May 20th 2017 was a very exciting day – Rainbow Missions held its first-ever fund-raising Walkathon named “Walk in Love” with an aim to express our willingness to walk together with the disabled children in China. Although we cannot fully comprehend the difficulties in their daily lives, one of the activities — to walk blindfolded gives us a glimpse of their feelings.
I grew up in a well-off family. My parents love me and provide me with all the daily necessities. When I was a little child, I learned from TV fund-raising programs about how the poor disabled children live in shabby and dirty places. At that time, I thought money could solve all their problems. Recently as I worked as an intern at Rainbow Missions. I participated in the planning work for the Walkathon and began to realize that “money is not omnipotent”.
During the Walkathon preparation, we encountered a lot of challenges that could not be solved by money. For example, we cannot control the unpredictable weather in Seattle. We can do nothing but pray. It rained a lot in the first two weeks in May. Amazingly it stopped raining a few days before the event. We are so thankful for a sunny and beautiful day for the Walkathon so that we could set up tents and tables on the lawn and dry land.
On that day, the staff and our volunteers arrived at the park at 8 am. The preparation team, with members aged from 9 to 65, could make multiple deliveries and set up everything within 90 minutes. By 9:30 am we were all ready when people began to come. There were 77 participants. The event was a great success. We have received support from various churches; and some sisters in Christ have brought snacks to share.
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
I was blindfolded in one of the activities. I was so lost in the darkness that I was too scared to walk ahead. It took me half an hour to finish a five-minute walk. Though I felt profoundly the loneliness on a long journey, I was blessed to have an assigned partner who walked with me together. He held me, guided me, supported me and talked to me all the way. As a result, I understand that children with disabilities not only need financial support, but also need spiritual and emotional support and care.
The main purpose of this event is to bring awareness to the young people of the needs for children with disabilities in China; to help them experience the lives of the disabled. So far, we have raised 7,000 U.S. dollars to help a few visually impaired students to attend a 7-day summer learning camp. They will receive training on self-cognitive and communication skills.
Not every child in China is living in a happy home. Rainbow Missions sincerely invite you to walk with us, open your hearts to live out God’s love, be a blessing to others and walk with them. Please email us at rainbows@therainbows.org for more information. If you would like to financially support this summer camp, you can send your check to Rainbow Missions, PO Box 1526, Renton, WA 98058; please specify “Summer Learning Camp”. Thank you!
你我同行
5月20日是個令人很興奮的日子，因當天是彩虹工程第一次舉辦步行籌款。這次步行籌款名為「你我同行」，是帶著一個信息，我們願意與中國殘障兒童同行。雖不能完全明白他們日常生活的困難，但我們在這個活動中是蒙著眼睛步行的，希望能嘗到一點點的感受。
我在小康之家成長，從不用擔心衣食住行的問題，在父母的愛護下，過著無憂無慮的生活。記得小時候常在電視籌款節目中看到一些貧困殘障的兒童，生活在簡陋又骯髒的地方，那時我心裡只有一個想法 — 有錢就能解決問題。直到最近在彩虹工程實習，有機會參與步行籌款的籌備工作，「錢是萬能」這個思想才慢慢地改變。
「天氣不似預期」。在籌備的過程中，有很多事情都不是可以用錢來解決。天氣就是一個例子。西雅圖的天氣變幻莫測，對於無法掌管的事情，只有禱告。在活動前個月都不停下大雨，只是在活動前幾天才開始放晴，感恩的是，活動當天風和日麗，並且使草地有足夠的時間乾涸，可以放置帳幕和枱，讓整個活動順利舉行。
當天，我們的義工和同工早上8時已經在公園預備，幾輪小巴的東西送到地點，心想不知道要多少時間才能完成設置，但我們很有系統地分工，由最年輕的9歲義工至65歲退休長者合作無間，在9時半已把一切工作完成。參加者開始報到，共有77人。不但有不同教會的支持，也有姊妹們做不同點心分享，十分熱鬧。
因我們行事為人是憑著信心，不是憑著眼見 (哥林多後書5:7)
我在活動中有機會一同蒙眼步行，當我蒙上眼罩，腳上綁著絲帶，眼前漆黑一片，心裡頓時失去了安全感。雖有人在旁扶持，卻沒信心前行。原本只需五分鐘走完的路程，我卻花了半小時才完成，深深地感受到漫漫長路孤身獨行的滋味。幸好，在旁扶持的小夥伴一路上伴隨我聊天，聊著聊著就到了終點線。此刻，我才明白到殘障兒童他們真正的需要不單是金錢上的支持，還需要心靈上的輔導和關懷。
這次步行籌款主要目的是喚醒年輕人對國內殘障兒童需要的意識，藉此體驗他們的生活，也希望把籌得的款項，資助幾位失明學生參加一個7 天的暑期學習營，增加對自己的認知和溝通能力。我們已經籌得7,000美元。
幸福不是必然的，不是每個小孩都是在安然的居所生活，彩虹工程摯誠邀請你與我們一起同行，敞開你的生命，把心中這一份愛活出來，成為他們的祝福，與他們同行。歡迎你們電郵至 rainbows@therainbows.org 索取更多有關資訊。若你希望資助這暑期學習營，請把支票寄往Rainbow Missions, PO BOX 1526, Renton,WA 98058，並註明「Summer Learning Camp」。謝謝！