Across Newsletter December 2024

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Message from Associate Executive Director

感恩節和聖誕節的到來,讓我們停下腳步,感受⽣命中的 祝福,也思考「分享」的意義。聖經說:「要⽤恩慈相 待,存憐憫的⼼,彼此饒恕,就像上帝在基督裡饒恕了你 們 樣。」

《以弗所書》4:32這句話提醒我們,基督 信仰的核⼼在於愛與憐憫,並以基督對我們的愛作為榜 樣。

今年,有⼀個感⼈的故事深深啟發了我們,那就是燃動青 年⽣命蛻變獎得主Caleb的故事。Caleb的⽣命完美詮釋了 「分享」的真諦⸺不是責任,⽽是⼀種發⾃內⼼、無私 ⽽真摯的⾏動。九年前,他成功戰勝腦癌,但最近⼜被診 斷出脊椎癌。儘管⾯對痛苦與挑戰,Caleb從未讓逆境定 義⾃⼰的⼈⽣。他總是把注意⼒放在周圍的⼈⾝上,⽤他 的⾏動傳遞關愛與溫暖。

即使在艱難的治療過程中,Caleb依然懷抱感恩的⼼。他 親⼿製作精美的項鍊,送給⽇夜照顧他的護⼠,為她們的 ⾟勤⼯作帶來溫暖和喜悅。他還細⼼留意那些孤單的病 ⼈,主動與他們聊天,分享⾃⼰的經歷,⽤真誠的關懷⿎ 勵他們。他對⽗⺟亦充滿關愛:⽀持⽗親的事⼯,同時擔 ⼼⺟親因⻑途駕⾞探望他⽽過度疲勞,總是設法減輕他們 的負擔。Caleb始終以積極的態度⿎勵⾝邊的⼈,⽤他的 ⽣命⼒感染每⼀位接觸他的⼈。他的故事告訴我們,真正 的付出是來⾃於內⼼堅定的信仰與持續不懈的⾏動,它能 啟發每個⼈將善意不斷傳遞。Caleb⽤他的⽣命證明,慷 慨的⼒量不僅能帶來個⼈的改變,還能對整個社群產⽣深 遠的影響。

Dickson Yip

Message from Associate Executive Director (con’t)

在這個充滿愛與分享的聖誕季節,我們誠摯邀請您與我們⼀ 起傳遞這份喜樂與溫暖。您的⽀持與慷慨捐助,將幫助

Across U-hub持續為東亞裔的年輕⼈提供服務,陪伴他們 成⻑與蛻變。每⼀份⽀持都彌⾜珍貴,無論⼤⼩,皆能帶來 深遠的影響。讓我們在這個節⽇裡,播撒愛與希望的種⼦, 讓更多⼈感受到分享的溫暖與⼒量。

Message from Associate Executive Director

As the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas invites us to reflect on life’s blessings, we are reminded of the profound joy that comes from giving. The Bible says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you " Ephesians 4:32 This verse reminds us that the core of Christian faith lies in love and compassion, with Christ's love for us serving as the ultimate example.

This year, one story that deeply touched us is that of Caleb, a recipient of the Across U-Can GROW Award. Caleb’s life is a testament to the essence of giving not as an obligation, but as a heartfelt, selfless act of love. After nine years of recovery from brain cancer, Caleb recently faced a new diagnosis of spinal cancer. Despite this difficult battle, he has never allowed his challenges to define him. Instead, Caleb consistently turns his focus outward, always seeking to care for and uplift those around him.

Caleb’s giving spirit is nothing short of inspiring. Even while undergoing painful medical treatments, he found ways to express his gratitude and kindness. He crafted beautiful, thoughtful necklaces for the nurses who cared for him tirelessly, bringing moments of joy to their demanding workdays He also paid close attention to other patients who seemed lonely, initiating conversations, sharing his experiences, and offering sincere encouragement. Caleb showed deep love for his parents, supporting his father’s ministry and worrying about his mother’s exhaustion from driving long distances to visit him. He always looked for ways to ease their burdens. Caleb is a constant source of encouragement, brightening the lives of those around him with his vibrant and compassionate presence.

Message from Associate Executive Director (con’t)

His story reminds us that true giving flows from a place of love and empathy, inspiring all who encounter it to pay it forward Caleb’s life exemplifies how generosity, especially when it comes at great personal cost, has the power to transform not only individuals but entire communities

This Christmas season, as we reflect on Caleb’s radiant example, we invite you to partner with us in spreading the joy of giving Your support and generous donations will help Across U-hub continue serving East Asian youth, supporting their growth and transformation. Every contribution, no matter the size, is deeply valued and can make a lasting impact Together, let’s plant seeds of love and hope during this holiday season, bringing the warmth and power of giving to even more lives.

Spreading Joy: The Power of a Simple Gift

Last Saturday, our team, alongside a group of dedicated volunteers, participated in the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Processing Centre project. For some volunteers, it felt like a welcome return to familiar experiences, as it had been nearly six years since the program last operated its processing center in Ontario.

This year marks our 17th year supporting the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Project. In previous years, we came together as a group to pack shoeboxes and took them to the processing center for an enriching experience inspecting the boxes and ensuring they were safe and ready to “travel” into the hands of children in need.

It’s easy to underestimate the impact of a simple gift For children facing poverty or challenging circumstances, a thoughtfully packed shoebox is so much more than just a collection of items it’s a message of love and care, a spark of joy, and a source of hope These small gestures serve as a reminder that they are not forgotten, offering comfort and encouragement in difficult times.

The experience at the processing center also serves as a powerful reminder to us all. Each shoebox, carefully packed with thoughtfulness and compassion, has the potential to cross borders, bridge cultures, and light up a child’s world It’s a testament to the incredible “ power of a simple gift”.

Tiffany Ore

Spreading Joy: The Power of a Simple Gift (con’t)

Building on this theme,”The Power of a Simple Gift”, we are excited to continue spreading the spirit of giving through a series of initiatives in the months ahead In December, we’ll be organizing a Cookies and Muffins Collection Drive, inviting the community to bake, collect, and share treats that will bring warmth and joy during the holiday season In January, we’ll launch a Clothing Drive, encouraging donations of gently used or new clothing to support individuals and families facing financial challenges during the colder months.

These efforts remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness like a homemade treat, a warm coat, or a heartfelt gesture can have a profound and lasting impact. Let’s come together to share hope, care, and generosity, one simple gift at a time

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Across Newsletter December 2024 by Across U-hub - Issuu