Five years ago, Freddie and Dorothy Sun (Area Directors for Christian Aid) visited an orphanage started by their coworkers on the Tibetan Plateau in the western Province of Sichuan.

This mentally retarded boy has learned to feed himself.

What they found touched their hearts. This was no ordinary orphanage. The majority of the abandoned children are disabled – either physically, mentally, or both. But all of them found refuge in the loving care given by Dr. Liu, the director, and his wife, Sister Liu.

On their first trip, Freddie and Dorothy found Dr. Liu and his staff taking care of 31 children.

Dr. Liu, a 72-year-old Tibetan pediatrician, is caring for children with severe medical problems.

Beauty from Ashes

This girl, having a big tumor on her back, is glad to be in the orphanage and enjoys doing her homework.

But the orphanage buildings were old and beginning to crumble due to age and frequent earthquakes. Many nights they did not dare to close their doors because of earthquakes in surrounding areas. (If doors were closed, they might not be able to open them again to escape.) Eventually, local officials urged Dr. Liu to move the orphanage to a safer building. Devastated, Dr. Liu turned to the Lord.

Smiles are a common occurrence at the orphanage where children are nurtured in the love of Christ. The new orphanage has lots of open play areas where the children can enjoy the outdoors in complete safety.

An "Ark" in the Wasteland

Shown here are some of the children living at the Ark orphanage, who survived the 8.2 earthquake that hit Central Sichuan Province in May 2008. Over 100,000 people died in minutes. More than 7000 children were orphaned. The area was completely destroyed. The "Ark" accepted 34 children at the governments request, doubling the number of children in the home. They need help to provide care.

As an answer to prayer, a compassionate Tibetan businessman heard of their dilemma. He owned a building that was ideal for their needs. However, it was located in northern Sichuan, a very beautiful, but expensive place to live. It is a popular spot among domestic and overseas tourists. But the Tibetan businessman was willing to offer it at a reduced price. Again, the Lord intervened, working through Freddie and Dorothy. When they returned from their China trip, they immediately began a campaign to raise the needed funds. And because of the many Christian Aid donors who responded, Dr. Liu was able to pay the mortgage installment for the first year; but they still need much financial help.

The orphans are thriving in their new environment. Many are now able to receive special medical treatment from nearby clinics in the city. Freddie joyfully reported, “They are all learning how to smile and believe Jesus loves them most.”

A Strategic Location

Soon word got around about the orphanage. People were at first curious, then moved, by the love and care they witnessed being given by the Christians. One little boy had a very serious heart condition. When a doctor from a nearby hospital heard about the boy, he performed the surgery without charging one penny!

Local reporters came and took pictures of the disabled orphans and broadcast them on TV. In this way the children became "special missionaries." Freddie Sun says, "This is an example of pre-evangelism ministry. These Tibetan orphans are the silent evangelists who are softening the hearts of the Tibetan people living in this very difficult area, a hard ground, where seeds are being sown."