Conducting visitations for those in difficulties before the Spring Festival has become one of the regular practices of churches in China.
Mr. Ying Qifeng, of Shanghai's Pudong New Area, has had uremia for almost ten years and requires weekly hemodialysis. Despite their difficulties, he and his mother rely on one another and continue to participate in public services and volunteer at church every week.
On January 11, Rev. Xu Yulan, chairman of the Shanghai Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), paid a visit to Jiayin Church in Minhang District while Ying was out for hemodialysis treatment, and his mother received Spring Festival gifts on his behalf.
This is a component of the "Sending Warmth to Greet the Spring Festival" public welfare project, which the Shanghai CC&TSPM and the Shanghai Agape Foundation launched to provide aid to the underprivileged and needy.
As of February 5, 570 sets of gifts had been distributed to the needy in Shanghai’s communities. The care targets include 97-year-old Zhang Keming of Xuhui District, who has trouble getting out due to a brain infarction. His wife and eldest son passed away from illness more than ten years ago, so his deaf-mute daughter-in-law is now responsible for taking care of him.
As a demonstration of love, the “Sending Warmth” project caters not only to those in need but also to retired pastors, local officials, and residents.
According to the Wuxi CC&TSPM, retired standing committee members and elder pastors in Wuxi also received gifts and money. From January 23 to February 8, Wuxi Church worked with a housekeeping agency to provide home services to more than 60 elderly and disabled families, according to the church. The team offered inspections and cleanings on the air conditioners, range hoods, and windows, as well as advice for daily maintenance and cleaning.
From February 1 to 2, the pastors and co-workers of the Guancheng Gospel Church in Dongguan, Guangdong, presented 500 yuan to each of the 30 needy families, said the church. Shifu Church in Guangzhou donated 150 sets of basic foods to the local community on February 7.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
