Southwest, China – Before 67-year-old Mei Yu* came to faith in Christ about 17 years ago, she used to worship in temples. She and her family live in a two-storied wooden house in a rural area. Medical facilities were not readily available and came at a high cost.
Relief from Illnesses
Once, when she fell ill, she went to a mountain-top temple to seek healing but found no relief. Around that time, her friend invited her to a local church. They walked a long distance to the church because they had no access to transportation. Moved deeply by the pastor's sermon about God’s love, she decided to attend service every week.
On Mei’s second visit, she was welcomed into a believer's home where the host led her to Christ. After that, she felt gradual relief from her headaches, which convinced her of God’s healing power.
About five years after Mei’s conversion, her then 30-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia. It was a terrible blow to the family because his daughter had just been born. When told that without a bone marrow transplant her son would probably not survive beyond a month, Mei prayed unceasingly, even along the hospital corridors. "I held onto the Lord tightly, refusing to let go until He healed my son," she recalled. Mei’s son was hospitalised for over two months. When he was re-examined, there was no sign of leukemia! Mei’s prayers had been answered, and her son remains cancer-free until now.
At the same time, her husband became seriously ill, needing a major surgery worth an impossible sum. Feeling dreadfully burdened, Mei reached out to her church for help. The pastor visited her husband and after sharing the gospel, led him to Christ. Miraculously, his condition took a turn for the better, and surgery was not needed in the end.
Spiritual Relief for the Soul
Knowing Christ has brought more than just physical healing to Mei and her family. Having witnessed God’s power in their lives, her whole family came to faith in Christ. Mei describes her post-conversion family life thus, "Our family is very harmonious, unlike many other families with conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. We are very joyful and happy every day, relying on the joy from the Lord."
As a new believer, Mei did not own a Bible. For some rural churches, they may have only one or a few Bibles to be shared amongst all their members. "At that time, I couldn't read and didn’t think too much of it. Later, when I learned a few Chinese characters through singing in the choir, my desire to read the Bible grew."
Mei received her first Bible about 5 years ago at her church’s Bible distribution event, with the support of United Bible Societies (UBS).
Communal and Individual Transformation
To Mei, receiving a personal copy of the Bible has transformed not only herself but also her community. "Even though I cannot read many words, I am still happy. I now know exactly what my pastors are preaching about in their sermons. I can open my Bible to read the passage for myself. Many non-believers often encounter conflicts, but for us as Christians, with God’s Word in our hearts, we can be gracious and tolerant towards others. Unlike before, when we would easily curse, now we can hold our tongue and endure. Without faith in God, we would surely argue and be unwilling to give in."
For Mei, God's Word is her yardstick for life decisions, even some challenging ones. She shared, "I refrain from burning incense or kneeling to worship idols. Even when my parents passed away, I abstained from participating in ancestral worship because I believe in God and want to follow Him obediently."
She explains her love for Scripture: "God’s Word brings only benefits and blessings. In the face of oppression, especially from those who do not share my faith, I find that my true feelings are expressed through His Word. When I harbor thoughts of anger or resentment, the Holy Spirit uses His Word to gently nudge me to confess my sins, allowing me to live joyfully without harboring ill will towards those who oppose me."
With continued support in Bible distribution projects, UBS can partner rural churches in China to provide essential spiritual resources and sustenance to members like Mei.
*Name changed
Story: Angela Teo
Photos: UBSCP
2026@UBS China Partnership
