"Well, I do have one small problem. I can't get off heroin,” replied the emac- iated Chinese Triad Society boss, to Richard Willans' question concerning his well being.
Ah Gei sat in the Willans' Hong Kong flat, bright sunshine playing across the sharply outlined cheekbones in his waxen face. The bloodshot eyes were concealed by dark glasses and his small bony frame was clad in black leather jacket and jeans. Despite the slightness of his build there was something form- idable about this 415 “white paper fan” counsellor of the 14K Triad Society, even on a social call carrying the traditional gift of oranges wrapped in pink paper this year of 1973 just before the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Jean Willans leaned forward with the urgency of her communication: "When we were in Indonesia and had no money we prayed and it simply appeared before us. If you are really serious about Jesus He will do anything you ask.
"I'm serious.
""
"Then stay here tonight and withdraw from heroin." "I agree.
""
The die was cast, Richard beamed with pleasure. He liked doing positive things for God but he could hardly demand that his wife take in an ex-con- vict, drug addict and known purveyor of women.
Jackie smiled with relief. Well, that took care of this fellow. Now she only had to worry about the rest of the Walled City addicts.
Jean didn't look so happy. Suzy was 17 and Sarah wasn't much older. None of them knew anything about drugs; they had never before known any criminals and they didn't speak Chinese. She called a Christian doctor and asked what to expect from a ten-year addict with a $100 a day habit. The doctor said there would be vomiting and diarrhea and chills and sweats, all accompanied by intense agony. The addict might roll on the floor with pain, would probably become violent, perhaps even attack those helping him. A formidable prospect. He offered methadone. Jean thought they would try Jesus.
And so began one of the most exciting and dramatic experime of our day, which has since been described in the media, including a documentary film, and been talked and written about around the world. Called “Stephen by the junkies and S.O.S. by the more knowledgeable, its beginnings were even stranger than that first experiment with Ah Gei ...
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