Songhua River, with a total length of 1,900 kilometers, is
the longest river in Heilongjiang Province, and Haerbin, the
capital of China's northernmost province, is located on its
shores. On November 13th, an explosion happened at the PetroChina
Jilin Petrochemical Company, only hundreds of meters away
from Songhua River, causing the waterway to be heavily polluted.
After the accident, city residents were in a state of confusion.
Some started to store water and food, others set up camps
on the streets despite the bitter winter cold. There were
also some who decided to leave the city, crowding highways,
railways and airplanes.
To ensure the safety of its citizens, the Haerbin city
government decided to stop providing water from Songhua
River to people, thus leaving the city without water supply
for four days.
In those four days, all Haerbin citizens faced the difficulties
in a spirit of unity. More than 200,000 Christians from
over 400 churches and meeting points struggled alongside
their fellow citizens to brave the difficulties caused by
the water shortage.
The Haerbin CC/TSPM held a meeting to discuss the situation.
As a result, measures were taken to ensure the safety of
believers when they used water in church. At the same time,
local Christians prayed for God's grace and mercy, hoping
for God's blessings for Haerbin's residents.
During the water crisis, brothers and sisters cared about
and helped each other. Through their deeds, they gave witness
to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. United in hardship, believers
and non-believers showed their love and affection for each
other.
Some reporters learned that during the crisis, a sister
who wished to remain anonymous sent 100 baked cakes, ready-made
meals and mineral water to the church. Another sister sent
20 cartons of mineral water to Daowai Church to meet the
water demand of the congregation. Some warm-hearted believers
also sent water to some old, weak or disabled people and
helped them to do their housework. After witnessing such
behaviour, many people said from the bottom of their hearts:
”Christianity is really a religion of love.”
