In October, churches in Yongji and Hejin, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, mobilized believers to enter fields and orchards to help farmers harvest mature crops, visit the elderly, and care for vulnerable groups.
According to Shanxi Provincial TSPM, under the leadership of Deacon Chang Xuelan from Zhangliuzhuang Church in Puzhou Township, Yongji City, the "Fruit-Picking Assistance Group" was established in July. So far, the group has organized more than 20 volunteer activities to assist local farmers in harvesting apricots, peaches, walnuts, persimmons, apples, and other crops. Comprising 15 to 20 believers, the team upholds the principle of "doing good with love," supporting elderly rural residents who lack sufficient labor to harvest their crops in time.
During the harvest, volunteers divided tasks and worked carefully to prevent crop damage, following merchants' grading and quality requirements. Some elderly volunteers, over seventy years old, still climbed ladders to pick fruit, while others with limited mobility prepared meals for the team. Their efforts helped farmers solve immediate challenges and deepened fellowship among the members.
Farmers who received assistance said the volunteers' kindness allowed them to harvest their produce on time, reduce losses, and experience the warmth and hope inspired by faith. The initiative also drew positive attention from nearby villages, where residents praised the volunteers as "people of faith," "a positive force in society," and "sincere Christians with genuine belief."
Meanwhile, during "Christian Charity Day," churches and meeting points in Hejin City engaged in various community service activities. In response to heavy rainfall that left roads muddy and fields waterlogged, believers voluntarily cleared streets and helped farmers harvest corn to minimize losses. They also delivered cooking oil, flour, eggs, and donations to elderly individuals living alone and to people with disabilities. Church volunteer teams visited local nursing homes, offering haircuts, nail trimming, foot washing, and singing performances to bring joy and comfort to the elderly.
