Gambling
severely damages people's lives.
Those who indulge in it may be male or female, young or
old. Many gamble away not only
their hard-earned money, but
their precious time and life,
and some even lose all they have
ever possessed. Others run up
heavy debts, causing constant
rows at home, and ultimately
family breakdowns, and innocent
children suffer as a result. The
consequences are even worse if
they have borrowed money from
loan sharks. The constant
threats and warnings from
'recovery agents' cause fear not
only to themselves, but to their
families.
For many,
gambling becomes an addiction. In their
helplessness, they lose their
sense of right and wrong. Some
are forced into a life of crime
to fund their habit; others,
feeling that they have reached
the end, attempt
suicide.
Several
years ago, a few Christians who
were formerly gambling addicts
but have found new life by the
grace of God, were burdened in
their hearts to help others who
were still trapped in addiction.
They wanted gamblers to know of
the power of the Gospel, that
God could save gamblers and that
gamblers could be freed from
their compulsive gambling
habits.
Thanks to
God, these few Christians
together with
some Chinese Christian leaders
and the help of the Bishop Ho
Ming Wah Chinese Association,
established the Christian Centre for
Gambling Rehabilitation in 1996,
which moved to its current
address in April 1999. Since
then, the number of people
seeking help from the Centre
has been on the increase. Many
have come from long distances,
knocking at our door past
midnight. Where there is a
demand, we go out and call on them
too. On 27 November 2000, the
Centre was registered as an
independent charity.
All services provided by the
Centre are free of charge,
financed by voluntary gifts and
offerings, and supported by
voluntary workers. We hope that
God will continue to bless this
ministry, so that help will
continue to be available to
those who need it.
Our Annual Report
Our latest Annual Report may be
viewed from Charity
Commission's website.
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You
may send your donations to the
following bank account:
HSBC Bank
Sortcode: 40-03-22
Account Number: 31308300
International Bank Account
Number: GB97MIDL40032231308300
Branch Identifier Code:
MIDLGB2106R
