Da-ge (big brother).

The local rehabilitation center has four full-time staff members, three of which are relatively well-educated. The fourth is a man in his 30’s, name not important, because most of the people close to him call him da-ge (big brother). He has become one of Fiona’s favorite local “uncles”! He has a remarkable story of perseverance, sprinkled with plenty of God’s grace. However, his story isn’t over…Father’s not done with him yet.

Though he has not shared his complete story with us, we know it began in the rural villages. He was born into a poor family. For some reason or other, he was involved in a horrific fire at a very young age that caused significant burns from his chest down. Though he hasn’t brought up the nature of the fire and accident, he has told us that in the rural villages, burns like his are relatively common among children. Because it gets cold, the family huddles (and sleeps) around open fires, and far too often children roll right in. He grew up “crippled” secondary to his burns healing and causing significant contractures, i.e., his upper legs literally became stuck to his lower legs / calf area. He grew up waddling around, never being able to stand up straight. He said he was made fun of, ridiculed, and treated as a second (or third) class citizen…even within his own family. He also told us that he always looked forward to National Children’s Day (a big holiday here in China), every year, craving to be celebrated as a child like everyone else, but was disappointed year after year as no one showed him love on that day (or really any day for that matter). He became defined by the sequelae of this terrible accident, and not by who he was.

Fast forward to over a decade ago, when the EMAS surgical team came from Canada to serve burn victims from rural villages. Da-ge became one of the first batch of EMAS patients…first batch of EMAS success stories. After multiple multiple multiple surgeries (he has the scars to prove it!), he now is able to stand up straight, walk relatively normal, and has become a vital part in spreading love to other children that walk in the very shoes he walked over 30 years ago. His story includes him becoming a believer. He eventually married a physically handicapped woman, and was married for ~5 years. The last 2 years or so, many people (including him) found out she was not being faithful. They eventually divorced and he has lived the last couple of years alone, as the keeper of the rehabilitation center. He has his own room there. He has shared with us that he is extremely lonely. Though he is now able to stand straight and walk, he has come full circle…still feeling like he is an outsider looking in. Still feeling unloved…or maybe unlovable? We’re praying that he experiences and enjoys a love from Father that no one in this world can give. The world may have failed him, but we know Father has not, is not, and will never abandon him.