any that would be willing to help us in our work through financial giving. For more information about our financial needs or how to support us please visit our support page. We’d be happy to talk to you further or answer any questions you may have.

Work Update

Tom is well, busy. He currently is the sole full time member of the IT department and looks after essentially everything with a plug on our 14 acre site. In the past couple of months he has been working on a number of large projects including taking one of the Life X-Periences, the Refugee Run, to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He also spends most of his days keeping the systems running that keep Crossroads running, the phones, computers and of course the ever precious internet connection!

Christy is now managing the ‘Silk Road Café’ which promotes fair trade through the sale of fair trade coffee, cookies and now best of all icecream! Whilst the current accounts manager is on leave she has taken over this role and is looking to continue to work part time in the department after his return. The great thing about where we live is that she can do a lot of work from home while looking after Peter.

If you would like to read more about what the organisation does, please click here.

Family Update

Peter continues to be a source of great joy. His personality lights up the room and his happy, smiley nature draws crowds when we go out to town. He is now 7 months old, has 2 teeth, loves sweet potatoes, hates peas and can roll over on his own! Our biggest struggle is getting him to sleep at night as he loves rolling over so much that he gets himself stuck and cries for help.

Peter has also started the first crawling moves, he’s been able to get the front end up, and then the back end up. He just needs to get the two co-ordinated and he will be up and about, which is in itself a scary prospect. We’ve been frantically making the house baby proof in preparation for that day!

We enjoy our time together as a family and our trips into town on the weekend and hanging out with friends. We are thankful for the other young families on site and the connections Christy has made, together with the others with other women living in the local community.

We thank you again for your friendship and thoughts of us.

Lots of love from HK,

Christy, Tom & Peter