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2983 Edition April 27~May 3, 2009 Sixth-grader inspired by Bible story
donates $10,000 to help seniors Reported by Chen
Wei-jien Written by A sixth grader
in Yunlin county was so touched by Jesus’ teaching
about the kernel of wheat that he decided to donate all the money he had
saved from red envelopes toward an fund that supports maintenance work for an
ambulance for seniors in his community. This was an example of how rural
children are learning to contribute and help those in need even as they are
recipients of aid so that God’s love is continually passed on from one person
to another. Hua-nan elementary school is a small school
located in a remote Hua-nan elementary school’s principal also
raised enough funds to buy a vehicle that would serve as an ambulance and had
arranged for doctors to come to the school to offer medical care to seniors.
However, the cost of gasoline and maintenance fees involved in operating such
a vehicle were not accounted for, and lack of funding soon became a serious
problem. Upon hearing
about this problem, one of the students who had participated in the contest
decided to donate all the money he had saved from red envelopes. Tsai Ming-hsuan donated $10,000 NTD (about $290 USD) in all from
his own savings. Tsai shared that
he originally planned to use the money toward video games, but upon hearing
his father share about Jesus’ teaching about a kernel of wheat, he felt compelled
to donate his money toward a greater cause instead. Tsai’s father usually
reads Bible stories to him and connects these stories to examples from
everyday life. As soon as his father heard about the funding shortage, which
amounted to a little over $10,000 NTD, he mentioned it to him, and shared
with him the story of the kernel of wheat, which, if sacrificed and planted
in the ground, can produce more seeds to help others. Because Tsai’s
school is in a remote area and has been blessed by many people who keep contributing
to the school without asking for anything in return, Tsai’s father hope that
his son can also emulate these people’s generosity and play a positive role
in the lives of others. In fact, the children had already donated part of the
prize money they had won from the competition toward charity. According to
Tsai’s father, his son has Asperger Syndrome, a disease similar to autism. This illness has
made him more determined and creative than others of his age. Though Tsai had
planned to spend his money on video games, once he realized that the needs of
seniors were much greater than his need for video games, he happily decided
to donate all his money and help those who were truly in need. ******************** Taiwan Church
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