March, 2008

News from the…
Bethesda Rehabilitation Ministry of Anshan, China
March, 2008

Prayer and Support Needed for HOME OF HOPE in Anshan

According to the Second National Survey in 2007, there are about 82,960,000 people with various disabilities in China, and about 70,500,000 families affected by disability. In Anshan alone, there are about 120,000 people with various disabilities.

So far, we still don't have a good social welfare system in China to support disabled people. Most of them can only live on the little subsidy from government and they have to mainly depend on family support for their life. For some of those with severe disabilities, their only caregivers could be siblings or aged parents. Once something happens or the parents pass away, they would become “homeless” and the result might only be death.
For these people, they really need a shelter or a “home” to survive when they that happens. Realizing the need, we prayed and get an vision to help the situation -- we could start a HOME in Anshan for these people, disabled orphans and “homeless” disabled adults. It would be a “ Home of Hope”for these hopeless and desperate people. In the long run, the HOME OF HOPE in Anshan could become a model in China to meet this special need throughout the country.

The HOME OF HOPE will also function as the Center of Bethesda Ministry, where disabled people could have basic medical care, rehab, and other services. It is the place they can meet regularlly and have fellowship with each other. In the past months, we have been working on researching and investigating the situation here, and exploring the possibility and feasibility. The answer we have now is “YES”. We are working on a proposal now and hope you will see it soon.

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD , whose confidence is in him.”
Jeremiah 17:7


Xia Fen “On Her Feet” Again!

With the prayer and support from many friends, Xia Fen is beginning her new life leading to independence and dignity. On March 8th, my friend Dr. Lee Ruiyan came from Nanjing to bring Xia Fen for her rehab therapy there. Dr. Lee is an experienced rehab doctor and used to be the Director of HongKong Mclehose Rehabilitation Hospital. He gave me a lot of help when I was trained in HK for rehabilitation in 2003. After retirement, Dr. Lee is working in a rehab center in Nanjing to help the development of rehabilitation in China.

Dr. Lee got to know Xia Fen’s situation through our newsletter and immediately offered to help her. He decided to bring Xia Fen to Nanjing for a FREE rehab therapy. He believes that it would be the first step for her independent living.

We went together to the village where Xia Fen is living with her sister’s family. In the small shabby room, we saw Xian Fen in her bed. It seems that she was still in the shock of the incident and in deep sorrow though she was eager a new life . The miserable life deprive of her dreams as many young girls have. After a brief check-up and evaluation, Dr. Lee was confident that Xia Fen could have a much better life after the therapy and some trainings following it….
From the pictures I got recently, I know Xia Fen is doing well in Nanjing. Dr. Lee gave her a better wheelchair to meet her need, and help her start a systemic rehab therapy plan. Xia Fen is having new friends there and smiles coming back to her face. With the love and help of so many people, she is not only rehabilitating physically, but psychologically and even spiritually, for she really could see some HOPE for her broken life now.


“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”