盲人姊妹刘瑞英
沈师母的见证
在我信主的生命历程中，有一位属灵长者对我意义非凡。她叫刘瑞英，是一位失明多年的祷告者与见证人。我今天能坚定地走在信仰的道路上，与她的引领和代祷密不可分。
一、她的生命印记
刘瑞英于1901年5月10日在山东平度县出生。她家境贫寒，是个小脚女人。她丈夫一家是基督徒，当她嫁到丈夫家之后也成了一名信心坚定的基督徒。平度是山东胶东地区的重要县城，地理位置处于青岛与潍坊之间。20世纪初，西方宣教士（尤其是美北长老会、美南浸信会）已在平度建立了教会、学校和诊所，为山东大复兴的到来铺垫了基础。刘瑞英早年曾参加和经历过山东大复兴。[1] 她1950年随家人迁居至沈阳市法库县古城堡（pù）。她一生共养育了六个孩子，家庭负担沉重。虽然生活朴素艰辛，她却常年洋溢着祷告的香气与天国的盼望。她的家是一座属灵的灯塔，多代儿女信主，信仰根基稳固。
在她身边，有一群属灵前辈的见证人，为我们这一代留下了极其宝贵的榜样。古城堡地区信仰根基深厚，早在解放前，当地就有一位敬虔老弟兄王臻一。他虽然不是牧师，却谦卑地承担起讲道的责任，他自营生意，却坚守主日关门敬拜，店中从不售烟酒，信仰见证感人至深。
有一年，王臻一弟兄因故前往山东，或为生意，或为探亲。在那里，他遇见了刘瑞英姊妹。她在山东的信仰背景也十分独特——她的小叔子江顺天，是当时在山东极具影响力的传道人。据教会历史记载，江顺天曾因传福音被捕入狱，是中国教会为主受苦的一员，他后来成为吉林长春教会的创会人之一，影响了许多人信主。
那一代忠心的信徒中，许多人都为信仰坐监受苦。我年幼时不懂其中的艰难，如今才明白那是怎样的代价。比如李文光夫妇等不少属灵前辈，曾在黑暗年代被捕判刑三年、七年不等。教会恢复聚会初期，他们常来我家聚会，讲述那段为主受苦的经历。这些见证深深刻在我心中。
虽然东北生活略优于关里，但农村毕竟人多地少，日子依旧艰辛。1959年左右，刘瑞英为了生活每天下地拾柴，在酷烈阳光下劳作，边干活边祷告、边流泪。那时，她的眼睛开始出现问题，因无钱医治，视力渐渐衰退，最终完全失明了。然而，在她后半生30年失明的岁月里，她属灵的眼睛却更加明亮了，她好像什么都能看见……。
二、属灵母亲的影响
我和刘瑞英老人接触20年。1969年我作为知青下乡到古城堡时认识了她。她家就在我们家两道门之外。当时我从城市来到农村，极不适应。她是第一个给我讲福音的基督徒。起初我对信仰毫无概念，只知道佛堂，却从未听过福音。我喜欢听她祷告，她有时用悟性祷告、有时用方言祷告。她一口山东话，我开始时听不太懂，但觉得她的话特别亲切温暖。渐渐地我就都能听明白了。她讲上句，我能接下一句。经常有人来她家探访，我成了她的“翻译”，帮别人解释她说的话。透过她，我开始认识主、明白真理。
她不仅在言语上教导我，更在生命中塑造我。如果没有她，我不会和沈牧师走在一起。虽然当时我身边追求者不少，沈牧师也有其他适合的对象。她为我的婚姻祷告后说：“主给了我异象，你和光玮是最合适的”。事实印证她灵里的判断是正确的。
我的两个女儿小时候我经常带着她们去刘瑞英家里玩儿。二女儿最喜欢坐在她大腿上。刘瑞英抱着她就给她祷告祝福，女儿则用小手摸着她的眼睛，看看她是否真的什么都看不见。她们今天能全职奉献走在事奉的道路上与她的影响有很大关系。
三、属天的香气
1986年我们搬回沈阳市里。1989年春，我收到一封信。信上说刘瑞英老人已近四十天滴水不沾，她盼着我回去看看。我和沈牧师立即动身。那是春节前后。我们到她家看到屋里炕上坐满了弟兄姊妹。她正坐着，我一进门，她就把我抱住，手轻柔地摸我的脸和眼睛，一遍又一遍，好像从未真正看清过我似的。她说：“还这么瘦啊……”
她接着问：“光玮呢？”
我说：“他忙，他没来”。
她却盯着我身后说：“他不就站在你身后吗？”
沈牧师诚实不说谎。他说：“大娘[2]，我在这儿呢！”光玮走到她面前，她用手从上到下摸着他说：“光玮啊，你瘦成这样……吃不饱饭呐……”
当时我眼泪就止不住地流。那年头的确艰难，人口多、交公粮、缺衣少食，光玮能坚持求学（读南京神学院）实在不容易。刘瑞英总是在艰难时给我们鼓励和安慰。当时我没在意，如今回想起这些发现我竟没领会到她体贴的心肠，心中甚感愧疚。
那天她对我说了许多话：“你记着大奶的话，你要好好信主。信主不是一件简单的事儿。我们奉献给神的人，一定要有个样儿。你不能再像小孩子了，也不要随意开玩笑。”她又说：“光玮将来要作整个辽宁省的牧羊人、领头羊，要做信徒的榜样。你是师母，也要有师母的样儿，要有师母的态度和生命。你们是一体的，你的生命要成熟，要好好读经祷告。”
那番话使我深受触动。从那天起，我的生命发生了很大的改变。
我忘不了她说过的一句话：“我闻到一种地上从来没有的香气”。我问她：“大奶，这四十天你到底经历了什么？怎么还能活着？不饿吗？”她微笑着说：“我不饿，好像是看到天堂了，隔着一条河。那边站着一个白衣人，不让我过去，说我还没到日子，地上还有四十天的工要做。他说完我就醒了，我闻到一种香气，那是一种地上从来没有的香气”。
当年我腿受伤，久治无效，常坐在炕上，不能下地。但我常回想刘瑞英所描述的属天香气，心里想着：“我若也能闻到那香气，我的腿也许就会好了。”那晚，我梦见她回来了，亲手交给我一瓶药。醒来后，我虽没闻到那香气，但我的腿却奇迹般地痊愈了。从那天起我就能下地干活了。那是主的医治与她祷告的恩典。我觉得一切都是上帝的安排。
她的家人把那句 “地上还有十四天” 的话忘记了，但我却记得。果然，整整四十天后，刘瑞英安详离世。那是1989年3月10日，她享年90岁。她自己提前穿上为天家预备的“礼服”，口里唱着诗歌、躺在东北的火炕上安静地“睡去了”。三天后打开棺木，人们发现她的身体依然柔软并充满荣光，这使家人得到了属天的安慰！
四、影响深远的属灵遗产
刘瑞英老人家无论走到哪儿，哪里就有主的爱与平安。她一进我们家时，我们家整个气氛都不一样了。她带给我们那么多天上的话！她开口就是神的话，从不论断张家长李家短。她的生命就是一首不断的祷告诗篇——坐着祷告、站着祷告、躺下也祷告。她的生活几乎每一刻都活在主面前的甘甜中。这样的一位属灵长辈是教会的祝福。她活着的时候，教会里没有任何矛盾，大家非常和睦。
刘瑞英的女儿江老师是我童年的老师，也教过沈牧师。那时江老师还没公开信主，虽然从小在信主的家庭长大，但后来她进入了体制，回沈阳后还当过学校的党委书记。她很优秀，也很积极，但她心里一直有主。这个老师信得很真，退休后她就公开承认自己是基督徒。她住的小区里有一个跟我很熟的邻居，80多岁了。有一次我在她家，她说：“你认识江老师吗？”我说：“太熟了，那是我老师啊。”她说：“我们是邻居，她可了不起了。我们从前不知道她信主，但她在家庭里、在小叔子、婆婆、公公面前做得太好了，我们都做不到。”江老师经历过许多人生的苦难。她八岁的女儿因先天性心脏病去世了；后来，她有一个儿子30岁也因肝病去世了。然而，她并没有放弃对主的信仰。她常和我说：“我的孩子们能见着耶稣，能见着我娘吧。”我就对她说：“要是真心信主，到天堂，我们都能见着面。等到那天就好了，我们就都能见到你娘了。” 她听着心里也得到很大安慰！
我有一本“属灵前辈回天家记事本”，每一位带领过我的长者安息后，我都会记上一笔。不久前搬家时，这本记事本不慎遗失。但刘瑞英老人的故事却深深铭记在我心中。她不仅影响她全家、我们全家、当地教会，也影响了沈阳、武昌、东北神学院许多老师、学生及众多弟兄姐妹。我曾经引荐过许多人去探望她，她都一一为他们代祷祝福。
刘瑞英是一位默默无闻、不为人知的农村姊妹，但她用一生的祷告、盲眼的信心、真诚的爱心点燃了许多人的生命。她的一生是荣耀基督、祝福他人的一生。她是我心目中真正的“信心伟人”。
附注：
今年暑假回国期间，我于2025年6月11日前往沈阳，拜访沈光玮牧师和师母。在早餐交通中，沈师母提到有位盲人姊妹对她生命的影响深远。她寥寥数语深深打动了我。回美国后，我特别邀请沈师母通过微信语音更加详细地将这位盲人姊妹——刘瑞英的见证讲述出来；有些内容沈师母还专门与刘瑞英的女儿江老师核实过。感谢沈师母的慷慨分享。我特将其整理成文，与在美国的众弟兄姊妹共享。 （李春海牧师）
[1] 柯理培（Charles L. Culpepper）：《山东大复兴》（Shantung Revival）, https://www.found-treasure.org/cht/Shup%20Chun%20Chap/Shup%20Chun%20Chap%20056/pageshupchunchap056.htm, 检索于 2025 年 8 月 12 日.
[2] 沈师母称刘瑞英为“大奶”，沈牧师则称她为“大娘”。根据中国东北的风俗，他们从不同的角度尊称对方。
8/17/25 Pastor’s Word
Sister Liu Ruiying – The Blind Prayer Warrior
Testimony by Mrs. Shen, the Pastor’s Wife
In my journey of faith, there was a spiritual elder whose influence on me has been immeasurable. Her name was Liu Ruiying, a woman who had been blind for many years, yet remained a steadfast intercessor and living witness. My ability to walk firmly on the path of faith today is inseparable from her guidance and prayers.
1. The Marks of Her Life
Liu Ruiying was born on May 10, 1901, in Pingdu County, Shandong Province. She came from a poor family and had bound feet. Her husband’s family were Christians, and after her marriage, she too became a believer with strong faith. Pingdu, located between Qingdao and Weifang, was an important county in the Jiaodong region of Shandong. In the early 20th century, Western missionaries—especially from the Northern Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Southern Baptist Convention—had already established churches, schools, and clinics in Pingdu, laying the groundwork for the great Shandong Revival.[1] Liu personally attended and experienced the Shandong Revival in her early years.
In 1950, she moved with her family to Guchengpu, Faku County, Shenyang City. She raised six children in her lifetime, bearing a heavy family burden. Though her life was simple and difficult, her home was always filled with the fragrance of prayer and the hope of heaven. It became a spiritual lighthouse, with multiple generations in her family coming to faith and standing firm in it.
Among the faithful in her area was Brother Wang Zhenyi, a devout Christian in Guchengpu before the founding of the People’s Republic. Though not a pastor, he humbly took on the responsibility of preaching. He ran his own business, yet closed his shop every Sunday to worship and refused to sell tobacco or alcohol—a testimony that deeply touched many.
One year, Brother Wang traveled to Shandong—perhaps for business or to visit family. There, he met Sister Liu Ruiying. Her own faith background in Shandong was remarkable—her brother-in-law, Jiang Shuntian, was a highly influential preacher at the time. Church history records that Jiang Shuntian had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel and was one who suffered for the Lord in China. He later became one of the founders of the church in Changchun, Jilin, impacting many for Christ.
That generation of faithful believers included many who endured prison for their faith. As a young sister, I could not understand the hardships they faced; only now do I realize the cost they paid. For example, Brother and Sister Li Wenguang and others were arrested during the dark years and sentenced to three or seven years in prison. In the early days when the church resumed gatherings, they often came to my home, sharing stories of their suffering for the Lord—accounts that left a deep mark on my heart.
Though life in the Northeast was somewhat better than in Shandong, rural life was still hard—too many people, too little land. Around 1959, in order to survive, Liu would collect firewood in the fields every day, working under the scorching sun while praying and weeping. It was during this time that her eyesight began to fail. With no money for treatment, her vision gradually deteriorated until she became completely blind. Yet in the thirty years of blindness that followed, her spiritual eyes became all the more radiant—it was as if she could see everything.
2. The Influence of a Spiritual Mother
I have known Sister Liu for twenty years. In 1969, when I was sent as an educated youth to the countryside in Guchengpu, I met her for the first time. Her home was just two doors down from mine. Coming from the city, I found rural life extremely difficult to adjust to. She was the first Christian to share the gospel with me.
At first, I had no concept of Christian faith—only of Buddhist temples—and had never heard the gospel. I enjoyed listening to her prayers; sometimes she prayed with understanding and sometimes prayed in tongues. She spoke in a thick Shandong dialect. Initially, I could not understand her well, yet I felt a special warmth and kindness in her words. Gradually, I understood more and more. She would say one sentence, and I could finish the next. She had many visitors, I became her “translator,” helping others understand what she said. Through her, I began to know the Lord and understand the truth.
Her teaching was not only in words but in life itself. My marriage would not have happened without her. Though I had many suitors at the time, and Pastor Shen also had other suitable candidates, she prayed for us and said, “The Lord has given me a vision—you and Guangwei are the most suitable.” Time proved that her spiritual discernment was accurate.
When my two daughters were young, I often took them to visit Liu’s home. My younger daughter especially loved to sit on her lap. Holding her in her arms, Liu would pray for her and say blessings over her, while my daughter would place her little hands on her eyes to see if she really could not see anything. The fact that they are now serving full-time in ministry is greatly related to her influence.
3. The Fragrance of Heaven
In 1986, we moved back to the city of Shenyang. In the spring of 1989, I received a letter saying that Sister Liu did not have food or water for nearly forty days and hoped I could visit her. It was just around the Spring Festival when we set out to see her.
Her kang (heated bed) was crowded with brothers and sisters. She was sitting upright. As soon as I entered, she embraced me, gently touching my face and eyes again and again, as though she had never truly seen me before. “You’re still so thin…” she said.
She then asked, “Where’s Guangwei?”
“He’s busy,” I replied. “He didn’t come.”
But she looked past me and said, “Isn’t he standing right behind you?”
Pastor Shen, never one to lie, answered, “Auntie, I’m right here.” She touched him and said, “Guangwei, you’ve grown so thin… you’re not getting enough to eat, are you?”
I couldn’t hold back my tears. Those were indeed hard times—many mouths to feed, grain to turn over to the government, shortages of clothes and food. That he persevered in his studies at Nanjing Theological Seminary was no small thing. Sister Liu always found a way to encourage and comfort us in hardship. At the time, I didn’t pay much attention, but looking back now, I realize I failed to appreciate her thoughtful heart, and I feel deeply ashamed.
That day she told me, “Remember my words. You must live a Christ-like life. In the future, it’s not enough just to be a so-called ‘Christian.’ Those who are dedicated to God must witness His image. You must not be childish anymore, and you must not speak carelessly or joke around. Guangwei will one day be a shepherd in Liaoning Province—a leader among the flock, an example for believers. As his wife, you must live like a pastor’s wife, with the character and life of one. You are one body with him. You must be mature and study the Bible diligently.”
Her words deeply moved me and marked a turning point in my spiritual life. From that day on, my life has changed dramatically.
I will never forget what she once said: “I smelled a fragrance unlike anything on earth.” I asked, “Grandma, what have you experienced these forty days? How can you still live without hunger?” She smiled and said, “I’m not hungry. It’s as if I’ve seen heaven, across a river. On the other side stood a man in white who would not let me cross, saying my time had not yet come and that I still had forty days of work on earth. After he spoke, I awoke, and I smelled a fragrance unlike anything on earth.”
During those days, I injured my leg and could not be healed, I often recalled the heavenly fragrance she described, thinking, “If only I could smell that fragrance, perhaps my leg would be healed.” One night I dreamed she returned and handed me a bottle of medicine. When I awoke, though I had not smelled the fragrance, my leg was miraculously healed. From that day on, I was able to go out and work around. I knew it was the Lord’s healing and the grace of her prayers—God’s arrangement.
Everyone else seemed to forget her words, “There are forty days left,” but I remembered. Sure enough, exactly forty days later, on March 10, 1989, she passed away peacefully at the age of 90. She had dressed herself well in the “gown” and sang hymns as she laid on her kang and gently “fell asleep” in the Lord. Three days later, when her coffin was opened, her body was still soft and radiant, giving her family heavenly comfort.
4. A Lasting Spiritual Legacy
Wherever she went, the love and peace of the Lord followed. When she entered our home, the whole atmosphere changed. She brought us so many words from heaven. She spoke only God’s Word, never gossiping or judging others. Her life was an unending psalm of prayer—praying while sitting, standing, or lying down. She lived every moment in the sweetness of the Lord’s presence. Such a spiritual elder is a blessing to the church. While she was alive, there were no divisions in the church—everyone lived in harmony.
Her daughter, Teacher Jiang, was my childhood teacher and also taught Pastor Shen. At that time, Teacher Jiang had not openly professed her faith, though she had grown up in a Christian family. Later, she entered the state system and even served as the Party secretary of a school after returning to Shenyang. She was an outstanding and active person, yet the Lord was always in her heart. After retirement, she publicly acknowledged her faith. An elderly neighbor of hers, over eighty years old, once told me, “Do you know Teacher Jiang?” I replied, “Of course—that’s my teacher.” She said, “We’re neighbors. She’s remarkable. We never knew she was a Christian, but the way she treated her family—her in-laws, her brother-in-law—was extraordinary. We could never do as well as she did.” Teacher Jiang endured much suffering. Her eight-year-old daughter died of congenital heart disease, and years later her thirty-year-old son died of liver disease. Yet she never abandoned her faith in the Lord. She often told me, “Don’t you think my daughter and my son can see Jesus and my mom?” I would reply, “If we truly believe in the Lord, in heaven we will all see each other. When that day comes, everything will be fine, and we will see your mother again.” This gave her great comfort.
I once kept a “Homegoing Record Book” in which I would write a note each time a spiritual elder who had guided me passed away. Sadly, I lost it during the move. But the story of Sister Liu remains deeply etched in my heart. She influenced not only her entire family and ours, her church, but also many teachers and students at Northeast Theological Seminary in Shenyang and Wuchang, as well as countless brothers and sisters in Christ. I once introduced many people to visit her, and she prayed for each one of them.
Liu was an unassuming rural sister, unknown to the world, yet she ignited many lives through her lifelong prayers, “blind” faith, and sincere love. Hers was a life that glorified Christ and blessed others. To me, she was truly a “giant of faith.”
Postscript:
During my trip back to China this summer, on June 11, 2025, I visited Pastor Shen Guangwei and his wife in Shenyang. Over breakfast, Mrs. Shen mentioned a blind sister who had profoundly influenced her life. Her brief account deeply touched me. After returning to the United States, I invited Mrs. Shen to share more details via WeChat voice messages. She even confirmed some of the information with Liu Ruiying’s daughter, Teacher Jiang. I am grateful for her generous sharing. I have compiled her testimony here so that brothers and sisters in America may share in this blessing.
(Pastor Li Chunhai)
[1] Charles L. Culpepper, Shantung Revival, https://www.found-treasure.org/cht/Shup%20Chun%20Chap/Shup%20Chun%20Chap%20056/pageshupchunchap056.htm, accessed 8/12, 2025.