China

Going to China was a life-changing experience. A heartbreaking experience. A love-inducing experience. I didn’t go to China for fun, although there were many fun times to be had. I didn’t go to China to tour the Great Wall or the Summer Palace, but that was done. I didn’t go to China to forge lifelong friendships with some amazing women, but that did, indeed, happen. So WHY did I go to China? I went to China to meet special children who need forever families. I went to China to learn as much as possible about them so I could come home and tell their stories. I went to China to be a part of their stories. To be a part of finding them forever families. To be a part of them coming home.  

We met Timothy, Willow, Oskar, and Titus right away on the bus to the orphanage; they are foster children who live close enough to the orphanage to catch a ride with us. We met Sky, Fawn, Nate, Smith, Robin, and Clyde at the orphanage. They were all shy and reserved at first, but warmed up to us pretty quickly. We had some free play the first day and boy, was it fun! Puzzles, play-doh, singing “Let It Go”, and watching Frozen were all a success.

Day 2 brought more structure and one on one time with the children. Our team doctor and nurse practitioner were able to start on the medical assessments. The rest of us started on fine/gross motor skill assessment and learning about their personalities through play and observation. I took notes. Lots and lots of notes of things potential parents would want to know about a child they’re considering for adoption.

Days 3 and 4 were much the same as day 2. Medical assessments were finished up. We wound down note-taking and concentrated on playing and enjoying the time with each child. Hair bows, fingernail polish, and temporary tattoos were brought out much to the delight of the kids.

Day 5 was a birthday celebration! We had cake and gifts for the children and the orphanage workers. We played outside and face painted. We bounced balls, played with the parachute, used sidewalk chalk, and water in spray bottles.

I have story after story I could tell you of how I had the chance to use sign language (that I learned YEARS ago) with some of the children or how we were so surprised to learn that several have a good grasp on the English language. I could tell you how the strengths of the women I worked with were a perfect fit for our team or how we laughed together. I could tell you about the Chinese version of uber and of taxi rides and walks down the road in a place I’ve never been. But what I want to tell you is that I will never be the same after having served these precious children in China. God has stirred a passion in me for the orphan. My heart is in China with the 10 children we saw every day. They all need a home. They all need the love and care of parents.

“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5b. We have wept over these children. I am sure they have wept because we didn’t come back to see them after Friday. Our night may be long, but the morning and our rejoicing IS coming. We rejoice in the fact that we can come home and be storytellers for them. We rejoice in knowing that God has a purpose and a plan for each one of them. We will rejoice when we receive news that their forever families have found them.

The names and faces of 10 children will forever be imprinted in my heart and mind. Pray with me that their families will find them and find them soon.