Two years ago my husband and I started helping out at our church’s Saturday night Chinese ministry. I did some teaching and then started playing piano for Mandarin worship.

That is how I met Simon. Or maybe it was more like Simon met me. Simon and his older brother, Peter, attended Saturday night Bible class and worship. Simon is about 10 years old—a Down syndrome child. He started following me almost as soon as I became a part of the program. As I opened up the top of the grand piano and prepared my music for the service, he would appear at my side, all quiet, with giant, wide eyes of curiosity. I would practice a little. Then Simon would say, “That was beautiful.”

At first, I thought Simon would join the other children in an English-speaking Bible class when the service began. Sometimes he does. But most often Simon sits by the piano, even sharing the bench with me. As I play the Chinese hymns, Simon will hum along and imagine that he is conducting a choir. Sometimes he likes to feel the tunes and lets his hands hover above my hands as I play. At first it was a bit disconcerting to have another person’s hands shadowing my 10 fingers’ every movement, but I quickly got used to it, realizing this has special meaning for Simon.

After many weeks, Simon began asking questions about the crosses he saw decorating the church’s interior. I told Simon who Jesus is and what he has done for us. Each week the questions were the same. So were my answers. I always tried to connect the dots for Simon’s limited understanding and make the message about his Savior a personal matter.

Then Simon learned the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Incredibly, he remembered most of the words. We began singing the hymn each week, either before or after the service. It quickly became his song. He loves the song because he loves Jesus, and he knows that Jesus loves him.

When we began English worship services on Saturday too, I thought Simon would stop coming. I assumed he would want to be with his brother and the other Chinese children. But he has been in church week in and week out. He is comfortable with me at the piano. The music is a language all of its own for Simon—a language he can understand.

Simon is one of Jesus’ special lambs. It’s an unexpected blessing that God has placed Simon into my life, sitting beside me each week, singing about the sweet sound of God’s grace. It’s a humbling experience—one that serves as a constant reminder that when special children like Simon become a part of our lives, it is a wonderful privilege. The thought of Simon and his love for Jesus drives me to my knees in humble gratitude to God for giving me an opportunity to share the message of salvation in Jesus such a unique way with such a special child.