A talk by Tse Shing-ching at the Ching Ming grave-sweeping gathering, May 9, 2026
This is a moving family recording in which our father speaks to the younger generation, reminiscing about the family’s life in Hong Kong, their journey to America, and reflections on faith and friendship. Below is a transcription of the recording, preserving the Cantonese conversational tone.
Part One: Memories of Hong Kong
Pak Sha Wan · Shek Kip Mei · Pak Tin Village · Lei Cheng Uk · Texaco Road
Father: “At home you rely on your parents; away from home you rely on your friends” — everyone knows this saying.
When we first arrived in Hong Kong, we lived in Pak Sha Wan on the eastern side of the New Territories. There we met a friend surnamed Tse who helped us find housing and make a living through farming. When the farming failed, we moved to Shek Kip Mei Village in Kowloon. A friend helped me get work at a construction site. A few months later, we moved again to Pak Tin Village in Sham Shui Po.
Father: While living in Pak Tin Village, we got to know quite a few friends, all living nearby. You’ve seen that old photo of me with a girl — she lived in the next partitioned room. We all went together to the “Governor’s Garden” (now the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens). Do you know where that is?
Son: I’ve heard of it.
Father: It’s in the Central area. We took photos there. Later we left Pak Tin Village and moved to Lei Cheng Uk. Chun-sui (phonetic), you were born in Lei Cheng Uk. It was really meant to be — why did we live in Lei Cheng Uk? Because a relative or friend, surnamed Hu, rented us a room.
Father: After living there for a while, we left Lei Cheng Uk for Tsuen Wan. We lived on Texaco Road. There were also relatives and friends there, mostly fellow townsmen, many surnamed Tse. They looked after us. In those days everyone helped each other because everyone was poor.
Father: While there, I also met a friend who came from the mainland, named Leung Tai-kong. In recent years, his son still remembers us and came all the way from Chicago to visit. Leung Tai-kong helped us a lot in Hong Kong too — he got me a job at “Yat King Meat Company” in North Point / Causeway Bay.
Father: When we lived in Tsuen Wan, who was born? Two children. One is the one who became a government official in Hong Kong — Chin-wan (phonetic) — he was born there. The second was Kin-ping (phonetic), also born in Tsuen Wan.
Part Two: Immigrating to America
The Sham Tseng Roast Goose Story
Father: Along this journey, father met many friends who helped. So even though we didn’t have many friends, those few really made a big difference — whether it was daily necessities or anything else.
Father: You know, before father came to America, before 1982, we really didn’t have much money. And we hadn’t received immigration approval either. But father had once helped a man who sold roast goose — the famous Sham Tseng roast goose.
Father: The roast goose man knew father. Father had helped him. He was drowning in debt, unable to cope. Father negotiated with his creditors, saying: “Pressuring him like this is useless. You need to give him a chance to work and earn money to repay his debts.” His business grew, he made money, and paid off all his debts. He was deeply grateful to father, considering him a benefactor.
Father: So when he heard father was coming to America with little money, he deposited a sum into father’s bank account. That’s how father was able to come over smoothly in 1982. You see, our parents went through so much.
Part Three: Life in Hawaii and Seattle
Father: Arriving in Honolulu (Hawaii), father made many good friends. The best one was named Lau Hin-chiu. Who was Lau Hin-chiu? He used to run a restaurant called “Hoi Tin Restaurant” at Ocean Centre in Hong Kong. He was the owner. He became father’s good friend in Hawaii.
Father: Later we moved to Seattle. Friends in Honolulu passed away one by one. Father lived in Honolulu for twenty years and was truly happy. He introduced me to people in Chinatown, and even the Mayor of Honolulu, Jeremy Harris — we took photos together. When we left, they sent emails and letters.
Part Four: The Inspiration of Faith
Father: Through all the friends father met and all the things he witnessed — Lau Hin-chiu was a Christian. He was baptized in Hawaii, and this influenced father to also be baptized in Hawaii.
Father: Friends influence friends. I now have two classmates in Toronto. They didn’t used to believe, but seeing the change in me after I came to believe in Jesus, they also came to faith. I didn’t need to preach to them — friends influence each other naturally.
Father: When your friends, like father’s friends, leave this world one by one, you realize you too will leave someday. True friends are forever. I often tell father — look at our family, how God has led us from Pak Sha Wan in Sai Kung, through all these places we’ve lived — how wondrous.
Father: We have an even truer friend who is always with us — our Heavenly Father. That’s why father loves this song so much. Let’s sing it together.
(Everyone searches for the hymnal)
Son: Hymn 433 or 434. There are two tunes; I only know one of them.
Part Five: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
(Everyone sings together in Cantonese)
Jesus is my dear friend, bearing my sins and sorrows What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer How much peace we often forfeit, how much pain we needlessly bear All because we do not bring everything to God in prayer When facing trials or temptations, or when burdens weigh us down Do not be discouraged — come to God in prayer Where can we find such a friend to share all our troubles and cares Our weaknesses He fully knows — come to God in prayer
Part Six: Closing Words and Prayer
Father: There truly are many worries in this world, and the world is changing rapidly. In some places there is war, and seeing those who suffer, everyone must flee — it’s so hard. The world seems to be progressing, yet the human heart is regressing, even returning to the law of the jungle.
Father: Now more than ever we must rely on the Lord each day. Recently a sister in Seattle passed away, and we attended her memorial service. Her niece shared at the service, specially thanking a person named “Ying-wah” (phonetic). It turns out Ying-wah had been quietly helping them all along behind the scenes.
Father: Just like a few years ago, an elderly lady at church mentioned “Mak Po-ha” and said Mak Po-ha had helped her so much. It’s true — sometimes you help others without even realizing it.
Father: I myself have received much kindness from others. It is more blessed to give than to receive. We must pray for those who are suffering.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
Father: Whatever we face, we must bring it before the Lord in prayer. We must thank our parents, and even more, thank our Heavenly Father. Chun-sui, lead us in prayer.
Son (praying): Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for leading us as we look back and see the great blessings and care we have received — all from You. We thank You for giving us such wonderful parents. Please continue to work in our hearts, guiding our lives so that we may share Your grace with those around us. May the Lord always be with us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
— Amen —