Editor's note: The author of this article is an ankylosing spondylitis patient who lives mainly in bed and receives support from many believers. He enjoys writing out his reflections on faith, love, and the gospel of Christ.
The weather changing is like Jesus’s second coming when no one knows when it will occur. Yesterday the sun was rising high, but today the snow fell heavily. Yesterday, Mr. Sun, who works in charity, told me he would lead another charity group to come over today. I expected the visit to be delayed or postponed due to the pouring snow and slippery road outside, but the surveillance showed them arriving.
As they entered the house, they laid down the heavy gift, which contained basic food, and we exchanged greetings. Following Mr. Sun's brief introduction, they learned about my illness and current living situation.
Among them, a middle-aged man told me: "We had no intention of coming over, but Mr. Sun‘s persistent invitation worked. Although we have seen you in the photos, we are shocked to see the joy in you and the improvements you made for your wheelchair in person. We have visited many disabled people, but none present an indescribable energy that moves us as you do. Let’s say that your life inspires and impacts us, rather than saying that we are here to help.”
When other volunteers asked me the origins of the furniture in my home, I told them the history of each item, including the support from the local church and the contributions of believers from across the country. They appeared to be deep in thought.
"Believers across the country bought it for him,” a local officer who is familiar with my situation added, "Every month, people from a church in Xi'an come to send him food with assistance with bathing, haircuts, and cleaning. "
Perhaps, from the view of these visitors, these are at the hands of humans. But I know that everything is in God's hands of kindness and mercy. I cannot be more grateful when I think of how helpless I was in the past and how tightly the Lord has held me now.
(The Gospel Times was the original publication of the article.)
- Translated by Poppy Chan
天气的变化就像耶稣从天而降，我们都不知是什么时刻。昨天还是艳阳高照，今天却大雪纷飞。昨天，一位做公益的孙老师给我说今天他会带领另一个团队来家看望。看到外面不断落下的雪和湿滑的路面，想着他们可能会延迟或推后，可监控告诉我，他们来了。
来到家中，他们放下手中沉甸甸的米面粮油，我们相互问了好。在孙老师做了介绍之后，对方也了解了我的病情和我的生活状态。
其中有一位中年男子对我说：“本来我们还不想到你这里来，是孙老师一再邀请我们才来了。虽然在照片上看到过你的样子，但来到你的面前看到你的喜乐，为自己设计的车子，还是震撼到我了。我们看望过很多残疾人，但没有见过向你这样的，有种说不出的能量触动着内心，说是我们来帮助你，其实你的生命对我们也是一种激励和影响。”
当志愿者问到我家里的家具从哪里而来时，我说了每一样东西的来历，有当地教会的支持，也有全国各地信徒的奉献，她们也好像陷入了沉思。
“是各地的信徒给他买的。对我家的情况比较熟悉的村妇联孟主任补充道，“每个月西安一教会的人还来给他送食物，洗澡、理发、打扫卫生等很多帮助。”
也许在这些志愿者看来，这都是人的作为。但我们知道，一切都是主的恩典，是上帝的怜悯。想想从前那个无依无靠的自己，现在被主用双手紧紧拥抱在怀里的自己，心中无比的感恩。
一位强直性脊柱炎患者的随笔：弟兄姐妹们的帮助源于上帝的怜悯
Editor's note: The author of this article is an ankylosing spondylitis patient who lives mainly in bed and receives support from many believers. He enjoys writing out his reflections on faith, love, and the gospel of Christ.
The weather changing is like Jesus’s second coming when no one knows when it will occur. Yesterday the sun was rising high, but today the snow fell heavily. Yesterday, Mr. Sun, who works in charity, told me he would lead another charity group to come over today. I expected the visit to be delayed or postponed due to the pouring snow and slippery road outside, but the surveillance showed them arriving.
As they entered the house, they laid down the heavy gift, which contained basic food, and we exchanged greetings. Following Mr. Sun's brief introduction, they learned about my illness and current living situation.
Among them, a middle-aged man told me: "We had no intention of coming over, but Mr. Sun‘s persistent invitation worked. Although we have seen you in the photos, we are shocked to see the joy in you and the improvements you made for your wheelchair in person. We have visited many disabled people, but none present an indescribable energy that moves us as you do. Let’s say that your life inspires and impacts us, rather than saying that we are here to help.”
When other volunteers asked me the origins of the furniture in my home, I told them the history of each item, including the support from the local church and the contributions of believers from across the country. They appeared to be deep in thought.
"Believers across the country bought it for him,” a local officer who is familiar with my situation added, "Every month, people from a church in Xi'an come to send him food with assistance with bathing, haircuts, and cleaning. "
Perhaps, from the view of these visitors, these are at the hands of humans. But I know that everything is in God's hands of kindness and mercy. I cannot be more grateful when I think of how helpless I was in the past and how tightly the Lord has held me now.
(The Gospel Times was the original publication of the article.)
- Translated by Poppy Chan
Testimony from Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient: Human Kindness at God's Mighty Hands
