V2Catholic.Com

V2Catholic.comA voice for the poor by HK prison chaplain胡頌恆神父 Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I.Dr Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordanjdwomi@gmail.com +852 67095674
Imitating Pope Francis

My other sites/links

Tues July 30

Prayers please for good friend Nicholas who is very sick in hospital. I visited him last night. Prayers also please for a young drug addict who MercyHK case workers are currently giving special help to.

Olympic organisers apologise for Last Supper parody

Humanity degraded

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible

Hosea 7-14: God's message through Hosea: Israel has forgotten its Maker. The people worship idols made by human hands. It is time to seek the Lord. It is time to sow integrity and reap kindness. Israel, come back to the Lord your God. Have no more to do with idols made by human hands.
Lord, please help us lead good lives, and thereby follow you
My recording of this reading

Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice. If you, O Lord, should record our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness. For this we revere you. My soul is waiting for the Lord. I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for the daybreak. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity.
Lord, please forgive me for all the bad things I have done
Listen

1 Thessalonians 4.13-18: You asked us about the situation of people who have died. Do not mourn in an unhealthy way for them, like people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for everyone who dies in God's friendship: God will give them life with Jesus. They will live in God's House for ever. With thoughts such as these you should comfort one another in times of mourning
Jesus, please increase my faith in the life to come
Listen

Matthew 21.1-11: Jesus sat on a donkey colt for the trip down the hill from the Mount of Olives to the city of Jerusalem. This was as a prophet had predicted: "Look, your king is coming, humbly riding a peaceful donkey". Big crowds accompanied Jesus down the hill. People spread their clothes on the road as a sign of honor. People cut branches from the trees and waved them singing "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!" People in the city asked "Who is he?" The crowd answered "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee".
Jesus, may you be warmly welcomed by every place and every person in the world
Listen

Reflection: At the beginning of his life (in Mary's womb on the way to Bethlehem) and at the end of his life (today's Gospel) a donkey carried Jesus

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Like many other Australians, I have always mispronounced "donkey" ... usually saying "dong-key" instead of "don-key"!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 30th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanghai

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 30th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Rwanda

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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Mon July 29

Olympic Gold for Australia ....and Hong Kong!

Black medal for France for insulting Jesus at Olympic opening ceremony ((imagine the outcry if they had insulted Mohammad))

Three Israeli soldiers refuse to go back to Gaza

Domestic helpers scammed by money lending scheme

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible

Feast of Sts Martha, Mary & Lazarus

Luke 10.38-42: Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me." But the Lord answered: "Martha, Martha," he said "you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her."
Recording

John 11.1-44: Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived in the village of Bethany. When Lazarus became very sick, the sisters sent a message to Jesus "Lord, your dear friend is very sick". By the time Jesus and his disciples arrived in Bethany, Lazarus was dead and buried for 4 days. Martha said to Jesus "If you had been here, my brother would not have died". Jesus replied "I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, he will have life after death". Jesus said to Mary and Martha "Where have you put him?" Jesus cried as he went to the tomb. The tomb was a cave with a stone at the entrance. Jesus said "Take the stone away". Then he called out in a loud voice "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, wrapped in burial clothes. Jesus said "Unwrap him and let him go free".
Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Please give eternal life to my friend (....name...) who died recently
Recording

John 12.1-8: Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, for a dinner at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Mary put expensive ointment on Jesus' feet. Then she wiped his feet with her hair. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who was going to betray Jesus, said "Why wasn't this ointment sold and the money given to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the moneybag and would steal from it. Jesus replied "Leave her alone. She is anticipating and honoring my burial. Besides, the poor will always be with you. But I will soon be gone"
Jesus, please help people in charge of money not to steal
Listen

John 12.9-11: When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus^[ was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Reflection:

The Feast of Martha, Mary and Lazarus

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To go with today's readings:
Lazarus Laughed

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N. America

Jesus, today, Monday, please bless the people of Europe & Russia

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 29th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Chongqing

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 29th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Nigeria

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Sun July 28

Scroll down here to see my post on newsletter of Paul Muller

Like judgment day *** Latest reports

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Sunday 17

2 Kings 4: A poor widow whose husband had been a prophet asked Elisha for help when a creditor demanded her two sons as slaves. All she had was a small pot of oil, not enough to pay her debts. Elisha told her to get many jars, and start pouring oil from the pot into the jars. As she and her sons did this, the oil did not run out. Elisha told her to sell the oil to pay off her debts. At another time Elisha brought back to life a dead child. He also once brought about a miraculous multiplication of bread.
Dear God, you once worked miracles by the prayers of Elisha. Please let miracles be done in our day.
My recording of this reading

Psalm 145: I will give you glory, O God my king. I will bless your name day after day. The Lord is great, worthy of all praise. His greatness cannot be measured. Age to age shall proclaim your works, shall speak of your splendor and glory. The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and tell all the world of your love. The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. The eyes of all creatures look to you and you give them their food each day. The Lord is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts. Let the whole world bless the Lord's holy name, for ever, for ages unending.
Thank you, Lord, for your love. Thank you for your love
Listen

Ephesians 4.1-16: I implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. If we live by the truth and in love, we shall become more and more like Christ. We are parts of the Body of Christ. Christ is the head. Each part must do its bit to keep the Body healthy and growing in love
Jesus, help me understand how the Church is your Body
Listen

John 6.1-15: Near the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd followed Jesus, attracted by the way he healed so many sick people. Jesus climbed a hillside and sat there with his disciples. Seeing the huge crowd, Jesus said to one of his disciples "How can we feed so many people?" The disciple Andrew said "There's a young boy here with 5 loaves and 2 fish. But what good is that for such a huge crowd?" Jesus said "Make the people sit down". The crowd of about 20,000 sat down on the grass. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all the people. He did the same with the fish. Everyone ate as much as they wanted to. The people, seeing this miracle, said "He really is God's great prophet". Jesus, aware that they wanted to make him king, slipped away and went up the hill by himself.
Jesus, please bless my prayers and actions to help others, just as you blessed the loaves and fish
Listen 01 02

A prayer before meals - based on today's Gospel:
Unseen Guest at every meal
You who multiplied loaves and fish.
May our hearts your presence feel
as we pray you bless each dish

Reflection by Irish Oblate Fr Brian Maher O.M.I.

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Video commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and Spanish (+ Cantonese audio)

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Hour of Love HK radio program 8.00 pm HK time tonight - with items about HK prison inmates

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On Sunday July 21 I ordered some Bible study books from Amazon for a prisoner in HK. The books were delivered to MercyHK's canteen on July 26!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N America
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless the people of Africa

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 28th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Beijing

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 28th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ivory Coast

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless all Muslims in my country

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Sat July 27

I read every word of this moving article: US medics who volunteered in Gaza demand arms embargo over "unbearable cruelty" inflicted by Israel

At the moment of conception, when the egg is fertilized, a new human life is formed, complete with its own genetically unique DNA. ... When life begins is not up for debate anymore. A unique human person exists immediately at the moment of conception. - from this article. ((Abortion therefore is not just about one person (the mother) and "stuff" inside her womb, but about two people, each with their own DNA))

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible

Hosea 5-6: God's message through Hosea: What am I to do with you, Ephraim? What am I to do with you, Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like dew that quickly disappears. What I want is love, not the sacrifice of animals in the Temple. What I want is knowledge of God, not burnt offerings in the Temple.
Lord, please help us to love you as we should
My recording of this reading

Psalm 128: O blessed are those who love the Lord and walk in his ways. By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper: your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed the people who love and honor the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life. May you see your children's children in a happy Jerusalem! On Israel, peace!
Dear Lord, may all married people live to see their children's children
Listen

1 Thessalonians 4.1-11: We urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life you are meant to live. God wants you to be holy. He wants you to keep away from fornication. Live life peacefully. Get a decent job and earn your living
Jesus, make me be a better person, a better Christian
Listen

Matthew 20.29-34: As Jesus was leaving Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, many people followed him along the road. Sitting by the road were two men who had become blind. When they heard that Jesus was going past, they called out "Son of David, have pity on us." Some people tried to stop them from calling out, but they shouted even more loudly "Son of David, have pity on us." Jesus stopped and said to them "What do you want me to do for you?" They replied "Lord, let us see again". Jesus felt sorry for them. He touched their eyes and straight away their sight returned.
Jesus, please heal my blind friend ....(name)....
Listen

Reflection: When people try to stop us from calling out to Jesus ... let's "shout more loudly"!

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Many tourists from Mainland China are coming to HK now that the Summer holidays have begun. And we are grateful for their patronage of our MercyHK canteen in Temple Street!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent. & N America
Jesus, today, Saturday, please bless the people of Central & North America

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 27th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Tibet

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 27th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Tanzania

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday, please pacify the Taliban

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Fri July 26

Today is the Feast of Saint Anne, grandmother of Jesus, a patroness of Canada. Today there will be big crowds at the famous Basilica of St Anne de Beaupre (which I had the privilege of visiting in 1982 - a postcard)

Yesterday as the usual Thursday lunch gathering for street sleepers was finishing at the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street, a kind young Chinese man came to the next door MercyHK with a homeless overseas man he had just met on the street. MercyHK offered the overseas man accommodation for one week. Then we found out that the young Chinese man is ... a doctor! God bless him!

HK midwife finds "dire conditions" at Gaza hospital

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus

Sirach 44-50: It is good to remember the famous people in history who had a special love for God. Remembering their faith and their love for God will give us courage for our daily lives. They were human and made mistakes, yet they persevered in serving the Lord. People like Abraham, Moses, David. Let us try to imitate their faith and courage.
Lord, please give me courage to live each day as I should
My recording of this reading

Psalm 132:

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

The Lord swore an oath to David;

he will not go back on this word:

�A son, the fruit of your body,

will I set upon your throne.�

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

For the Lord has chosen Zion;

he has desired it for his dwelling:

�This is my resting-place for ever;

here have I chosen to live.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

�There David�s stock will flower;

I will prepare a lamp for my anointed.

I will cover his enemies with shame

but on him my crown shall shine.�

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

Matthew 13.16-17:

Jesus said to his disciples: �Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.�

Reflection: On this day, or on the Sunday nearest to it we pray for grandparents. Pope's beautiful message

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Q: How many biological grandparents did Jesus have?
A: Two! (not four)!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: S. America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless the people of South America

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 26th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Xinjiang

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 26th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Madagascar

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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Thu July 25

Bernie Sanders re Netanyahu's address to Congress 01 02 *** Jewish group's protest at Congress *** A genocidal war criminal will address Congress

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Feast of St James

2 Corinthians 4.8-51: We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered. We see no answer to our problems, but never despair. Even though our bodies are aging and decaying, our hearts are renewed day by day. Our troubles seem great now, but they don't stand comparison with the eternal glory coming soon. When the temporary tent that we live in here on earth is folded up, we will move to an everlasting house built by God for us in heaven
Jesus, help me remember Heaven - especially when life gets tough
My recording of this reading

Psalm 126: When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. What marvels the Lord worked for us. Indeed we were glad. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing. They come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.
Dear God, please bless all people who are sorrowful as they work
Listen

Acts 12.1-2 (For Feast of St James): About this time, King Herod began persecuting the church. He beheaded the apostle James, brother of John. He arrested Peter during Passover time. He put Peter in prison and planned to have him put on trial and killed after Passover
Listen

Matthew 20.20-28: The brothers James and John were two of Jesus' disciples. One day their mother said to Jesus "When you become king, allow my sons to sit at your right and left". Jesus said to James and John "Only my Father in heaven can allocate seats on my right and left". The 10 other disciples were angry at James and John for seeking honor. So Jesus said to them all
"In most places, people in power like to dominate and control others. But this is not to be your way of exercising authority. You must exercise authority by serving others, not dominating them, just as I came not to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for the world".
Jesus, please help me want to help and serve other people, not dominate and control them
Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings: St James is the Patron saint of Spain and is widely honored in South America

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe , Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ningxia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Lesotho

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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Wed July 24

Yesterday I was at Tai Lam Women's Prison for 8 hours .... several prisoners asked me to help contact their families to let them know where they are. These days many people can't remember the phone numbers of family members ....can only remember FB pages .... through which I am able to contact the families.

Palestinian groups sign agreement in Beijing

Kamala Harris Compares Pro-Life Americans to Child Molesters, Slave Owners *** Her tour to promote abortion

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible

Hosea 4: People of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord: there is no fidelity, no tenderness, no knowledge of God in the country, only perjury and lies, slaughter, theft, adultery, violence and murder. This is why the country is in mourning. This is why you have experienced so much disaster.
My people, says the Lord, perish for want of knowledge.
Lord, please help us lead good lives, and so help our country experience blessing
My recording of this reading

Psalm 127: If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor. If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil. Success comes not from earlier rising or from going later to rest, but from the Lord's blessing. Success is from the Lord who blesses the womb of his beloved while she sleeps. Truly, children are a gift from the Lord, a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Lord, many people these days don't want children. Please help such people understand that children are a blessing
Listen

1 Thessalonians 3.11-13: May God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ make it easy for us to visit you again. May the Lord be generous in increasing your love, and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we love you. May the Lord so confirm your hearts in holiness, that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints
Jesus, please increase my love for the whole human race
Listen

Matthew 20.1-16: Jesus said to his disciples The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them the normal daily wage. Then about 9am he went again to the market place. He saw more men without a job. He got them also to go to his vineyard. He promised to pay them a fair wage. About noon and again about 3pm he once more went to the market place and employed two more groups of men. About 5pm he went one final time and employed one last group of men. At sunset when the men came to be paid, the owner paid everyone a normal day's wage. This made the dawn group unhappy. They grumbled and said "We have done a full day's work in the heat. Yet we got the same as those who did only one hour's work. This is not fair!" The owner replied "I am paying you what we agreed to. Why do you begrudge my generosity?"
Jesus, please help me not to be jealous of your gifts to others
Listen

Reflection: Most of the problems in our world are caused by .... humans. Today's first reading calls us humans to realise that doing "bad stuff" causes bad things to happen

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At top of this menu I mentioned how people in prison can't remember the phone numbers of their families. To be honest, I can remember only one phone number ... that of MercyHK case worker Lucia Leung. Maybe there's a need for someone to start up a phone bank ...where people can register special phone numbers!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E.Asia, Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus, today, Wednesday, please bless the people of East Asia

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Inner Mongolia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Djibouti

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday, please pacify Al-Shabaab

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Africa:

2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg

Jan 1, 2020: How cocaine trafficking is impacting West Africa

2017: My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai ( The Last Run)

April 4, 2016: BBC video report (3 mins) about East African drug mules going to HK ...and my anti-drug campaign

2016: My trip to Kenya, Uganda

2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi

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Latin America:

2019-05-10: No More Mules Peru FB boost 199,000 views!

2019-01-20: Article in El Pais, Uruguay - 01 02

2018-09-18: No More Mules Facebook campaign - more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela

2018: My trip to Latin America

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South East Asia:

Aug 16, 2020: CNN - Indonesian women recruited to take drugs to Hong Kong

Oct 23, 2019: FM988 Breakfast program in Kuala Lumpur at which I was a guest

June 2019: My campaign featured in The Malaysia Drug Trade (6 written reports & documentary video)

2019-03-25: Eleven HK01 video and photo reports about Malaysian drug mules arrested in HK- here (one of the reports is about my anti-drug campaign).

Dec 2018 - My Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia

2018: My trip to Thailand and Cambodia

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