Changing Bleak Futures

Posted on 22 October 2009.

Through the mercy arm of AM-CCSM, we are now sponsoring a number of children in remote areas of China. These include some of the children attending the village school mentioned in the earlier Medical Team article.

The children are regularly visited by our long-term co-workers who see what the families' main needs are and how we can best provide assistance, whether this be support to buy school books, cover education fees, or simply with food and clothing. Most of the families live in very basic conditions and many of the children have already faced tragedy in their lives.

One of our co-workers recently introduced us to ‘Jenny'. She told us: "Jenny was abandoned at birth. A passerby heard her crying and rescued her. She has looked after Jenny ever since. Jenny is now 12-years-old. Her foster granny is in her seventies. She used to make a meagre living mending clothes on a very old treadle machine, but she can no longer see to sew, so she now works for another lady making steamed buns. The pay is extremely low and granny's hands are so arthritic that she cannot make enough steamed buns to earn a living. A local villager recently offered a severely disabled boy to Jenny as a husband. In return for marriage, she would be required to look after this 16-year-old boy with severe brain damage. Without someone to help her, Jenny's future is very bleak indeed."

We thank the Lord for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Jenny and other children facing very difficult circumstances. You can read about some of the other children in the ‘Recent AM-CCSM News' section of this website.

Thank the Lord that we are able to make a practical difference in the lives of these children. Pray that the practical and emotional support our co-workers provide might bring real peace and joy to the families, even in the midst of such difficult circumstances.

There are many children in need in rural China. Pray for the Lord's wisdom as our co-workers decide which families we can assist most effectively.

Remember ‘Jenny' and other children like her. Pray that they might be kept safe from harm, be able to enjoy their childhood and get a good education that will enable them to break out of their poor circumstances.