Author: CEDAR Fund

The Letter from CEDAR | October 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I paid a visit to CEDAR’s Kunming office recently. Though this was not my first time to this city, it was my first time encountering heavy traffic jam there. If we are not too particular, “traffic congestion” can be a simple and easily-available indicator to reveal fast economic growth in any city of less developed countries. Surely economic development does not come without a price, and the inconvenience caused by traffic congestion is one. In fact, impacts do not only rest with the residents, they might also be extended to the NGOs (Non-Government Organizations). Over the last three decades, China’s economic condition has strengthened substantially, and in turn, financial assistance from foreign NGOs has

Emergency Appeal: Haiti Hurricane Relief

Real situation in Haiti reported by BBC On Oct 3rd, 2016, Matthew landed on regions of Haiti as a category-4 hurricane. Still recovering from a magnitude 7 earthquake back in 2010, Haiti is devastated by the strongest hurricane in the past decade which causes serious floods and tall waves that threatens the people’s lives and properties. Teams from several member institutions of Integral Alliance (IA) are deployed to evaluate the damage and to plan the relief actions. Medair, one of the members of IA, states that coastal families are vulnerable to cholera outbreaks in addition to the imminent danger of being swept by huge waves, heavy rains, floods, and strong winds. Another member of IA, the World Relief,

The Letter from CEDAR | August 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Early this month we had our first Typhoon Signal No. 8 of this year. Most of us were given with half a day off. Did you spend it on watching TV, sleeping, or chasing monsters outdoor? … No matter what you did, I believe most of us felt calm while wind and rain were strong outside. This sense of security does not come without effort, as we have spent time and resources in strengthening this city’s infrastructures and systems to stand against the hit of typhoons. … However, this is not necessary the case to the developing world. People there are highly vulnerable in front of natural disasters. Their weak infrastructures and poor emergency

The Letter from CEDAR | June 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Greetings in the peace of our Lord. What a privilege to meet you here! This is my fifth week at CEDAR Fund, and my learning curve is still long. I come to know CEDAR for over a decade, but have never imagined of joining it, and not to say, leading it. It is really an honor to be part of this great family. I could not recall when the poor started having a place in my heart. However in 2000, God called me to serve the needy; and to respond to that call, I quitted from my banking job and began serving the impoverished children in Southeast Asia on a full-time basis in early

The Letter from CEDAR | February 2016

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, The count down clock is ticking! I will step down from the position of Chief Executive from 1 April this year, and enter into sabbatical. In my whole life I have always been busy with ministries and medical practice, not having any chance for a sabbatical year. So I teased myself saying that the coming year should be called the “Jubilee” for me instead! And I pray that in future I could continue serving in CEDAR on an honorary basis. I have served as the Chief Executive of CEDAR for 11 years. Before that I worked in Afghanistan. These are tough training for me. Exciting, difficult, joyful, regretful, doubtful, trusting…I have experienced

The Letter from CEDAR | October 2015

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, After watching the Indian movie “PK”, many of my friends (whether Christian or not) praised it for being realistic and emotionally engaging. It set a new record in Indian box office and was highly controversial in India. Those who liked the movie enjoyed it immensely, some hated it enough to sue. It is rumored that another Indian movie “OMG” (Oh My God!) is even better than “PK”: the shop of an Atheist shopkeeper was destroyed in an earthquake and the insurance company refused to pay. He therefore came up with an idea to sue God, but no lawyer would take up the case. Then he recalled that people from various religions claim

The Letter from CEDAR | August 2015

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 3rd September this year has been made a holiday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan, what a surprise holiday for Hong Kong citizen! 70 years after, do you think the world has learnt to live harmoniously with each other? What about the relationship between China and Japan? Whether it is between countries, or between people groups, conflict has been escalating. It’s all about profits and power. Where do we find true friendship? There was an ancient Indian military saying, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. We have seen all the corrupted and wicked politics.The ones who suffer the most are often the innocent citizens and teenagers sent

The Letter from CEDAR | June 2015

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In the early morning of April 25, I returned to Hong Kong after attending a Forum on Reconcilation for NE Asia in Nagasaki, Japan, in which Christians from China, Japan, Korea and the States gathered to discuss possible reactions to those pains from the Second World War. And just a few hours later, Nepal was badly hit by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake. Up to now carrying out relief and rehabilitation work is still very difficult and many Nepalese are in dire need of help. In 2011, Japan was hit by a “triple” disaster: earthquake, tsunami and nuclear radiation. The churches in Japan responded in unity to serve the needy. Today, Nepal is

The Letter from CEDAR | February 2015

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, During Chinese New Year, people would bless each other with good will. CEDAR Fund has also prepared some special red packets for you to send blessings to children and those struggling in distress. According to the lunar calendar, the coming Chinese New Year will be the Year of the Sheep. Historically and culturally speaking, ethnic Chinese had been profoundly influenced by the “sheep” in relation to community livelihood. The character 「羌」 depicts a tribe of shepherds in ancient north west China. According to oracle bone script, the character 「羌」 comprised of 「羊」 ( “sheep” ) and 「人」( “a human form” ) . In ancient time, the tribe of 「羌」 had already practised sheep totem

The Letter from CEDAR | October 2014

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, “Occupy Central” movement eventually happened. By now, the whole city is weary: bombarded by disputes, experienced a sense of loss in direction, and filled with reflections. Asking each other, yet nobody knows how this will end! Some find no hope with the people in Hong Kong. Others find lots of hope with the youth in Hong Kong. Some might still see a little prospect with the Hong Kong government. Others see prospect too remote with China and even with the global political world! All of a sudden, we realize we have put the fate of our society into the hands of a few who are in powers. Does God’s power also under