Arriving in Kowloon's Darkness
In 1966, Jackie Pullinger, a young woman from Croydon, London, arrived in Hong Kong with little more than a dream to serve and $10 in her pocket. She landed in the notorious Kowloon Walled City, a place teeming with crime, addiction, and despair. Despite the overwhelming darkness, Jackie was determined to bring hope. "I loved this dark place," she later shared, "I hated what was happening in it but I wanted to be nowhere else."
Confronting Overwhelming Drug Addiction
Jackie found work as a teacher and began working in the heart of the Walled City. She established a youth club, aiming to provide a refuge from the pervasive drug use and violence. However, the challenges were immense. As Jackie herself described, "I could walk down the street and see a hundred people [taking drugs]… you had to climb over their legs. I wanted something real to offer them."
God's Healing Through Prayer
A turning point came when a gang member, Winson, sought help to overcome his opium addiction. Through prayer and the support of Jackie and a local Christian couple, Winson experienced a miraculous recovery. Jackie discovered the power of prayer, leading many addicts to a painless withdrawal through faith in Jesus. "Some came off the drugs immediately, some took days, but all found God's power gave them painless healing of their addiction," she explained.
Transformed Lives and Growing Ministry
Under her guidance, individuals like Chan, a former triad member, and Elfrida, an elderly prostitute, found new purpose and life beyond addiction. The transformations were undeniable, with hardened criminals and outcasts finding hope and healing in Jesus.
In 1981, Jackie founded St. Stephen's Society, a charity that has since grown to operate over 280 rehabilitation homes across Asia, providing not only spiritual guidance but also practical support. Though the Kowloon Walled City was demolished in the early 1990s, Jackie Pullinger's ministry continues to shine brightly, bringing Jesus' love to those in need.
Jackie's journey is a testament to her unwavering faith and Jesus' transformative power. As she once said, "It would be worth my whole life if you would use me to save just one of them."
