During the charity film festival "A Grain of Wheat - Goodwill in the Images," I was profoundly impressed by the story of "The Ark - The Vessel of Life."
The film festival is carrying out a national tour in China's nine cities. The event feature serial stories of acts of kindness through film and music, including public welfare stories of “Qingdao - Real Heroes: Blind Football Team,” “Shanghai - The Home by Mr. Stone,” “Inner Mongolia -Together Forever,” and “The Ark,” covering topics such as care for the elderly and disabled, medical assistance, disaster relief, and care for women and children.
Providing care for terminally ill children, Shanghai Ark Dorcas Care, affiliated with the faith-based Amity Foundation, creates serene hospice care rooms and offers warm companionship, allowing these children to express their innermost thoughts and depart in a peaceful and tranquil environment.
Currently, the first children's hospice care room run by Ark Dorcas Care has been established in a hospital in Shanghai, dedicated to bringing such homelike wards to more hospitals to help more children and families.
The film tells the stories of several terminally ill children who, with the help of Ark Dorcas Care, embark on a hopeful journey towards a good end by learning the Five Paths of Life education course: "Path of Love, Path of Gratitude, Path of Apology, Path of Farewell, and Path of the Way." Throughout the viewing, I was deeply moved multiple times and could not help shedding tears. In fact, not just terminally ill children, but each of us should live out these "Five Paths" and integrate them into our lives, so we can live wisely and without regret during our limited days on earth. The following are explanations of the Five Paths.
Firstly, we should love ourselves. Only when we love ourselves, can we love others. Every week, different teachers come to Ark Home to give lessons to the children, treating them like precious treasures. Then, they feel that they are special, loved, and valuable. Through the nourishment and nurturing of love, the children begin to accept themselves and become happy.
Secondly, we give thanks with a grateful heart, which brings healing energy and positive influence. When we open our eyes to love through the practice and expression of love, we will find people and things around us to be thankful for. From our hearts, we will want to express gratitude to those who help, care for, and accompany us. We should also come before God with a thankful heart, often expressing gratitude to Him for His salvation.
Thirdly, on the path of apology, when a person begs to be excused, the other one needs to accept the apology and forgive. We should let go of past grievances and apologize to those we have hurt, offended, or resented by saying "I'm sorry," allowing God's love to fill the void in our hearts and heal our wounded souls. When we forgive, we can be truly liberated and become free.
Fourthly, when death is approaching, we must say goodbye to this world. Using the story of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, teachers at Ark School explain this concept to the children. When a caterpillar emerges from its egg, it bids farewell to its previous life stage. And when it transforms into a butterfly, it begins a new life. They teach the children to face death bravely and say goodbye to this world in different ways, as a new journey is about to begin.
Fifthly, because of our knowledge of the truth, we know in hope that there is eternal life after bidding farewell to this world. Jesus said, "I’m the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) Through His resurrection from the dead, we can have the hope of eternal life.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
