Topic of the day: The Story of a Believer
Recently, I went to visit a Christian nursing home that is located in the outskirts of Beijing. The nursing home director was an 83 year old woman and a devout Christian. Her story of faith, hope, and good will was pretty amazing, I thought (even as a non Christian). So before I'm off for the holidays, I thought I would share it here on my blog.
Her StoryAs a Chinese Christian, the nursing home director has always been devout to her religion. In her younger days, the director and her husband were attentive nurses at local Beijing hospitals. Then came the Cultural Revolution.
Not only was the director and her husband considered educated stock, but because they were both religious (to a foreign religion, no less), they were both ruthlessly persecuted. The couple had to endure countless acts of cruelty and embarrassment, including leather whip lashing sessions. Their suffering finally cumulated in being sent to Gansu province, an impoverished region in western China, to be “re-educated.” There, they stayed for 10 years.
During those 10 years time, the director’s husband passed away from illness. The director herself returned to Beijing only when it was discovered that she had breast cancer. Upon her return, she immediately sought treatment. However, despite her best efforts at seeking a cure, the doctors told her that she had approximately six months left to live. Heartbroken, the director stopped treatment and decided to spend her last days back in the comfort of her own home.
It was during this time that the director sought guidance and hope through the act of praying. It was also during this time that the director decided to spend her last days by giving back to those who were less fortunate – namely, elderly men and women who were receiving almost no attention and little care from their families and communities.
Her efforts started small –mainly with visits and offerings of companionship and simple meals. As time progressed and she was dedicating more of herself to the needs of others, the director spent less and less time focusing on herself and her illness. By the end of six months, the director felt fine. Another few months passed and she still felt strong. The director continued to outlive the doctor’s predictions and eventually stopped heeding to their words all together.
It was also at this time that the director decided that her deeds would have a greater impact if she can establish a community where she was solely dedicated to the needs of others – a nursing home. Along with a few friends, they started looking for an affordable piece of real estate that they can purchase and realize their dream. Eventually, they found a small compound, located in the outskirts of Beijing. The land was cheap and the compound’s living conditions were decent. Their only challenge now: to collect 10,000 RMB as down payment money (today, that sum is about 1,200 USD).
To the director and her friends, all middle-class citizens, that was a huge hurdle. They had a month to gather the money and no ideas of how to do so. The director’s only option: to pray.
As the days turned into weeks and deadline date loomed closer, the director still had no plan on how to gather so much money. So she continued on praying, asking God and Jesus to show her a way, to help her find a way of helping others. Finally, with about 5 days left before deadline, a series of flux events occurred – unexpected visits from random visitors, donations from sympathetic neighbors, etc. – that allowed the director to gather the 10,000 RMB that was so desperately needed. The director believes that this was a blessing from above and eagerly set the rest of her plans in motion. She was 73 years young at the time.
Today, 10 years later, the director’s nursing home is still a privately operated nursing home, having never once accepted any money from the government. Her nursing home covers several compounds and hosts over 50 elderly individuals. She charges her residents minimal amounts of money – a few hundred RMB a month – mostly to cover expenses for food. The director also hosts regular mass (as most of her residents are Christian) to give thanks to the Lord, who she believes has helped her achieve so much and help so many others that are in need.
Even today, the director still looks young for her age and is filled with energy. And since her bout with breast cancer, the director has never again set foot in a hospital.
Last week, I photo documented one of my best friends from university, Stephanie, when she had her professional photo shoot (she's pursuing a part time entertainment career here in China). For more photos from the shoot, 
