Christian Hong Kong singer and actress Sammi Cheng Sau-man reaffirmed her conviction of God’s existence after hearing the testimony of Liao Zhi, a survivor of 2008 Sichuan Earthquake who experienced enormous losses but found faith in Christ.
“A Liao Zhi, inspired and moved millions of souls. Looking at you, I am willing to believe that there are no difficulties and pains that cannot be crossed over. Looking at you, I come to see the beauty of Jesus one step closer. I have never witnessed Jesus, but through different people and events He always allows me to reaffirm his existence. This time, it is you,” wrote Cheng, who accepted Christianity after going through a period of depression, in her blog.
The 2008 Sichuan Earthquake claimed more than 80,000 lives, injured 370,000, and left over 4.8 million people homeless. In that earthquake, Lao Zhi lost her grandmother and daughter. As a dance teacher, she unfortunately lost both of her lower legs. Her marriage soon fell apart as well.
Although the earthquake seems to have stolen everything from her, the Chinese dance teacher' optimistic and strong-willed character enabled her to endure through the most difficult time of her life. In 2008, two months after the amputation of her lower legs, she stood up on a dance stage for a performance titled “Drum Dance.” She became a Christian after the earthquake.
On April 20, 2013, a major earthquake struck Ya’an city in Sichuan Province, not far from the epic-center of 2008 earthquake. It caused numerous casualties and heavy damage to housing and infrastructure.
As first responders, Lao Zhi and a group of volunteers packed their stuff and traveled to Ya’an to assist in the disaster relief. Her action was heavily reported by the local Chinese media, winning people’s praises and testimonies.
In face of the difficulties and sufferings in life, Liao Zhi has once questioned why God would treat her like this. However, she has since accepted her experiences and views it from a different perspective.
“These things are what I deserved, and no one is indebted to me. It was supposed to be like this. All of these are worthy for thanksgiving, for without going through suffering, I would not have been able to become who I am today even bit by bit. I feel that this is the best arrangement. Because every process that every person has to experience, I have already fully experienced it. I did not reject it, nor did I escape it. All of the experiences, feelings, I have used my heart to feel them. I didn’t come without getting something!” She said.
While her actions were praised by others, Liao Zhi shared that her true comfort comes only from Jesus.
“When everyone is exalting me as “courageous,” only Jesus continues to comfort me as He has always done. When everyone thinks that I should have great glory, only Jesus knows my weakness in how I am unable to endure the fame from this world. When everyone tells me “you are so strong,” only Jesus would whisper to me, saying, “child, don’t be afraid, just believe.” My world is always filled with many sounds, but the only ones that I can hear is from Jesus,” she said.
Liao Zhi assisting Ya'an earthquake disaster last month
[Zoe Chan contributed to this report.]
