The words of the title are taken from Mark 14:6 which record Jesus’ assessment of the act of devotion by the woman who poured the jar of expensive perfume over Him. Some criticised the act as wasteful while others misunderstood its significance. Jesus’ evaluation of the act as a beautiful expression of faith and love underlines the value and importance of all that is done as unto the Lord. The workplace and home as well as the church can be arenas where devotion to Christ shines (Col. 3:17,22-4:1).

During a recent visit to China I was impressed by the various people who displayed a devotion and love for God as they stooped to serve the needs of people in Sichuan province – an area that faced a calamitous earthquake on 12 May 2008. The statistics are horrifying: 87,148 dead (including missing cases); 374,640 injured; 4,624,000 homeless.

In one town I visited, a school of 3,000 pupils was part of the devastated town centre. 800 pupils had died with 400 missing. Forty teachers were killed and the headmaster lost his wife who worked in the school office and his only daughter. Of the remaining 1,800 pupils over half have lost limbs or are disabled. There are orphans, widows and other staff who find just carrying on a normal life hard and painful. There have been several suicides of school staff and pupils. 

A quick response

The government response in relocating people to temporary accommodation, temporary schools and temporary healthcare was swift and impressive. The country that organised thousands to volunteer in the Olympics and found millions to pay for the spectacle has not been slow in reconstructing new roads, homes and a whole new infrastructure of care facilities and business enterprises. But the continuing care, commitment and love needed to heal and help people who feel hopeless and hurt by such trauma can not be bought or organised institutionally. This is where Christian love, dedication and service can shine and provide deeper medicine and therapy for the soul and spirit.

M, a Christian teacher from Hong Kong, heard that the school in the earthquake area needed English teachers. She went for a short term visit and was struck by the helplessness of many of the pupils who were struggling to learn and live normal teenage lives. A young girl who lost her left leg and had severe head injuries would cry herself to sleep for months after the earthquake. She still has fears and there are memories that seem to stay and haunt her.

Moving around the school and adjusting to walking again was difficult. Would she ever gain the grades to pass exams? But – more pressing for a teenage girl – would any boy ever want a girl with a false leg? Was there any point to life? Until she met her new English teacher she had never heard of a God who cared. M came alongside to love and befriend her and started to change the attitudes of friends too. Some extra tuition and help on weekends to shop and enjoy some time in coffee shops provided a bridge of friendship. Bible study followed and the gospel is now transforming this young girl’s life, along with ten other girls in the school.  

It’s not just for girls

So all the guys think this is a girly thing! Except for one young man aged seventeen. He found the new English teacher from faraway Hong Kong quite engaging. Her lessons were different and her attitude was so different to other teachers. Why had she come to help? He’d heard of many Chinese teachers from other parts of China who would not leave their comfortable city schools for this backwater place scarred by earthquake and weighed down by the challenges of dust, dirt and stretched resources. He watched and listened to M as she taught English and patiently dealt with a class of fifty. Nothing was too much trouble for her. Whenever he found the lessons and the language hard she had lunchtime and evening classes for extra help.

The young man himself was interesting to M. He was from one of the ethnic minority groups of the region. The Qiang (Q is pronounced ‘ch’) people with their unique ancient culture stand out amongst the other people of the province. To complicate matters for newcomers there are eleven types of Qiang peoples!  M’s pupil belonged to a Qiang group where being clean was vital. The washing of clothes, body, food, homes and all else is vital. The fences outside their dormitories in school were full of underwear, shorts, trousers and shirts that were washed everyday. When M thought it right to share the good news with the young Qiang teenager, the need to be clean before God was the obvious way to engage him. After many discussions and Bible studies and a real sense of sin’s uncleanness he has come to believe in the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood. He is the first believer in his family and whole community. There is no church in a wide area covering hundreds of miles; no other believing young people; no Scriptures in his own language.  He came to M one morning burdened with an important assignment. She thought it was some unfinished work from class. But it turned out his burden was to go back and tell family, friends and neighbours of how they could be really clean inside. M longs for a mature male Christian to mentor, train and disciple him. Indeed there are openings for more English teachers as well as medical care staff who can work in rehabilitation centres in the earthquake area.

M’s teaching from day to day and her devotion to Christ lived out in acts of kindness and sacrificial love has been the key to reaching young people in the school. She also visits homes at weekends and is beginning to meet parents, grandparents and neighbours. In an area where much ugliness remains her character and testimony is beautiful to see, a sweet smelling aroma of Christ that has brought life to many girls and one young man. Meeting M and hearing her passion and fervency as we prayed will remain with me for a long time. Do you sense the privilege and challenge to be a prayer partner with M, to ask God for more to go and help while there is an open door for witness?  

Meirion Thomas is the pastor of Malpas Road Evangelical Church in Newport.

If you are interested in short or long term opportunities to teach English in this area of China or working in rehab clinics as a therapist please get in touch.