Written by Ivy
May 19th was a very meaningful day; that day was Rainbow Missions’ second “Walk in Love” Walkathon fundraising event. This would be my last time with the team for the fundraising event because I was finishing up my internship. Time flies. When I started my internship at Rainbow Missions a year ago, I did not have a deep understanding about its ministries and services to individuals with disabilities. Over the ensuing year, God gave me different perspectives about the disabled in China. Despite many uncertainties during the preparation of the Walkathon event, I experienced God’s power and guidance and I deeply appreciated the beauty of walking with God.
Since the end of last year, the fundraising team participated in a variety of preparatory work. Thankfully, two young brothers and a sister joined the team to assist us. Each served with loyalty. In order to enhance the recreational activities of the event, team members did not mind the greater workload from adding three game booths and designing new walking routes. As we prepared during the first half of the year, we experienced a lack of confidence. We worried there would not be enough participants and about the weather, finding sponsors, and participants’ responses. We were most discouraged at the beginning of May because the number of registrants was still low. However, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21). We learned to do what we needed to do with all our heart — and God accomplishes the rest.
Thank God! When we are willing to commit ourselves with all our heart and give sovereignty to God, He will perform wonderful works. On the day of the event, the volunteers and co-workers started preparations at the park as early as 8 am. We worked together and completed all our responsibilities before the event began. We were grateful the day was warm and pleasant with good weather. More than 80 participated. Among them were brothers, sisters and friends from different churches who participated with joy. Everyone enjoyed the delicious homemade snacks. In addition, participants showed great interest in the newly added booth games and challenging walking routes. Not only were they entertaining, but, more importantly, they experienced daily challenges and hardships of those with disabilities in China while they participated.
As the name suggests, “Walkathon” is a walking event to raise money to support our disabled children and students in China. Our goal this year is to raise funds from friends like you to help blind students attend a seven-day summer learning camp, including tickets to the city and seven days of food, shelter and activities. It costs about a $1,000 (US dollars) to send one student to the camp. At present, we have raised about $8,000 and welcome everyone to continue to donate. If we raise more money, additional students will be blessed.
During the preparation of the Walkathon, I came to realize visually impaired college students in China can only engage in a traditional occupation — massage — after graduation. Even college classes open to them are limited. I never knew resources and the occupational future for visually impaired students in China are that limited. Imagine young persons with aspirations. They don’t have the opportunity to pursue other occupations; they are limited because of their disability. What a pity!
Happiness is not to be taken for granted.
For us living in freedom and happiness, are we willing to share a few dollars to create a new path for the impoverished and disabled children in China? Will we open the doors of traditional norms and give them a chance? Rainbow Missions invites you to walk with us, open your life, live out love in your heart, and become a blessing to their lives.
We invite you to email rainbows@therainbows.org for more information. If you are willing to financially support more visually impaired students to receive education or participate in this summer school study camp, please send a check to Rainbow Missions, PO BOX 40145, Bellevue, WA 98015. Please state “Sponsorship” or “Summer Learning Camp”.
同行
今年五月十九日是一個別具意義的日子，在這一天彩虹工程舉辦了第二屆「你我同行」步行籌款活動，因為我在彩虹工程即將實習期滿，這也是我參與籌備籌款活動的最後一次。光陰似箭，回想起一年前這個時候，我剛到彩虹工程實習不久，對國內的事工及其服事的殘障群體並沒有很深的認識。然而，在過去一年的服事中，上帝讓我有不一樣的看見和經歷。特別在整個活動籌備中，更讓我深深體會到與神同行的美好。
從去年年底，籌備小組便展開了各方面的預工。感恩這次有兩位年輕弟兄和一位姐妹新加入籌備小組一同服事，各人各按其職，忠心擺上。為了提高這次活動的娛樂性，各成員不介意有更多的工作量，增加了三個遊戲攤位和設計新的步行路線。其實在這半年的籌備過程中，我們也有信心不足的時候。當中包括參與人數、天氣、找贊助商並參與者的反應等。最深刻的經歷是在五月初時，因為報名的人數仍然寥寥可數，我有點忐忑不安。然而，「人心多有計謀，唯有耶和華的籌算才能立定」，我們學習把該做的事盡心的完成，餘下的交給上帝去成就。
感謝主！當我們願意全心交託，把主權交給上帝的時候，祂便施行奇妙的作為。活動當天，義工和同工們早在上午八時便在公園開始預備，各人分工合作，在活動開始前把一切工作完成。我們感恩，活動當天風和日麗，氣溫適宜，參與人數更超過八十人，當中包括不同教會的弟兄姊妹和朋友，也有姊妹們親自炮製地道特色的點心，十分熱鬧。另一方面，參加者對新加設的攤位遊戲和滿有挑戰性的步行路線反應熱烈，不僅充滿娛樂性，更重要的是透過遊戲活動和蒙眼步行，引起他們對國內殘障兒童需要的關注、體驗他們日常生活中的挑戰與艱辛。
顧名思義，「步行籌款」是希望大家能夠集腋成裘，在經濟上支援我們在國內的殘障孩子。我們今年的目標是把各人籌得的款項，資助失明學生參加一個為期七天的夏令學習營，包括往來城市的車票、七天的食住和活動費用，每位學生大概一千美元。目前我們已籌得約八千美元，歡迎大家繼續捐助。若我們籌得更多款項，就有更多學生被祝福。
在這次籌備活動中，讓我更清楚的意識到，國內的視障大學生畢業以後，一般只能從事傳統職業—按摩，甚至在大學時所能夠選修的專業，也只能局限於按摩系。我真的從未想到，原來國內的視障學生資源是那麼缺乏，出路是那麼局限。試想像一位胸懷大志的年青人，他/她應該是前途無量，卻因殘障的緣故而失去了接受教育和其他相關資源的機會，是多麼的可惜！
幸福不是必然的。
活在自由與幸福中，我們願意分享一點資源，為國內貧困的殘障孩子開出新的路向嗎? 我們願意為他們打開傳統規範之門，給他們一個機會嗎? 彩虹工程摯誠地邀請你與我們一起同行，敞開你的生命，把心中這一份愛活出來，成為他們生命的祝福。歡迎你們致電郵rainbows@therainbows.org 索取更多有關資訊。倘若您願意在金錢上支持更多視障學生接受敎育或參與這次夏令學習營，請把支票寄往Rainbow Missions, PO BOX 40145,Bellevue,WA 98015，請註明「助學計劃」或「Summer Learning Camp」。謝謝！