How a Victim of a Slashing Attack Found God Again
Han Hongli’s world came crashing down on her on 14 April 2022.
Like all migrant workers looking for greener pastures and better job opportunities, Hongli came to Singapore from Henan, China in 2016 to work in the F&B industry.
In Hongli’s mind, making money and giving a more comfortable life to her family back in China, especially her two children, a teenage boy and a young adult daughter still in university, were her top priorities.
“I had only one goal in mind: to earn more money to support my two children. I did not have the luxury of time or space in my head and heart to think of other things besides working hard. I even opted not to rest a single day for half a year so that I could earn more for my children.”
The Start of the Storm
On 14 April 2022, Hongli was routinely chopping meat at the Chong Qing (Origin) restaurant
kitchen where she was working. Suddenly, she found herself being viciously attacked and slashed repeatedly with a chopper.
The alleged attacker, who has been charged with attempted murder, was her estranged husband. The violent attack was captured on multiple videos, which went viral. Singaporeans reacted with shock and horror at the slashing that took place in broad daylight.
Against all odds, Hongli survived the attack, thanks to the many brave people who had stepped in to help. More than seven months after the attack, and now partially blind and with partial loss of use of her fingers, Hongli now focuses on her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual recovery while waiting for trial proceedings to begin. She has been sheltered and cared for by the Sojourn programme under the Salvation Army since her discharge from the hospital on 19 May.
“When the first slash came upon me, all I could think of was to escape. All I wanted to do was to survive because I still wanted to see my two children,” recalled Hongli.
Shock and Sorrow, Fear and Fury
Hongli has gone through six surgeries with more to come.
“For a long time, I dared not look at myself in the mirror. I was in deep anger, despair and grief. I felt bitter, inferior and hopeless. I was shocked he did this to me.”
The anger, trauma, physical and emotional pain Hongli had to experience and endure were overwhelming.
“I don’t know how to describe it. No words,” Hongli shared.
“You are the Most Beautiful Mother in the World”
Hongli had thought of giving it all up.
“I was suicidal.”
“I wouldn’t want to live on if not for my two children back in China. They gave me hope to go on,” said Hongli, wiping away tears.
On one occasion. Hongli’s younger brother in China was so desperate to encourage Hongli that he used reverse psychology on her: “He told me, ‘If you want to give up on living, don’t count on me to look after your kids. I will not look after them if you give up on your life. You should do your best as their mother to survive this and rebuild your life to continue seeing your kids grow up.”
“And my children told me I am the most beautiful mother in the world to them. My family encouraged me to live on.”
Returning to God
Before coming to Singapore, Hongli had taken on different jobs in China, including cleaning and polishing cars. It was at her previous job as a car groomer in Henan that Hongli met a customer who told her about Christ.
“Gradually, I came to accept Christ,” recalled Hongli. “But I was not focused on following God. There were other pressing things on my mind, like putting food on the table for my family.”
During her hospital stay, Hongli often cried silently at her hopeless situation but also had time to reflect on what had happened.
“I realised God had sent many angels to save me when I was attacked. I am grateful to the brave men who stepped forward to help me during the attack. I am also grateful to the kind souls from the community who supported me in my recovery journey. I also thank God. I was praying hard before the major surgery on my almost-severed left arm. While I was in the operating theatre, I saw angels in the theatre protecting me. I felt that God had personally performed the surgery for me.”
“Even the doctors were amazed at my recovery.”
During her hospital stay, Hongli started to worry about her livelihood, medical and recovery expenses. But many had read her story and responded to her plight with well-wishes and practical help. Many Singaporeans, the Chinese migrant worker community, and the charity Ray of Hope, raised money for Hongli to help with her expenses.
“I was rude and reticent to some visitors at first because I had a lot of anger, pain, worry and grief inside me. But my friends and even strangers did not give up on me.”
Two of those who visited her were a staff member, Eric Lee, who works with migrant workers and a pastor from the Salvation Army. They would sit with, pray for, or accompany Hongli for her countless medical reviews and physiotherapy sessions.
Towards the end of her hospital stay, the Salvation Army team asked Hongli what her plans were and made available the option of housing her if she needed a short-term place for shelter, respite and recovery. She has since been sheltered by and recovering under the Sojourn programme by the Salvation Army. The Sojourn Programme is an outreach programme that helps the male migrant worker community in Singapore. But they made an exception to help Hongli, a female migrant worker, due to her affliction and excruciating circumstances.
“I was grateful. The thought of where to go after my hospitalisation had vexed me, and
God had sent someone again to help me. The Salvation Army not only gave me a place to stay and have meals, but they also introduced me to a community of Christian and non-Christian migrant workers who helped support me. We would meet for meals and chitchats. We would talk about our families back home and find commonalities in our lives in Singapore.”
Hongli now attends Church services on Sundays and is ministered to by a sister in Christ from the Salvation Army. She is reminded of the grace of God daily through the community of migrant and Christian workers at the shelter.
Shattered But Not Defeated
Today, Hongli is not only a woman who is fighting her way through adversity, she also finds happiness and meaning in life by helping others despite her own pain and struggles.
“When I gradually regained the use of my fingers, I started to clean the floor at the shelter every morning. I would also make dumplings for the other migrant workers. I am happy, very happy indeed, to be able to do something to help others, after all the help I’ve received.”
The reunion with God is sweet and comforting for Hongli amid her long physical and spiritual recovery to normalcy and stability.
“Slowly, I felt I could face the world again,” said Hongli with a smile.
“The attack shattered my life. It made me see life at its most cruel. It also made me find and take shelter in God again amidst my darkest storm. I gave up, but God did not give up on me. He is slowly healing me and piecing my life back together again.”
“I can talk about the pain and anguish that I am experiencing and enduring now because I know I have a Heavenly Father who loves and never abandons me.”
“I am thankful. I am humbled by all the love and care from God and the people around me. I’ve learnt a lot from the ordeal. I like the new person I’ve become. God gives me hope and strength to carry on.”
“This Christmas, all I wish for is for those whom I love and who love me to have peace and joy.”
“And I wish to draw even closer to God.”
Han Hongli shares with us what it is like to be back with God now. Watch her exclusive interview with Wesley Tidings here:
Wesley Tidings would like to thank the Salvation Army for facilitating this interview.
Read the Chinese version of this article here.
Ponder, Pray and be Prompted
Are you experiencing a storm in your life now? Do you want someone to listen to your plight and pain? You don’t have to suffer in silence. Find out more about Wesley Counselling Services at Wesley Methodist Church, or contact us at 6837 9214 (Monday – Friday 9am to 6pm) or email counselling@wesleymc.org.
Christians have a unique opportunity in times of difficulties and tragedy to reflect the love and compassion of Jesus. What can you do today to help others? If you would like to bring some cheer to others, please visit Wesley Methodist Church – Christian Outreach & Social Concerns to find out more or contact cosc@wesleymc.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth, a Methodist minister in 1865 in London, England. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God, and its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Salvation Army operates in over 130 countries. In Singapore, the Salvation Army has 14 centres serving around 2,000 beneficiaries, including the vulnerable and poor, the frail elderly, the children from disadvantaged homes and the at-risk youth in the community, the children and families of ex-offenders and the migrant and domestic workers. The Salvation Army relies heavily on the support and help from well-wishers and the Christian community for their outreach programs. For more information on the Salvation Army or if you wish to make a donation to them, please go to The Salvation Army Singapore
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