During the charity film festival "A Grain of Wheat - Goodwill in the Images," I was profoundly impressed by the story of "The Ark - The Vessel of Life."
The film festival is carrying out a national tour in China's nine cities. The event feature serial stories of acts of kindness through film and music, including public welfare stories of “Qingdao - Real Heroes: Blind Football Team,” “Shanghai - The Home by Mr. Stone,” “Inner Mongolia -Together Forever,” and “The Ark,” covering topics such as care for the elderly and disabled, medical assistance, disaster relief, and care for women and children.
Providing care for terminally ill children, Shanghai Ark Dorcas Care, affiliated with the faith-based Amity Foundation, creates serene hospice care rooms and offers warm companionship, allowing these children to express their innermost thoughts and depart in a peaceful and tranquil environment.
Currently, the first children's hospice care room run by Ark Dorcas Care has been established in a hospital in Shanghai, dedicated to bringing such homelike wards to more hospitals to help more children and families.
The film tells the stories of several terminally ill children who, with the help of Ark Dorcas Care, embark on a hopeful journey towards a good end by learning the Five Paths of Life education course: "Path of Love, Path of Gratitude, Path of Apology, Path of Farewell, and Path of the Way." Throughout the viewing, I was deeply moved multiple times and could not help shedding tears. In fact, not just terminally ill children, but each of us should live out these "Five Paths" and integrate them into our lives, so we can live wisely and without regret during our limited days on earth. The following are explanations of the Five Paths.
Firstly, we should love ourselves. Only when we love ourselves, can we love others. Every week, different teachers come to Ark Home to give lessons to the children, treating them like precious treasures. Then, they feel that they are special, loved, and valuable. Through the nourishment and nurturing of love, the children begin to accept themselves and become happy.
Secondly, we give thanks with a grateful heart, which brings healing energy and positive influence. When we open our eyes to love through the practice and expression of love, we will find people and things around us to be thankful for. From our hearts, we will want to express gratitude to those who help, care for, and accompany us. We should also come before God with a thankful heart, often expressing gratitude to Him for His salvation.
Thirdly, on the path of apology, when a person begs to be excused, the other one needs to accept the apology and forgive. We should let go of past grievances and apologize to those we have hurt, offended, or resented by saying "I'm sorry," allowing God's love to fill the void in our hearts and heal our wounded souls. When we forgive, we can be truly liberated and become free.
Fourthly, when death is approaching, we must say goodbye to this world. Using the story of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, teachers at Ark School explain this concept to the children. When a caterpillar emerges from its egg, it bids farewell to its previous life stage. And when it transforms into a butterfly, it begins a new life. They teach the children to face death bravely and say goodbye to this world in different ways, as a new journey is about to begin.
Fifthly, because of our knowledge of the truth, we know in hope that there is eternal life after bidding farewell to this world. Jesus said, "I’m the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) Through His resurrection from the dead, we can have the hope of eternal life.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
在参加《一粒麦子——光影中的公益》影展时，我对于《方舟——生命之舟》的故事印象颇深。上海方舟关怀主要是为临终的孩子提供关怀，创造安宁病房，温馨陪伴；让他们能够诉说衷肠，在一个安静安详的空间中离开。
目前，方舟第一家儿童安宁小屋已落户于上海某医院。他们致力于让家一样的病房进入更多医院，帮助更多的孩子和家庭。
该影片讲述的就是一些临终的孩子们，在上海方舟关怀的帮助下，通过五道人生——“道爱、道谢、道歉、道别、道路”的学习，走进充满盼望的善终之路。在观看期间，我多次为之动容，不禁潸然泪下。其实，不仅是临终的孩子们，我们每个人都应该活出“五道”人生。将其贯穿于生活，让我们在世不多的年日里智慧、不留遗憾的度过。
首先我们要爱自己，爱自己才能爱别人。方舟小家每周会有不同的学堂老师来给孩子们上课，老师把他们当成很珍贵的宝贝一样来呵护。让孩子们知道自己是特别的，是被爱的，是宝贵的。通过爱的浇灌和滋养，孩子们开始接纳自己，喜欢自己，变得快乐起来。
第二，当我们带着感恩的心去道谢时，就会有治愈的能量，带出积极的影响力。当我们通过爱的操练和表达，睁开爱的眼睛时，会发现身边值得感谢的人和事。我们会从心里想对帮助自己、照顾自己，陪伴自己的人表达感谢。我们更要带着感恩的心来到神面前，对他的救恩表达感谢。
第三，道歉包含饶恕和被饶恕的问题，不仅是道歉的人能够说出来，而且被道歉的人也要愿意接受道歉和饶恕。我们放下自己曾经不能跨过的坎，向曾经伤害过、得罪过、嫉恨过的人道歉，说声“对不起”。当我们让神的爱填满我们内心的空洞，可以缝补受伤的心灵。而当我们去饶恕时，真正得释放的是自己，我们就自由了。
第四，当我们生命走到尽头时，就要与今生道别。方舟学堂的老师通过毛毛虫化茧成蝶的故事来给孩子讲述这样的世界。毛毛虫破卵而出时，与前段生命做出了告别；当它化茧成蝶时，又开始了一段新的生命。它们教会孩子以不同的方式与这个世界告别，勇敢地面对死亡，因为知道即将开启一段新的旅程。
第五，当我们和今世告别后，因着认识真理而又盼望，知道有一个永远的生命。根据约14：2-3，耶稣就是道路、真理、生命，藉着祂从死里复活，我们可以有永生的盼望。
影片《方舟——生命之舟》观后感
During the charity film festival "A Grain of Wheat - Goodwill in the Images," I was profoundly impressed by the story of "The Ark - The Vessel of Life."
The film festival is carrying out a national tour in China's nine cities. The event feature serial stories of acts of kindness through film and music, including public welfare stories of “Qingdao - Real Heroes: Blind Football Team,” “Shanghai - The Home by Mr. Stone,” “Inner Mongolia -Together Forever,” and “The Ark,” covering topics such as care for the elderly and disabled, medical assistance, disaster relief, and care for women and children.
Providing care for terminally ill children, Shanghai Ark Dorcas Care, affiliated with the faith-based Amity Foundation, creates serene hospice care rooms and offers warm companionship, allowing these children to express their innermost thoughts and depart in a peaceful and tranquil environment.
Currently, the first children's hospice care room run by Ark Dorcas Care has been established in a hospital in Shanghai, dedicated to bringing such homelike wards to more hospitals to help more children and families.
The film tells the stories of several terminally ill children who, with the help of Ark Dorcas Care, embark on a hopeful journey towards a good end by learning the Five Paths of Life education course: "Path of Love, Path of Gratitude, Path of Apology, Path of Farewell, and Path of the Way." Throughout the viewing, I was deeply moved multiple times and could not help shedding tears. In fact, not just terminally ill children, but each of us should live out these "Five Paths" and integrate them into our lives, so we can live wisely and without regret during our limited days on earth. The following are explanations of the Five Paths.
Firstly, we should love ourselves. Only when we love ourselves, can we love others. Every week, different teachers come to Ark Home to give lessons to the children, treating them like precious treasures. Then, they feel that they are special, loved, and valuable. Through the nourishment and nurturing of love, the children begin to accept themselves and become happy.
Secondly, we give thanks with a grateful heart, which brings healing energy and positive influence. When we open our eyes to love through the practice and expression of love, we will find people and things around us to be thankful for. From our hearts, we will want to express gratitude to those who help, care for, and accompany us. We should also come before God with a thankful heart, often expressing gratitude to Him for His salvation.
Thirdly, on the path of apology, when a person begs to be excused, the other one needs to accept the apology and forgive. We should let go of past grievances and apologize to those we have hurt, offended, or resented by saying "I'm sorry," allowing God's love to fill the void in our hearts and heal our wounded souls. When we forgive, we can be truly liberated and become free.
Fourthly, when death is approaching, we must say goodbye to this world. Using the story of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, teachers at Ark School explain this concept to the children. When a caterpillar emerges from its egg, it bids farewell to its previous life stage. And when it transforms into a butterfly, it begins a new life. They teach the children to face death bravely and say goodbye to this world in different ways, as a new journey is about to begin.
Fifthly, because of our knowledge of the truth, we know in hope that there is eternal life after bidding farewell to this world. Jesus said, "I’m the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) Through His resurrection from the dead, we can have the hope of eternal life.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Film Review: How Palliative Care Center Teaches Me to Live in New Ways
