At the beginning of last year, God led me to participate in Rainbow Missions. Through different services, we brought love, care, and hope to children with disabilities and their families in China. In our team, one of the projects I am responsible for is the sponsorship program. We not only help children with visual impairment to offer them the opportunity to receive university education but we also support children with autism and cerebral palsy in their recovery treatment. In April this year, I visited the children and their families in China with several Rainbow Missions short term service trip teammates. Through the sponsorship program, I have seen every funded child through photos; it was very exciting to see them face to face!
During the short trip to the field, we went to the northeastern part of China and then to the city in the southwest near the border. In the small orphanage at CZ, there are a group of children who must be accompanied by a parent or grandparent and there are also some abandoned orphans.
Tao Tao is one of the children we are sponsoring. He is a 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. His legs are very weak and his body muscles constantly shake involuntarily. Tao Tao’s mother just gave birth to his sister, who is a few months old and is still in her arms. Originally, they lived in a remote, poverty-stricken, rural area. In order to facilitate the care, Tao Tao’s mother took his sister to live on campus with Tao Tao and would only go home on the weekend. Although Tao Tao is weak in his lower limbs, and he has to rely on a bracket to walk around, he is still very lively and cheerful, and he actively participates in all activities with other children. After spending a few days in the orphanage, Tao Tao has left an imprint on my heart! I saw in him both simple-mindedness and a positive personality, which made me very moved and inspired.
The first time I saw Tao Tao was when the children were accompanied by their parents and went to the rooftop to participate in group activities. Most of the children had already gone up, leaving only Tao Tao and another child who also has a walking disability; both were struggling on the stairs. The teachers asked the two to climb up the stairs without help because this is one of the exercises that helps strengthen their muscles and will power. I saw Tao Tao trying very hard to climb the stairs with his hands holding tight on the handrail, even surpassing his companion. Finally, they got to the rooftop. But the teacher asked them to practice walking along a curve line; although what they really wanted to do was play in the sand pit right away. Nevertheless, they were very obedient to complete the task and repeat it several times. The children’s cooperation and obedience were really amazing.
The second time I saw Tao Tao was when we came back in the evening from home visits. Other children had already finished dinner and were back in their rooms resting. Tao Tao was dragging the bracket alone, standing next to the flower stand by the door of the elevator. We asked him what was he doing there. Since he could not speak clearly, we only heard the word “flower” and thought that he was enjoying the flowers. Eventually we realized that he was actually watering the flowers and plants. He held the watering can with his shaking hand to spray water, while dragging the bracket. Watched him working diligently at the flower stand, my eyes were trickling. I deeply felt his efforts, his simplicity, and his enthusiastic working attitude towards the task being entrusted him.
On the day that Rainbow Missions short term service team was leaving, we took part in their seasonal birthday party. All their parents came, a store donated a birthday cake, and the staff also prepared different snacks and fruits. The atmosphere was quite lively and everyone was very excited and happy. The teachers hosted the program and the children were playing games. Although Tao Tao was slow, he still actively participated. At a game when the music stopped, slowly but very determinedly he tried to climb up the small chair. But right at that moment, another child quickly took the chair away. Tao Tao was so disappointed that he immediately squatted on the ground weeping bitterly. We rushed to appease him and slowly lifted him up. He then took a break, dried his tears, and happily participated in other activities.
After the games, there was a performance. The teacher arranged three children of similar age to sing. She indicated that she has been able to arrange this performance after considerable difficulty! Tao Tao was the one sitting in the middle of the three. I saw him happily holding the microphone and singing the, “The Best Future” loudly. At that moment, my tears could not stop flowing. I didn’t think he would still sing. It was so touching.
On the way to future growth, Tao Tao may encounter many difficulties, but his simple-mindedness, kindness, teachability, and obedience make people feel so touched and encouraged!
Although what we can do is comparatively limited, I believe that God loves the world and He cares for those who are underprivileged. May God’s love connect our love and resources and give this group of special children the greatest blessing! Because, although you don’t know me, I love you…
Praise God for the fruitful trip our April service team had in China. Appreciate your prayer support for our next service trip in June.
去年初上帝帶領我參與了彩虹工程的服事，透過不同的服務項目，將關愛與盼望帶給國內的殘障孩子與他們的家人。在團隊的分工中，其中一個我負責的項目是「助學計劃」，我們不僅是幫助視障的孩子讓他們有機會接受大學教育，我們也資助患有自閉症及腦癱的孩子接受康服的治療。
今年四月，我與幾位彩虹同工到了國內探訪受助孩子及他們的家庭。因為工作的關係，曾經透過照片，認識了每一位受資助的孩子，及至親眼看到那一張張陌生而熟稔的面龐時，仍然感覺非常震撼！
一星期的行程中，我們去了東北的城市，然後再到西南方靠近邊界的小城。在那個小小的兒童福利院裏，有一群必須有家長或祖父母陪讀的孩子及一些被棄養的孤兒⋯⋯
濤濤是其中一位我們資助的孩子。他今年已經十歲了，因為患有腦癱，下肢無力，全身肌肉不停斗動，由媽媽帶來陪讀。媽媽也是剛生產不久，懷中還抱著幾個月大的妹妹。他們原居在偏遠貧困的農村，為了方便照顧，媽媽便帶著妹妹一起跟
涛涛住校，可能要到週末才能回家一趟。濤濤雖然下肢無力，要靠着支架走路及活動，但他卻仍然十分活潑開朗，主動參與小朋友們的一切活動，自濤濤身上我看到了他的單純善良和積極面對人生的性格，讓我十分感動，也深受激勵！
幾天的相處，濤濤在我心中留下了幾個清晰的剪影，至今仍然深深的觸動著我的心弦⋯⋯
第一次見到濤濤時是孩子們在家長陪同下，到天台參加集體活動的時候。大部份小朋友都已經上去了，只剩下濤濤和另一位也是行動不便的孩子在階梯掙扎著。老師們要求他倆不用活動支架的幫助，自行爬樓梯上去，因為這是其中之一的鍛練。我看到濤濤很努力的用雙手抓緊着欄杆爬上樓梯，甚至超越了他的同伴。好不容易到了天台，老師卻要求他們去順著弧度練習步行，雖然他們很想馬上到沙池玩耍，但卻都很順從地完成了任務，而且重複了好幾遍。孩子們的懂事與聽話，實在讓人心疼 ……
第二次見到濤濤，是我們當天出去探訪完畢，黃昏回來的時候，其他孩子們已經吃過晚飯回房間休息，濤濤卻一個人拖着支架，站在升降機門口的花架旁邊。我們不明就理，於是問他站在那裡做什麼？由於他說話也不太清楚，我們只聽到一個「花」字，以為他在賞花，弄了半天，才發現他是在給花草澆水灌溉。他一面用斗動的手拿着澆花器噴水，一面還要拖着支架的小小身影，使我泫然，我深刻地感受到他的努力，他的單純，與他積極工作的態度——
彩虹的團隊要離開的那一天，我們早上參加了他們每季舉辦的生日會。家長們都來了，商店捐贈了生日蛋糕，福利院的員工也預備了不同的點心和水果等，氣氛相當熱鬧，大家也很開心。老師們主持節目，孩子們在玩遊戲，濤濤雖然行動緩慢，仍然積極參與，音樂停下來的時候，他緩慢但努力地爬上小椅子，可是就在那一刻，另一位孩子卻快速地把椅子搶走了！濤濤失望極了！馬上就趴在地上傷心地哭泣⋯⋯我們趕忙跑過去安撫他，慢慢地將他扶起。他休息一下，把眼淚擦乾後，又天真爛漫地參與其他活動了。
遊戲時間結束後，是表演的節目，老師安排三位年齡相若的小朋友出來唱歌，還説她是經過相當的困難才能安排到這個表演的哩！濤濤是坐在中間的一位。只見他快樂地拿着麥克風，口齒不清地高聲唱出「最好的未來」，那一刻，我的眼淚止不住的流了下來，我沒想過他竟然還會唱歌，實在太感動了！
在未來成長的路上，他也許將會遇到許多困難，但他的單純善良、懂事聽話，讓人心疼又欣慰！
我們能做的雖然很有限，但我相信神愛世人，願神的慈繩愛索聯結所有的愛心與資源，同心給予這群特殊的孩子最大的祝福！
因為，你雖然不認識我，但我愛你⋯⋯
感謝主我們的四月短期服務隊在國內有美好的服事；謝謝您繼續為我們將會在六月出發的服務隊禱告。