Testimonials
"On my first trip to the Beijing orphanage back in 2006, I was repeatedly reminded of the #1 rule - and that is no evangelism to anyone under the age of 18 given that the place was operated as a joint-venture between the Ministry of Culture and Living Hope. So with that in the back of my mind, I didn't expect to feel as much of the presence of God as in the other Living Hope orphanages where we are allowed to openly sing praise songs and pray with the children.
As we conducted routine medical check up for the children, there was a cute little girl Laurie, aged 10, who was particularly worried. Her heart defect from birth was confirmed by one of our own doctors - the irregular heartbeat was so obvious even with the most rudimentary stethoscope.
Her fear was not such much the prospect of heart surgery (which she was scheduled for) or death per se. Rather her fear was being kicked out of the orphanage because of the discovery of her genetic defect. Laurie had only recently arrived there and she dreaded the prospect of being sent back to the poor village where she was from, a life of extreme poverty surviving on her old grandmother's earnings from collecting littered plastic bottles.
My heart broke. The graceless system which this world operates in has infiltrated into the heart of this sweet and innocent 10 year old and caused her to worry sick about her livelihood. This is so wrong on so many levels. I stood silently in the hallway with tears rolling down my face.
Then the unimaginable happened - I stood there and prayed to God wishing that I could take Laurie's place and undergo the risky heart operation on her behalf. It's unimaginable for me because, sad to say, that I'm a relatively self-interest focused HK person. I assure you that while I may have been somewhat charitable with my cheque book to various good causes, the thought of laying down my life for others has never ever come across my mind before.
While that noble thought of self-sacrifice for Laurie may have lingered for a few seconds, right there and then on the grounds where I thought God's presence wouldn't be as great because of man-made rules and constraints, God reminded me of the truth that's been head knowledge for me ever since I was a child in a brand new way through an epiphany - that Lord Jesus Christ not only felt pity for us emotionally, but He also actually went through the ordeal to suffer and die for all of us (not just cute and innocent ones like Laurie)! In John 15:13 Jesus said to His disciples on the night of His betrayal that "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
The presence of God is everywhere - you just need to open your heart to those around you to feel it. I encourage you to visit any one of our Living Hope orphanages in China and see what message God has for your heart! May the peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always."
Roger Lam
February 20th 2008
" We were poor but we were a happy family. My parents loved me. My father died from an accident. Our life became even poorer. But I had my mother, she was my sunshine. When my mother died too, she took away the sun with her. My world was plunged into darkness. I stopped living. I had no hope. My life was dead. I stopped hoping. Then I joined Beijing Orphanage and I found out that there was another kind of love....love from mankind.".
An extract from a class essay from one of our orphan girls.
Memories of a day in 2007 at Beijing Orphanage it was a bright but cool day. My taxi pulled up on the slightly uneven drive-way of the Beijing orphanage. The moment I got out of the car and looked up on the roof of the building, I saw a group of giggling young girls waving at me enthusiastically. Then the headmaster came out to welcome me and led me to join the kids for lunch in their lunch room.
We all took our tin platters laden with food. The kids were chatty and eager to update me how they were doing. Their faces were full of smiles. A couple of girls were especially affectionate and laid their heads on my shoulders as we chatted.
That was the scene that I had hoped and imagined since March 2005 when the whole idea of the Beijing orphanage was born on a whim. It was a wild dream. It was a borne out of a miracle of love from a bunch of church friends who wanted to reach beyond their comfort zones and just leapt beyond to help the orphans of China in a more formal way.
Why?
- To see the smile on the face of an orphan.
- There is joy from deep within your heart from the imprint of a child's smile
I never knew I could love another person's child. I already have 2 of my own. Where do I find the capacity to love any more kids? Then over 6 years ago, a dear friend, Helena Wong, brought me photos of a group of China orphans. I donated RMB 3000 for Chinese New Year celebrations. I got back a photo of the kids with the brightest smiles. It touched me deeply. Their smiles were imprinted in my mind. I could not forget those smiles.
Why?
A child will not smile if he or she is cold, or hungry or unloved. A child's smile is genuine. It is simplicity in its most genuine form. A child's smile is nature's perfection.
Somehow, in the process, we realise that love is limitless.
I went that day with the intention to give love to those kids but oddly enough, when I left the orphanage , it was I who felt so loved. They gave me much more than I gave them.
The extract at the top is from a class esssay written by one of the orphan girls. It warms my heart every time I read it.
Jennifer Leung
Jason Shum's Testimonial
My mum asked me to " prepare Tian en for surgery". This is because I had 2 surgeries last year in the same hospital. As a15 year old, the instructions kind of came as a duty. I did not mind but I really did not think much about it nor how to do it.
The day of Tian-en's arrival in Hong Kong for the surgery finally came. I first met Tian en at a chinese restaurant. He was supposed to be 9 but he looked much smaller. I had no idea how to entertain him. So I just took mum's new camera and started teaching Tian en to "paint" on the photos. He had a ball when he covered himself with coloured moustaches!
We bonded. Then Tian en came to my home to play for an afternoon. We had to measure his urine volumn which was kind of cool as there were measuring jugs every corner I turned.
The day before the surgery came. I went to see Tian en at the hospital . I stepped into the hospital ward. Tian en set on the bed. He looked worried. I sensed that he was scared. It was only that moment that I realised what I had to do. I shared my experiences with him. I told him I was also scared. I told him that it would not hurt as he would be sleeping. I told him that if I could do it, he could do it. Tian-en did not smile. He was still scared.
So I took some books out to read to him. In fact, he read very well for a kid who only had one year of schooling. I said he read well. He began to feel more relaxed.I told him that he was wearing my old bathrobe. I think that made him feel he was my friend.
After the surgery, I went back to see Tian-en 2 times. I still did not quite know what to say except that he would get better. But my seeing him made him feel that I care. Sometimes when the pain was not so bad, he smiled. I told him he was very brave and I meant it.
I hear from mum that he is better and safely back home.
I still do not quite know how and if I have helped Tian en. But knowing him touched my life immensely. I look forward to seeing him again and teaching him the rest of the English alphabets.
Jason Shum (15)
The following testimonials are from PRC University Students who volunteered to serve the orphanages during their holidays.
"I believe everyone has a story.
The children I met in the Living Hope Children’s Home at Shijiazhuang during sunny July in 2007 are the same. Their stories though did not move me deeply, as there are numerous people in this world who are needy. But what astounded me was their hearty laughter under the sun, and they were not begging for pity.
I befriended one of the children. She told me when she was unhappy, she would play the flute for herself; or chasing after the light and shadows in the courtyard when sad.
I can certainly empathize with this child, who is so like me when I was young – our hearts full of expressions yet feeling very self-conscious; our ideals far-reaching yet feeling inferior to others. But I have changed, can she? I did not tell her I felt sympathy for her. But I did tell her many things that make me happy now. It helped me understand what a big heart Uncle Francis (my sponsor) has, and why it is important for people lacking in material things to have healthy thinking and correct values.
I believe my young friend will see this.
So, can you see the sorrow inside someone who is laughing in the sun? If you do, please tell him – your laughter is as dazzling as the sun."
Zeng Jing
"I grew up in a very poor village in the mountains. I was influenced by my parents’ kind nature, so I always thought I was a good person with good morals. I will feel guilty for a long time whenever I did something wrong. But during my visit to the Living Hope Children Training Centre at Beijing, I was both moved and ashamed by the children’s heart-felt love for each other and their lack of selfishness. One time, a girl was feeling unwell, and one of the teachers gave her a bottle of soft drink. But instead of guzzling down this rare treat, she waited until all her roommates came back to the dormitory, and shared the bottle of soft drink with them, taking mouthfuls in turn. There were many similar incidents that softened my heart. And I have been able to put it into practice, through which I tasted the joy from giving or sacrifice.
To some people, we sacrificed some of our precious time and efforts to go to the Centre. But for me, I learned a lot from the children. They gave me happiness and confidence. Every child has a sad story, yet big smiles often split their faces, with joy and confidence bubbling out.
Every experience makes its mark. But the children’s influence on me is unique. Thank you children for giving me this unusual holiday."
Qian Yin Fang – Feelings after my Beijing visit
"I grew up in a poor family in a rural village. I learned to sympathize with the poor and lonely people around me since I was young. When I received sponsorship for my university tuition and board from the aunties and uncles in Hong Kong, I felt blessed and loved. I am very thankful, so I’m learning how to love in turn.
Last summer I got the opportunity to visit the Living Hope Children’s Home at Shijiazhuang. The short month I stayed there was so clear in my recollection and filled my heart with warmth. I will treasure that experience in my memory forever.
When we first arrived, we learned about the children’s background through translating their information into English. From their backgrounds, I felt immense sadness and sympathy for them. Yet, after actually knowing them, I did not sense any sorrow or depression. They are optimistic and full of life. They not only moved past the sadness in their early childhood, they learned to live happily. They are studious, polite, caring, and ready to help each other. I was moved. I learned how to love from them.
There were many touching incidents, the most memorable being the children collecting our clothes hanging out on the washing lines from the rain while we were sleeping. It may be a small thing to do, but it came from the love and pureness in their hearts.
There was also a time when my skin developed an allergy. Painful blisters would appear whenever my skin contacted water. I was very scared. All the children and my schoolmates who were there with me fought over each other to wash my clothes and dishes for me. I cannot express in words how moved and thankful I was. I will always remember, and learn to love and serve others as they do. We also became good friends.
My summer visit to the Children’s Home is the most treasured memory in my whole life. I will go to see them again when I have another opportunity. I will also try my best to love and serve others in need."
Liu Fei Xia – Visit to the Shijiazhuang Living Hope Children’s Home : Feeling loved and moved
"Beijing and Shijiazhuang are truly good places. To me, they were like treasure islands, for I found many treasures there. I found tears and joy, rediscovered my confidence and self-respect, and gifted with love from many. The love was not only from the children, but from the uncles and aunties from Community Church Hong Kong who were also visiting. This was probably the climax of my Torch Fire Project experience.
Every time I relive my memory of Shijiazhuang, I am thankful that it was where I took my first step with Christ, where I triumphed over my childhood nightmares, where I let myself go, drawing nearer to the uncles and aunties, as well as where I truly learned how to laugh and forgive.
Everything that happened there was amazing. The children and our interactions deeply touched my core. Their words and laughter gave me courage and energy to break out of my old self. Now, I only want to say “Thank you God.” "
Jing Yu Liang - Trip to Shijiazhuang
" “When I grow up, I’d like to be a NBA star because I love to play basketball. And at the same time as I realize my dream, I’d like to help other people who are in need as I am now…..”
“When I grow up, I’d like to be boss of my own business and make a lot of money. Then I can live well, and help more people…..”
These were a couple of extracts from the compositions I received from the children in the Living Hope Children’s Home, Shijiazhuang and the Living Hope Children Training Centre, Beijing, when I asked them to write about their ideals. I cannot express in words the tremors they put in my heart. There is a sad story behind every child there. Yet I did not see sadness on their faces. I did not hear them whining about the injustice in life throughout the time we spent together. All I could feel was their thankful hearts and positive outlook on their future.
For someone like me whose head was full of academic studies and money-making careers, the children taught me the real qualities in life and what it meant to really love people. I witnessed the love they have for each other. I experienced their care and concern for me. I was very moved and my life started to change in many ways.
The children learned at such a young age that many people in this world are in need of our care. Yet looking at their situation, they are still living in basic conditions. They can certainly do better with more highly qualified staff to teach them. They need more interaction with the outside world. I regret that I did so little for them in return for so much I gained from them. But I thank God for so many blessings I received from the children and the uncles and aunties from Hong Kong. I only wish more people can visit them and share my experience. I believe if everyone shares a little love, the world will become a more beautiful place."
Zhang Yu Sheng
" “A cloud in the sky, a flower on the ground…..”
Whenever I am happy, sad, or lonely, the notes of this song will ring in my head.
In 2007, I spent my most unforgettable summer vacation with the lovely children of the Living Hope Training centre, Beijing and the Living Hope Children’s Home, Shijiazhuang.
That summer not only is my happiest vacation, it is also an unforgettable life-changing experience.
In the past, when I was in a group, I was always the one bringing laughter, while deep down, I was actually feeling lonely. I was filled often with sadness, feeling inferior, suspicious and uncertain. Then, I received all the gifts and love from the uncles, the brothers and sisters in the Torch Fire Project. I thought finally I was compensated for all the unhappiness and unfairness I went through. It was my time to get even. I kept thinking what more others can do for me, and what else I could get my hands on.
But now I realize, it should not be like that.
When I decided to go to Shijiazhuang and Beijing, I meant to show some care and concern for the children. When I was there, the children embraced me, holding my hands and lovingly calling me ‘sister’. They melted the soft part of my hear, long-hidden behind walls. I often had to hold back tears so as not to cry in front of them. And in this genuine open-hearted sharing, I gradually became truly happy. I could see the beauty around me. And I began to think what I could do for others, and not what they could do for me.
I remember reading in the Bible that not everyone is meant to have great achievements, but we must all complete our part.
It may seem unlikely that I can do great things. But from now on, I will step out and start small with what’s around me, maybe with a smile, or by being more humble. I believe by doing so I will always feel blessed and full of joy and peace.
Because of this joy and peace, I will often ask: “What can I do?” "
Zhang Wei Wei – What can I do? My trip to Shijiazhuang and Beijing