Issue 7
Kingdom Neighbors

strong hand

▲Ms. Zheng Tian Xiying, who has a pure heart, is always happy in the Lord even though she is not good at walking.

One afternoon in late winter, three couples and two sisters arrived at the "Pinemont Elderly Apartments" in northwest Houston, Texas.


The church arranges for brothers and sisters to visit different elderly apartments every month. On weekdays, they lead the elders to do warm-up exercises, sing songs, read the Bible, and enjoy snacks; during the New Year and holidays, they invite singers and piano players to perform or have dinners; the more familiar Chinese elders will make appointments in advance and drive with them to Chinatown to buy groceries, Buy medicine. This group of residents with white, black, brown and yellow skin colors are looking forward to and welcoming the arrival of our Chinese volunteers.


This time we came well prepared, knowing that they hold birthday parties once a month—a really convenient and practical arrangement that serves many purposes! There are only two birthdays this month, a bearded man named Miles and Grandma Zheng from Shandong.


After the opening remarks, everyone was led to sing a few familiar hymns, alternating between Chinese and English. Finally, "Happy Birthday to You" was sung in Chinese, pushing the joyful atmosphere to its climax.


Miles and Grandma Zheng clapped happily and seemed to enjoy this "Sacred Music Birthday Party"; the bearded man also took matters into his own hands and helped distribute juice, sandwiches and cakes.


We went to every table to greet, greet and chat with the grandfather and grandmother, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves. The only five Chinese grandmothers in the apartment all sat at the same table to celebrate Grandma Zheng's birthday.


Grandma Zheng, who said nothing, stretched out her hand to shake my hand. Many grandfathers immediately laughed and laughed. I was wondering in my heart, but I felt my hands tighten. It turned out that she wanted to "competition"! No wonder those defeated generals couldn’t help but rejoice when they saw that a young boy like me had fallen into the trap...


I just heard that Grandma Zheng is deaf and unable to walk, but she still reads the Bible and prays every day and is always happy in the Lord. At this moment, Grandma Zheng's face looked like that of a naughty child who had just played a naughty child - happy, innocent and innocent. Lowering my head, I saw a pair of hands full of wrinkles, spots, and clear meridians; through the thin skin and the raised joints, what could be seen was an endless stream of strength.

He suddenly raised his head and seemed to see a pair of huge, powerful, yet very gentle hands supporting the ninety-three-year-old man from behind.


Author profile

Nianrong, chemical engineer, has a wide range of interests and hobbies, and has served as a volunteer in language, music, photography, video, broadcasting, and writing.