Much to Say

Not sure if I can remember how to do this blogging thing...

Last June, the last post?  I guess that I've been in a major "pause" in terms of writing.  I struggle to get our monthly newsletter out (email me if you'd like to be added to the newsletter distribution or send me your email in the comment section and we'll get in touch with you)...but it seems that as we look ahead in 2013, there's going to be a lot to write about.  In now our fifth year, we made a switch to monthly newsletters, something that was very hit or miss during the height of my blog writing days.  Now it is the main communication tool.

We've become comfortable Here.

Not that I'm talking about "comfort" as I once knew in the West, but the type of spiritual comfort that lulls my soul into a false sense of control.  The feeling of control that accompanies "predictability."Control was my favorite illusion of the West.  If you read the early years of this blog, you'll see how difficult it was to let go of that control and to be present Here, in a new culture, in a new reality.  I never really thought it would happen to me again...silly, I know...I thought that once we surrendered to the burden on our hearts and moved to the other side of the world, that I'd remain in some state of hyper-awareness of the Spirit.  Ummm...I was wrong.

I think that has had much to do with the radio silence on the blog.

Of course, I do have nine children at home.   From the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning, until my head hits the pillow at night...life is full.  Writing takes energy.  Energy is at a premium.

I guess He thinks it is time to shake things up?  Now I have much to talk about...and I have no idea where to start.  We've planned to start working with a coach now that we've returned from conference and retreat.  We'll talk with her weekly as we try to sort out the transitions of this year.

I think that I'll have things to write about in these coming days as the changes come.  Change enables us to see things in a new way.  New ideas mean that I must write as I cannot possibly hold them all and make sense of them.  

We've got big changes coming at the school that may well mean a change in our employment and perhaps location.  The girls will be transitioning out of local school this year as their education can no longer be supported by the school...so we'll begin homeschooling in earnest.  We have big medical care issues for The Charmer and The Bruiser this year that will require travel to the specialist.  For the first time, we will likely not return to the US this year for furlough.  More changes in our family, the number in our home, and our older kids may have changes in their lives this year as well.  We're contemplating language school...expanding our mercy projects...perhaps beginning our own organization...and some big changes in affiliations.  There are business proposals we've been given, visions shared with us, and just these past three weeks given strong encouragement to begin to write a book.

We are confident that He remains on the throne and in control of our lives.

We went to conference and retreat exhausted and hoping to hear from Him.  We certainly heard from Him.  We were blessed by so many angels who ministered to our hearts, encouraged us, and challenged us to remain abandoned to His service, no matter the cost.  We had the best teaching ever with deep a deep study at conference about the Journey we're on.  We savored the stories of saints we met who are working all over the world, each with their stories of trial and faith, struggles and victory.  We sang and praised the roof off with our Team and others who gathered with us each Sunday... our hearts are full of joy for all of it.

2013 is going to be an interesting year...

Above all...may we be faithful.

Above: Our Family with ERRC retreat leaders Martha and Pam

Above:  Our Team led the music for conference...how we love our teammates!

Above:  The gang savoring a warm evening together during retreat.

Above:  The teaching at conference was powerful and challenging...

Above:  The kids performed for conference a song of thankfulness!

Computer Failure...and update

At the end of October, Magpie was enjoying checking her personal email on my laptop.  Apparently, something caused her to rise suddenly to depart from the desk and her foot caught in the cords and the laptop (new in January) went flying/crashing to the ground.  It was evident immediately that the LED was cracked and the computer is not usable until we can get funds together to replace the screen.

That computer has our special "access" and connection to the web that allows us to write this blog.  Without it, we cannot access the blog on any other internet computer.  Today, I prevailed upon some teammates to allow me to use their personal laptop that also has the special access ability...so that I could simply report that we are still alive!

Now and update, in a flash:

1)  The last weekend of October, we celebrated four birthdays (Magpie's 12th, The Singer's & The Bruiser's 4ths, and our soon-coming 5th son's 5th birthday.)  Four cakes in 7 days...intense.

2)  Our English department took 19 students this year to the City-wide English competition.  (Our first year I think we took 5)...and this year, ALL of our groups took top honors and have advanced into the finals, to be held on December 10th.  If they win on Dec 10th again, we'll be invited to the Nationals in Beijing to compete in February.

3)  QQ had his surgery on Nov. 5th!  He is back home in his province and we are overjoyed!  Now his lip and palate are closed and he can go on with a normal life in his family!  Praises!

4)  We baked 600 oatmeal raisin cookies (thanks to a fabulous recipe from Eva G. back at GNF)...for a fundraiser and street fair held in our apartment complex.  We sold out entirely and are using the money as seed to buy a series of gifts for children who live in the local orphanage and in foster homes.  Our students will use this money (adding to it some other money I'll tell you about soon) and will themselves buy the gifts for the kids!

5)  We hosted a Harvest Party for the school complete with trick-or-treating in our "crazy hats."  The whole school participated as we played games led by our teammate Mr V and Daddy, a lesson on harvest festivals by Mr. S, Snacks served up by myself, and a craft overseen by Mrs. V.  (Pictures of our beloved new teammates coming soon to the blog!)

6)  A co-worker "entered" our family into a national competition here that was gathering personal stories that "move" others.  Our co-worker entered us, without out knowledge and confessed it all the day before a  TV crew showed up to interview us about our family.  Then a few days later the first TV spot about us aired...and it would seem that it began an avalanche of media interest in our family.  It has been overwhelming these past 10 days as we have been interviewed by 4 TV stations, had 5 newspaper articles published about us, a "broadcast" of our story on the national social media source here called Q Q, and a radio interview later today.  We have spent well over 25 hours in interviews and photo shoots since the first show came to the school to interview us.   We have no idea when it will end, but we need your prayer to support us for protection and stamina.

7)  We received some local gov officials here who represent people with special needs here in our city.  They brought us a cash gift meant to express their appreciation for our story in the local papers.  We're so excited because we are adding that money to the school's project to buy things for the orphanage and foster kids mentioned before.

8) We have a school-wide English competition to be held on December 22 that we must ensure ALL of our students can perform various songs and dialogues in English for their parents. 

9)  Today we were told that I would be singing an aria from the opera Carmen with a colleague, while Daddy dances with the Principal of our school, in the company of ALL the other teachers, also paired up to dance around the two singers...all this before the company's Chinese new Year party on January 6th...about 1500 people will be there...and yes...full costume and make-up.  You just cannot take yourself seriously here...

9)  Today I was asked to perform on Friday, another solo, for our school-wide talent show.  No idea what to do for that yet...but it is only Tuesday...

10)  Oh, we also had parent's day at our school. last week (simultaneously with the news interview period of time)...standing for comments and suggestions from the highly involved and interested local parents...just after we administered our Mid-term exams.  (All our students did well.)

11)  We served 33 lbs of turkey on Saturday cooked in our two over-sized toaster ovens...with all the other good stuff that goes with it...thanks to Mrs. S and Mrs. V who brought many key ingredients into the feast.

12)  We have put up our Christmas tree...and have exchanged names with the children to determine who will give a gift to whom in just 26 days.

13)  We are involved in a huge row over some adptn paperwork that involved what we believe to be highly unethical behavior on the part of one group stateside (not our agncy)...that has led us to talk with the top officials in BJ here and soon with gov't parties There, too....

14)  This Saturday Daddy and I are compelled to attend the "teacher's field trip" to Mu lan mountain (about a 12 hour day).  We will climb the mountain...unfortunately, the field trip is a little late this year, so we're expecting temps in the 40's as the highs on that day...

15)  By His grace, no absenteeism yet this year...we've made it to school/work everyday.

Sorry for the bullet-point info...but time is short and I must get to some other responsibilities now...

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!  We praise Him for all of those who care for us and read about our crazy life here!

Building "Community"

This concept appears to be the theme of our first days back at school.  Finally, my long leave has concluded and yesterday (on Saturday) and today (Sunday) we've returned to teaching.  It is one of those unusual things for foreigners...7 day holiday (no school)...BUT, NOT SO FAST, you have to "make up" two of those days by working a weekend (thus making a 7 day work week.)

Sometimes we wonder "why" we are Here.  What "good" could we possibly be contributing to?  We are just a large family, taking up space, in the Middle Kingdom.  We're growing larger (not just the hips are being referred to here), but we are growing in all ways (number of children, size of children, space we fill up.)   Not long after we came Here we began to see, and frankly, to hope, that our enormous presence and the make up of our brood might contribute to some softening of hearts...specifically towards those born with special needs Here.

Our Father is SO MERCIFUL and gracious to us. 

The evidence of that mercy and grace was so evident, just yesterday.

Our dear principal, with whom we have worked for all the time we've been Here, came to my desk to tell me that there was a new student in the first grade.  She asked us to give him a placement test for his English and that he was "trying out the school for 2 weeks."  Of course, I said we'd take care of it later in the day.

After first period, one of our new teachers, Mrs. V, came excitedly to my desk to tell me that the new student, was a local boy, born without his left hand.  She was excited because I had recently shared with our new teammates (Mr & Mrs. S and Mr & Mrs V) that we've been delighted (and so encouraged) that this year the school has admitted two other new students who were born with special needs.  A fourth-grader who is hearing impaired and a first grader who has autism.  I cannot emphasize enough that this is such a break from the norm Here.  Quite literally, if you have a child born with special needs, it would be COMMON that the child be kept at home, instead of attending school.  I am unsure if the public school "must" accept those students, but I know for certain that private schools CAN and DO routinely refuse to admit students with any special needs.  As advocates for kids born with special needs, we were thrilled to see our school taking a counter-culture position by already admitting two students with special needs.

Later I heard more of the story from our Principal.   She told me that the new boy's (who has a single hand) family was heartbroken when they came to us because other schools had denied him admission due to his special need.  Please understand, this is a bright, fully functional kid who just happens to have only a single hand.  They asked our school to accept him.

Our Principal consulted with some of the higher-ups in our school's organization and the higher-ups likewise refused the boy's admission.  However, our Principal took a contrary stand.  She insisted that in keeping with the core values of our school (and the character education plan that is headed up by our own dear Daddy and my husband) that we want to be a place of "community" and welcome.  That the world is made up of people who are DIFFERENT and that this is GOOD. (Yes, I am shouting those words!)  She said that our school has a 'warm heart' and that we would do what we could to accept the boy.

In truth, I have not really processed the magnitude of this decision on her part.  She has likely laid her position on the line, but she was so excited to tell me about it yesterday.  As we have known her the entire time of our living Here, I can tell you with assurance that this represents a major change in her thinking!  She too would have, for most of the past 3 + years, agreed with the higher-ups about becoming known as a school that has 'those kind' of students.  (THOSE KIND OF AWESOME, DELIGHTFUL, CREATED FOR A PURPOSE, SUPER-POWERED STUDENTS!)  In fact, during our last adoptions, this dear Principal friend of ours did what she could to dissuade us from adopting any more 'special needs'.  Looking at photos of children born with special needs that we sometimes are in contact with would cause her to look away with discomfort.

Yet somehow, living Here together, seeing our family with kids of various special needs, a barrier has been broken down in her thinking and she SEES that the beauty of our world can be appreciated in differences!

Please know, I fully understand that it is a combination of factors that has led her to this place far beyond us or our presence!  But I am thankful that perhaps we've been able to be a part of this heart change in her. How wonderful it is to see up close that her heart is softening...and as she told us last year that though she doesn't fully understand about 'our Jesus', she does understand the love that she sees. 

As for me...this was like water for my thirsty soul.

Back at it...

We've been enjoying furlough in the US which as given us some wonderful moments with family and friends.  There are several developments that are taking shape in regards to our future, items that began as that still, small voice and now are matters of obedience that we will walk through.  We've experienced encouragements, discouragements, and His grace through all of it.  We have talked and talked and talked and talked to people to share His story...and so, the writing has been non-existent here.  It is time to get back on the horse.

The summer has included a dozen trips to Shriner's Hospital where we've experienced such excellent care.  The Bruiser's leg/foot barely resemble the clubbed foot with which he came to us.  He has been a soldier, excitedly enduring each weekly casting, the surgery to lengthen tendons, and the struggle to keep up with a perpetual cast on his leg.  "I'm going to run so fast, fast!"  He tells anyone who asks about the cast.  When he came home to us last year, the effects of institutionalization were profound.  We thought that his "main issue" to be addressed was the club foot...how wrong we were.  Our guy needed to learn how to be human...how to interact...how to trust...how to love.  We had thought the healing was needed in his feet.  Yet we discovered the healing was needed in his heart and mind.  The year we waited to correct the club foot was, by perfect design, the time needed to witness the miracle of his coming alive!  Where he once only responded with fear and anger when approached by others...now he warmly greets anyone he can.  He is the biggest comedian in our family!  Where once his face was mostly blank and expressionless, now he has a MILLION crazy facial expressions that he uses to reduce everyone to laughter and smiles!  Where he once would go to any person who grabbed a hold of him...now he insists that he remain with his family.  Just last week, I had to leave to take his older sisters to the airport to send them back to the Middle Kingdom for the start of their school year.  The Bruiser pressed me, over and over again, "Momma, please don't leave me."  Of course I reassured him each time...but my heart soared at how right it was...that he knew he belonged to me/us...

The Singer has blossomed in his English this summer.  He chatters on and on with us now, asking probing questions and pressing us for more info on EVERYTHING!  He had to grapple with fear and trust issues that often caused him to be whiny and fussy...episodes that were nearly a daily occurrence.  Yet, we have seen him come on to a new level of confidence in his place in the family.  He is much more smiley, less tense, and he has warmed to his extended family.  When dining at our friend's Chinese restaurant last week in our old hometown, the friend commented that he was "amazed" at how the brothers are now "just brothers and part of the family."  The comment was not lost on me.  It is good to pause and marvel at how His love had permeated their hearts and brought deep healing.  Adoption truly is a miracle, for us in the spiritual sense, and also on the physical level for those of us blessed enough to witness it up close. 

Bub rounds out the rest of my current posse.  We are the last scheduled to depart and return home.  Daddy left us three weeks ago to fulfill his duties for the school as Dean and prepare for the first day of school which was September 1.  The girls stayed on with me to savor some special days at the Fair (our first in 3 years), more family fun, and finally returned with their Grandma D just this week.  Now the girls with Grandma are back with Daddy and school has begun. The boys and I are left shuffling about waiting for the last cast to be removed so that we too can get back to our work with the rest of the tribe.  We are so grateful that we're able to stay with family and friends and have some extra special moments with loved ones that have been so scarce in recent years.

We are still waiting for paperwork to bring our newest son home.  Curious delays have presented themselves...probably for Great purpose...that we can reveal to you at a later time.  We are eager to get Nehemiah home but trust that He has the perfect design for the entire process, inclusive of the timing!

We've had marvelous news about QQ!  His last check-up with our partner in his province showed that he was gaining weight due to the regular support of formula, eggs, cereal, etc that we've been sending his way.  I received the most beautiful pictures of him, at home, WITH HIS FAMILY...that brought me to tears. The Good News has spread throughout his rural village and we have just a glimpse of how the miracle for QQ has effected so many in his life.  How thrilled we are that we've been privileged to be a tiny part in the Plan for this boy, his family, and his fellow villagers.  I will post the pictures in the coming days!

We have been fed(physically and spiritually), loved, and encouraged by our people these past 8 weeks.  I have a growing anticipation for our fourth year.  The opposition has been intense in country on matters vital to our school's (and our family's work in the school) future.    But, we're seeing once again that if He is for us, who can be against us? 

I'm down to the last four or five items on my list to find and haul back to our home.  Though I'm in the States until the 20th of September, I've already begun to pack my bags.  It is so difficult to be separated from part of the family.  What a time of joy we'll have when we're all back together...for 5 minutes or so before the kids start crashing into each other's space like cars at the demolition derby!

There is much to be encouraged about...He is working through countless lives...we've heard story after story this furlough about His hand at work.  We are grateful for the joy that is in this journey of adventure.  This year we expect to stretch us further, press us harder, and reveal more of His nature to us than ever before.  When you think of us...ask for courage...that we will embrace obedience and do all He has prepared in advance for us to do...no matter how scary that obedience appears!

And so begins year 4...

Qian Qian Update

So many things have developed with Qian Qian's story.  I hope to fully tell them here so that you can share our joy at the marvelous reach of the One who is control...

Below is a photo of the village in a western province where Qian Qian's family lives.  It was taken yesterday by an angel...well, an angel and answer to prayer for us...she went to visit Qian Qian's family and began our next phase of the project to help this little boy.

As I have already written, we sent QQ and his parents last month to a big city in the Southwest for his highly anticipated palate surgery.  This had been months in the making.  We met QQ and his mother begging on the street in November, he was eight months old. (Read

HUMANITY posts in October 2010 for the full story)  Then in November, through many miraculous connections, we celebrated the surgery that closed his lip for the first time in his life.  His appearance changed so quickly, so miraculously.

But there was a problem when we finally got he and his parents to the big city last month.  QQ had LOST weight in the six months prior, and as a result, was no longer eligible for surgery.  A subsequent email from one of the lead doctors on the team said that in fact he showed signs of malnutrition.  They (the doctors) agreed that they would admit him to the next surgical trip (in November) BUT he would have to gain a great deal of weight between now and then.

There were many problems with this scenario.  We had given money to the family to buy good milk powder for the baby.  It should have been enough.  But they do not live in a vacuum.  In fact, they live in the poorest province in this nation.  They have at least two older children (possibly four if you count a couple cousins that I believe live with them), they are farmers with little to no income, the grandparents also live with them and they are surrounded by others in their minority village with profound needs.  I cannot imagine the pressure, the heart-crushing dilemma of having money that is supposed to benefit only one person in your home.  How could I, as a parent, allow that to happen?

Too often we read disaster stories of folks like us who try to "help", but in the long run HURT those they want to serve.  Good intentions wrapped up in the complexities of culture and poverty...it is a heady business.  BUT, we KNOW that we are called to help this boy get his surgery and STAY in his family. So what do we do?

We considered two scenarios:

1)  That we find someone to go to, and stay in, his rural province to monitor that he is receiving enough food. (or, more unimaginable than that, FIND SOMEONE IN his rural province who would work with us in this project.)

2)  Bring QQ to our city, take him into a short term foster care situation just until November's surgery where we can oversee his nutrition and weight gain...so we don't miss this crucial window.  (The doctors say that he MUST have his palate closed by November or the damage to his speech will be irreparable.)

The first was a LONG SHOT to say the least!  The second violated one of our core values in the project...to KEEP QQ WITH his family, not to remove him, even for a short time!  Such separation might weaken the family bond...and our goal is to PREVENT his life long separation from his family.  Overall, we were convinced that sending money was no longer a solution and that furthermore, cultural sensitivity was essential to preserve the dignity of this family.

So Daddy said over our last meeting with some local counsel..."HE must already have the answer!  Though we don't know anyone in that province (half the country away), HE KNOWS THEM ALL...we'll need to go forward in faith, knowing that HE will lead us to the key person HE has in place for this project."

I knew Daddy was right, but it did seem really, well, impossible.  We had met, over our retreat during Spring Festival, ONE family from our home state who lived in this province.  They did not live close to QQ's village, I had already tried that obvious connection, but Daddy encouraged me to go back to them and start reaching out with QQ's story.

I wrote an email to the family we knew.  I asked them to forward it on to any other like-minded people in QQ's province.  It explained the situation with QQ and that I needed a partner to be hands on making certain that QQ got his nutrition AND stayed with his family.

After one week, as single email.  "Just wanted you to know that we received your email.  Your plea has reached the city nearest QQ's village.  We are not able to help you as we have three young children and no ability to travel easily to the village...but, we're going to forward it on to others in the city.  We're willing to help you find someone."

I was so encouraged.

Then four days ago a new email.  "Hi, I received your email. I am in XX, XX which is close to the family's village.  Recently I have been teaching English to some local Miao people. One of my students is a Miao lady from the same area. I just called her now and she said she knows where they live. I don’t know what I am able to do yet but if you have more information about the family or even pictures of the baby and his parents we can find their home faster and see what the present situation is.  My friend seems to say that her relative lives in that same village.  Maybe they might have some village relationship and know each other. 

 May God bless you for loving that baby!"

And there it was...

His provision, once again.

Subsequent emails and phone calls confirmed that this lady who has lived in the city nearest the village is from Atlanta and has lived in QQ's province for nine years.  She is fluent in the national language AND she has relationships with several people from QQ's minority group!  IN fact, one of her students has FAMILY in QQ's remote countryside village!  Folks...this is a miracle!  We have only been here 3 years.  We have very limited contacts...almost none outside of our city...but here He has brought us a connection that leads to the very village where QQ's family is!  Praise Him. Praise Him, Praise Him.

Then yesterday, while I was teaching, I got to texts to my cell phone.  They were of a darling boy that seared my heart seven months ago...standing in his home...smiling at the camera...his lip repair looking fabulous.  Our new contact then called me....she was sitting in QQ's home!

Absolutely miraculous.

In real time I was able to assess the situation.  I would ask the question, she would translate it into Chinese, her Miao friend would then translate it into the EXACT MIAO DIALECT that the mother speaks.  (There are thousands of dialects around this country, often just 50 miles brings you to a village where their language is TOTALLY FOREIGN, but here He brought us the perfect connection, someone who could talk to my hero (QQ's mom) in her NATIVE TONGUE!  Isn't that just like Him?  He speaks to each of us in the language we know...so that we can know His love!)

The family, afraid of running out of the current milk powder supply was only feeding QQ three times a day, and only using a portion of the required serving amount.  We immediately talked with them about increasing his feedings...and using the full amount of milk powder required...assuring them that we will make certain every two weeks, that they have the food they need for him.

This new partner has been working with this people group already...and she has the connections and desire to come alongside this family during this time.  She has access to health care and some educational resources in the area too that QQ's family can connect with as well.  This is "exceedingly, abundantly beyond all I could ask or imagine!"  ;)

Now for some photos to finish my post for this day...

Below:  QQ's house in the village.

Below:  Inside QQ's home.  Dad is stoking the fire, Mom is holding QQ upright on the table.

Below:  The stove in the home.

QQ looks at his two older sisters.

QQ with Dad and Mom.  

This is a miracle that continues to unfold before our eyes.  How marvelous it has been to follow His lead and to discover all He has in store for this child and his family.  

Now we will have monitoring and care every two weeks.  Our partner will receive our sponsorship funds and will buy the necessary food and medicine for QQ.  He must gain a LOT of weight by November.  We need him to be at least 12 kg.  Please, pray for him and his family during this time.

It is amazing to discover the "work He has prepared in advance for us to do."  We are humbled as we rejoice  over how He answers prayer.

The opportunity to be used in this tiny way... inexpressible joy. 

Life on the Range

It has been awhile since I've offered a "newsy" sort of update.  I suppose this sleepless night offers me the opportunity to do so, though I have tons of writing to do for the school play/musical/English performance...

We have good news on the Qian Qian front...looks like in about 3 weeks he'll be traveling with his parents to have his palate surgery!  We've been waiting all winter for him to gain enough weight (now that his lip is closed, it has been much faster) so that he could undergo anesthesia under the hospital protocols.  We'll be sending the family to a city in the South where they will meet up with a team of foreign doctors.  The foreign team will do one week of surgeries and then Qian Qian will remain there for about 2 more weeks while his sutures heal.  Many heartfelt thanks to all of you who have continued to carry Qian Qian in your hearts!  How wonderful it will be to see him taking another giant step toward his future!  We are so blessed that He arrested us on the side of the road and gave us the privilege to participate!

In other amazing news...

We saw Little Kevin (young boy hit by a truck last September)...and he is WALKING!  What an enormous answer to prayer this is!  The last time we saw him, in January, he was unable to walk and was confined to a stroller.  He came to visit the Kindergarten (and Bub's classroom) last week and we're told that if he continues to strengthen, he may soon return to school.  He's lost nearly an entire year of his life to his injury and rehabilitation...but we are so thankful to see how he has been restored!  We are giving praise for this development!

Related to school...

Our character eduction program headed up by the Dean of Students (aka our Daddy) is taking off!  The school has had weekly lessons on various character traits.  This week, Justice, is the morality issue and Daddy produced a 70 page powerpoint depicting visually some of the injustices in the world.  Our students will be confronted with the disparity between images of wealth and poverty.  Please be lifting this up, that seeds will be planted!

We had a huge meeting with local officials (one that I've been hoping for over our 3 years here!)   We are eager to provide our students with a practical outreach, an opportunity to put this character education into practice within the community here.  We were blown away at how positive the meeting went, though less than 12 hours before we were told it was a non-starter!  It was staggering for me to consider that in this meeting,  the language, cultural understanding, and credibility required to not get tossed out the door simply couldn't have culminated until now.  So often we have great ideas, even vision for our future, but we have to be careful not to be too hasty.  We must get in sync with a time schedule far beyond our understanding!

Related to family business...

We are so thrilled to report that The Bruiser has been accepted for treatment into a major charitable hospital this summer!  This is a profound answer to prayer!

His acceptance through us a bit of a curve ball as we found out that his treatment required 10 weeks to correct his feet...not the 6 weeks we had been told by another hospital previously!  We have only 6 weeks furlough each summer before school begins again.

We were astounded to discover that His plan has provided for a long-term substitute for my position (allowing me to remain in the US for The Bruiser's treatment!)   Due to Daddy's Dean position, he must return after only a four week furlough, so this situation will cause for a significant separation of our family, something we are not accustomed to!  Additionally, our dear Grandma D will have her first trip to see our home Here, when she travels with the girls to bring them back before the start of school!

So the boys and I will remain in the US for 12 weeks (living like squatters off friends and family members!!!) ;)  The girls will have 8 weeks to visit their home culture (and will be able to attend their first Fair in 3 years, which used to be the ANNUAL HIGHLIGHT of our summers.)  It is a beautiful picture of how He takes care of our every need, the finest detail, even BEFORE we understand what our needs will be!

On the adoption front...

We are fully in the throes of paperwork now.  We're back in the line-up waiting for immigration approval for Nehemiah.  This wait will be a tough one as we know that he is in a tough spot...and he's getting older...we so hope to have him home before his 5th birthday!  Please lift up with us the need for speedy approvals and the next $2800 we need to send our paperwork on to the next step...we wait and watch for the miracles to unfold!

Now to make a long post, even longer...

These photos are from our recent Spring Field trip for the Elementary school.  I'm mostly posting them because they show a little bit of how many people we rub shoulders with on a trip to "the zoo."  These photos were taken on a Thursday, prime field trip day, in our little city of 10 million.  

 Above:  While we were lining up to go into the "seal show" these folks were doing their daily routine...we see this often...groups of people gathered from morning to night...to exercise.  It is one of the charming things of Here, I think.

Below:  This shot is of a fraction of the seating area for the "seal show," there was not an empty seat in the place...the sound was deafening...throbbing masses of school children!

Below: this was the line for entering the "elephant show"...we stood in this amusement-style line for 30 minutes...every inch of the four winding lanes was jammed with people...everywhere throngs of people!

Below:  walking through the zoo/park with some other patrons...

It is because of this population where we live now that when I visit my home culture I keep thinking, "WHERE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE?!" Truly, it is the strangest thing to me during a furlough in the West...where are all the people?

Below:  These students where snapping photos and practicing their English with Daddy...a daily phenomenon for us...they were so cute...and so excited about seeing a foreigner!

 Below:  another shot of some park patrons on Field Trip day...

 Below:  one of our students...(he's the one in the hat)

Below:  a few familiar students pose for a shot

Below:  Tomb Sweeping holiday has just concluded Here.  As we did not have any ancestors' tombs to sweep, we took advantage of the extra day off school to go to our local shopping area...these are a few photos of that...

Potato gets a ride on Magpie...

Below:  The Bug and Brownie sporting her new glasses...we found out a few weeks ago during a routine eye check by the school nurse that Brownie's eyes were not seeing distance very well...so off we traipsed to the eye doctor...upon wearing her new eyewear...she said after about 20 minutes..."Momma!  I can see!"  I felt SO BAD!  Immediately, her work in Chinese class (where she has to identify hundreds of characters comprised of fine strokes often from flashcards or written on the whiteboard) has dramatically improved!

Below:  Daddy and the tribe...no, we're not too conspicuous while out shopping...

Below:  In front of the main entrance to our little shopping area...it supposedly has the "longest pedestrian shopping area" anywhere...well, it sounds impressive!

We should be able to blend in with all this activity around us...right?

 Below:  Since we're in year 3 with no personal vehicle...we ride the city bus.  This is a photo of a typical bus stop where we must fight for position, run to an approaching bus, press ourselves (sometimes shouting) on the bus...it is always high stress!  This line up of people, here extending several feet OFF the bus stop and into the street, was nearly 1 city block long!

Okay, enough for this ridiculously long post.  Sorry that I've been off my normal rhythm of writing...I do hope to be past my adoption paperwork, writing the school play, and tax stuff soon!

All for One!

Cultural Strides

After my heinous cultural faux pas written about a few posts ago, I'm so happy to detail a bit of a victory that we experienced recently.

As we are doing the necessary paperwork for our newest addition, we don't have too much to do...but were surprised recently when we needed to go back to redo our Medical Checks and obtain a "You're not a bad guy/gal" form from the local authorities.  Both of these issues have significant challenges within them (the first being that we needed to do a blood draw/test and each time we do so, due to current practices, we EXPOSE ourselves to many serious health risks.)  The second I won't detail here, but suffice it to say that IF we were not a "good guy or gal" in the sight of those overseeing us officially...we would NO LONGER BE HERE...as we live here based on the discretion of the big guys...if we were in any trouble with them...we would be sent packing!  The cultural issues involved in obtaining such a "Good guy/not a criminal" form are too many to detail as such a request completely defies any reason to those who are asked to provide it.  I am ever so hopeful, as we've been notified of an interview date this afternoon, that this key form will soon be in our hands.

Back to the first issue...

Last Saturday we needed to go out and start on the Medical checks...NEVER a really welcome sort of thing...in any place.

A major problem is that I have a "medical form" provided by a US agency, that requires the Doctor to "interpret" the results of all the "check-up" items, then sign, date, provide a medical license number, etc.  This is simply NOT done here.  That sort of form is completely foreign (and not just because it is entirely in English!)  Of course the Doctor here will provide us with documentation of our blood work, and all the other checks required by the form...but to ask them to fill out the form...is outside of the realm of imagination.  For them, the form is totally sub-standard, when they can provide us with all of the formal medical records.

I'm grasping at this early hour to describe how crazy this idea is to ANY person here...

Maybe it is the same confusion that foreigners feel when they come here and they sign boiler plate contracts that really have nothing specific in them, no job descriptions, and nothing that the company will be held to.  For the Western mind, this is ridiculous!  Facts are everything, facts supersede everything!  But Here, it is the relationship that is important.  If you have a good relationship with your employer, they will treat you right.  But, no paper will guarantee that...whereas in the West...you can sue that employer based on the "letter of the law" in your contract.  Foreigners struggle with the "WHY?" question incessantly...but it simply cannot be answered...that is the way it is Here, and if you can't hang...you have to face going back to your home culture.

So, it was sort of like that when we showed up at the hospital all smiley, asking a Chinese Doctor to "fill out" this (to us) CRUCIAL form, based on her medical exam.  For our minds, we would be tempted to say..."It is so easy, so clear!"  But, it not a matter of presenting/re-presenting/persuading to Doctor to see the logic behind the form. Just the same as a Chinese employer could never present/re-present/persuade the foreigner to understand WHY they have to sign this contract that seems so official (to the foreigner) but has no meaning, to the Chinese.  It simply is apples to oranges.  There is no way to communicate clearly enough to make it make "sense."

In year one, I would have still be operating heavily on the idea that I could reason my way through the situation with the Doctor...and that it should be accomplished in some sort of "reasonable" (by Western time standards) time frame.  I would have felt anxious about it, frustrated when it wasn't as "simple" as it should be, and exhausted by process of it.

In year two, perhaps a bit like the above...but I would have surrendered to the idea that time, and thereby "reasonable time frames" are different Here.

This year, before we left for the hospital I thought of two things.

The facts of WHY I need this form, and the doctor to fill it out just so...don't matter...they are NOT helpful in ANY WAY to getting my need fulfilled.

The Doctor needs to establish a relationship with me, quickly, so that she can provide me with something, that to her is completely ridiculous and not understandable.

So, I got two things and stuffed them in my bag:  a photo of our whole family, and the last medical form we had done (at another hospital) for The Singer and The Bruiser's adoptions.

When we arrived at the hospital we began the dance of communication.  Our dear Uncle was there with us, so our first job was to explain to him WHAT we needed, specifically.  Once he understood, he helped us tell the 'story' the first time, to the intake nurse.

The next three hours were spent talking about the situation, in a series of brief conversations,  with the Head Nurse.  Of course, she assured us, they would provide everything needed for the medical check on their official, stamped/chopped documents...WHY did we need the silly American form?  Several times we used the last medical form, and the Doctors' all important signatures, to show exactly what we were asking of them once the Medical exam was performed.

Finally, with the help of Uncle, she brought us a Doctor to speak with.  We started the apologies again for the silly form and did our best to explain what we were requesting.  About 10 minutes into the very verbose exchange I thought..."this is it! it is time to get out the photo."

So, I stepped over into the fray and thrust the photo in front of the doctor.  Her eyes, immediately wide, took in the sight.  She looked up at me and asked a few times, "these are ALL your children?"  Then the perfunctory, "wow, what a big family!" and then I said again, but now with the help of the visual aide, "there is another local boy, just like these two (pointing to the two newest guys) who is waiting for a family.  We are trying to complete this silly paper so that we can be allowed to bring him home."

Immediately the situation changed.

The photo had changed everything...we had begun a relationship...and within 5 minutes, she wholeheartedly agreed to fill out the form based on our exams, to sign and date and stamp it just as it needed to be...because obviously we too understood how "ridiculous" the form and the specific rules around it are...and we needed her help to bring a dear boy home.

It was so cool.

Daddy and I marveled at how far we'd come, how we not only had learned HOW to negotiate such a cultural difference...but that even a greater thing had happened within us...

We weren't at ONE MOMENT frustrated, angry, irritated, anxious, judgmental, or exasperated!  We KNEW it would take a big chunk of our day, and that no matter how much it makes sense to us...it is simply seen completely differently by our neighbors (and doctors!)

I wish I could clearly express what a break-through this was!  It was fantastic!  It was monumental!

And, it really encouraged us to see how He has molded us, changed us, and helped us to step outside of our black and white judgments to  be able to not only get by...but to be successful in this foreign land!

He has so much to do with us still...but, we can see that we're on the road to becoming more of who He wants us to be...in the ever great hope of transcending culture...so that hearts can be touched!

Helping Special Needs Kids

I'm going to write a bit this morning about one of the three areas our work Here that is definitely developing.

I had a really wise friend tell us when we first arrived three years ago, "Don't initiate, only respond."  In this she further went on advising that she'd "seen dozens of people come with great ideas, run around initiating projects, and get burned out and forced to return home."  She said that we should always WAIT to see how He was leading, then RESPOND to that leading...but never to get out ahead of Him.

Though I'm typically not a good one at hearing other's advice and following it, by His grace, this time it stuck!  So several times, as we've seen areas we'd "like to work in" we've held back and waited.

Qian Qian and his mother ushered us into a new understanding of part of our work Here.  In fact, that night, on the bridge when we found them,  The Bug whispered to me, "this is WHY we are Here."  (If you are unfamiliar with the story of Qian Qian, see his story beginning in October, named "Humanity pt.s 1-3)

So we've come back from retreat with the direction to write our proposal to a charity group There, asking them to be our partner is fundraising.  We would, with a group of like-minded folks Here in the city,  identify babies/children born with special needs, especially those requiring surgery to correct the issue, and get them the surgery they need so that their parents CAN keep them.

I had a discussion with a dear lady on retreat that reminded me of my own previous misconceptions regarding WHY special needs children are available for adoption Here.  I always gave a simple, broad answer that, "if a baby is born with a visible special need, and perfection is required, the parents do not want to keep that child."  While in some cases that may be true, I am convinced that there is far more to this story.

After gaining a deeper understanding of the "cash upfront" requirements of the medical system Here, it is clear to me that many parents, who WOULD love to keep their child, CANNOT possibly do so because they cannot afford the medical treatment necessary.   It would be not unlike my giving birth to a baby with a correctable special need, the demand being made of a million dollars, UPFRONT, to give my child the surgery needed...and NO SAFETY NETS  (charitable hospitals, children's charities, government assistance, wealthy uncles/neighbors, churches.)  There does not even exist the mandate that requires a hospital to give life-saving treatment to a person admitted who cannot pay (think of the signs posted in your local ER that state they will not refuse treatment.)  These things do not exist Here.   I can simply not imagine the horrific realization that the child I've given birth to needs surgery and I have NO HOPE of ever providing for him/her!

I believe MANY families struggle with this impossible reality, perhaps traveling to the cities for help, or resorting to begging, just as we found Qian Qian and his mother.  This may explain why many children are abandoned at 2-8 months of age...their parents were struggling...TRYING to do anything else.  (And, it is also most important to note that it is against the law to surrender your child for adoption, or to make a private adoption plan as families can do There...a child must be left, untraceable to their parents, before they are taken into care, given the surgery they need, and then listed for adoption.)

So, we have had a group of people beginning to connect Here in our city, with a similar burden for this project.  (In fact, they have already helped 5 babies with surgery before we met!)  To identify children through the local hospitals, and through word of mouth to the village midwives, that if a child is born with a special need, and the parents desire to see their child treated so that they can remain with their family, that we will be eager to provide that necessary surgery.  I think of it as "orphan prevention."

I'm smiling as I type this with the knowledge that Qian Qian is at home even now, his mother and father reunited, along with his elder sisters...his mother's bravery and courage overcame the obstacle...

Please, lift us up as we prepare a proposal for this project, that we would only enter in where He is leading...that we not initiate, only respond!

Back Home Again!

A brief post tonight to break our silence and tell you that we're back home again after our retreat.  We absolutely feel refreshed and restored after an exciting, but arduous, past year!  We visited a retreat center where families who work all over Asia come to rest and be quiet...dozens of families just like ours, from all over the world, like-minded, who savor the time to reconnect with each other and Him.  The first year we went on retreat I thought, "Wow, this is so amazing, what a blessing!"  The second year I thought, "Oh, I see, this is essential!"  This year I thought, "Dear Lord, I hope we make it before the wheels fall of this rig!"

Once again we've been stirred up by the HS's guiding, refining more and more the vision for our work.  Though we know all too well that on this journey of following that we will likely never know a 5 year plan...and seldom a 1 year plan...so we move forward with what He has revealed to us at this time, and ask for His help to remain faithful.

I will be writing at length in the days to come about some specific issues on which through the Book, meditation, and discussions with other brothers and sisters, we have more clarity. 

We've been reminded again that the Way is one that is not easy, that calls for sacrifice, and is rich with blessing and hope! 

Tomorrow we will again rise in the dark, force our arms and legs into the many layers of clothing required...and trudge back to the school that is the center of our life Here.  We will be greeted by our fellow teachers and beloved students, with joy in our hearts to be where He wants us to be.

It seems as though our work is now compartmentalized a bit into three areas.  The first being Adoption, which since 2005 has been our primary mnstry calling.  The second, a developing program of "Orphan Prevention" if you will, about which I will write more in the near future.  The third, living our lives in the community of the school.

There is much new to report, miracles of healing in the hearts of our newest children, milestones acheived by others, even announcements to make...but all that must wait for another day...

I am so greatful for restoration...and the joy that is a wellspring in my soul...He is so faithful.

"There will not be any blood to see"

Last week the school held the annual "Chinese Competition."  I have written extensively before about the drive for competition here...EVERYTHING is made into a competition...even things that are not remotely connected in my western-mind with competition.  Weekly our students compete for the best "behavior" award, our teachers compete for the best teacher award, our classrooms compete against each other to be the winner in a category that includes tidiness, punctuality, and lunchroom behavior.

In our third year we've been a few rounds through the Math Competition, English Competition, Chinese Competition, Sports Day Competition (with enough pageantry to rival the Olympics), Handwriting Competition, Music Competition, Art Competition, Talent Show Competition, Crazy Hat Day Competition, Christmas Decorating Competition, Best Behavior on the Field Trip Competition, Reading Competition...the list goes on an on.  Of course, we support and participate in the competitions as we are needed.

We were tremendously surprised however this past week by the apparent, "reinvention" or perhaps "enhanced version" of the Chinese department's competition for the students.

The first rumblings about it came from Potato and Brownie...they needed costumes...they were a part of a mass reciting of some Chinese poetry about the seasons.  Potato was the "group leader" for the Spring reciters, and Brownie was to wear white as she was part of the winter cadre.

Then, one afternoon, The Bug came to my desk at school weeping.  She wanted to sit on my lap and be hugged..."it was so terrible, so sad"...she blubbered.  "WHAT?"  I demanded.  "The video of the earthquake. All those people crying and moaning.  Parents searching for their children.  Children crying out for their Mommas!"

My first thoughts...why would ANYONE show actual earthquake, graphic footage from the major earthquake in Sichuan in 2008,  to primary school kids?

The Bug said that the 5th and 6th Grade students were using it in their "Chinese piece" for the upcoming competition.

Mrs. Wu on 4 and I talked about it...from our western-biased thinking...we were shocked that such graphic material was shown to our 5th graders...we discussed the cultural differences, and resolved to talk with our kids about the things they saw, to help them with any residual fear.

I thought about the fact that newspapers here are things that would never make it anywhere near the "family friendly checkout" at the US's "sensitive to parent complaint" grocery stores.  In fact, as an adult, I have recoiled several times at the brutality of images published in the newspaper, or those used on the fleeting news clips I see at the local restaurant.  Vivid, bloody, with no redaction whatsoever...the details of a terrible accident or crime scene are published for all, young and old, to see.

My mind flashed on photos and images I'd seen in the past three years...the woman just before she jumped from the building downtown,  then in the process of falling, her arms and legs apparently flailing, then the bloody heap of her on the pavement afterward.  The gunshot victim, from some distant place or country, half naked, the mortal wounding vividly captured in the still shot.  The toddler smoking the cigarette, the report telling that the parent was in trouble...but the child's image offered for all who yearn to stare.  The accident victim, nearly decapitated, the car mangled around him...disturbing beyond measure.  My foreign mind astounded at what is permissible for publication.  But, after all, we're not in Kansas anymore...so this way is just different from what I was exposed to as a child...and so now, my children have to deal with the reality of graphic images, and I must help them through it.

So then at the teachers' meeting, some 3 days before the "Chinese Competition" when I heard that the final presentation, by the 5th and 6th graders was poetry and images from the massive earthquake...I inquired if all the students (from 1st grade-4th) would be in the room to see it as well.  I offered that the images had been disturbing for my 5th graders (who were not involved with the piece directly)...so I was concerned that it might really be too much for the younger students (including our two first graders who to my knowledge have NEVER seen anything like that.)

At first, as the translation of my concerns was offered, I watched the faces of my Chinese colleagues around the conference table.  Questioning looks...no, looks of disbelief...and a ripple of nervous laughter rolled around the room.  An answer was given by our dean of students, that yes, all the students would be there to see the pinnacle presentation of the event, but that "there will not be any blood to see."  That the aim was to "be touching on their hearts," but not to frighten them.  Then some of the younger teachers began to whisper among themselves.  I saw two definite eye-rolls and clear looks of at the very least, confusion and perhaps even mockery, passing between them.

I reminded myself that it must seem silly to them, recalling the commonplace images I'd seen in news publications...and that I'm not in Kansas anymore...and that it is our job to adapt, not to change or criticize.

The day of the big event brought costumes, make-up, and of course the perfunctory glitter on many faces.  "Safety Boy," aka Daddy, was horrified when for the finale (the earthquake piece) some teachers lit some 50 tea light candles and moved them to the stage on pieces of flimsy copy paper!  Can you say, "fire hazard?"

The gala was amazing.  We were astounded by the 15 minute long, memorized poem that our 1st graders recited in Chinese!  Our 5th graders did a special presentation of poetry they've learned in their CSL (Chinese second language) class.

As the lights were dimmed and the LCD projector began to show the images of the after effect of the earthquakes, we were all riveted.  It was so disturbing...I felt fear rising in my throat as I saw the images of parents who sent their children to school that day, who never came home, holding photos of their ONLY children in frames, wailing.  Or the backpacks that had been pulled from the rubble of decimated school buildings, left now in a long, pathetic row.  I wept as I took the photos required of me by the Principal.

We've had numerous discussions about what we saw on that day now.  Potato and Brownie commenting at random times about how sad they felt watching the presentation...asking questions about earthquakes...about injuries.

It was an experience in cultural differences for sure...but it was more than that.  It was a vivid reminder that the childhood I had in middle-class America is not the childhood of my children.  In fact we are very far, not just geographically, from it.  Our children are living with the daily awareness not only of epic tragedy, as they were introduced to on the video screen, but they see "reality" all around us.  Upon further reflection I realized that our children see with their own eyes, often, the truth of life. When we see those who beg, when we're on our way out to try and buy some bread flour...they have to process poverty, suffering, discrimination against special needs, social inequality...it is part of their daily lives.

When these harsh realities surround us...how truly foolish I was to try to shield them from the video of the earthquake...no wonder my colleagues thought me a silly, privileged foreigner who must have grown up in a fairy tale land.  In truth, I was...I am.

To debate whether shielding them from these sufferings would be "nice"...and allow them to delay the inevitability of reality...to give them a sweeter childhood...is not the life He's called us too.  In fact, there exists only a tiny portion of children on the earth today who can abide in this innocence and ignorance of suffering.  I was one.  My children, by His grace, now only SEE the suffering...but even still...they do not have to bear the suffering.  Their awareness and sensitivity to it is a part of them now though.  They grapple at their tender ages with social injustice, poverty, and suffering...it is this path He's set them upon.  Our work is to help them understand these realities within a worldview that we hold...while encouraging them to seek out, all the days of their lives, what He is calling them to do to answer these needs.

Life is bloody...and we can see it all around...

2011 - Pressing On

Happy New Year to one and all!

Now that the holidays and fourth quarter of 2010 are behind us (plus 6 birthdays and one anniversary)...we're ready to embrace 2011 and all the adventures it will bring.  2010 brought us two new sons, deeper relationships with those in our community, an encouraging time of furlough with family and friends as we drove the white van all over the US, a refocusing of our vision, and of course, the joy of helping Qian Qian.

Yesterday, on the first day of the year, Daddy and I got out to celebrate our anniversary.  We passed the 14 year mark and have now entered into our 15th year...wow, time really flies!  We went out to lunch at the nearby mega-center of shopping malls/eateries and the congregation of humanity.  Literally thousands of young, college-aged kids laughing and chatting, pressing past family upon family of one child, two parents and two to four grandparents hustling about to ensure the child's happy day...all moving in one throbbing mass of life.  On the margins, all around, the poor cluster near the peddlers bearing up under the weather with their carts offering sweet potatoes roasted in a drum or candied fruits mounted on a stick glazed with some rock hard confection, or splitting, super-heated chestnuts served with a shovel. 

Once we got off the bus, we had to cross over the major road via a pedestrian overpass.  Since we first came Here, we've seen those who beg on the overpass.  I've written about it before.  People lying on the cold cement (yesterday it was about 30 degrees with a strong, icy wind) showing their need by displaying a sign telling their story or uncovering the part of their body that has a special need...twisted limbs...missing parts...abcessed sores, bared in the merciless cold and worse, exposed to the cruel judgement of those who pass by.  Of all the experiences that have stretched us, that we've adapted to in our host culture...this remains a matter the weighs heavily on our hearts.  Especially as parents to children with visible special needs, we must face the questions from our children that in the beginning were so frequent...now less so as they acclimate to the reality..."Why is that person begging Momma?"  "They're just missing part of their leg!"  "They just need to see a doctor!"  My only answer is that they need help, that life is not fair, and that everyone who can help someone in need, must.

Yesterday, some of those begging were playing traditional instruments, sort of busking, if you will.  But then there were those who were simply poor, with nothing to play to attract attention...forced to show how "unlucky" they are by showcasing their needs in plain view.  As we walked along, we saw another mother and baby.  This is not the same overpass where we found Qian Qian and his mother, but nearby.  The mother's head was bent down low, the child's sweet face nestled up and nursing, a worn bag by their side.  The weather was so cold, the conditions worsening, and Daddy remarked that the mother was shivering with her back against the wind.  Her little tin bowl had a few coins in it...the scene pierced my heart.

I had just done some reading recently on a website for a couple who live and work in Africa.  They had written about "Stopping for the One."   The concept that they were trying to express is one that I've also read about in some of Mother Teresa's teachings...that we encounter them everywhere in life...those who are broken, needy, in pain...and that too often we allow the greater reality of "how many there are who need help" to be the reason we don't stop to help the One in front of us.  I found myself thinking on this as we stayed on the overpass yesterday alongside the mother and baby.  The baby was not ill.  In fact, the child was beautiful and bright-eyed...though clearly too small for her 18 months of age.  She was still able to nurse, so the situation was good in that momma could still offer her milk...but momma's thin frame and drawn face showed that she was not far from being too undernurished to feed her daughter.  The story we learned was that the father had lost his work one month before.  They were from the countryside of Gansu province, and now here in the big city, had no work to feed themselves.  Father had left the momma and baby on the overpass to beg while he went to find refuse and plastic bottles to sell, hoping to earn enough to save some money to buy a ticket back to their countryside town.

My first instinct, even after experiencing the miracle of helping Qian Qian was..."what can we do?"  "there are poor everywhere, all around us, how can we help all of them stay warm, be fed, have rest?"  And yet, it wasn't ALL the poor in front of us at that moment...it was just the two of them...just a momma and baby in the cold.  The momma, as the child demanded to nurse, kept exposing her breast to the bitter wind...I thought how uncomfortable I felt in my 4 layers of clothing standing there in the wind...it made my heart ache.

My overriding thought was...is this family near the breaking point that would lead desperate parents to surrender their baby girl, leaving her in a public place, watching for the police to come and take her to the orphanage?  Since I only know the story that is written once the police find the children (this is where the story starts in every file for children waiting for adoptive homes)...what does the story look like BEFORE the family must endure the greatest pain imaginable, by releasing their child so that he/she might have a chance at life?  I have seen many, many reports of children found who were 1,2,3,4,5 years old...with no idea why they were surrendered...for those children, we will never know.

We gave the momma our contact information for our local helpers and told her that we'd help get their tickets back to the village.  We made sure they had shelter arranged for the night, gave them some money for food, and finally left them once we were sure that we'd done all we could.  Now it is up to them, as it was to Qian Qian's mother, to make contact with us so that we can help them get back to their provincial home.  We have to release them and see what He will do next.

It was a good way to spend our anniversary...we felt united in His love for the "One" in front of us yesterday...we enjoyed an emotional lunch afterward talking about how we want to spend the next 14 years of our marriage.

I promised in the last post that I would tell you about the 7 young boys we have been made aware of who are waiting for homes...right here in our city.  I will do a post about that soon, but I must clarify how much I can post about them first.  I can say that they range in age from 2-8, most have been waiting more than 2 years for a family of their own.  They have a range of mild, special needs...so easily correctable...or already corrected...just in need of a family who will love them, forever.  We sort of feel like these are boys that we need to advocate for as they are just 7 of the more than 2000 on the master list just in this country alone waiting for families...they are boys here in our city...just like The Singer and The Bruiser were just 6 months ago. 

Daddy and I agreed yesterday over our anniversary lunch that we are so thankful that this is our life's calling, to give a family to children who need one...while daily it is hard work to keep up with our household, or to answer emails advocating for adoption of children, or to do what we can to prevent another orphan from entering the system like Qian Qian...we are blessed beyond measure.  Thanks be to Him who has called and equipped us for this work!

Happy New Year!