Monday, July 1, 2013

Orphanage Day 1

Well our first day in our orphanage is complete. 
It's really going to be hard for me to put it into words but I'll try my best. Honestly, even coming up with a sentence is difficult...

The building is just a short 15 minute drive from our hotel. When we arrived we were given a short tour of the children's floors. We were shown babies that had just arrived...one that had to not be more than a few days old with a large cleft lip/palate. Two down's babies and a set of twins with some sort of craniofacial issue. Just laying in beds silent. I think it was me (seems foggy) that broke the silence and asked of we could touch them. I think we all let out a breath of air when she said "of course!" We saw a lot of hard stuff.

But in the midst of it, there is a lot of good.  Happy, seemingly healthy (other than mental disabilities) children. Giggling and running and playing. Duck, duck goose with the older children. Rehab with some of the SN kids. Lots of Down's kids, mostly boys. So precious.  The staff are incredible.  They really love the children.  They are caring for over 200 children and literally doing all they can.  You can see it in their faces and it's reflective in the kids.  

We had lunch there (so hard) and they let us come back to the hotel for a break. Even though we'd only been there a few hours, it was much needed. Just to process and pray and talk things out.

When we returned, it was a much different atmosphere! Light and fun as the children put on a performance for us! It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Singing and dancing all kids of drama!! The nannies had dressed them and put make up on all of them (even the boys!). We were asked to do something for them as well so we did a few songs...they were MUCH better than we were <3

Before we left the assistant director spoke to us. She says she wants all the children adopted. To please tell people about them so that they can have families. We assured her we will. I'll be getting a list from her so we can get pictures and get them out there and advocate for these treasures!!!!

Last night, she was telling Anna and I about the children. She said many are boys because they have special needs. She said, "you may not think they are beautiful..."

oh my heart.

I pulled up Asher's picture on my phone.  One that clearly showed his hands. And talked about how beautiful and perfect he was created. She doesn't understand. It's all she knows.  Many of us had opportunities to lay our hand on babies and pray and whisper over them scripture and tell them they are perfectly made by a God who adores them.  Ale spoke those words over a downs syndrome child, who looked up and her, nodded, and had a tear rolling down his face. We believe the Lord opened that little boys ears for just a minute to allow him to hear and understand despite the language barrier...that he was perfect.

There is no solution for these children apart from the Gospel. No hope. And the Gospel can reach them in two ways. Someone coming here to share Christ. Or adoption. When I think about my children living in a place like that....even a "good" orphanage, it makes my heart physically hurt.  

This is a plentiful harvest. It is ripe.  It is beautiful and it is waiting for workers. 

Please pray for:
Conversations with nannies...a few speak a small amount of English
Protection from sickness
Food.  It's hard to eat what they are serving us. We've had Chinese for 5 straight days and we need a break.  Even one western meal would do us all good. 
Moments like Ale had with the little boy. Holy Spirit guided moments where we listen and obey.
Continue to pray for Joan, our guide.
Good rest and sleep.

I know the Lord is going to tie our hearts to this place.
He already is. 
He's giving us the opportunity to be a voice for these orphans and enter right into a piece of His heart.
And we're going to soak it in.








Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans.





10 comments:

  1. Ahhh-mazing!!! Praying, Emily!!

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  2. Hi Emily my name is Rachel, we are adopting with AWAA a little boy from shantou he is 5 years old. We are hoping to travel in 3 weeks, just waiting on TA. I am so excited to see you are there with a group - if you could heck on him that would be amazing. His name is Shan Ji Lin

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  3. Oh Emily my email is cryeatts@yahoo.com - I am now glued to your blog, praying for you all and wishing I was there with you.

    Rachel

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  4. oh my...praying for y'all! what an opportunity!!!
    the DeLong's

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh My Heart! That is all I have.

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  6. hello
    my name is bonny bailey from California, united state of America i want to share to you how GOD use this orphanage to help me with prayer, i was having some difficulties in my family many years ago,i was so devastated. on one faithful night i was sleeping and God reveal to me on how my problems will solved by sowing a seed to the less privilege it came to me that there is this orphanage home that i need to help and i contacted the rev in charge so i ask them to keep praying for me and he said that they will do that for me, it was like a dream to me when i found that all my problems were over, thanks be to God almighty please let us help the less privilege if you have any problem run up to God and help the orphanage please help this orphans and GOD we reward you mightily email address orphanagehome6@gmail.com

    PLEASE IF YOU WANT TO HELP YOUR INFORMATION IS NEEDED

    YOUR NAME:
    YOUR COUNTRY:
    YOUR OCCUPATION:
    YOUR CONTACT NUMBER:
    YOUR PICTURE:
    YOUR PRAYER REQUEST:

    i want to you this medium to express my feeling to the world,please let us help the orphanage,Thank you and God bless

    ReplyDelete

  7. Am Rose mark from Canada If you want to adopt a child you don't need to stress your self,l was married for good 6years l don't have a child and doctor told me that there is noting l can do about it,my friend now told me how she adopt a child through this St JOHN ORPHANAGE HOME is the best adoption center they can help you to adopt your child with out stress,if you are interesting in adopting a child just email them now on:stjoneorphanagehome@yahoo.com or call us on:+234 7067607073 for more information.

    ReplyDelete
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