A Dream and Ten Dollars
In 1966, Jackie Pullinger, a young woman from Croydon, England, arrived in Hong Kong with little more than a dream and $10 in her pocket. Her journey led her into the heart of Kowloon's Walled City, a lawless maze of vice and despair. ## Into the Lawless Maze
Describing her first steps into this infamous district, Jackie recalled squeezing through a narrow gap and being overwhelmed by the fetid smell and darkness, a place rife with drug addiction and triad control.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Jackie felt called to stay. 'Churches tend to look after the nice people,' she explained. 'I do my work with the nasty ones, like addicts and prostitutes who feel despised and excluded.' Her mission was clear: to bring the light of Jesus to those living in the depths of darkness.
Through her ministry, Jackie witnessed miraculous transformations. Gang leaders and addicts experienced instant deliverance from their dependencies through prayer. Jackie recounted one such instance: 'When the Holy Spirit came upon one gang leader, and he spoke in tongues for half an hour, he came off opium just by speaking in tongues.' These were not just isolated incidents but part of a broader wave of change.
In 1974, she founded the St. Stephen's Society, a refuge and rehabilitation center for those seeking a new life. By 1981, it had become an international ministry. The Walled City, once known for its chaos and crime, began to see the emergence of a Christian community characterized by hope and healing.
Jackie's unwavering commitment bore fruit as lives were transformed. Former addicts embraced new identities in Christ, leaving behind their pasts. The society provided them with family, support, and the knowledge that they were loved by God. 'We don't see miracles unless we've given all we have,' Jackie said, emphasizing the importance of personal sacrifice in her work.
In recognition of her efforts, Jackie was awarded an MBE in 1988. Though the Walled City was demolished in the 1990s, her legacy endures through the lives she touched and the ongoing work of the St. Stephen's Society. Through it all, Jackie gave glory to Jesus, the source of every miracle and transformation she witnessed.
