Staff Retreat of the Mission to New Arrivals Limited (31 August - 1 September 2026)

Rev. Leung Yau Tung, the General Secretary of the Mission to New Arrivals Limited, shared his feeling after the retreat, “Every year at the staff retreat, we hope that our staff will experience a deeper encounter with God, be renewed in strength, and serve effectively. However, as an organization serving the poor, our staff respond to the needs of the community every day with a sense of mission. Sometimes, they may neglect their own well-being and that of their families, and may even fail to recognize the warning signs their physical and spiritual health is sending.

We are grateful that this year we invited Dr Candy Chan of the ‘Spiritual Thermometer’ to lead the retreat. Dr Chan helped us understand the state of our spiritual immunity, both personally and as an organization. Using biblical figures as examples, she assisted us to reflect on the intimacy of our relationship with God today, reminding us of the importance of living authentically and recognizing that we are God’s precious children. Only by experiencing God’s love for us first, can we know how to love God, love ourselves and love others.

During the retreat, two members of staff fell ill and were hospitalized due to having long neglected their physical health, whilst another was physically and emotionally exhausted following the passing of a family member, having spent much time by their side. Through this retreat, we learnt to be mindful of our own circumstances, to accept our current state, and to seek change through the Lord’s grace. This not only deepened the mutual support and care within our team, but also enabled us to genuinely practise loving one another.

We are grateful to God that, through Dr Chan’s leadership and the work of the Holy Spirit, the theme of this retreat—‘Intimacy with God’—was perfectly realized.”

Thanks to God for loving us first, enabling us to know and feel what is love, and how to live out love!