The glory that cannot be blocked by a mask

Palm Beach Chinese Christian Church Mask Epidemic Prevention Ministry

Interview/Lin Minwen

▲Palm Beach Chinese Christian Church made and donated masks to serve the community with love during the epidemic. (Photo courtesy: Wang Jun)

what to do

In late January 2020, the new coronavirus began to spread, and major cities in China were closed down, and border controls were implemented in several Asian countries. In mid-March, the epidemic situation in the United States took a turn for the worse, and counties in South Florida announced the suspension of schools. The "Palm Beach Chinese Christian Church" (hereinafter referred to as "Palm Beach") located in South Florida decided to stop church gatherings.

At that time, the media was full of scary and heavy news: the number of infections and deaths in New York City was rising sharply; metropolitan areas on the east and west coast of the United States implemented "Stay at Home Order" one after another; people were hoarding toilet paper and disinfectant supplies...

Wang Jun from "Palm Beach" talked with several sisters about the epidemic, and they were very worried. Each of them had a thought in their mind: "What should we do?"

What can be done? Wang Jun learned that he could order masks from China and donate them to medical institutions, and the sisters also thought it was feasible. She also read reports about Chinese churches in Italy distributing masks and gospel tracts, which made her determined to buy and donate masks. So I started contacting manufacturers and asking about prices. At that time, relations between the United States and China were tense. Masks made in China could not go out or come in. Other parts of Asia also strictly restricted the export of masks. Even if you ask suppliers who can order small quantities, the prices are rising and it is hard to find a mask.

Wang Jun discussed with the church preacher, Pastor Zhou Qiyong, and received great encouragement. "Palm Beach" has always adopted a cautious attitude towards new ministries. It will only start after considering many aspects, waiting for confirmation, and receiving support from pastors, deacons, and members. This time, the deacons held an impromptu meeting, but quickly decided to allocate funds to support and announce this epidemic prevention care ministry. They invited brothers and sisters to invest human, material and spiritual resources, and the co-workers established a "Loving Family Group".

At the same time, sister Sun Xiaoyan from the North District of "Palm Beach" has started making cloth masks by using her skilled sewing skills and professional design talents. Seeing the need for cloth masks, co-workers from "Love Home" began to recruit willing participants. Wang Jun also called the sisters one by one who knew how to sew. Within one or two days, the "skilled hands" are in place because everyone is ready to "do something."

▲The masks sent to nursing homes provide an extra layer of protection for the elderly and staff. The pastor said with emotion: The church is small but the love is great. (Photo courtesy: Xu Xuan)

Where to send

In early April, the ordered 2,000 KN95 and 1,000 surgical masks arrived. The "Qiaoshou Group" also actively discussed and researched various types of cloth masks, and each company started production. The next challenge for epidemic prevention care: Where to send masks?

Sister Xu Xuan of "Love Family Group" and her husband have been running an online travel agency for many years, but their business has been severely hit by the COVID-19 epidemic. Even though she was under great pressure, she was moved by the enthusiasm of Wang Jun and other sisters to "do something" and was willing to take up her own responsibility in the epidemic prevention ministry. She took up the responsibility of contacting the outside world to see where the masks should be sent. First, ask the brothers and sisters in the church who are doctors, nurses, ultrasound technicians, and lab technicians if they need it, and then learn about the needs of hospitals and clinics through them.

The epidemic in South Florida was escalating, and after the governor issued a stay-at-home order, Xu Xuan quickly discovered that medical staff welcomed the donation of masks. Just to protect the church, she politely asked the hospital to sign a disclaimer. One local branch of a national hospital readily accepted, but another regional hospital said it needed legal counsel to review and could not accept immediately.

The cloth masks made by the "Skillful Hands Group" also need to be given away. Wang Jun first asked the church elders and brothers and sisters who were undergoing or had completed cancer treatment. Unexpectedly, the elders were so condescending that they couldn't even go out and asked Wang Jun to give the masks to those who needed them most. She asked if she needed help buying groceries, and the old man said that his family would take care of it. In the process of contacting the masks, I also cared about the members of the church.

Many hospitals put a big box at the door and people can throw the prepared masks into it. Although it saves trouble, the co-workers decided to be good stewards and "use the masks on the edge". After all, it all comes from the loving dedication and production of the brothers and sisters.

Wang Jun learned that 32 elderly people in nursing homes here were infected, and the death toll was increasing. Xu Xuan started to contact each house, and every call required her to introduce herself, the church, and the level of the mask. However, many nursing homes refused because they had doubts about the quality of the masks. After being filled with love and enthusiasm, when only six companies finally accepted it, Xu Xuan felt frustrated and asked herself and God: Are masks useless? Isn’t this ministry needed?

▲Palm Beach Church stood in the gap during the epidemic emergency. The picture shows the masks donated to foster care institutions. The fabric style is based on the theme of nature, hoping to give some encouragement to children. (Photo courtesy: Xu Xuan)

People are more important than things

Sister Feng Jing leads the gospel department in Palm Beach and often leads brothers and sisters to distribute tracts in Chinese supermarkets. After the physical gatherings were stopped, she and her husband, Pastor Zhou Qiyong, visited her with masks lovingly sent by brothers and sisters in China. They also told the neighbors to come to her if needed.

As soon as anti-epidemic care was mobilized, she also joined in sewing cloth masks. I just received a new sewing machine as a gift for my birthday the year before, and I just used it. She interacts closely with the group members on weekdays. At this time, her focus and neatness in making masks inspired the sisters around her. Among them, Sister Zhai Hongwei works in a hospital and often needs to self-isolate, so she uses this time to make masks. She had never used a sewing machine before, so she sewed by hand at first, and then learned from the sisters. The more she did, the happier she became.

Although we are both staying at home, we exchange news and encourage each other through social media and phone calls. When it comes to design and pattern making, we brainstorm together. If there are any good ideas, we immediately draw inferences to see what we need to do to make the masks most comfortable, convenient and beautiful to wear.

We are concerned that medical staff need to wear masks all day long, and the backs of their ears may become worn out over time. A photo was posted in the "Skillful Hands Group". You can sew buttons on the hairband and hang the elastic band of the mask on the buttons. Then someone tried to sew buttons on the elastic band, crossing the two sides, so that men could also have a way to prevent the back of their ears from being frayed. Later, I cut old stretchable and soft T-shirts into long strips to replace the elastic bands. Feng Jing observed that the sisters’ unity inspired imagination and wisdom. She even restricted everyone to do a maximum of 50 exercises a day, otherwise they would really keep doing it day and night.

Where does the fabric come from? Cloth stores are closed, online shopping is time-consuming and often out of stock, and it is difficult to make a mask without cloth. The sister went to a second-hand store to inquire. Unexpectedly, the owner donated a large amount of soft and delicate fabrics, which provided a source of supplies and inspired her heart to serve.

When focusing on "things", Feng Jing also realized that "people" cannot be ignored. She learned to listen to different opinions with a humble heart and express her opinions tactfully. She also realized that caring too much about her own reasons and having a tough tone and attitude would put pressure on others. Making masks will always come to an end, but the connection between limbs is long-lasting. If it is not a matter of principle, you don't need to care too much about what to do and how to do it, or even the result after doing it is not as expected. God’s intention is greater than epidemic prevention, and He values those who serve more.

▲The color matching and sewing of the cloth masks are meticulous and meticulous, just like creating works of art. (Photo courtesy: Sun Xiaoyan)

light before people

Sister Zhai Shuling, a co-worker, carefully and delicately packed the cloth masks and the designed scripture cards. In order to arrange the number of masks, she traveled back and forth across the 60-mile northern, central and southern sections. Xu Xuan kept contacting the nursing home, and orders came in one after another. There were needs for surgical masks, KN95, and cloth masks. She remembers a pastor saying that he had never heard of "Palm Beach" before. Such a small church had such great love, and she was deeply moved. After it opened, she would definitely take the elderly to visit and express her gratitude. In addition, we contacted the foster care agency 4Kids to provide cloth masks for adults and children.

Compared with the tens of thousands of masks given out by other organizations, the amount donated by "Palm Beach" is very small. However, our intentions are not small at all. We give out limited resources wisely, connect with the community, and take responsibility where they are needed most. This kind of intention is not only displayed in the team, but also shown in individuals.

The "Burrito Team" who has been renting the church kitchen for a long time is still preparing meals for the homeless during the epidemic. Ministry leader Lu Rendi not only received cloth masks made by the "Skillful Hands Group", but also received surgical masks from Zhang Mina, a student of the KRC Literary Camp in 2019, through the help of church sisters, so that co-workers serving the homeless can be protected. (For more information about Lu Rendi and the homeless ministry, please refer to the cultural unit article "Journey of a Thousand Miles" in the 58th issue of "The Kingdom of God" magazine.)

▲Wearing the masks made by Sister Qiaoshou, the radiance and smiles of the hospital colleagues are unstoppable. (Photo courtesy: Zhai Hongwei)

Brothers and sisters have always been enthusiastically involved in relief and charity work, such as the earthquake in Haiti, hurricanes in Central and South America and the Caribbean, the Wenchuan earthquake, etc. This time, due to the need of the situation, we cared for the community closely, mobilized immediately, and put resources in place, just in time to stand in the gap at the most critical moment. Xu Xuan saw that the church can indeed become a beacon. When the people served cross nationalities and cultures, while the community benefits, the brothers and sisters also receive encouragement.

Care is not only for the organization, but also for individuals. Brothers and sisters take surgical masks or cloth masks to service units and distribute them to convey their love, turning colleagues in the workplace into comrades in epidemic prevention. A sister and colleague were wearing masks, and could only see their narrowed eyes, but the radiance and smile on their faces could not be stopped.

When Wang Jun looked back on his busy days, two scriptures stuck in his mind - "Apart from the Lord, we can do nothing" and "Lamps should be lit and placed on the lampstand so that others can see good deeds and glorify the Heavenly Father." "Palm Beach" has never done any anti-epidemic care, and has encountered great challenges during the process. However, such a specific ministry allows all participating co-workers, no matter what role they play, to learn to rely on God and experience God. The foundation of truth laid in the past is put into action.

Sister Feng Jing mentioned that missionary work is to win souls, and evangelism is to spread God’s love. When people are living well, it is difficult to think about faith. Due to the epidemic, the church seized the opportunity to enter into their life circles and build relationships through practical help. When caring is needed, people feel warm and see love.

▲Family members become the support of skilled co-workers. The picture shows Zhai Hongwei and his father making masks together. (Photo courtesy: Zhai Hongwei)

the glory of joy

Three sisters, Wang Jun, Xu Xuan and Feng Jing, unanimously believe that the "Palm Beach" epidemic prevention care can work because the team has the same aspirations, supports each other, and inspires the body while caring for the community. When sisters call to talk about making masks, if they ask "How are you?" some will say "Not so good" or "What's wrong? Let's pray together!"

Everyone in the team has different gifts and personalities, just like putting together the pieces of a puzzle with different colors and shapes to create a colorful and beautiful picture. Some people are responsible for caring for co-workers; some are responsible for contacting recipient organizations; some are responsible for packaging masks; some are designing and pattern-making masks; some are making three-dimensional masks; and some are making rectangular masks. These "talents" may not have many opportunities to be used in ordinary times, but the connotation of obedience to God and care for others allows co-workers to stand up when it is most critical.

In the "Skilled Hands Group", there are experienced hands with professional level; there are novices who are trying to use a sewing machine for the first time and have to start from winding the thread; there are people whose eyesight has deteriorated and it takes half an hour just to thread a needle; there are people who are good at making dense and neat stitches. , sewing stitch by stitch. What everyone thinks about is not “what I can’t do” but “what I have to do”. The quality of masks is not compromised because of "mass production", nor because they are given away for free, nor because they cannot see or recognize the person receiving the mask. Color matching and sewing are all done with 100% caution and care, just like creating works of art. And while doing so, pray for those who receive the masks.

Whether it is a purchased or made mask, the general environment seems to be lacking in resources. When the willingness to serve is in place, God’s supply will also be in place. In addition to monetary donations, brothers and sisters also donated sheets, sutures, elastic bands and other materials they had in hand, and lent unused sewing machines as if to collect war preparation supplies.

When the church began to discuss how to resume physical gatherings, co-workers also discussed setting aside a batch of masks for brothers and sisters to use. Someone mentioned that the hospitals that had previously received donated cloth masks had already used them up, so they decided to collect a batch to give to the hospital first. So we collected 300 cloth masks that had already been made and those made in a hurry, supplemented them with surgical masks, and donated them again. Wang Jun thought, now he doesn’t have many masks on hand. At this time, he learned that Sun Xiaoyan had made another batch, and Wang Jun also received a box of fabrics donated by colleagues. It seems that the more you give, the more God will give in return.

Whether it is contacting, making, packaging, or distributing, most of the time I am alone. At this time, family members become the greatest support for co-workers. Because of their tolerance and tolerance, they don’t complain about the noisy sewing machine or the late dinner. They even serve as partners, father and daughter, and mother and daughter.

Everyone feels the same way, and the happiest moment is when the masks are given away. This kind of joy goes beyond the gratitude expressed by the person or organization who received the mask, and is greater than the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment I get. It’s like God’s name is glorified, and those who serve are glorified.

Such joy, like the glory of God, cannot be stopped by anything.