Listener Responses from China

Topic of the Month - Witness of Believers: Care for the needy

She brought me to the home of a preacher

I was a chronic nephritic patient. In July, 2000, I went to hospital for a check up and the doctor said I had to have a transplant operation. It would cost about 300 thousand RMB which was to me an astronomical figure. I was forced to give up hope for the treatment so I bought some sleeping potion and prepared to end my weary life.

I wandered in the street, weeping sadly. At this time, a kindhearted woman came to help me. When she learned about my situation, she comforted me and shared the loving salvation of Jesus Christ with me. She told me whoever was weary and burdened may come to Jesus and He would provide rest. My desire to die was so strong that I shut my heart and rejected both her and the Gospel. I did not believe there was any God in this world who could save me.

I planned to end my life in my hometown, however, I fainted on the way there. I was found by a woman I had never met. She brought me to the home of a preacher who comforted me and cared for me in every way. She then brought me to a hospital for treatment and paid most of the medical fee for me. She also let me stay in her home. She even organized a fund raising for my treatment. Through their genuine love, I once again tasted the warmth of the world. The love of the preacher and the brothers and sisters was indeed sincere. They had a brand new idea about life, suffering and the future. They had confidence in life.

Afterwards, they invited me to Sunday services. I loved the environment of the church but at first, I was not been moved deeply. However, during one meeting when the preacher talked about First John 3:16 and the veil covering my heart was removed. The Holy Spirit straightened out my ideas and the Word of the Lord enlightened my heart. So I confessed my sin and repented. Now I have to thank God for my physical illness. How terrible it would have been if I had enjoyed life in this world but missed out on the salvation of Christ, and if I were physically healthy but lost the eternal life. (#F383 Hubei)

Brothers and sisters showed their love to my father

Last October, my father suffered a stroke and was admitted to hospital. My mother was a volunteer worker in the church. Its brothers and sisters showed their love to my father. They went over and over again to the hospital to see him. They prayed for him and shared the Gospel with him. He was deeply moved. Thank God that he recovered quickly and could eventually do simple household tasks. And he converted to Jesus too! Before that, he was an atheist. My mother and I often earnestly prayed for him and wept. But his heart was as hard as stone. He was 70 and might pass away at any moment. If he did not seize the opportunity to believe in Jesus, he might not have more chances. I thank God for choosing him and called him through illness. (#F160 Guangdong)

They came to take care of me

I was left paraplegic after an accident. During my stay in the hospital, my caretaker wheeled me out for a walk. Not far form the hospital gate, I was attracted by the sound of beautiful music coming from a church. I decided to go inside and investigate. I stayed for the service and was deeply moved by the sermon that day. When the service was finished, the old preacher came to talk to me. After hearing about my illness, he exhorted me to accept Jesus as Lord. He said illness was not something to be feared, rather, knowing God was more important. He encouraged me to receive Jesus sincerely and told me that I can conquer everything by faith.

My heart could not calm down for a long time after leaving the church. So I bought a Bible. I didn't know where was the strength came from. I had never thought there could be a God in this world but I was really curious about Him after I had this experience. And this curiosity led me to become a Christian. Back in my ward, I quietly lay down on the bed. I opened the Bible and carefully read one page after another. Although I could not fully understand the meaning, some sort of inner strength urged me to go on. In the evening, I turned on the radio. Another believer, a patient in the same ward, helped me tune to your channel. He told me that there is gospel station sharing God's Word.

On every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon and every Sunday morning, the church had sermon time. There was always a kind of strength leading me to listen to the truth of the Lord. Every evening, I listened to the gospel broadcast. Although the reception is not very good in this region, I insisted on listening. And I found much hope and confidence every time. The brothers and sisters of the church came to take care of me when they learned my child was so ill that my wife had to take care of him and had no time for me. They did everything they could do. Their loving actions touched many patients, doctors and nurses. They said, "The real love of this world is in Christ." So many patients went to the church. (#M1132 Gansu)

The love of the Lord rocked my heart deeply

I converted to the Lord after a great illness last year. In August, I went to swim in the river and got a high fever. Ten days later, I was diagnosed with myelitis. The lower part of my body was paralyzed. My hands could not move and I had difficulty breathing. Fortunately I received emergency treatment in time and my life was saved. But I could not walk anymore. What hope did I have for my future? Originally, I planned to study computer in September. I fell into depression. I felt hopeless and did not have the courage to live.

Since my illness was serious, the doctor concluded that I would not be able to stand up and walk ever again. I implored my father to take me to other doctors to see if they could cure my illness. If there was no hope, perhaps he might give me some poison to end my life so that I might be delivered from the suffering of this world. My father said sadly, "How could I do that? All parents treasure the life of their children." At that time, I didn't even know there was a Heavenly Father who treasured my life even more.

On the first night back in our village, a brother brought the Gospel to our home and my father and I accepted it. There was indeed always a way out! Accepting the love of the Lord, I was unexpectedly rescued from a desperate situation. I have heard a brother on your radio station say, "the end of men is the beginning of God." With the love of the Lord, my heart quieted down and I felt a warm feeling that I have never had before. The love of the Lord rocked my heart deeply. Two brothers and sisters from the church came to visit me and pray for me every day except Sunday. My health improved day by day. With the help of my father, I soon could walk steadily. I thanked and praised the Lord from my heart. He did miraculous works on me. The love of the Lord saved my feet, my life and my soul! (#M1307 Jiangsu)

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