1990 Black Pair

Cheung Chau Old Folk Home

Beside the Bat Dai Temple is an old folk home.

7:20 pm Already had my dinner and stroll around the north part of Chung Chau which I come only occasionally. Being passing many times this old folk home several times before, this time I took a further step into to see the world of the old people.

At one side is a row of rooms for the male. Room big enough for 2 beds against the wall with the door in the middle. Two person per room.

Being not polite to room around with out permission, I stay most of the time in the common hall where the television is on and a dozen of old folk are watching.

The women look must alert and healthy then men.

Cheung Chau Peniel Church

便以利會長洲堂 Cheung Chau Peniel Church

Just 5 minutes walk from my room is a very unique church constructed of solid rocks. I used to stroll from to the sea side passing this church. The church is alwaysclosed and silent. But I like to see it open and see how it look inside.

On 22 April 1990, a Sunday morning when as usual I stroll to the sea side passing the church, this time it is opened with a Sunday Church service is in the mid of secession. Attracted by the Hakk a speaking pastor (I am a Hakka) gently and quietly I skipped into the Church and sited at an empty corner at the back seats.

Thinking no body notice me, but not before long a graceful lady very gently came and handled me a Hymn book and moment later a Bible.

There were about 50 church members that morning mostly elderly. Pastor talked in Hakka. He is a big middle age man speaking in strong Hakka voice. I can't remember what the pastor has talked that day but still remember he descript the difficult life in the early day when people are shortage of money and food when "....... many parents after feeding the family in the morning continue to worry where to find food for the evening......"

Getting out of the church quietly is not as easy as getting in. After the last hymn, every one started to leave, I was the one nearest to the door but as I turn to leave, the pastor is already standing at the door side to greet every one good bye. In a a small church with small group of members, the pastor already long spotted a new face among them. So he welcomes me for the first visit and urges me to come each Sunday.

Penial Church of Cheung Chau Island was opened in 1930.

During my 3 years stay in Cheung Chau, this Island has the highest population even since.

In 1992, one night I reached home and saw a Census form for me on the door. I filled and returned the form. That was the 1992 Hong Kong population census.

According to the census, Chung Chau has about 40,000 people. That period, 1990s, was Cheung Chau most populous period. The current 2000s is only 25,000 people.