Caiping's journey of faith in her own words

In a church meeting talk October 16, 2022 Caiping briefly tells her journey from atheist to follower of Christ. Visitors may also download a transcript of her talk by clicking the link below.

Caiping tells her Faith Journey in Mandarin

Interview believed to have been done about 2007.

Interview Part 1

Interview Part 2

Interview Part 3

A moment of fun in Dali, China

Life treats me very well although it has never been an easy one for me. I grew up in an extremely poor family in a small village in northwest China. My parents had to support a family of 9. My childhood memory was hunger, cold, and darkness. I spent many nights under the street lights in a nearby town to prepare my college entrance exam because my parents could not afford to have light at our home. I was accepted by one of the top 10 universities in China in 1981, and became the first university student in my community after the Cultural Revolution. I did not start learning English the last year at high school and had never heard anyone else speaking English except my English teacher who was a high school graduate. I realized how much difference I had from my classmates as soon as went to the universities and I was laughed by all my classmates because of my strong accent. They all grew up in cities and many of them went to English school since their primary education. They laughed away all my confidence the first oral English class and I could only work much harder than any of them to make sure that I would not be too much behind them.

Caiping the Teacher

A Moment in Time, A Moment of Grief

By David Acree

Written November 21, 2024

I have delayed writing about this event because of the emotions the memory still creates. Yet, I somehow feel to progress in my healing I at least need to document those few hours before and after Caipng’s passing. I don’t know if the depth of grief at a loved one’s death is related to depth of love one experienced with that person in life, but I do know the pain, loneliness, and sense of loss exceeded anything I had before or since experienced.

The evening of March 6, 2024 visitors had finally left. My daughter Daveen had gone to bed downstairs. I was sitting alone in a chair by Caiping’s bed. The only sound was the pulsing of the oxygen concentrator. There was no movement from Caiping. At times I would put my hand on her chest to confirm the rise and fall of her chest as she still breathed. Events of the past days, weeks, and months seemed to have worn me down at that moment. My body and mind seemed exhausted. All my focus for as long as I could recall had been on trying to care for Caiping, wanting to convey to her my great joy at being able to care for her, wanting her to feel how happy and privileged I felt at having her in my life, wanting her to feel valued and loved.

Yet, I had slept little for several nights. Around 11 p.m. I decided to go into the master bedroom and lay down for a short time to rest. I must have fallen asleep almost immediately. At 2 a.m. I suddenly awakened feeling something was different. Rushing to Caiping’s side, I stopped and looked at her. She looked peaceful, the oxygen concentrator was still going. She looked as I had left her 3 hours before. I put my hand on her chest. No movement. I put my hands on her cheeks. They were cool to my touch.

Turning off the oxygen concentrator, I put my ear to her nose and mouth, straining to feel or hear the movement of air. I tried to feel a pulse in her neck and wrist. There was nothing. They were also cool. Yet, pulling back the covers her body still showed warmth. I put my ear to her chest hoping to hear a heartbeat. Then I knew. Caiping was gone. She must have shortly before passed from this life to the next. I wished I had been with her in that moment. I wished I had not fallen asleep in her final breath. A huge ache welled up within me. Sobs and tears became for a moment uncontrollable as my hand rubbed her cold cheek and I grasped her lifeless hand one last time.

And then, I felt a feeling of peace and calmness come over me. I realized at last she was free of pain, free of suffering, free at last to embrace those of her family she loved and missed so much. My tears were for me, not for her. I missed her. All would be well with her, that I knew. She was experiencing joy in another place. She had successfully completed all she had been sent here to do. One day we shall embrace again, that I know. My dear Chin-ai-de. You will always be a part of me. I love you.