On the occasion of the National Day for Poverty Alleviation which annually falls on October 17 since 2014, we visited some disabled believers in Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, to learn about their living conditions. Their rough experience is heartbreaking, but each of them has a grateful smile of joy on his or her face.
Pass the Love on to Someone in Need
Wang Junhong, who lives in a low-rent house, is a wheelchair-bound disabled man. An accident more than 10 years ago seriously injured his chest vertebra. In despair, he began to believe in God under the influence of his mother. Last year his mother passed away, leaving him and his two children alone. Later, he developed kidney disease and often went to the hospital for dialysis. Despite his illness, he is steadfast in his reliance on the Lord. Before his mother died, she told him to dedicate their old house to the church. He constantly listens to recorded prayers, reads the Bible, and takes on the task of daily intercession and scripture sharing for the disability fellowship.
He also organized a small learning group in his home, where several believers in his neighborhood come to learn and say intercessory prayers together once a week and listen to the live stream of a worship service when they could not go to church in these unusual times.
Speaking of his life, both he and his child have a subsistence allowance and go through the formalities for chronic disease. God’s grace is sufficient for him. He recently bought a new electric wheelchair and specifically asked that his old electric wheelchair be given free to a believer in need.
Live for Christ to Preach the Gospel though Being Sick
Brother Jiao Mingqing, who is nearly sixty years old, is in a household enjoying the five guarantees (food, clothes, medical care, housing, and burial). He has been sick since he was a child and has trouble moving his hands and feet, but he loves the Lord very much, often riding a tricycle around to take care of church affairs. He is not highly educated, but he has a remarkable memory. He considers this a special gift from God, and with practice, he began to preach the Gospel through allegro performance. Every Christmas, his allegro performance is a “must” for his fellowship and church.
Not long ago, he suffered from dizziness and nausea and was diagnosed with a mild cerebral infarction. He stayed in the hospital for half a month without spending much money. In his hospital bed, he mused on God’s word and sang songs about him. Now back at home, his body has gradually recovered, and now he can walk with a crutch.
Gratitude from a Disabled Widow
Sister Wang Huainv is a 60-year-old peasant woman who lives in the village of Beiduan, Hexi. Her husband died at an early age, her son suffered from schizophrenia, and her daughter-in-law ran away, leaving a little grandson with a very difficult life. Three years ago, the roof of the three cave dwellings where they lived were badly damaged and leaking. After learning about it, the disability fellowship went to check. They found that the house was very damp. Even though the heavy rain had stopped outside, it was still dripping inside. Her son's face was dull, and she was sad. After the fellowship contacted the head of the church, they raised money and worked to repair her house. Later she was connected with a poverty alleviation partner in the district, and her life gradually improved.
A brand-new iron door replaced her wooden door, and she found a faithful husband. The poverty alleviation team got to know her son’s condition and contacted with a psychiatric hospital. He was hospitalized for more than a year and it cost tens of thousands of yuan. She did not spend much money herself, but her son’s illness was getting better. The child, who had hit her on the head with a brick when he was having a psychotic episode, is a different person now. He is quiet and will kneel down to pray with her. Her grandson is now in junior high school in the town, and he is in the top of his class in every exam. All three of them have subsistence allowances. There are always people who come to visit and ask about their needs on New Year's Day or other festivals, so now she often gives thanks to God.
Be Baptized and Determined to Serve the Lord
Cheng Tianhe, who lives in a low-rent house, has believed in the Lord for more than two years. He has a strong desire to be baptized and to serve the Lord, but he cannot go to the church. After being contacted by him, the elders went to his house to baptize him.
It turned out that he had been a cook and he had earned a lot of money with his skills. He once lived an enjoyable life. Unexpectedly, a few years ago, he suddenly suffered from encephalopathy and became a severely disabled person who could not take care of himself. The major change in life made him desperate.
Then he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and began to believe. Several believers in the courtyard visited him and helped him, and they took him to every worship meeting. There, the Lord’s love removed his self-abasement. Once the world was cold, but God’s home makes him feel warm and cared for.
Although he is unable to move around, he does his best to learn to do some housework, so as to get well soon, reduce the burden on his family and work for the Lord. His eyes glistened with tears as he was baptized by an elder.
Disabled people are a vulnerable group with special difficulties. Compared with ordinary people, they have many more pains and sorrows that others cannot understand. When they come to the disability fellowship and are gathered in the presence of Jesus Christ, they meet Jesus and receive the best blessings of their lives. God wants to show his glory through these humble people.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times.)
- Translated by Nicolas Cao
在全国扶贫日到来之际，我们也走访了山西临汾市尧都区一些残疾信徒，了解他们的生活状况。他们的坎坷经历有些许心酸，但每个人脸上都洋溢着感恩的喜乐。
把爱传递给有需要的人
住在一廉租房的王俊红是个坐在轮椅上的残疾人，十多年前一场事故使他胸椎严重受伤，绝望中他随母亲信了主，去年母亲被主接去，只剩下他和孩子两人相依为命。后来又患上了肾病，常去医院做透析。在病患的经历中，他坚定不移地要依靠主，母亲嘱咐他要把家里的老屋奉献给教会使用。他不断在播放器上听祷告，读经祷告，主动担负起残障团契每日代祷分享经文的事工。
还在家里组织了一个小学习点，组织邻居几名信主的肢体，每周一次一起学习代祷，在不能到教会礼拜的非常时期中收听教会崇拜直播。
说起他的生活，他和孩子都享受低保，办了慢性病手续，神的恩典够用了。他最近新买了一台电轮椅，特意嘱咐要把他的一台旧电轮椅无偿送给有需要的信徒。
病患中为主而活传福音
年近花甲的焦明清弟兄是一个五保户，自幼患病手脚行动不便，但他非常爱主，时常骑着三轮车为教会四处奔波。他文化不高，却有非凡的记忆力，他认为这是神给他特殊的恩赐，经过不断训练，他开始用快板形式传扬福音，每年圣诞节，他的快板节目成为团契和所在教会的“保留节目”。
前一时期，他头晕恶心，检查患了轻微脑梗。住了半个月院，自己也没花多少钱。在病床上他不断默想神的话语，还唱诗歌颂神。现在回到家里，身体也渐渐恢复健康，能手拄拐杖锻炼行走了。
残疾寡妇的感恩心声
王怀女姊妹是河西北段村一个年已六旬的农妇，丈夫早年去世，儿子因受刺激患有精神分裂症，媳妇出走，留下一个小孙子生活十分困难。三年前，家中三孔窑洞屋顶破损漏雨严重，残障团契了解后前去查看，只见屋内十分潮湿，经常外面大下，雨停了屋里还不停滴答。儿子面目呆滞，她也满面愁容。团契和教会负责人联系后，筹资出工帮她修好了房屋。后来区里也和他结了帮扶对子，生活逐步好转。
她家由原来的刺杈门换成了崭新的铁网门，她找了个信主的老伴。扶贫工作队了解了儿子的病情后，与精神病院联系，住院一年多，花了十几万，自己没有花什么钱，孩子的病好了。以前孩子犯病时曾用砖头砸在她的头上，现在完全变了个人 ，不仅安静下来，也会跪下和她一块祈祷了。一旁的小孙子现在镇上上初中，每次考试都在班里是前几名。而且他们三个人都有低保。逢年过节还有人前来看望问寒问暖，所以她时常向神感恩。
受洗决志归向主
家住廉租房的成天河信主两年多了，他有一个强烈愿望：愿意受洗归主名下。但不能到教会，经与教会联系，长老上门为他施洗。
原来他曾是个厨师，凭着自己的手艺挣了不少钱，也在吃喝玩乐享受了生活。不料几年前突患脑病，成为一个不能自理的重度残疾人，巨大的落差使他深为绝望。
后来他听到了耶稣基督的福音，于是开始信靠。院里的几个信徒不断看望帮助扶持他，每次领他到活动点礼拜。在这里，主的爱除去了他的自卑，曾经的世态炎凉，在神家里使他感受到温暖和真诚的关怀。
尽管行动不便，他也尽力学习做一些家务，争取早日康复，减轻家庭负担，也能为主做工。他接受长老所施予的点水洗礼，眼中溢出了晶莹的泪花。
残疾人是一个特殊困难的弱势群体，他们比起常人更有许多别人无法体会的痛苦和忧伤。来到残障团契，归到耶稣基督面前，他们遇见了耶稣，得着了一生最美好的祝福。神要藉着这些卑微的的人彰显他的荣耀。
残疾信徒的感恩
On the occasion of the National Day for Poverty Alleviation which annually falls on October 17 since 2014, we visited some disabled believers in Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, to learn about their living conditions. Their rough experience is heartbreaking, but each of them has a grateful smile of joy on his or her face.
Pass the Love on to Someone in Need
Wang Junhong, who lives in a low-rent house, is a wheelchair-bound disabled man. An accident more than 10 years ago seriously injured his chest vertebra. In despair, he began to believe in God under the influence of his mother. Last year his mother passed away, leaving him and his two children alone. Later, he developed kidney disease and often went to the hospital for dialysis. Despite his illness, he is steadfast in his reliance on the Lord. Before his mother died, she told him to dedicate their old house to the church. He constantly listens to recorded prayers, reads the Bible, and takes on the task of daily intercession and scripture sharing for the disability fellowship.
He also organized a small learning group in his home, where several believers in his neighborhood come to learn and say intercessory prayers together once a week and listen to the live stream of a worship service when they could not go to church in these unusual times.
Speaking of his life, both he and his child have a subsistence allowance and go through the formalities for chronic disease. God’s grace is sufficient for him. He recently bought a new electric wheelchair and specifically asked that his old electric wheelchair be given free to a believer in need.
Live for Christ to Preach the Gospel though Being Sick
Brother Jiao Mingqing, who is nearly sixty years old, is in a household enjoying the five guarantees (food, clothes, medical care, housing, and burial). He has been sick since he was a child and has trouble moving his hands and feet, but he loves the Lord very much, often riding a tricycle around to take care of church affairs. He is not highly educated, but he has a remarkable memory. He considers this a special gift from God, and with practice, he began to preach the Gospel through allegro performance. Every Christmas, his allegro performance is a “must” for his fellowship and church.
Not long ago, he suffered from dizziness and nausea and was diagnosed with a mild cerebral infarction. He stayed in the hospital for half a month without spending much money. In his hospital bed, he mused on God’s word and sang songs about him. Now back at home, his body has gradually recovered, and now he can walk with a crutch.
Gratitude from a Disabled Widow
Sister Wang Huainv is a 60-year-old peasant woman who lives in the village of Beiduan, Hexi. Her husband died at an early age, her son suffered from schizophrenia, and her daughter-in-law ran away, leaving a little grandson with a very difficult life. Three years ago, the roof of the three cave dwellings where they lived were badly damaged and leaking. After learning about it, the disability fellowship went to check. They found that the house was very damp. Even though the heavy rain had stopped outside, it was still dripping inside. Her son's face was dull, and she was sad. After the fellowship contacted the head of the church, they raised money and worked to repair her house. Later she was connected with a poverty alleviation partner in the district, and her life gradually improved.
A brand-new iron door replaced her wooden door, and she found a faithful husband. The poverty alleviation team got to know her son’s condition and contacted with a psychiatric hospital. He was hospitalized for more than a year and it cost tens of thousands of yuan. She did not spend much money herself, but her son’s illness was getting better. The child, who had hit her on the head with a brick when he was having a psychotic episode, is a different person now. He is quiet and will kneel down to pray with her. Her grandson is now in junior high school in the town, and he is in the top of his class in every exam. All three of them have subsistence allowances. There are always people who come to visit and ask about their needs on New Year's Day or other festivals, so now she often gives thanks to God.
Be Baptized and Determined to Serve the Lord
Cheng Tianhe, who lives in a low-rent house, has believed in the Lord for more than two years. He has a strong desire to be baptized and to serve the Lord, but he cannot go to the church. After being contacted by him, the elders went to his house to baptize him.
It turned out that he had been a cook and he had earned a lot of money with his skills. He once lived an enjoyable life. Unexpectedly, a few years ago, he suddenly suffered from encephalopathy and became a severely disabled person who could not take care of himself. The major change in life made him desperate.
Then he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and began to believe. Several believers in the courtyard visited him and helped him, and they took him to every worship meeting. There, the Lord’s love removed his self-abasement. Once the world was cold, but God’s home makes him feel warm and cared for.
Although he is unable to move around, he does his best to learn to do some housework, so as to get well soon, reduce the burden on his family and work for the Lord. His eyes glistened with tears as he was baptized by an elder.
Disabled people are a vulnerable group with special difficulties. Compared with ordinary people, they have many more pains and sorrows that others cannot understand. When they come to the disability fellowship and are gathered in the presence of Jesus Christ, they meet Jesus and receive the best blessings of their lives. God wants to show his glory through these humble people.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times.)
- Translated by Nicolas Cao
The Gratitude of Disabled Believers
