Orphan Sunday

       

Orphan Sunday is November 3.  ALL God's children are precious to him, no matter where they are from.  He doesn't care which orphans you serve or where you serve them.  This is a video on our trip to China.  We are going back to Liaoning Province June 25-July 6, 2014 with two teams.  One team will go back to Chaoyang and another will rekindle a relationship with the orphanage in Fushun.  This is your chance to Go. Be.  LOVE.

We took a few photos of empty rooms, empty halls. How I wish those rooms and halls were empty because all the children had found someone to call their own, someone to love them despite their brokenness. Those empty halls haunt me. They should either be empty because the children have left with someone who loves them, or they should be filled with running happy children. But they aren’t. My heart breaks for the orphan.

And I am reminded they are loved by One who loves them even more than I love them. Even though we never knew some of their names, He does. He sent us to be his hands and feet -- to be His arms hugging, holding, and loving on these children. We walked in and Love went with us. We left. Love stayed. And I believe somewhere within their hearts, the children know their creator. Sometimes, I suspect they know Him better than we do. I can find no other way to explain what we experienced -- The laughter of a child who has known no joy in life. The teen who finds beauty and clings to it within the drab walls of an orphanage. The autistic child’s excitement to see us, when he really prefers routine over new and exciting, until the new and exciting is found to be less scary than he had thought…

These children have less to laugh about than just about any other soul on this earth, and still they laugh. They laugh with overwhelming joy that someone took a few days to show them Love. Yes indeed, our Lord, His Love, walked in with us when we entered the orphanage in Chaoyang. Those precious children knew it. They embraced it. How many of us as adults can say that we do the same? I went on the trip to minister to them. I came home a different person. While I was ‘helping’ them, they were helping me…

Chen

Our little Chen is another of the kiddos who suffers from autism. It made my heart hurt to watch him process our group coming in and anything new and different for that matter... Once a person passed that initial stage, though… look out!!! One member of our group spent countless time going over to the ball pit and playing with Chen. Seems he LOVED being tossed into the pit! It was such a joy to hear his squeals of delight rather than his tears of struggle as he processed new things. He also convinced me to go into the play area. He would coax me up a climbing area until I got so high I was afraid my adult weight would cause the equipment to collapse. Then, he would push me further into the climbing area. He was so disappointed when I wouldn’t go any further…

Our little Mr. Chen must have a sweet tooth also. On our last day with our kiddos, we had a birthday celebration complete with a monster-sized cake! It looked yummy. I guess Chen thought it looked pretty good too. He kept trying to get to the cake before the party. One member of our group kept trying to keep him from the cake. He finally caught his moment and dove in. The cake was missing a bite out of the side when we served it. This little boy had just a teeny amount of frosting on his face before the party began.  Oh, how I love these kiddos.

Two steps forward. One step back.

Prior to our outing at the amusement park, I had not spent much time with Dong Dong. I was afraid that he would be reluctant to hold my hand since he didn’t know me yet. When I grasped his little arm and started walking through the park he immediately resisted because of all the sights and sounds he was bombarded with. When you spend as much time in the shelter of the orphanage like Dong Dong does, you’d understand how overwhelming this trip was for him. As we walked, he would take two steps forward and one step back. Like several children in the orphanage, Dong Dong has autism. He self-soothes by rocking and this was his way of observing this new setting while staying in the confines of his “world”.


We eventually got into a rhythm, he and I. I would walk slowly while he did his steps and to outsiders I’m sure it appeared as if we were doing a waltz through the park! On the rides Dong Dong would let out a laugh that would shatter the silence between the two of us and lift my heart in a way that I never imagined. Once our time in the park was coming to an end one of the nannies gave him a balloon that truly brought Dong Dong out of his shell. While flapping in the wind the balloon would bump me in the head and he would just laugh his little heart out. So much so that we turned it into a game and I would gladly make myself the fool just to hear his laughter again and again. I can hear it now echoing in my mind.


Upon returning home, I’ve struggled with the overwhelming need to help these children, to rescue them from their life of solidarity and loneliness, to give them a voice. I question why I was allowed to spend such little time with them and make (in my mind) no difference in their lives but then I remember that laughter.

Our trip did make a difference. Seeing his smile and watching his joy made all the difference…to him. I will now walk through life like Dong Dong, two steps forward towards the future and one step with my eye on the past. These children will not be forgotten for they have gained a voice to share their story…mine ----Amy

This is Hugh

This is our friend Hugh.  He was one of the first kiddos to catch my eye when we walked into his room he shared with seven other children.  Hugh is in the "crib bound" room.  He's unable to walk or talk, feed himself, scratch his knee, or roll over.  BUT, he has one of the best smiles AND, he understands Chinese and everything that is said to him.  It is obvious by looking into his eyes that he 'gets it.'

Hugh's story is different than the other children living in the orphanage.  He was cared for by his grandmother for a very long time, when she passed his parents were not able to continue to provide him with the care he needed.  So, his parents brought him here and paid a very large sum of money to have the orphanage care for him.  They even come to visit him.  My heart says they did the best they could for their son, they made the right choice.  So many are not that fortunate.

Robin

In one of our first posts about the children of Chaoyang, we introduced you to Min and mentioned that she was responsible for the care of another child. This is Min's child. Meet Robin. The team of Min and Robin are often referred to as Batman and Robin. I wonder if Batman had as much trouble with his boy wonder and Min has with hers?
Robin. Our Boy Wonder. Just those words make me smile. Yes, he is a handful. Yes, he is a HUGE responsibility for his friend Min. But he is also a young guy who can make you smile and even chuckle a time or two. Of course, those chuckles usually come about the time you realize that a teenage girl is better equipped to take care of Robin than you are....

Robin puts everything in his mouth. Everything. Toys, water bottles, caps off ink pens, rocks, leaves off the shrubs when you go outside for a walk, and even teeny tiny small spiky leaves off an evergreen tree.

And he runs. I never saw him run, thankfully, because a running Robin meant someone had failed at their job and let go of this little guy.

Oddly enough, the only time Min didn't have to hold tightly to Robin was when they were in the 'naughty room' I wonder why he looks so comfortable in this room? I'm thinking he spends quite a bit of time in there...

During my time with Robin, I tried to show him how to use a piece of sidewalk chalk. He tried to show me how to eat a piece of sidewalk chalk. I showed him how to catch bubbles that were floating through the air. He tried to catch bubbles and put them in his mouth... At times he would get right in my face and stare into my eyes. I have to wonder what he was looking for. I hope what he saw was love.

Lily

Little Lily. Her photos tell her story better than my words.
Lily doesn’t have a whole lot to smile about. She is one of those children who didn’t enjoy laughing and playing with the American mommies. As I understand it, she has all but stopped eating. She is taking in enough to remain alive, but barely. This child is thin, frighteningly thin. In an orphanage where all have difficulties in their little world, Lily stands out.

One of our team members is a dentist. When she examined Lily's mouth, she found an infection and severe gum disease. It could be possible that eating just hurts her little mouth too much. There could be any number of reasons the child isn’t eating. Whatever the reason, she is wasting away.

Little Lily. You are loved. By the team who came to serve you and by your Father who created you. I pray you feel that love every hour, every minute of every day.

GOD made sky and soil,
sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
He defends the wronged,
He feeds the hungry.
GOD frees prisoners—
He gives sight to the blind,
He lifts up the fallen.
GOD loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows.
---taken from Psalm 146

Zacchaeus

I am going to love this child forever!  I know he's a handful.  I know he has LOTS of energy.  I know he likes to tear things up.  I know he likes to hear things fall on the ground and make loud noises.  I know he needs almost one on one care to keep him out of trouble.  But . . . 

He has an energy that is contagious.  He has a liking for the simple.  He never has a bad day.  He doesn't let too many things bother him.  He knows what he likes and goes for it.  He is a ball of lightening.  And I wish I had a little more of all of that in me.

I didn't have a whole lot of contact with this guy because I was upstairs a lot with the more involved kiddos.  But on the last day I was able to get to know Zacchaeus a little.  There was a stack of stools in the corner.  Nice and neat little stack of stools just all stacked up in the play room, all different colors.  Nice and neat.  Zach thought those were pretty cool.  He especially liked the red ones.  He managed to unstack the stools and get a red one.  He then took great joy in picking it up and smashing it on the ground just to hear the sound it made!  He would have done that for a very long time if he was able! I tried to help him with this task as best as I could, but he was pretty head strong in doing it himself.  If I pulled a blue one out he would go back for a red one. Probably not the most productive thing for him to be doing, but it was the way his precious brain was working.  I like watching brains work, wheels turn, problem solving in his own way. 

He enjoyed being thrown into the ball pit.  He enjoyed rough house play.  He enjoyed all the stimulation of so many strangers.  I wish I had more time with this one and so many more.

Four days is not near enough time to spend with this group of amazing kids.  If I could go every day I think I would.  Such a need.  

And, I'd take you with me.

This is our Zacchaeus.  Precious handful that he may be!

Michael and Andy

We’ve been home over a week, and I can’t get these children off my mind and my heart. I write about one child, and I feel a measure of peace, then I hear this whisper that I should tell another child’s story.

Michael

Michael is a young man who never got out of his bed while we were there. He had a seizure the first day we came. I have to wonder if our presence coming in suddenly and with so many of us was just too much for him. The nannies discouraged us from trying to move Michael. It is my understanding that he has MS, suffers from bed sores, has the issue with seizures, and his joints are pretty much locked up. Moving him might hurt him more than comfort him? We prayed over this child. We spoke with him. We tried to be the comfort he needed, to bring a little joy. I never saw this child smile.

From one of our team members -- “I had the chance to spend some time with him and got to feed him lunch. When I first sat down on his bed, he looked at me with such fear in his eyes. It broke my heart. I sang to him while I fed him and showed him pictures of my family. He eventually relaxed and curled his body around mine. It was a moving experience.”

Michael. Dear sweet Michael. Your life matters. You changed mine.


And Andy.

This little guy didn’t leave his crib. Well… he didn’t leave with the nannies’ permission. :) They didn’t tell us much about little Andy, except that he likes to run. As in escape…. I was working with some of the children one afternoon and saw a nanny come running out of the room Andy and Michael shared with the others. She gathered as many nannies as she could find as quickly as she could, and they began chasing Andy. Yes, this determined little guy had escaped his crib, escaped his room, and apparently was trying to escape the orphanage. They caught him before he went too far. It was obvious this was a pretty common occurrence. The little guy didn’t seem to have a great amount of thinking ability, but apparently there was some kind of thought process going, because he sure knew he wanted out!

Andy sat in his crib, or rather, hung over the sides of his crib, and reached out for anyone who was passing by. If you came within arms reach, he was going to grab on and hold on! He had a tremendous problem with drooling, and when I was in the room with him, he was either hanging his head over the side of the crib with drool flowing from his mouth straight down to puddle on the floor or sitting in his bed moving his body side to side, and making a growling noise.

I asked someone his name, and they told me he was called Animal. Wow! I did not like that! I couldn’t imagine even the most uncaring nanny on the planet giving a name like this to a child. I could barely stand to think of the injustice. After we left the orphanage, I mentioned how much this bothered me to another team member. She assured me it was a nickname given in love by a person who thought the young boy was rather endearing. He was given this nickname by a person who loved the Muppets. You know, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and…..Animal! Thinking about that name from this perspective gave me an entire new insight on the nickname. If you remember the Muppets, Animal was a character we all wanted to see more of. He didn’t speak. He had this gravelly growl he used to communicate, he was quite often running to random places, and seldom acted if the rules were meant to be followed. Andy, our little Animal. Makes me smile when I think of him and the way he overcomes his tremendous challenges to try to enjoy the experience of simply being a little boy, because boys will be boys you know….

Sing

And little Sing. What a guy! I can’t honestly say I spent a tremendous amount of time with him, simply because he was always. on. the. move. He went from the ball pit, to the slide, to the… He is one little guy who has so much to do, so much to see. His excitement to be on the go and seeing new things was such a joy to witness.

My most memorable time with this little guy was as I sat with him at a lunch we helped prepare at the orphanage. We were sitting at a small table, Toni C. and me on one side and our two little friends on the other. The two boys found the food they were most fond of, and they ATE! I offered a particular dish to Sing’s friend. He let me know he didn’t want that particular dish and motioned for me to give it to Sing. Sing loved it! The dish was a pork dish, and each piece of pork seemed to be more fat that meat. Sing didn’t care. I put a piece into his dish. He ate it and asked for more. Repeat. He did the same with the Sprite we were served. After he finished off the entire serving plate of meat, he kept asking for more Sprite. I knew the little guy had to be so full his tummy hurt, so I very gently told him “no more.” All I can say to that is that he knows he is adorable and decided to use that to his advantage. His asking for more and my saying ‘no’ quickly became a game. He would use hand motions to ask “please” and I would relent and give him a tiny amount of soda in his glass. He poured it over the last of his pork, made soup, ate it, and asked for more. Again, I would say “no, your tummy is too full.” And he would ask please with the cutest little grin. When I would finally give in and pour more soda, he would dance this little happy dance. Oh the absolute joy! What a guy, what a guy…

The reason

It is my hope we're not clogging all your news feeds with our stories of these children. Since being home, my heart has felt a very strong need to tell their stories, to have people see the children. Not their special need, not the mission, just the children. They have God's heart, and they have captured mine.

Baby Jack

This is Jack.  He had arrived at the orphanage only two days prior to us coming.  He's a plump, snuggly, happy little guy.  He very rarely fussed.  It makes you wonder why this seemingly healthy baby boy would be brought to an orphanage.
I worked with kids with special needs for 11 1/2 years before I left teaching to take care of our growing family.  Baby Jack reminds me of one of those kiddos I had known while I was in college.  His name was Benjamin.  Benjamin, like Jack, had low muscle tone, especially in his upper body.  Do you think Jack's parents knew that?
Or, was Jack their second child, and because of the one child policy they had to find another place for their baby boy before they had to pay a fine?
Whatever the reason this sweet boy now lives in an orphanage.  He's on my heart.  Because without the proper stimulation and therapy I am afraid that he will be one of those kiddos that stays in their crib most of the day.

Mercy

We named this sweet baby girl Mercy. She was found on the side of the road shortly before we got to the orphanage. She was terribly afraid of everyone and I'm sure her surroundings. Our bus driver was able to show her love by picking her up and carrying her around. He was so sweet with her. She passed away unexpectedly while we were there. When left the orphanage Wednesday night she was fine but when we arrived Thursday morning they told us that she spiked a high fever, was rushed to the hospital and passed away. It was a shock to all of us. What upset me most was that it seemed that no one at the orphanage gave it much thought but I could be mistaken because I don't speak the language. I'm sure it happens frequently there and they are all accustomed to it. I was heartbroken to think that no one grieved for her but was reminded by Toni, my team leader, that WE grieved for her and it was no accident that God allowed her to pass during our visit. I'm so thankful that we had the opportunity to meet her and that she's dancing with Jesus right now! ---Amy M.

Hannah

Hi this is Halli. I would like to tell you about my time with Hannah. On the first morning, I was downstairs playing with the kids who could freely move around. I began playing with Hannah that first afternoon. When I went upstairs, Hannah crawled over to me. We played a little, and she held onto my shoulders and tried to stand up. One of the team members turned on some Christian music, and Hannah began trying to dance. I played with her all afternoon and put her in her crib when we left.
Hannah always liked to hold on to me really tightly when I moved. There was a mirror and bars in the playroom, kinda like ballet. Hannah stood up with help and held onto the bar, and she would lean down and touch her tongue to the bar. I think it was cool and she enjoyed the feel of it on her tongue.

I got to feed her one day. I really enjoyed that, but I got nervous when the nannies came in. While I was feeding her, she would reach in to grab the food if I didn’t feed her quickly enough. That bothers me. I think that maybe she is hungry a lot and doesn’t get enough food.

In the mornings when I walked by her crib, she would reach out to me. When I lifted her up, she clung to me. I walked by without picking her up once or twice, but I knew she always wanted me to get her out, so I did. There was an exercise ball. I would get on it with my stomach, and she would reach for my shoulders for me to help her play with me.

I took her downstairs to play in the ball pit. I think she really liked the feel of the balls as she sat in them.
I am really sad now that I’m home. I know we made the babies so happy, and I worry that no one is playing with them now. My mom tells me to always remember to pray for them when I’m sad. I miss seeing Hannah’s happy smile and her reaching out to hold onto me. I hope I can go back to see her and the other kids.

Ruby and Willow

And then there were children in the orphanage who didn’t get to play. It was such a joy to pull the crib-bound children out of their cribs, place them on play mats on the floor, and allow them to stretch their limbs and see different sights. Sadly, there were some who were even beyond that simple pleasure.

Ruby is an older girl, I would guess her age to be late teens, possibly even 20? We were told she did walk a little when she came to the orphanage, but at this point in her life, she either sits on the side of the bed or lies down. I was told she does not walk at all. While we were there, she seemed to be in pain. We were told she was suffering from kidney stones. Bless her heart. That condition would be miserable in the best of circumstances, but precious Ruby isn’t living in the best of circumstances. She has a single bed in a room surrounded by other kiddos who have equally dreary circumstances. She didn’t get to enjoy our team coming in and taking her to another room. No laughter for dear Ruby. I suspect she stays in her bed even more than the others simply because she has the body size of a near-adult and would be very difficult for the nannies to lift and handle. I can tell you, she had back rubs. She was prayed over. She was spoken to. Those simple acts don’t seem like much, but I am putting my faith and trust in the Lord that He stepped in when it was more than we could do to comfort her. My prayer is that her days were brightened while we were there and that she would continue to feel the Lord’s love through the coming days.


There was another child who pulled so strongly at my heart strings. I have no idea if the child is a boy or a girl. (Their hair is all clipped very short to enable the nannies to take care of it a little more easily). I chose to call this child Willow. I close my eyes and see the branches of a willow tree, how they bend so gracefully. My little Willow’s limbs are so bent and stiff, they won't bend. I would think she is in continual pain. Imagine, if you will, that you are lying on your side with your leg thrown as far over your body as your hip joints would allow. Then take that position and turn so your back is lying flat on the crib. That is Willow’s life.

The first day we walked in, the team went to the cribs to say hello to the children. Willow just lay very still and cried. I walked over and began stroking her forehead, cheek, and down her neck. She quieted and seemed peaceful. I asked one of the nannies if I could pull her from her bed. The nanny gave me permission. I motioned to the nanny and asked if I needed help because the child was so twisted, I feared I would hurt her by picking her up. The nanny didn’t offer her assistance, so I reached down and picked up this little slip of a girl. Her limbs didn’t give at all as I picked her up. Her little joints and bones were frozen in place. I took her over, sat on the nannies bed, and began rocking her while singing over her. She relaxed and would almost fall asleep, then she would open her eyes and watch me as I cuddled her. I think she wanted to enjoy the feeling of being loved as long as she could. She did finally drift off to sleep and I placed her back in her bed. This child is a prisoner in her own little body with stiff aching joints. I trust some day when the Lord takes her home, she can discard that body that refuses to move and enjoy eternity in a new body that will move with the grace and ease of a willow tree swaying in the wind.


I pray these two will remember our loving hands and that the Lord’s love will comfort them long after we have walked away from the orphanage.

Sweet Ping!

This our friend Ping!  As you might have guessed, he has "Designer Genes" also known as Down's Syndrome.  But that does not keep him from being mobile and adorable and happy.  I would guess that he is about 6-8 months old and can already sit up on his own, crawl, and go after what he wants.  He has no desire just yet to bear weight on his legs, but I have no doubt he will accomplish that as well.  For a kiddo with Down's Syndrome he is doing great!  He is very cuddly and happy even though he wasn't feeling too great while we were there.  I have a feeling he is quite the treasure in the baby room! He was definitely a favorite amongst the Visiting Orphans team :).  It is not uncommon for a baby born with Down's to have some sort of heart defect, however, we are not sure about Ping's heart.

We are working with the director of the orphanage to get this little guy listed as soon as possible so he can be in a forever family very soon.  Even though he is in a pretty good orphanage there is no future for him here and he would thrive with a family (as any child would)!  If you are curious about Ping being a part of your family we can do everything we can to let you know when he's on the list.

Meet Jean

Jean is a beauty and will turn seven in January.  Oh she is bright!  It would seem from this outsider's perspective that she is the orphanage queen bee, ordering both the children and nannies around.  With the right family, this child could be CEO of a company someday!

She met us at the bus that first day wearing pink sandals with flowers and sequins, a girly dress, with her hair beautifully braided and tied with tulle.  She immediately grabbed my hand and took me into the play area.  This girl is not shy!  She is bold, strong willed, and very, very smart.

Jean needs a mom and dad.  She needs a family desperately!  How I would love to see her with loving, committed and strong willed parents.  It would seem at first glance that her need maybe isn't as great as some of the other children.  She is mentally and physically very capable.  This child can out do, out think most of the children and the nannies she is surrounded by.  She needs to meet her match in a mom and dad that will teach her to use her powers for good!

Of the help our team was able to give the orphanage, one of the things that brings me the most satisfaction is that we are able to pay for a tutor for Jean.  You see, Jean is not allowed in school because she is incontinent due to her medical need.  Is the issue fixable with surgery?  Possibly.  I don't know, but she is going to need a family to have the issues addressed.  I do have a little information about what is going on and could probably get more information for an interested family, but in the  interest of Jean's privacy will not share more here.  I would be happy to speak privately.  

Most of the children in this orphanage are non-verbal.  Jean is one of four children who speak (very articulate).  Two of the other children are being adopted soon.  Jean has told the nannies that she is not happy about this because she doesn't know who she is going to play with.

If you think you might be Jean's family, you are going to need a well developed sense of humor!  While we were playing with the children, team member's shoes kept disappearing to be found buried in the ball pit.  While we suspected a certain child, we never actually saw her do the deed :).  She pretty much confirmed our suspicions when she came up to our team leader, Toni, smacked her on the rear end and said something in Mandarin.  Toni asked a friend for interpretation and was told Jean said, "why you no wearing your shoes?"

Jean's file is being prepared for adoption.  Would you pray with us that God would be preparing a special family?  

Children were not made for orphanages.  Children were made for families.  (paraphrase Johnny Carr)

Joey

Joey is one of the children who spends the majority of his time in a crib. As our team was taken through the rooms meeting the children, Joey was in his crib waiting for us. As soon as he saw our team, he began laughing. And laughing. And laughing. Such a precious, precious sound…
As we walked up to his crib, we understood the nannies to tell us this was "happy girl." After an afternoon of referring to him as happy girl, we decided he needed a name. And we still thought he was a she… we named him Joy. After a rather humorous diaper change performed by one member of our team, we quickly decided he should be Yoji or Joey. Some of us still refer to our silly boy as Yoji but most of the team prefers to call him Joey. Either way, he is one joyful soul.

We took Joey out of the crib and played with him in the floor of a playroom. And he laughed. We talked with him. And he laughed. We could learn so much from this precious child. He can’t speak. His little legs are thin, no muscle mass to speak of. He can walk but only with a tremendous amount of assistance. He has braces we put on him for our trip to the park, but you could tell they were seldom if ever used. This child spends virtually his entire time in a crib. He doesn’t cry. He laughs.

While at the park, Joey was pushed around in a wheelchair. And he laughed. We pulled him out of the chair and put him on a ride with a friend. Joy, Joy, Joy!!! He had smiles and laughs for everyone who took the time to talk with him. After the park, we had KFC. This child totally, completely enjoyed his meal. Every. Single. Bite. He had a chicken sandwich, two pieces of chicken, fries, and a soda. He ate so much, I thought his little tummy would burst. He also showed us how incredibly intelligent he is. As he took a bite, I would say yuuuuummmmm. He quickly began saying yuuuummmmm after every bite. One afternoon, the director was talking and Joey got pretty loud. A friend and I were with him, and the friend put her finger to her lip and said “shhhh Joey” with a smile in her voice. He quickly began imitating her and saying shhhh and immediately laughed.

We began taking Joey downstairs and allowing him to sit in his wheelchair while the ambulatory kiddos worked on crafts. One afternoon, he was at the craft table with his back to a large play area that had a ball pit. He enjoyed the craft, but he kept looking back over his shoulder at the kiddos who were playing and laughing in the ball pit. I wheeled him over to the pit. He thought we were there to watch the others play, and he was happy with that. But just when he thought he was content as a spectator, I picked him up and began walking to the ball pit. This boy erupted in laughter! Uncontrolled, deep from the belly laughter. I climbed in the ball pit with him in my arms, then let him fall down into the bed of colorful balls. So much joy! I would pull his upper body into a sitting position in the pit, and he would intentionally go totally limp in order to be down in the balls. When he finally began to tire of lying in the sea of balls, he allowed me to sit him up and he began throwing balls everywhere. And laughed. And laughed some more. The next day, I put him on a play mat next to the pit. With much cheering from the American team, he began to crawl to the pit. When he reached the steps, two members of our team took his hands, and he managed to climb the steps and go into the fun bed of balls. Seeing those spindly little legs climbing those steps and seeing the joy on his face, hearing his laughter, these are memories I will cherish.

Late one afternoon, I took him up to his crib and gently laid him down. A local friend was visiting the orphanage with our group. She leaned over Joey’s crib and asked if he liked the “American mamas.” With more laughter, he shook his head “yes.” I look at this little boy and see how his life has been shaped by his special need. So much joy, so much intelligence, so much potential, wasting away along with the cerebral palsy that defines this young boy. Makes my heart hurt. I suspect, though, that Joey would prefer we laugh with him rather than cry for him, so I pray the Lord will watch over him and offer him comfort during his lonely times in the crib. As I wipe away my tears for this child, I smile in remembrance of his overwhelming joy and exuberance for life.

Min

I want so much to tell you about our trip to China. The only place I know to begin is with the kiddos we met and loved.
Min is a precious teenager who lives in the orphanage. The first morning as our bus drove up to the orphanage, the children and nannies came outside to greet us. Min’s welcome for us will remain in my heart forever. She walked up to our group with a young boy by her side, and she was so obviously excited to see our group. She and her little sidekick, we called him Robin, wove their way through our group as we were getting off the bus until she found the person she was looking for, our leader Toni. Toni has been going back to serve the children in this orphanage for 7 years, and I believe Min has been there from the beginning. It is obvious she has a special love for Toni. It was equally obvious Toni has a special love for Min.

Min is a teenager with the cares and responsibilities of an adult. The young boy who was at her side when they met the bus is always by her side. He puts everything he touches into his mouth, and if someone isn’t holding on to him, he runs. He is strong, and he runs fast! Min spends her day holding the hem of Robin’s shirt bunched up in one of her hands. If he needs the restroom, she takes him. Anywhere he goes, she follows. If Robin misbehaves and gets into trouble, Min gets punished right along with him. Min communicates with her eyes and body language. No words. She has an issue with drooling, and she is very aware of that issue. She holds Robin with one hand and holds a washcloth in the other to keep her face and upper body dry from the drooling issue.

When you look at the girl rather than her circumstances, you see a teen girl just like any other. She loves pretty things. She carries a purple washcloth with her rather than a boring white one. She wants her nails done. She wants to see the world. Difference is, her world exists only within the gates of the orphanage. On our first afternoon at the orphanage, she let Toni know she wanted her nails painted, and she wanted to walk outside. Apparently both of these are favorites when the team visits. Toni promised we would do nails the following morning.


Min did get to take Toni out for a walk to see the gardens. When they came back in, Min was so embarrassed about her pants. Apparently she had fallen while outside and had dirt on the seat of her pants. She wasn’t concerned that she might have hurt herself, she was concerned about the dirt on her clothing. After Toni told us the story of Min’s accident, she quit worrying about her pants and enjoyed the rest of the day.

On our second morning, we brought in the promised nail polish. Min was first in line, and oh she LOVED that polish!! She kept looking at her hands and smiling… I knew how much Min had loved being outside the day before so after we put the polish away, another team member and I took her and Robin out for a walk. Min led us, and she took us to the very back corner of the garden to an area where they had petunias in full bloom. She walked over to the petunias, posed in front of them, and let us know she wanted her photo taken with the flowers. What a precious moment! I close my eyes and see that happy smile.

One afternoon, we came back from lunch and found Min and Robin in the time out room. She seemed worried, troubled, and even her great friend Toni could not seem to get her to smile. We stayed in the room with her and finally got her to play ball with us. While we were playing, Robin wet his pants. Min got very quiet, sat as close as she could to Robin, and would not look at us. We cleaned up the mess and determined we would change Robin’s pants to keep Min from being in trouble. She was so worried, she wouldn’t even help us find pants for the young boy. She sat with her head down. We found pants, changed him, and then saw her smile. Her hero Toni had saved her day.

The last day we were there was heartbreaking. We had a birthday party for all the children just like they have done on the last day of the team’s visit every year. Min may not be able to speak, but she knew what was coming next. Her “Mama Toni” and the other American friends were leaving. She became sad and withdrawn, would not look anyone in the eyes, and I’m convinced was already mourning the end of our fun times. For one short week a year, this child knows she is special. She feels love, and I suspect that memory of love carries her through to the next team visit.

We were in the news. :)

The Love that Overcomes Borders

American volunteers visit local orphanage for the 7th time.
By Liu Yang

Hanging out at the orphanage, playing in the park, fast food at KFC…the local orphan kids are having a ball – because the “American Moms” are in town!

July 16th, the AWAA volunteer group from the USA arrived the city orphanage for the 7th time. Fourteen volunteers representing five states brought not only gifts for the children but also spent time playing with and taking care of them. Despite the language barrier, their warm and touching deeds have planted the seeds of love…

Volunteering with an Adopted Child

Yesterday, central park was packed with happy children playing with their happy American caretakers. Sweet laughters everywhere.

Reporter noticed a little girl about the age of ten who had been hanging out with a local orphan almost the entire time. Her American mom kept giving her tips. We found out that the mom’s name is Kim and the little girl is named Halli. Kim adopted Halli from China ten years ago. Not only so, Kim also brought her biological daughter Toni, who was pushing a kid in a wheelchair. The kid had a big smile from ear to ear.

Kim stated that they wanted Halli to see the great wonders of China, to understand the Chinese culture and traditions, and to appreciate her Chinese heritage. She also wanted Halli to get in touch with more people from China and to help those in need.

Kim told the reporter that she has adopted three children in addition to having two biological children of her own. It’s hard work but totally worth it for the children keep herself young at heart.

College Junior Student Volunteer

There were several college students in the team. One young man caught our attention. Can somebody so young take proper care of kids? After some time of observation and a brief chat, we were quite relieved.

Mitchell is a junior in college. He wants to become a doctor after graduation. He came to China last year and studied traditional Chinese herbal medicine from Beijing, Xi’An and Shanghai. He was extremely careful when playing with and taking care of the kids. He seemed to have quite some prior experience.

According to Mitchell, he has an older sister at home and a four-year old little brother adopted from China. He is used to taking care of his little brother. His parents opened a clinic where his sister also works. The whole family adores the little guy from China and brings him to the clinic often. He promised to bring him here someday for sure.

The Team Has Fun Every Time

Coming to visit the children at Chaoyang has become an intrinsic part of Toni’s life. She has been an active and devoted member of the group for years and the dearest mother in the eyes of the children.

“My happiest moment is when the children recognize me and want hugs from me everytime I come here,” she stated, “Some want me to paint their nails.” There is nothing makes Toni happier than these children’s laughters.

Both of Toni’s biological sons are fully grown. Her two 9-year old daughters were both adopted from China. “I feel very connected to China,” she gushes, “both my daughters have had similar experience, which is why I feel inspired to do something for these children.”

Toni’s husband takes care of the two young girls while she is here in China. He came with Toni to the Chaoyang city orphanage twice for volunteer work. Her son came over last year as well. Toni would love to bring both of her daughters here in a couple of years.

The “Daddy Interpreter”

Mr. Ying Chen visits along the team every year. He not only takes care and plays with the children but also takes on the job of translation. He is the only man who has come over all seven times.

“Being close to these children is emotionally fulfilling,” Mr. Chen said, “I like to travel from time to time, but personally, travelling satisfies only the sense of sight. Helping these children gives me a profound and long-lasting spiritual exhilaration. I feel recharged.”

Mr. Chen works in IT. Each trip costs him almost all of his vacation days and sick days. He admits to get a sense of happinese from not only giving, but also from the powerful united love in his teammates.

Reporter’s notes:

Nationality is not a barrier. Language is not a problem. The love that comes from the other side of the Pacific will continue to work its wonders.

Handing fries to the kids after being dipped in just the right amount of Ketchup; shredding chicken meat off the bones to just the right bite size; kids can be difficult but these volunteers seem to have all the patience in the world.

These children were completely uninhibited around the American moms. They played to their hearts’ content. Each volunteer’s eyes were filled with joy and love. Each trip cost on average $3000. They raised the funds all by themselves. They even turned down the opportunity to visit the Fossil Museum so that they can spend more time with the children, who are the only reasons they were there for.

As I watched what was going on in front of me, a quote came to mind, “To selfishly pursue the happiness for oneself, one is doomed of eventual suffering; to pursue the happiness for others, one has found the ultimate source of happiness.”

Fundraising

So many thoughts are swirling as we pray and prepare for this mission trip… it seems there is always a ‘current’ prevailing thought concerning preparations. In less than a week, we need to have a pretty large sum of money turned in to Visiting Orphans in order to begin the process of purchasing plane tickets and getting things in order for the upcoming trip. As I think about the fundraising issues, I am amazed at myself, my doubts, my worries, and in awe of the Lord who loves these orphans so…

A likely title for this narrative would be “the day I became a beggar.” On a Sunday evening in February, I prayed and told the Lord I would go to China if that was His desire for me. At that point, my heart already knew he was calling both me and Halli to go. My mind also knew it was going to take some pretty creative planning and fundraising to make our going on this mission trip a reality. I clearly remember telling the Lord that I would beg for the funds if that was what it took. Looking back, I think He must have smiled….

Almost immediately funds came in for our trip. Amounts came in that floored me – and reminded me how much He loves the orphan and desires that I love them too. During those first days, He used those donations to encourage my heart that I was hearing His call, and that He would provide. I am also reminded He is seldom early --- NEVER late!!! As the days progressed on, funds have come in, and we have appreciated every. Single. Donation that has been made. I also know that even with what has been coming in, we need more to make the trip a reality. We started various fundraisers. While those fundraisers have helped, they haven’t provided the funds required for us to go. And the Lord reminded me of my promise that I would even beg if that was what it took….

I don’t think I have ever done anything that took me anywhere further from my comfort zone. Asking for help simply does not come easily to me, but without funding, we cannot go to China and love on His children there. As He has encouraged me to humble myself and ask for funding, He has reminded me of some things.

Things like, how much is it worth? What is the value of a hug to a child that has never known love? Of being held as sleep overtakes a tired little body? The value of praying over that child, speaking His promises over him or her... Or of communicating His love to an adult who works with the children? What is the value of one single soul? Eternity. What is that one soul we might reach with His love worth to me? To my friends? Is it worth my shamelessly begging for help? Is it worth my time away from home? Worth trudging through China in one of the hottest months of the year? Worth the money my friends and I will invest? And what about my soul? Was saving me worth His sacrifice for me? He was betrayed, denied by some He loved, spit on, beaten, and brutally hung on the cross. For me. He did that for one single soul. Was His sacrifice worth it? I believe He would say ‘yes.’ And now He is asking me to go out of my comfort zone, agree to go where He has called, and find a way to make it happen. If that means I will have to be more creative with fundraising, to work longer hours to accomplish the things we have going, and yes, even to beg, then so be it. The cross is before me. How could I do less?

A Loving Pair of Arms . . .

"After my last summer, my eyes were open to the fact that it is good to send money, pay for surgeries... but one of the most important things you can ever send to an orphanage is a loving pair of arms."  ~ Gael Nichols who went to China last year to provide her loving pair of arms

Does it cost a lot of money to send a person to China to provide that loving pair of arms?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  Absolutely.  A lot of times there are too many children for the nannies in an orphanage to provide more than basic care to a child.  Each of us have been the first hand recipient of a child who received a loving pair of arms from some sort of organization, and it has made a great difference in how our daughter's adapted to their new surroundings with their forever families.  That's why we go.

Some of us were talking about having a "China Sunday."  A China Sunday is one where your heart just bursts with emotion for the orphan - for us it's China, for some it's America, or Uganda, or Haiti - they are all God's children.  The one sure fire way for me to have a China Sunday is to hear the song "He Knows My Name."  It was so reassuring to me that He knew our daughter's name and already had her in the palm of His hands.  That even though I had no idea what she looked like or where in China she was, that the "Lover of My Soul" DID know all the details.  My heart and soul would just heave and expel all that stress and all those questions, and I could just BE STILL and KNOW that He had her right where He wanted her.  God is good.

Now, this song rings true for another reason.  I feel like I gotta go sing it over some new children, whisper it in their ears, rock them, love on them, telling them "He knows YOUR name!"  The Maker of Heaven and earth knows YOUR name!  He has not forgotten YOU!  He is the Lover of YOUR Soul!  I just had to come tell you that IN PERSON.

Go.  Be.  LOVE.

~ Lori

Everlasting

As I was cleaning the other day, I came across an old forgotten prayer journal from a couple of years ago. This was my prayer on December 27, 2010 --

 

"and I ask that you would provide funds, a plan, and a way for my family to help the orphan and those who have dedicated their lives to caring for your little ones."

 

Since that time, I have continued to pray for the orphan. I have helped when I could, but I have done that in the safety of my home, the comfort of my living room. I didn't feel there was any way for me to travel to China and be part of an active ministry caring for the orphan. I had too many commitments here. I had lots of reasons for the "why" I couldn't go. Until the Lord ever so gently reminded me those were just "my" reasons, and he had a bigger plan....

 

A little over 2 years after praying that prayer, the Lord called me and members of my family to follow His heart to an orphanage in China with the Visiting Orphans team. We He called, we had no funds for the trip. We certainly have no great talent to take. The greatest thing we can take and contribute on this trip is The One who lives in our hearts. And I am reminded, He is more than enough. He is entrusting us to take Christ's love to the orphan. When I see this from an eternal perspective, the reasons to stay home are trivial. The reasons to go are huge. No funds? He called us. He will provide the funds. Nothing special about me? Alone, I am not so special, but with Him....I can be what He wants me to be. I have no great gifts or talents to take? He will provide what we need. He will place us where He can use us to the greatest effect. Our hearts would feel a little less bruised if we could stay here in our comfort and pray for Him to rescue the orphan, but sometimes prayer requires action. The Lord has been reminding me of all this and so much more, and while He has been teaching me, I found that forgotten prayer…

 

I am reminded that our prayers are everlasting. The Lord doesn't forget even when our frail human self does. He took my prayer, and at His given time, He has made a way for that prayer to become reality in my life. He cares for the orphan, and He has invited my family to join in and be His hands and feet, taking His love to the least of these!

 

Halli sums it up quite nicely. In her words, "He has given me a great beginning. I was an orphan, and then I was adopted. I have a family who loves me, now I can go to China and show the orphans that someone loves them."

 

Psalm 145: 3-4 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

DELAYED...

I'll share something some of you may find odd.  I'm not really an adventurous person.  Seriously, I like my adventures best read in books in the comfort of my own home.  The only reason I would say, "yes" to following Jesus into orphanages in China is sheer obedience to my king, and a deep thankfulness.  Thankfulness for the child that is now mine that was once dependent on the kindness of those who were strangers to me.

So this non adventurous person set off this weekend by myself heading towards a visiting orphans conference in Nashville, TN.  My prayer, "don't send me from here (home) unless you go with me and bless me to be a blessing".

Travel didn't exactly go as planned.  (Rule number 1.  Be flexible). My first flight was delayed.  It was so delayed that I was going to miss my connecting flight, so I rescheduled my whole itinerary.  

I made it to the airport extra early and found a comfy spot by a window.  Within a few minutes I was joined by an older man who sighed as he sat down and made a joke about sharing my chips.  I laughed and offered him some but of course he wouldn't take any.  With plenty of time to visit, we started to chat.  I found out he was a radiochemist and although he had been in the US for almost 30 years,   he was originally from Ghana and he was on his way back to Ghana to see family.  He had gotten a phone call that left him unclear to whether his 96 year old mother was dead or seriously ill.  He didn't know what was waiting for him.  I asked him if he was a believer, if he knew Jesus, and he immediately said "Yes!  Hallelujah!".  We shared that moment of recognition.  A moment of mini worship staring out the airport window, and the shared understanding that 

ALL things, all THINGS are under His Feet.

He asked me where I was going and why, and so I told him about VO and about going to my daughter's orphanage last summer and my commitment to go and lead teams into other orphanages if God willed.  He asked me, "do you like it"?  (Not a simple answer to that).  I said, "I love China.  I love the people.  I'm thankful for the opportunity, but....it's hard.". He asked me what was hard, and I struggled to put it into words.  I said, " well....kids just belong in families that love them.  They just do better there.  I'm sure there are things about Ghana that are hard?". He took his glasses off and looked me in the eyes.  "I want to tell you a story".  He proceeded to tell me a story of being born with a white spot on his cornea and of younger years being held down by his uncles while they tried to treat his eye to get rid of the spot.  He told me how scary it was, how painful it was.  With tears in his eyes he told me, "I was lucky.  Do you know what they do with babies in Ghana that are born with physical imperfections?  They kill them.  They don't kill them themselves.  They get someone else to come and kill them.  Even if they are just missing a finger.  They KILL them.  You don't even KNOW what that child had the potential to be".  He got quiet and he told me, "you need to keep going to China".

All things are under his feet.  All things.

As my plane finally started to board,  he said, "we may not cross paths again in this life, but I think we will meet again in heaven".  I grasped both his hands and said, "I think we will."

All things are under his feet.  All things.

I won't talk about the second DELAY and the cocky flyboy I had to crawl over because he had stolen my aisle seat.  (He ended up being a nice guy). I also got my sweet revenge by parting ways with him thinking about adoption.  I imagine his wife and mother of their four beautiful kids might not thank me.  (Rule number 2:  maintain your sense of humor).  Evidently the Lord had a use for the extra hour we spent on that plane before it ever left the ground.

I was originally scheduled to get to Nashville around 5 pm.  I arrived at 11 pm.

All things are under his feet.  

From Ephesians chapter 1 verse 22

Glory to God

When I was growing up I heard about China's policy on having no more than one child.  It was in the early 80's and I had seen a documentary on how baby girls were being abandoned.  I was absolutely heart-broken even at about age 11 for these children crowded in an orphanage.  The thought that they would forever never know what it meant to be read to before bed.  Or what it meant to have a bedroom, or grandparents, or being held, or being able to grow up and know that you had a family that loved you and you could always come home to, or a bath, or a home-cooked meal, or new clothes that were just yours, or a birthday party, or a vacation to see the mountains or the beach.  What does it mean for a child to grow up in an orphanage?  As a child I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to NOT have a family.  And how on earth can anyone stand by and do nothing.

That documentary forever changed my life.  Adoption was something I had always had in the back of my mind.  I'm so grateful to God that HE put that desire in my heart all those years ago, and that HE took us to China to find our daughter and bring her home.  She is one less, and she fits perfectly.  HE planted a seed in my heart for China that will forever grow.  I fell in love with China - the people, the history, the culture, the smells (and believe me there are some interesting smells), the beauty, the language.  My path will forever cross with China.

So, here I am, less than four years from bringing our daughter home, and I get to go back.  How good is our God?  I get to go back!  It seems so unbelievable.  But as I get to know our God better and better every day I see how much He loves His children, how much He loves the fatherless here on this earth,  how much He wants to fulfill the desires of our hearts, how much He funds what He favors.

Glory to God.
GLORY to God.

~ Lori

Show me your glory

I have prayed about being a member of this team for some time. I have had such a desire to go, but I didn't want to go without knowing the Lord had called. I hadn't felt a clear answer from the Lord, and I had resolved myself to being a prayer partner for those who will travel. Then, the Lord showed up!! He didn't whisper that I should go. My heart felt Him tell me quite clearly that I should GO. Thankfully, as my husband and I prayed about the trip, he heard the same call. Not for himself but for me and our preteen daughter. I tentatively told my praying friends that I was going to sign on for the trip. My heart was sure I was going. My head? Not so much... I went and spoke with my pastor. I had my husband's support of my plans, I felt I needed my pastor's support also. With each step, each conversation, the Lord confirmed his plans.

 

Problem is, our family budget has no cushion to fund a trip to China for me or our daughter, much less both of us. I didn't even have the funds needed for our initial fee as we signed up. My heart trusted our place would remain open for us if this was truly God's will. Even with my heart trusting, I seemed to be hearing the voice of doubt and defeat more than I cared to admit.

 

I started a fundraiser. Friends began purchasing my items almost immediately, but those funds wouldn't be available for a month. A paycheck was soon coming, but it held no extra funds to sign up. Friends began sending messages that money was on its way. A check was given at church with the notation it was for our trip. Another friend called her out-of-state family and friends and raised enough to get us signed up for the trip. Huge sigh of relief and thankful tears. The Lord was confirming again and again that I was following His desires for my summer.

 

As I was praising Him for provision and thanking Him for confirming His call on my plans, I was also asking Him to provide the remaining funds. Look what He had already done. How could I possibly doubt that He would provide? And then He showed up again!! He didn't have to. My heart was trying to trust. He had provided what we needed for the first step, I was sure He would continue...

 

I got a call from a friend. "Could you come by this afternoon, I need to talk to you." I went by for a talk and left with a sizable sum donated for our trip. The amount was large enough, it was difficult to accept. I arrived home and had a card in the mail from another friend. It included funds to MATCH the other huge gift of the day! Tears of gratitude flowed. I tried for some time to wrap my mind around what had just happened. Less than 2 weeks after I accepted the call to travel with Visiting Orphans this summer, the Lord, through His faithful followers, has provided over 1/4 of the funds needed for this trip. Awestruck wonder. My amazing God has called me and my daughter to travel to China to be His hands and feet, to show His love to some children living in an orphanage in China. I am humbled. I am amazed, in awe, and had a difficult time finding words to describe this experience. Then, he reminded me of this ---

 

Exodus 33:20-23 "But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."

 

I didn't see His face, but His glory passed by. I suspect I will never be the same. ---Kim

Because LOVE Compels Us

Why would we leave our families and travel to the other side of the world?  Love compels us.  For ten days, we will leave what is familiar and travel to Liaoning Province in northern China.  We will be going to a special needs orphanage, Chaoyang, along with a team from Visiting Orphans.  We are very ordinary women who have been blessed in extraordinary ways.

Lori
Gael
Kim
Toni D.