International China Concern
  • Sandwhich
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Story
      • Our Vision & Mission
      • Our Beliefs & Values
      • ICC Milestones
      • Our Team
      • Careers
    • Overall Impact
      • Situation in China Today
      • Our Work In China
      • Our Impact
    • Support & Join
      • ICC Medical Fund
      • Sponsor a Child
      • Partner with a Family
      • Leave a Legacy Gift
      • More Ways to Give
      • Join Circle of Hope
      • Join Walk the Wall
      • Be a Volunteer
    • Partnership
      • Corporations
      • Foundations
      • Churches
      • Schools
      • Ambassadors & Celebrities
    • Resources
      • Chinese New Year Resources
      • ICC News
      • Newsletters
      • Financials
      • Prayer Calendar
      • Gallery
    • Contact Us
    • 繁體字
    • 简体字
  • SPONSOR
  • DONATE
  • EN
  • 繁
  • 简
  • NL
International China Concern
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in posts
Search in pages
Filter by Categories
Canada News
Coronavirus Response
Government
News
Newsletter
Podcast Episode
Sharing
Stories of Impact
Transformed Families
Uncategorized
Vocational Training
Vocational Training
Volunteer

More results

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story and Milestones
    • Our Vision & Mission
    • Our Beliefs & Values
    • Our Team
    • Careers
  • Our Work & Impact
    • Situation in China Today
    • Our Work In China
    • Our Impact
  • Support & Join
    • Partner with a Family
    • Sponsor a Child
    • ICC Medical Fund
    • Leave a Legacy Gift
    • More Ways to Give
    • Join Walk the Wall
    • Be a Volunteer
  • Partnership
    • Corporations
    • Foundations
    • Churches
    • Schools
    • Ambassadors & Celebrities
  • Resources
    • Chinese New Year Resources
    • ICC News
    • Newsletters
    • Financials
    • Prayer Calendar
    • Gallery
  • Contact Us
Newsletter, Volunteer

Volunteer: An Accident Yields Purpose

2019-05-22
By Jessica Pugh
0 Comment
4870 Views

In 2013, the lives of Ray and Winnie Fong changed in an instant. A serious car accident resulted in a 29-day coma for Ray, followed by long-term rehabilitation for his traumatic brain injury. For nearly a decade prior to the accident, the couple had planned to retire in 2014 and serve in ministry full-time. Little did they know that their lives were being directed to fulfill that desire, but in a manner completely different to what they imagined.

God Sustained Our Lives for His glory

As the Fongs waited for the right opportunity to serve, a family friend recommended that they look into International China Concern (ICC) as an option.

“The stories on ICC’s website caught our hearts and we decided to join a Short Term Team in January 2015,” said Winnie. Immediately after that trip, they knew ICC was where they needed to be and applied to serve as long term volunteers.

With Ray’s past career as an engineer and Winnie’s nursing background, their professional skill sets were immediately used in Hengyang. While those specialties were greatly needed and valued, the Fongs said that it was investing in relationships that caused transformative growth within the lives of young people at ICC as well as their own.

Ray experienced deep joy by using his creativity to design and build projects with limited resources. Along the way, he mentored many young people. “It was gratifying to see one of the boys doing the fix-up jobs I had taught him and even teaching others how to do it,” said Ray.

Thanks to Ray’s clever “anti-wobble wok” homemade adaptation, Zheng can now cook herself even with just one hand.

As a result of the car accident, Ray still experiences cognitive side effects, but he now sees how those perceived weaknesses help him serve with purpose and empathy. His short-term memory issues have given him a child-like faith: forgetting to save face or hold grudges has made him more honest, forgiving and trusting. Ray is thankful to be able to empathise with the cognitive hurdles some of ICC’s young people face.

Happiness Found in the midst of Trial

“My biggest joy came from seeing the smiles of the children; their contagious giggling would melt anyone’s heart,” reflected Winnie. While some children can’t walk, talk or eat independently, those circumstances don’t take away from their innate value or joy. “They are satisfied and can love for a simple reason: they know people love them.”  

Undoubtedly, Ray and Winnie’s love touched the lives of children and staff alike in their cumulative two-and-a-half years of service. “The Fongs were great teammates in so many ways,” said ICC Therapy Manager, Alison Kennedy. “Their presence in Hengyang strengthened our work and helped us reflect the Father’s heart more fully.”

Zhixiao loved to give hugs and spend time with Winnie while working together on sewing projects.

“When I look back, trust and obedience are so essential to follow God’s call,” said Winnie. From professional careers to a devastating accident, and countless moments in between, each experience built a foundation of expertise and empathy within the Fongs. That groundwork ultimately led them to a life-changing opportunity in China that transformed their lives and those they served.

“There is nothing I would change about the precious time that Ray and I spent in China,” shared Winnie. “The stories of our experiences in China are endless. And, best of all, the stories go on.”

Tags: 2019 June

Previous Story
Family Partners Programme: Family Relationships Breakthrough
Next Story
Perspective: Growing in Confidence

Related Articles

CEO Message

Dear Donors, A new season has begun at International China...

Perspective: Growing in Confidence

Every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to live...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in posts
Search in pages
Filter by Categories
Canada News
Coronavirus Response
Government
News
Newsletter
Podcast Episode
Sharing
Stories of Impact
Transformed Families
Uncategorized
Vocational Training
Vocational Training
Volunteer

More results

  • About Us
  • Support & Join
  • News
  • Legal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Child & Young Adults Protection Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Terms of Use

Contact Us
Media Contact:
press@chinaconcern.org

Careers

Follow Us

2022 © International China Concern   |    Tax-exempt Charities - IR File Number (Hong Kong): 91/04700

USA Giving Options

WFG Champions for Children

An elite group of ICC supporters who are making an annual contribution of $5,000 or more. Champions for Children receive exclusive opportunities and benefits including a self-funded vision trip to visit the young people in China.

Make a Donation

Your donation helps provide the foundations for a life of opportunity including: nutrition, medical care, therapy, special education, a Care Team to surround each child, life-skills training, vocational programs and the opportunity for children and families to dream for a better future.

Canadian Giving Options

WFG Champions for Children

An elite group of ICC supporters who are making an annual contribution of $5,000 or more. Champions for Children receive exclusive opportunities and benefits including a self-funded vision trip to visit the young people in China.

Make a Donation

Your donation helps provide the foundations for a life of opportunity including: nutrition, medical care, therapy, special education, a Care Team to surround each child, life-skills training, vocational programs and the opportunity for children and families to dream for a better future.

Please select a country or region:

Australia

Canada

Hong Kong SAR

Singapore

Netherlands

United States

UK and Ireland (GBP)

 Europe (EUR)

*Tax/donation receipt will be issued based on your selected donation currency.
SearchPostsLogin
Thursday, 24, Mar
【CEO Report】1st Quarter Newsletter 2022
Monday, 7, Mar
Interview with David Bondy
Sunday, 6, Mar
VOCATIONAL TRAINING | Hengyang’s Hope Farm
Sunday, 6, Mar
FAMILY PARTNERS PROGRAMME | Xingxing’s Story – update
Sunday, 6, Mar
CHILD SPONSORSHIP | Maizi
Sunday, 19, Dec
10 | Interview with Sam Brekalo

Welcome back,