Mei – Survivor #6

Note: I had the opportunity to meet with Mei and her mother after she approached us with her amazing survivor story. The following is Mei’s account in her own words. Mei vividly describes China’s strict one child policy – an effort to reduce the country’s population. Today, more than 13 million abortions are performed in China each year and an estimated 55 percent of Chinese woman have had an abortion. -Steve

My mother conceived me at the beginning of the “Planned Parenthood” policy in China which forces families to have only one child. Abortion is basic healthcare performed one by one in hospitals every day. After two succeeded abortions forced by the union, my mother was pregnant again. This time it was me. Herbal abortions were used for my mom and on the third attempt on my life. It looked as though it would take my mother ‘s life with me. Everyone thought the little glob was gone. Soon, my mom noticed the kicking in her womb. I was still there at 6.5 month. The physicians were angry. They said, “We never failed once. We would inject the saline this time and it will be stillborn anyway.” My father could not bear that fact and took my mother, in pain and bleeding profusely, from the hospital against the government’s demand. What they didn’t know was God had a plan. His hand of protection saved me and set my life on His course.

In December 1971, I was grabbed out from my mom’s womb with the doctor’s hand in rubber glove. Again, it almost took both of mine and my mom’s life. I was kept away from my mom for a week and she thought that I was either dead or disabled. She asked her friend to go check on me and was told, “You had a girl. I just counted that she has 10 fingers!” To everyone’s surprise, I amazingly survived the three aggressive procedures of abortions and the risky delivery. My dear father’s right decision gave me a chance to come to the world.

The starvation of Mao’s cultural revolution and socialism tried again to take my life. I was fed by rice soup, not allowed to get milk because I was not the first born child. I remember many days when half of a banana was the only meal for the day, but God had a plan. The government made decisions for your life, if you are worthy to live on, how much your value was to the socialist society. I still vividly remember Muslim students receiving special treatment and priority to get extra coupons for food and for medical treatment in school.

My early childhood was filled with tears. I was frequently in and out of hospitals battling with the sickness caused by the abortion. My mother suffered with depression and other physical illness because of the three brutal abortions. The teasing, neglect and discrimination at school made me a loner. I thought about death and life all the time. I never ever had a doll as a little girl. Singing loud towards a cookie can was my only joy. I still have some physical problems today.

In 1978, the churches had begun opening again and at 8 years old, my best friend at school invited me to the evening service with her. I remember the lovely songs being sung and the peace I felt. It was a happy experience. On the way home, my friend asked, “Will you accept Jesus as your savior?” I gazed up at the stars. His Spirit tugged at me. “Yes!!” I said. I met with my Maker who created me, rescued my life and also gave me Eternal Life! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

God didn’t just saved my life from death, He also used me as an instrument of my family’s Salvation. For 10 years, I listened to “Far East Broadcast” for studying the Bible at nights. It was my sweet time with Jesus. I was mentored by saint like servants and missionaries. Miracles and witnesses were like clouds around me. The Holy Spirit was my counselor and teacher. My parents threatened to disown me when I told them I would dedicate my life serving the Lord during college year, but God had a plan. I prayed for my family consistently. One by one, my family members and relatives and friends in China and the United States have accepted Jesus as thei Savior. After graduating from seminary, I served in the state church, then in house churches. My sister served side by side with me. I had many scrapes with the law, carrying bibles and other printed materials that would be spread throughout China. I was threatened repeatedly and placed on a “Dangerous Persons” list. This baby they tried to kill would again prove untouchable as they never laid a hand on me. I have many friends that didn’t survive the same.

To my surprise, He prepared me a home across the ocean and this baby they tried to kill bore a life of her own! Shortly after the birth of my second son, I graduated from Northwest University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. In the five years since, I have worked at Cedar Park Counseling Network as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, bringing God’s healing to the broken.

My family thrives! I have two handsome sons: Joshua and Jacob. My husband lends a hand with the Men’s Ministry at Cedar Park Church and is a successful healthcare manager. My life has taught me how wonderful God is and how precious are the plans he has for us. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I know that I could be one of those innocent aborted babies at the cemetery. Today, I want to make a Voice for those silent ones: Life is precious. From the beginning of conception, we are Life, we are a Person, not just a glob or tissue. Jeremiah 1:5 has become my very personal scripture, “Before you were in the womb, I knew you; before you were born and see the light of the day, I set you apart and I appointed you to be the prophet to the nations.”

Values – Mission – Vision