Visiting my sponsored child at the Catholic handicap orphanage who had cerebral palsy. He has now returned to Heaven with Our Lord.
Joni Cheng
While I was working in Beijing some time back, I would often arrange for my company’s social responsibility programs to assist at the Catholic handicap orphanage in a rural part of China. Many of the local Chinese colleagues never had a chance to experience this type of charity work, let alone any interactions with Catholic organizations. Many of the participants were touched by the witnesses of the Catholic sisters and volunteers who were selflessly serving at the very poor orphanage, truly living out our Christian way of loving the least of our brothers (Mt 25:40).
Recently, after 10 years, one of these local Chinese colleagues left China and migrated overseas. She shared with me joyfully that she has started studying the Bible and the discovery of her new found faith! Praise the Lord!
Just as St Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary.” Sometimes we are called not only to preach the gospel but also to evangelize by living out our Christian identity in order to sow the seed of faith by example. In His time and in His will, this tiny seed of faith that was planted will flourish and blossom.