If you live in Hong Kong, please read this email!

WHY I'M NOT LEADING A MARCH FOR LIFE THIS SPRING

I want to give an update about why I decided not to lead another March for Life event this year. It's pretty simple:

1. My health is not very good. This kind of event needs a lot of energy and stamina.
2. My Cantonese level is still not good enough for me to organise large events very efficiently and effectively.

There were other obstacles and challenges. But these two problems were the main reasons that I decided to stop leading these events.

I hope that the March for Life event can continue in the future. When it does, I will support the leader (and the volunteer team) in any way I can.

"MARCH FOR LIFE" and "40 DAYS FOR LIFE"

Some people have asked about the difference between these events, so here's a summary:

The "March for Life" and "40 Days for Life" are two separate things.

The "March for Life" is a one-time local event. It is completely independent. Anyone can lead a "March for Life" (or any similar kind of pro-life event). The "March for Life" is not part of any international organisation.

The "40 Days for Life" campaign cooperates with an international organization based in Texas, USA. Anyone can apply to lead a campaign, but must follow the international policies. For more info, see the 40 Days for Life website.

Several hundred cities have a 40 Days for Life campaign every year. The campaign is either in the spring or in the fall.

Note: I don't recommend that anyone try to lead the campaign without knowing Cantonese. (But, if I can do it, then anyone can do it!)

If you are interested to coordinate the 40 Days for Life campaign in the future, then please pray about it (!!)

WHAT PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES CAN WE DO NOW?

There is no March for Life in Spring 2019. But that doesn't mean there isn't momentum for the pro-life movement in this city!

New pro-life programs have been developed in the past few years, which is very exciting. Some programs specifically respond to the problem of abortion. Some programs will help to build a culture of life in general.

If you're interested to find pro-life volunteer opportunities, reply to this email. I will help you find a meaningful way to build a culture of life in Hong Kong!

SOME UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2019

DPCMF (Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Marriage and the Family)

1. A new telephone hotline will accompany those with any kind of pregnancy crisis or pregnancy loss. (The phone bank is staffed by volunteers who have undergone long-term training by the DPCMF.) It will launch 31 May.

2. "Pro Life Day" will be officially celebrated by the Roman Catholic diocese of Hong Kong, at the Catholic Cathedral, on 31 May. 

3. A 3-day retreat for women and men who have experienced pregnancy loss (either abortion or miscarriage) will be held 8-11 September.

4. The pro-life organisation Joy of Life is cooperating with the DPCMF in producing a series of short pro-life films, which will premiere in September. They are looking for teachers and social workers willing to support and promote the films. For more info, please contact info@hkjoyoflife.org.

5. The DPCMF is considering a March for Life event in late 2019. The date will be announced soon!

The DPCMF shares a lot of pro-life news, stories, and events on their website and Facebook Page.

LITTLE LIFE

The next monthly pro-life prayer gathering is 11 April, at the Prayer Hub, at 239 Temple Street in Jordan. Please join!

You can also invite Little Life to give pro-life talks to youth in Hong Kong!

PERSONAL UPDATE and ASIA FOR LIFE

I moved to Hong Kong in 2012, and simply taught English and did volunteer work. But in 2015, I decided to begin doing pro-life work in Hong Kong.

I chose the name "Asia for Life", because I want to contribute to the pro-life movement in East Asia. But I have another goal, too. I want the world to see the injustice and the bigotry of believing that East Asia "needs" a lot of abortions, because "there are too many people". Because it’s not true.

Abortion offers a short-term solution, and creates long-term problems. I believe that abortion will not solve our social or economic problems. And I also believe that people's attitudes can change.

So, I've decided to focus on writing. I'm continuing the blog on pro-life issues in East Asia. And I will also be starting an English-language blog for men, ministry, and miscarriage.

I recently published my first book, and am now working on a second book. Please pray for me as I continue this work.

PRAYER

The pro-life movement is a movement of social justice. But it is also a movement of prayer. Without God, this is all impossible.

Also, between now and June 1, I will be going to Wanchai every Wednesday at 11am, to pray outside the FPAHK (Family Planning Association of Hong Kong). You can contact 69955692 if you want to pray together there.

That's all for now. God bless you!

--阿Joe
Asia for Life