When the 20th Century began, China was a land very different from what it is today, and very different from the United States. Few people in China had even heard of Jesus, the one true God. Some Americans believed that God was waiting for them to take the message to China, so they and their church started a mission in South China.

One day a very sick little girl was brought to the hospital they were running. Her mother was afraid to take her there because some people said the Americans poked out the eyes of little children. A relative who knew this was not true took the little girl there when her mother was not looking. At the hospital the Americans were kind to little Jeanette (her English name) and made her well, but she cried and cried. She had been crying for a long time because so many sad things had happened to her.

When she was born, some of her relatives were so disappointed not to get a boy baby that they wanted to give her away. But her father loved her and kept her, and she loved him. She was about six when he suddenly died. Her whole world changed. Her father had borrowed some money; now people came and demanded that her mother sell her baby sister to pay the debt. She refused, but they dragged the little girl from her arms. There was no one to help her. Jeanette and her mother were alone in tears. She was locked alone in the house while her mother went to work. All day she cried for her mother and father.

At the hospital the doctor explained to her about a heavenly Father who loved her. Little Jeanette was eager to hear. The doctor told her more and taught her to pray. She prayed, “Make me a clean new person and receive me as your child, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” After this she prayed often and her crying stopped. She had more sad times, but now she had God and He used her as a missionary to take the Good News to others. Be sure to read the book, Jeanette Li, which tells the story of this famous Covenanter missionary.

Dear Kids,

In Pittsburgh where I live, we have had two babies born into the congregation recently, and tonight we are waiting for the third to be born. These two girl babies certainly did not get the unkind and ungrateful treatment that Jeanette Li got as a young baby and child. I’m sure these will be loved and cared for as they grow up, learning about God in their families.

Someone was loving and caring for Jeanette, too, and that Someone was her heavenly Father, whom she came to know and love.

Aren’t you thankful when you think of the loving parents God has given you? Aren’t you glad for opportunities to know and serve the God of Jeanette Li and other fine Christians you know, perhaps in your church?

Fondly, Mrs. A.