Editor's Note: On April 9, 2022, my Shanghai Christian friend Karen was diagnosed with COVID-19. Believers who knew her began to pray for her spontaneously. She was admitted to the mobile cabin hospital in the early morning on the 13th, then first tested negative on the 18th, and was discharged from the hospital on the 21st. In this process, she reflected on her Christian faith, life, and death and gained in-depth insights.
Through a video call, she shared the following two aspects. The first one was her personal experience and gains in the mobile cabin hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus. The second one was her reflection on life and her insight on the mission of the church.
The following is a summary of Karen’s sharing told from her perspective:
I was infected with the virus on April 9. The day before I worked late and felt very tired. I had a fever the next day, which I thought was caused by my work fatigue. Antipyretics were not available in Shanghai at that time. Later I got some cold medicine from a neighbor downstairs, with which I became much better on the third and fourth days. The nucleic acid tests did not come out during those days. On the 12th, I participated in an online memorial service for a deceased Christian sister. Unexpectedly, after the service was finished, the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Shanghai CDC) called me, saying that I was found to have a COVID-19 positive.
I looked back on my physical symptoms. In theory, antigens are usually not detectable for a few days after infection, but rather they can be detected in the next 2-3 days. Being a relatively timid person, I Ghad an emotional breakdown while waiting to be transferred to the hospital. Thinking that I would live in a venue with thousands of unknown people, and with no acquaintance that could accompany me there, I hardly slept that day.
Afterward, I was told that I would stay in the cabin for a week, which was a big challenge for me since everything was uncertain. There were many believers praying for me here in Shanghai, which was very useful.
At that time, I myself read a verse: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. " (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV) My heart then slowly became peaceful.
It was raining in Shanghai that day, for which I was informed that I wouldn’t be transferred to the makeshift hospital. But soon after I prayed and felt restful, I was instructed otherwise and arrived at the hospital at 1 am. I was very grateful that I was assigned to a four-person room where we wore masks all the time. I was thankful to be able to have a full night's sleep there.
I recalled my previous life experiences. Back then there were nearly 300,000 local confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections in Shanghai. Being one of 300,000 infected people, I felt a sense of connection with them, which became an experience of getting to know Shanghai people.
In the cabin hospital, I sensed the protection and grace of God. For example, we had to get up at 5-6 am for PCR tests and then had breakfast, followed by a lunch break at noon, and finally went to bed at 9 pm. This daily routine helped me overcome my problem of not being able to manage my time well for nearly ten years, which fulfilled my wish. Lunch and dinner were both very good. To improve our immunity, we got to eat two meat and two vegetarian dishes at each meal, which in fact, was much better than what we could have when being isolated at home.
Personally, I felt unsettled when experiencing hardships. But a sister encouraged me with the words, "In tribulation, there must be God's grace, which you can find with your own eyes." I spent Easter in the cabin hospital where I listened to the church's Easter sermons and spent the whole week with the expectation that "the difficulties will end".
Reflection and takeaway on faith
I thought a great deal about life and faith during the week in the cabin. One question, in particular, came to mind: When I was suffering, where were you, God?
This is a question many people have asked. In fact, most of the time we want to avoid suffering, but God will reject our prayers for refusing to experience pain. When one asks God in this way, they may have a very vague understanding of Him. In fact, Jesus was crucified on the cross. Our God is suffering all the time, for which our human heart is closer to Him in suffering. Since God created the heavens, the earth, and human beings, He has been suffering. Others trying to comfort us are often of little use. The most important thing is to find comfort in Jesus' love and sacrifice.
During my stay in the cabin, I also thought about the importance of the soul to a human being. When things are going well, we can’t see the vitality of faith. When in the midst of trouble, we will know that money may be useless, but the power of faith is useful. The soul is very noble and needs to grow in the love of God.
When our society emphasizes the power of spirituality, the dignity of human nature, that people need to be loved, understood, and respected, it will become healthier. Because we are created in the image of God, it is easy for us to become bitter in pain.
Believers will also experience suffering. We may also be infected with coronavirus, but the grace of God that we have can dissolve the bitterness in our hearts. When no one helps us, we still have the grace of God in us.
From my own experience, I also thought about the important mission of the church in today's situation. The church is the spiritual home of human beings, and it has the authority of the resurrection. In times of hardship, we need the church very much. When in pain, we can take off many masks and disguises, so our hearts are very good and pure. Usually, we are busy with children and careers. Yet when we are in pain and despair, our hearts are open, and we will truly seek God. The pain of our souls needs to be comforted and healed by God. I myself have received much spiritual support from the church. The church should know that this is an opportunity to share the gospel with those who are poor in spirit. Because Jesus gave spiritual authority to the church, it has become its mission.
- Translated by Shuya Wang
编者按：2022年4月9号，我在上海的朋友凯伦姊妹确诊新冠阳性，一时间认识她的弟兄姐妹都开始自发为她代祷。她从13号凌晨入住方舱医院，到18号转阴，再到21号出院，在这个过程中，她有很多生命深处的收获与看见。
她在视频分享中谈到了两个部分，第一个是确诊阳性后在方舱医院里的个人经历和收获；第二个是她对人生的反思和对教会使命的看见。
以下是凯伦姊妹的口述摘要：
我4月9号感染的，4月8号工作到很晚很累，第二天就发烧了，我当时以为我工作的疲惫导致的。当时的上海是买不到退烧药的。后面，我就跟楼下的人要了感冒药，第三、四天好了很多，那几天我的核酸结果还没有出来；到了12号，我参加一个姐妹线上的追思礼拜，没想到这个礼拜结束后，疾控中心来了电话，说我是阳性。
我回溯自己的身体症状，刚感染的时候，测抗原是测不出来的，之后的2-3天才可以测出来。那个等待的时间让我有了崩溃的状态，因为我自己是比较胆小的人，想想将要与几千人住一个场地，也没有认识的人可以跟我在一起去，那一天几乎没有睡觉的。
后面我知道要待在方舱一周的时间，这对我是很大的挑战，因为全部是未知的。上海这边是有很多弟兄姐妹为我代祷，被代祷还是很有用的。
当时我自己也读到一句：“耶和华亲自在你前头行，与你同在；他决不撇下你，也不离弃你；你不要害怕，也不要惊慌。”(申命记31:8 新译本)心里面慢慢变得平安。
本来那天上海下雨，说不转运了，但是当我祷告感受到平安不久，突然又来消息说要转运了，当时凌晨一点去了方舱。我很感恩的是，去的是四个人一个房间，全程戴口罩的。在这里，我很感谢的是晚上还可以睡一个完整的觉。
我回忆了这么多年的生活，现在上海的本土确诊和无症状感染者差不多近30万了，我成为了这次新冠感染的30万分之一的时候，感到和他们有一种连带感，也是自己和上海民众接触的一个经历。
在方舱中，我感受到神的保守和恩典。比如，我们要在早上的5-6点起来做核酸并且领早餐，中午有午休，晚上9点睡觉。这是我近十年无法克服早睡早起的问题，在这里实现了这个愿望。午餐和晚餐是吃得很好， 两荤、两素的菜是为了提高我们的免疫力。其实比起在家隔离吃的饭菜好很多……
其实人在经历灾难的时候，心里是没有平安的，但是有一个姊妹激励我说：“在患难中一定有神的恩典。在患难中，人要有找到神的恩典的眼睛。”我是方舱里度过了复活节，听了教会的复活节讲道，我是带着“困难一定会结束”的期待度过这一周的。
信仰的反思和感悟
我在方舱这一周里想了很多关于人生和信仰的东西。特别想到一个提问：我受苦时，神啊你在哪里？
这是很多人都会问到的问题。其实很多时候我们是想避免受苦的，但是我们的神会拒绝我们拒绝经历受苦的祷告。当一个人这样问神的时候，可能他对神的认识是很模糊的。其实，神是受苦的神，是被钉十字架上的耶稣，我们的神时刻是在受苦的，人的心在受苦的时候是离上帝更近的。上帝从创造天地、人类以来，他一直在受苦。人的安慰很多时候是没有太大的用处，最重要的是在耶稣的爱和牺牲里面得到安慰。
在方舱的期间，我也思考了作为人灵魂的需要，一帆风顺的时候看不出信仰的生命力，人在艰难的时候会知道，钱可能是没有用的，信仰的力量是有用的。灵魂是非常尊贵的，要在神的爱里面得到成长的。
当社会强调灵性的力量，人性的尊贵，人需要爱，被理解，被尊重，这个社会就会变得更健康。因为我们是以神的形象被造。人在痛苦中很容易变得苦毒。
信仰的人同样会经历苦难，信仰的人也有可能得新冠，但是我们有神的恩典，这个恩典可以消解掉心中的苦毒。没有人帮助我的时候，我们里面有神的恩典。
因着自己的经历，我也想到教会在今天的处境下的重要使命。教会是人属灵的家，是有复活的权柄的，人在艰难中是很需要教会的，人在痛苦中的时候心田是很好的，人可以揭下很多的面具、很多的装饰。平时人们是忙孩子，忙事业，但是人在痛苦和绝望当中的时候，心都是敞开的，会很真实的寻求神的。灵魂的痛苦需要得到神的安慰和医治，我自己也得到教会很多灵性上的扶持，教会应该知道这是更多给心灵贫穷的人分享好消息的时机。因为耶稣把属灵的权柄给了教会，这是教会的使命所在。
见证｜一位基督徒姊妹在上海方舱转阴后的经历和感悟
Editor's Note: On April 9, 2022, my Shanghai Christian friend Karen was diagnosed with COVID-19. Believers who knew her began to pray for her spontaneously. She was admitted to the mobile cabin hospital in the early morning on the 13th, then first tested negative on the 18th, and was discharged from the hospital on the 21st. In this process, she reflected on her Christian faith, life, and death and gained in-depth insights.
Through a video call, she shared the following two aspects. The first one was her personal experience and gains in the mobile cabin hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus. The second one was her reflection on life and her insight on the mission of the church.
The following is a summary of Karen’s sharing told from her perspective:
I was infected with the virus on April 9. The day before I worked late and felt very tired. I had a fever the next day, which I thought was caused by my work fatigue. Antipyretics were not available in Shanghai at that time. Later I got some cold medicine from a neighbor downstairs, with which I became much better on the third and fourth days. The nucleic acid tests did not come out during those days. On the 12th, I participated in an online memorial service for a deceased Christian sister. Unexpectedly, after the service was finished, the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Shanghai CDC) called me, saying that I was found to have a COVID-19 positive.
I looked back on my physical symptoms. In theory, antigens are usually not detectable for a few days after infection, but rather they can be detected in the next 2-3 days. Being a relatively timid person, I Ghad an emotional breakdown while waiting to be transferred to the hospital. Thinking that I would live in a venue with thousands of unknown people, and with no acquaintance that could accompany me there, I hardly slept that day.
Afterward, I was told that I would stay in the cabin for a week, which was a big challenge for me since everything was uncertain. There were many believers praying for me here in Shanghai, which was very useful.
At that time, I myself read a verse: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. " (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV) My heart then slowly became peaceful.
It was raining in Shanghai that day, for which I was informed that I wouldn’t be transferred to the makeshift hospital. But soon after I prayed and felt restful, I was instructed otherwise and arrived at the hospital at 1 am. I was very grateful that I was assigned to a four-person room where we wore masks all the time. I was thankful to be able to have a full night's sleep there.
I recalled my previous life experiences. Back then there were nearly 300,000 local confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections in Shanghai. Being one of 300,000 infected people, I felt a sense of connection with them, which became an experience of getting to know Shanghai people.
In the cabin hospital, I sensed the protection and grace of God. For example, we had to get up at 5-6 am for PCR tests and then had breakfast, followed by a lunch break at noon, and finally went to bed at 9 pm. This daily routine helped me overcome my problem of not being able to manage my time well for nearly ten years, which fulfilled my wish. Lunch and dinner were both very good. To improve our immunity, we got to eat two meat and two vegetarian dishes at each meal, which in fact, was much better than what we could have when being isolated at home.
Personally, I felt unsettled when experiencing hardships. But a sister encouraged me with the words, "In tribulation, there must be God's grace, which you can find with your own eyes." I spent Easter in the cabin hospital where I listened to the church's Easter sermons and spent the whole week with the expectation that "the difficulties will end".
Reflection and takeaway on faith
I thought a great deal about life and faith during the week in the cabin. One question, in particular, came to mind: When I was suffering, where were you, God?
This is a question many people have asked. In fact, most of the time we want to avoid suffering, but God will reject our prayers for refusing to experience pain. When one asks God in this way, they may have a very vague understanding of Him. In fact, Jesus was crucified on the cross. Our God is suffering all the time, for which our human heart is closer to Him in suffering. Since God created the heavens, the earth, and human beings, He has been suffering. Others trying to comfort us are often of little use. The most important thing is to find comfort in Jesus' love and sacrifice.
During my stay in the cabin, I also thought about the importance of the soul to a human being. When things are going well, we can’t see the vitality of faith. When in the midst of trouble, we will know that money may be useless, but the power of faith is useful. The soul is very noble and needs to grow in the love of God.
When our society emphasizes the power of spirituality, the dignity of human nature, that people need to be loved, understood, and respected, it will become healthier. Because we are created in the image of God, it is easy for us to become bitter in pain.
Believers will also experience suffering. We may also be infected with coronavirus, but the grace of God that we have can dissolve the bitterness in our hearts. When no one helps us, we still have the grace of God in us.
From my own experience, I also thought about the important mission of the church in today's situation. The church is the spiritual home of human beings, and it has the authority of the resurrection. In times of hardship, we need the church very much. When in pain, we can take off many masks and disguises, so our hearts are very good and pure. Usually, we are busy with children and careers. Yet when we are in pain and despair, our hearts are open, and we will truly seek God. The pain of our souls needs to be comforted and healed by God. I myself have received much spiritual support from the church. The church should know that this is an opportunity to share the gospel with those who are poor in spirit. Because Jesus gave spiritual authority to the church, it has become its mission.
- Translated by Shuya Wang
Testimony: A Shanghai Christian's Experience, Takeaway After Recovering from COVID-19
