Summer is always hot and peak season for our short-term mission (STM) trips. The purpose of the STMs is to provide opportunities for teenagers to reach and touch the needy people.  With many STMs that go out on field, there are always wonderful stories and testimonies of how God can use us and turn unexpected situations into good.

During July, a team of 15 young people conducted a 5-day summer program at a school in a mountainous area of Yunnan Province.  Approximately 200 local students attended the program. The team organized English classes, singing songs, eg God is so good, sports activities etc for the children from grades 1 to 3.  The team also had opportunities to visit some of the students’ homes.

The team visited one of children that ActionLove sponsors.  Her name is Siu Man from the Yi Minority Tribe.  She is 8-years old, a grade 2 student.  She lives with her grandparents in the countryside.  She had an appealing smile that attracted your attention.  During the visit to her home, I asked Siu Man, “Where are your parents?”  Suddenly, the young girl kicked my foot and stared at me, as though I had done something terribly wrong.  Siu Man stood at the back of the door and kept very quiet.  Curiosity took over me about what had happened to her life!

Later I found out Siu Man’s father died when she was just 6 years old.  Her mother had been given a jail sentence for killing her father during an argument.  Siu Man lost both parents in one night!  I was touched as I was told the story and saw the look on Siu Man’s face.  I told her that although her father was no longer here, she had our Heavenly Father who would walk along side with her.  She nodded to me with a big smile.

Two months later, we visited the school again.  What amazed us was that we found not only Siu Man’s life had changed, but also what captured our attention was a school notice board.  The song that we taught the children ‘God is so good’, the words were written on the board by a teacher. 

This was an encouragement for the students not to forget what the summer program team had taught them and how to always be thankful.