A female believer, entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing a project within a non-profit social organization, shared her journey of faith and ministry.
This project, at its core, is dedicated to serving special needs children and disabled youth between the ages of 6 and 18, with mild to moderate conditions. The project seeks to empower these individuals by equipping them with essential life skills, fostering self-awareness, nurturing social aptitude, facilitating community integration, imparting safety education, and providing vocational training. As a foundational principle, the organization endeavors to ensure equitable educational opportunities for these individuals, foster the development of their independent living capabilities, unleash their full potential, and support them in realizing their intrinsic self-worth.
During the visit, I had the privilege of engaging in a discussion with a Christian named Qing, wherein she shared her faith journey and the path that led her into this ministry. Her narrative commenced from her tender years as an inexperienced young girl who embraced Christianity to ultimately assuming the role of a project leader.
Born in the 1970s in a mountain village in Shaanxi Province, she was confronted with the burden of gender bias within her family, where male offspring were favored over females. During her teenage years, she grappled with emotional turmoil, at one point even resorting to stealing her father's liquor and entertaining thoughts of despair.
Fortuitously, during that critical juncture, the message of the gospel reached the remote mountainous region. Subsequently, Qing journeyed to Xi'an, where she was graced with the presence of God and experienced His providential assistance as the people she resided with demonstrated care and support.
At the age of 17, she returned to her hometown and earnestly participated in church gatherings in the suburban precincts of the county, alongside several elderly ladies from her village. Three months later, she underwent the baptism, wholeheartedly committing herself as a devoted follower of Christ, her fervent passion driving her to seek deeper communion with Him.
However, she soon entangled in a romantic relationship that gradually distanced her from her relationship with God. It was not until two years later that an unforeseen job opportunity emerged, which offered her a new direction.
During that period, a local city social welfare institution, in collaboration with a social work agency, embarked on a mission to recruit caregivers dedicated to the nurturing of orphaned and disabled children, seeking individuals of Christian faith for these pivotal roles. Responding to the call, Qing underwent an interview and secured the position.
Initially, she faced challenges in tending to the diverse needs of disabled children, whose tears deeply affected her sensitive heart. Nevertheless, guided by the counsel of her father, she resolved to persist in her dedication and gradually developed profound empathy and compassion for these children. It was during this time that her boyfriend extended invitations to venture to South China with him on two occasions in pursuit of better prospects, yet she declined the offers. Ultimately, he found affection elsewhere and entered into matrimony with someone else, leaving Qing profoundly hurt and desolate.
At one juncture, she even contemplated taking the drastic measure of ending her life by leaping from the balcony of her second-floor staff dormitory. However, divine intervention came in the form of a fellow female believer who offered steadfast companionship and intercessory prayers, guiding Qing through the tribulations of heartbreak and facilitating her eventual healing.
Reflecting on her years of service within the local institution, Qing candidly admitted that, despite her consistent attendance at church gatherings and attentive listening to sermons, she struggled to integrate biblical teachings into her daily life. This predicament persisted even within an organization that upheld strong Christian values, leaving her feeling somewhat disconnected from her profound faith.
Just as Qing contemplated resignation from her position, the management persuasively implored her to remain, as they were poised to initiate a collaborative venture with a welfare institution in another city within the province, earnestly desiring her involvement in training new caregivers.
Following her relocation to Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, Qing's tenure extended over two decades. During this extensive period, her journey traversed a transformative arc, propelling her from the role of a trainer to that of an assistant manager and subsequently the manager of the children's department. Ultimately, she served as the short-term CEO of the organization and the permanent director for a long time.
Throughout her years of service, Qing encountered slander and false accusations. However, to her solace, divine providence stood as her unyielding advocate, and those who had leveled accusations against her eventually offered apologies.
No matter how difficult, Qing and her team never give up on their children. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, they spared no effort in raising funds and sought external support to treat the children until the very end. Even if the child could not be rescued, they fervently petitioned God to alleviate the suffering and pain experienced by the children.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
笔者近期拜访了本省一家非营利社会关怀机构在某市一个项目的负责人青姊妹。该项目主要服务于6至18岁（轻、中度）特殊儿童及障碍青少年，为其提供生活自理、自我认知、社交技能、社会融合、安全教育、工作技能的锻炼的服务，并藉此希望给予他们同等学习的机会，培养他们的独立生活能力，充分挖掘他们的潜能，支持他们实现自我价值。
问及青姊妹的信主经历以及她进入这项服侍的经过，她谈自己怎么从一个懵懂少女信主，又怎么从一名保育员成长为一名项目负责人。
青姊妹于1970年代出生在本省某个县城的小山村，自小家里重男轻女。那时没少偷爸爸的白酒喝，十几岁的少女就有了轻生的念头。
幸好，那时福音传进了山区。后来，青姊妹去西安打工，经历了上帝的同在和帮助，与她同住的人很关照她。
17岁那年她回到家乡，常跟着村里几位老奶奶去县城郊区的教会聚会。3个月后，她受洗归入基督的名下并开始热心追求认识主。
不久后她开始谈恋爱，慢慢地疏远了自己和上帝的关系，直到两年后得到一份意外的工作。
当时，青姊妹家乡城市社会福利院与某社工机构合作，该机构公开招募可以照顾孤残孩子的保育员，要求工作人员是基督徒。她参加了面试并被录取。
最初，她刚接触孤残儿童并不太适应，因为这些孩子的情况各有不同，而自己听到他们哭，就心里烦躁。后来在爸爸的劝说下留下，之后她动了恻隐之心，后来越来越怜惜这群孩子。期间，男朋友两次邀她一起去南方发展，但她最终没有答应。后来男朋友移情别恋并很快结婚，这件事情对她打击很大。
有一次，她甚至想从二楼员工宿舍的阳台上跳下去一死了之。分手后有半年时间她很痛苦，也很想放弃服侍孩子的工作。
那时，上帝差派一位姊妹陪伴她，常常为她祷告，带着她慢慢走出了失恋的低谷。
青姊妹说，在家乡城市的机构里工作的那几年，她虽然经常参加聚会并听道，但是很长时间她并没有把圣经和自己的生活联系起来。即便是在一个信仰性很强的机构里待了几年，她却过了跟信仰没多大关系的生活。
正当她又想辞职离开机构时，管理者劝留说他们即将与本省另一座城市的福利院合作开展一个项目，准备让她过去培训新的保育员。
后来到了这座城市，她一待就是二十多年，这些年里青姊妹慢慢从培训老师变成主管助理，再到儿童部经理。直到担任短期的机构CEO，并长期担任机构的常任理事。
在青姊妹的服侍中也会遇到被毁谤，被冤枉。但上帝为她伸冤，对方也向她道歉。
在服侍中无论遇到多大的困难，她和团队绝不放弃孩子。只要有一线希望，无论筹钱，还是寻求帮助，总要救治到底。即便孩子最终无法得到救治，他们也祈求上帝减轻孩子身体的疼痛。
记一位特殊儿童、障碍青少年服务项目负责人的信仰及服侍历程
A female believer, entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing a project within a non-profit social organization, shared her journey of faith and ministry.
This project, at its core, is dedicated to serving special needs children and disabled youth between the ages of 6 and 18, with mild to moderate conditions. The project seeks to empower these individuals by equipping them with essential life skills, fostering self-awareness, nurturing social aptitude, facilitating community integration, imparting safety education, and providing vocational training. As a foundational principle, the organization endeavors to ensure equitable educational opportunities for these individuals, foster the development of their independent living capabilities, unleash their full potential, and support them in realizing their intrinsic self-worth.
During the visit, I had the privilege of engaging in a discussion with a Christian named Qing, wherein she shared her faith journey and the path that led her into this ministry. Her narrative commenced from her tender years as an inexperienced young girl who embraced Christianity to ultimately assuming the role of a project leader.
Born in the 1970s in a mountain village in Shaanxi Province, she was confronted with the burden of gender bias within her family, where male offspring were favored over females. During her teenage years, she grappled with emotional turmoil, at one point even resorting to stealing her father's liquor and entertaining thoughts of despair.
Fortuitously, during that critical juncture, the message of the gospel reached the remote mountainous region. Subsequently, Qing journeyed to Xi'an, where she was graced with the presence of God and experienced His providential assistance as the people she resided with demonstrated care and support.
At the age of 17, she returned to her hometown and earnestly participated in church gatherings in the suburban precincts of the county, alongside several elderly ladies from her village. Three months later, she underwent the baptism, wholeheartedly committing herself as a devoted follower of Christ, her fervent passion driving her to seek deeper communion with Him.
However, she soon entangled in a romantic relationship that gradually distanced her from her relationship with God. It was not until two years later that an unforeseen job opportunity emerged, which offered her a new direction.
During that period, a local city social welfare institution, in collaboration with a social work agency, embarked on a mission to recruit caregivers dedicated to the nurturing of orphaned and disabled children, seeking individuals of Christian faith for these pivotal roles. Responding to the call, Qing underwent an interview and secured the position.
Initially, she faced challenges in tending to the diverse needs of disabled children, whose tears deeply affected her sensitive heart. Nevertheless, guided by the counsel of her father, she resolved to persist in her dedication and gradually developed profound empathy and compassion for these children. It was during this time that her boyfriend extended invitations to venture to South China with him on two occasions in pursuit of better prospects, yet she declined the offers. Ultimately, he found affection elsewhere and entered into matrimony with someone else, leaving Qing profoundly hurt and desolate.
At one juncture, she even contemplated taking the drastic measure of ending her life by leaping from the balcony of her second-floor staff dormitory. However, divine intervention came in the form of a fellow female believer who offered steadfast companionship and intercessory prayers, guiding Qing through the tribulations of heartbreak and facilitating her eventual healing.
Reflecting on her years of service within the local institution, Qing candidly admitted that, despite her consistent attendance at church gatherings and attentive listening to sermons, she struggled to integrate biblical teachings into her daily life. This predicament persisted even within an organization that upheld strong Christian values, leaving her feeling somewhat disconnected from her profound faith.
Just as Qing contemplated resignation from her position, the management persuasively implored her to remain, as they were poised to initiate a collaborative venture with a welfare institution in another city within the province, earnestly desiring her involvement in training new caregivers.
Following her relocation to Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, Qing's tenure extended over two decades. During this extensive period, her journey traversed a transformative arc, propelling her from the role of a trainer to that of an assistant manager and subsequently the manager of the children's department. Ultimately, she served as the short-term CEO of the organization and the permanent director for a long time.
Throughout her years of service, Qing encountered slander and false accusations. However, to her solace, divine providence stood as her unyielding advocate, and those who had leveled accusations against her eventually offered apologies.
No matter how difficult, Qing and her team never give up on their children. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, they spared no effort in raising funds and sought external support to treat the children until the very end. Even if the child could not be rescued, they fervently petitioned God to alleviate the suffering and pain experienced by the children.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Story of Project Leader for Youth With Special Needs and Disabilities
