In most of the major metropolitan cities in North America, there are Chinatowns where the Chinese congregate. There they live and work for the most part in old, cramped and dirty buildings, also housing on the street level restaurants, grocery stores, cleaners and bakeries. Any Chinese new to a city will find Chinatown within a short matter of time. For the ones born and raised in America, some grew up there. For others, it is also a place often visited. For Americans and tourists who are interested in other cultures and ethnic gourmets, Chinatowns are a popular destination.

What do we do when we go to Chinatown? “To eat,” of course! “To shop,” “to buy grocery,” “to go to church,” “to go to Chinese movies,” “for a hair cut,” and “to rent Chinese videos.” In short, we go as consumers to obtain services. Most of us who have “made it” in the suburbs drive in. We not only however contribute to the Chinatown economy, we contribute also to air pollution, traffic and parking problems.

God once asked Cain, “Where is your brother?” Cain gave the infamous reply, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9) Are we? Who are our brothers? When we evangelize, where do we go? Do we go only to our relatives, friends and colleagues who share similar economical fortunes as we, who own a house and two cars? Do we only routinely pass out tracks in Chinatown for our church once a year during the August Moon festival? How much do we really know about our brothers and sisters in Chinatown? Do we know that some of them still will not dare to take the subway or bus system of the city, fearing that they will miss a stop and consequently, will not be able to find their way back home? Do we know that some of them will not go into a department store, even though Downtown Crossing is within walking distance of their home, for fear that they will not be able to find their way out of the store? Do we understand the boredom that teenagers feel, living in cramp quarters? Do we know their struggles, fears, worries, and longings? Do we care? When will we stop being a consumer and start becoming a concerned contributor to Chinatown?

“Oh, but,” you say, “I work in Chinatown; and I have been faithful in my job.” That is good. However, are you faithful to your career only, or are you faithful because you truly care about the welfare of the people living in Chinatown? Being a resident of Chinatown in and of itself also does not automatically open your eyes to the needs of the people either.

There are of course people who have the needs described above, living outside the Chinatown area. The term applies to them as much as to the “real” residents of Chinatown. To different degrees, we are all guilty of not regarding them as brothers and sisters, and neglecting their needs and cries. We have been too busy building our careers, families, churches and even mission committees, and have not been able to see as Jesus sees them. Jesus loves them just as much as He loves us.

I was once sitting in the market place of Chinatown, asking myself, “How would Jesus feel if He were to be sitting here? What would He do?” Then I suddenly realized that indeed He was sitting there! I needed to repent and ask for the love that only Christ can give to fill my heart so that I would be able to become His hand, extended to these people that He so loves.

Jesus Christ Himself came as a man to Galilee and lived among fishermen, tax-collectors and sinners. He was often accused of having too good a time with them. May He accompany us today as we walk through Chinatown among restaurant workers, house-wives, factory workers, store owners and hair stylists. May His love so fill our hearts that we see them as who they really are, people that Jesus is eager to extend His hands to. May we respond to Him, “I know where Chinatown really is!”

Mei Kee Wong
October 1991, amended August 1994

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 at 12:21 pm and is filed under From the Director.