In a barren area of Dadian Town, Shandong, China, lives a group of special children. They suffer from severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and congenital heart disease. Abandoned, often by their own parents, most of them require significant human and material resources. Many welfare institutions and orphanages are unwilling to accept them, seeing the continuation of their lives as a waste of resources. However, in God’s eyes, each life is a priceless treasure with irreplaceable value. To ensure that these children can live with dignity, enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, and live meaningfully, Xinwei and her husband, Steve, came to Shandong in 2009. They started building their dream home—Mephibosheth Village—in a deserted mountain area with only graves. The name “Mephibosheth” is from the Bible story of David showing kindness to the disabled descendant of his late friend, Jonathan. The purpose of Mephibosheth Village is to give a home to those the world considers worthless.

Steve was born in Los Angeles, California, and is German American. His father was once a pastor, but due to financial pressures, he started repairing pianos. Steve, the eldest son, having a special talent for craftsmanship, followed in his father’s footsteps. He began repairing pianos and eventually opened his own piano shop. By chance, Steve met a Chinese friend who told him that China lacked talent in piano repair and encouraged him to visit China. So, Steve embarked on a journey to a foreign land—and thus began his legendary life.

Shortly after arriving in China, Steve met Wang Xinwei, who worked as an interpreter/translator for foreign visitors to China. She used her spare time to help at a welfare institution that took care of needy children. Steve often accompanied Xinwei and was deeply moved by the condition of the children. Seeing how Steve hugged and comforted the children, Xinwei began to feel differently about this American man. Her thoughts drifted back to her childhood when, at age nine, she lost all her hair due to a severe illness, making her very self-conscious. She had to wear thick wigs to school and work, and her mother worried that her bald daughter might not have the opportunity to get married. Xinwei prayed to God about her concerns, hoping that she might have a Christian husband who loved God and valued inner beauty. One day, Steve asked Xinwei to take off her wig, assuring her that he loved her bald head. Xinwei laughed with relief and silently thanked God for answering her prayer.

After two years and over 3000 emails, Steve and Xinwei got married in Steve’s piano shop in California, blessed by a pastor and witnessed by their church family. They could have lived a carefree life in the United States, but Xinwei’s visits to the orphanage in Shandong changed their life’s trajectory. After witnessing the severely disabled children die due to lack of funds and manpower, helping these lives became an unshakable mission in her heart. So Xinwei and Steve returned to Shandong to establish Mephibosheth Home. Steve personally designed the love-filled village, connecting simple pavilions, gazebos, and houses with ramps to care for the children with mobility issues. Scattered hammocks, hanging chairs, sandbags, and slides everywhere reflect the owner’s childlike heart. The village has a diverse animal family: chickens, ducks, geese, cats, dogs, sheep, rabbits, peacocks, and turkeys everywhere, creating a harmonious ecological environment like Eden for the children. Inside, there are classrooms for cultural lessons and workspaces where children can play the piano, paint, make ceramics, or design programs based on their interests.

As the Village became known, God provided financial resources through kind-hearted people. But Xinwei always acknowledged that it was God who was feeding the children through them. Many visitors to Mephibosheth Village Welfare Institute commented, “These children are so pitiful, and the brothers and sisters helping them are so great!” Xinwei’s response was always, “There are no pitiful people here, nor are there great people. There is only a great God, and we are simply people who have received God’s grace. Our love, patience, and hope all come from Him. It may seem we are serving these children, but in truth, we are serving Jesus Himself. Citing Matthew 25:35–39: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in; ‘Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,’” Xinwei believed that caring for these disabled children was like serving the Lord.

At its peak, more than 20 children lived in the Village and over 10 adults, making daily provisions for meals a significant expense. They never talked about what they lacked; they only asked God for what they needed and believed. Once, they had only 20 yuan left but needed to buy a week’s worth of food at the market the next day. Xinwei was not worried, knowing God would find a way. At dusk, a car drove up, and a sister who wanted to visit the children got out. After seeing the children, she apologized for not having any gifts for them, so she gave 500 yuan instead. Xinwei knew that with God they would lack nothing.

In March 2015, Xinwei was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and given less than six months to live. She decided to continue doing the Lord’s work with her remaining time. Despite the cancer spreading to her lungs and a large tumor in her abdomen causing pain even when she breathed, she firmly stated, “If God wants to take me, I don’t want to lie in bed.” In her final days, Xinwei, accompanied by her husband, testified to God’s guidance amid severe pain.

For Xinwei, death was just another door to a new life. The most challenging part for her was leaving her husband and the children, and she had many concerns. But in prayer, God reminded her, “You care for what I love, and I will care for what you love.” The verses from Timothy 4:7–8 encapsulate Xinwei’s journey, her dedication to caring for disabled children, and her enduring faith: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Xinwei lived a life of faithful service with the promise of a divine reward.

After Xinwei’s passing, according to new regulations from the Chinese government, most of the orphans at Mephibosheth Village were transferred to Henan Province, leaving only a few local children from Shandong. Among others, there are Moses, who has Down syndrome and cannot speak but is lively; Caiqi, who cannot sit or walk but plays the toy piano with her feet; Timothy, who communicates with smiles from his wheelchair; and 30-year-old Mengzhao, who calls out “Brother, brother” and helps with chores. They all share a common feature: smiles! The smiles on these precious people’s faces testify to the truth that “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

Steve now had decisions to make about his future. He said that if he were not called by the Lord, he would return to the U.S. to enjoy family time with his loved ones. However, he and Xinwei had confirmed their calling, and they had never regretted or complained about it. “We are called to follow Jesus, and we cannot be afraid, as fear will hinder our ability to love,” as the Bible says: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Steve knows that his wounded and tired heart can always find comfort in the words of God.

Therefore, this follower of Jesus did not allow himself to lie down in pain and loneliness. Without Xinwei, “he still wakes up early and works as usual, as if nothing has happened,” said a coworker. When the day’s hustle and bustle is over and people have retreated, Steve lays down his burdens, and in the silent night, God uses his loneliness to open a door that allows love to flow freely.

Steve hopes that in addition to continuing the original orphanage mission, the orphanage can take on more educational roles in the future. This would involve helping parents of children with disabilities learn how to interact with and care for their children in an educated way, providing loving companionship as the children grow. If families find it truly difficult to cope, they can take their children to the orphanage for a period of time, where the staff can assist them. Older children at the orphanage can also contribute by helping others. Steve’s burden is to find and help children in rural areas who have not received aid. He hopes that every Christian can truly rid themselves of fear and rely on God to help them live out the love of Christ. “If every Christian family dared to unconditionally adopt an orphan, there would be no orphans in this world.” This is Steve’s call to action.

Cindy Yang is an English teacher and also a member of the news broadcasting ministry at Bread of Life Christian Church in Seattle, Washington.