Romance blossoms in Qinghai

Working far away from family and friends can sometimes be challenging. When I saw Hong Kong born Ida Tang go off to work in Xining Children’s Home four years ago, I had peace in my heart that she would manage all the challenges that were in store for her. Neither of us had any idea how really exciting her life would become...

Social work is still new in China and specializing in serving children at risk is almost unheard of.  As an experienced social worker, Ida supervised the residential care social workers for six months, after which her team grew to include the team from the rehabilitation centre adjacent to the orphanage. The workers previously had no idea that abandoned children need special care to deal with the pain of rejection by their parents! Ida had to train them from scratch. Progress was frustratingly slow.

Sun Wei was one of the social workers integrated into Ida’s team. Embarking on his own spiritual journey months before, he had joined a group studying the Bible. Initially the relationship between Ida and Sun Wei was purely professional, but he was sympathetic to her struggles, and offered to pray for her. Their association blossomed into friendship, and Ida’s feelings for Sun Wei deepened. It was clear he felt the same way towards her, so they started dating. In the meantime Sun Wei’s faith grew as he studied the Bible, so he became a Christian.

Then in 2010 the Yushu earthquake hit. Yushu was devastated. Sacrificing home comforts in Xining, Sun Wei and Ida hurriedly packed themselves off to care for suffering children orphaned by this disaster. Pushed by the emotional demands of their work, and the shared physical challenge of living at high altitudes, the couple drew closer as they also shared their faith.

By the time they returned to Xining, Ida and Sun Wei had become certain they should marry.  In October 2011, these two precious people promised before God that they would serve each other, and Him, for the rest of their lives.  And for the next few years, they are also committed to serving the children in Qinghai!