I met Ping on a walk. It was 2022 and Zero-COVID policies were still in full force. He smiled and asked me, “Do you speak Chinese?”
I smiled back and nodded, curious about this man who was missing limbs. I didn’t have to wait long to hear his story. After several minutes of small talk, he told me he had been injured in a work accident at a young age in another part of the country.
While we talked, neighborhood kids approached us and stared at his disfigured body, some poking at the stumps where his arms used to be.
“Why are you like this?”
He ignored them and smiled, but my heart ached for him. I’m sure he has dealt with a lifetime of questions and curiosities. In a country where handicapped and disabled are hidden from the public, his imperfect body sticks out like a blonde-haired, blue-eyed foreigner on the mainland.
We parted ways, and I prayed for him. I asked God to help Ping see his worth in Christ. I pleaded that his heart would soften to truth. I prayed and asked God for a chance to share truth with him.
An opportunity came a few days later when I was walking with a local sister. I mentioned my new friend to her, and Father orchestrated a time where we all ran into each other that day.
“She’s different,” Ping said to my friend, looking at me.
My friend didn’t miss a beat.
“Do you know why?” she asked. “Because she loves Jesus. I love Jesus, too. Do you know who he is?”
I watched in awe as she shared truth with Ping. I knew our meeting with him was Father’s timing. He listened and asked us to bring him a Bible with large characters that he could read. A few days later, we delivered one to his apartment.
While Ping has yet to believe, my encounter with him reminded me of the need to pray for the weak, the vulnerable, and handicapped in this country. Because they are different, they are often pushed aside and ignored. I saw this firsthand on my second trip to China when I visited an orphanage. Children with mental diseases, physical disfigurements, and handicaps filled each room.
Lately, as I’ve walked outside, I find myself lifting Ping and others like him. My prayer is that that local brothers and sisters would welcome those who are handicapped with open arms to their houses of worship. Ministering to the handicapped and disabled is a beautiful thing, but Sunday fellowships need to consider how to do this. Ping faced physical challenges on his first visit to a local house church. He couldn’t use the bathroom because the building only had squat toilets, which he was unable to use. He refused to take part in a meal following the service because he needs to be fed. Addressing these needs in a sensitive manner is necessary when opening doors to those with disabilities.
There are many resources for churches interested in starting disability ministries, some of which ChinaSource has covered in the past. You can find those resources here and here. My prayer is that the local church in China will lead the way in reaching out to those who are disabled. I pray that brothers and sisters will be salt and light to the vulnerable and least of these. In a country where the disabled are ignored and pushed aside, I pray the church will open its doors and walk alongside the handicapped. Join me in lifting these things.
Image credit: GAYSORN via Adobe Stock
Red Lily
Red Lily (pseudonym) is a homeschooling mom who has served in mainland China with her family since 2016. She enjoys connecting local families with helpful resources and encouraging them in family life. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, reading, and hiking.View Full Bio
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