Baby Chen En, held by Pr. Liao, her mother standing behind, and surrounded by hospital staff

Luzhou City Parish in southeastern Sichuan Province, China, has been at the forefront of holistic care for the community. One way in which it does this is through health care. In addition to its own community health clinic, located next to the main church, and outreach health functions, it cooperates with Luzhou Hospital. ELCA funds have assisted Luzhou Church in providing care for those living in poverty as well as directly funding neonatal care instruments at the hospital. 

Recently, a couple gave birth to a child with special medical needs. But they used up all their money for the early medical expenses and decided to take the baby home. But everyone knew the baby could not survive once back at the village. 

Luzhou Church staff made it possible for the baby to remain in the hospital and her life was saved. Pastor Liao named the child Chen En (En means grace in Chinese) to express thanks to God. Now, Chen En has been discharged, a more healthy child.

Y. Franklin Ishida
Director for Asia and the Pacific, ELCA Global Mission