Allowed back in!

Earlier this week I got very, VERY good news... The orphanage here in town, which has been closed to volunteers since the end of March, has decided to open their doors to us again and allow us back in to visit the babies.  This is such a huge answer to prayer.  The babies have been without volunteers for almost four months now.  That's a pretty significant amount of time.  These babies have wonderful caretakers who really love them and want the best for them, but these women are incredibly busy and have a really big job.  Taking care of a room full of babies - feeding, changing, administering medicine, etc - doesn't allow for a lot of play or cuddle time...something these kids desperately need.  So I'm beyond thankful they have agreed to let people back in to love on these precious little ones.

Now I'm mentally preparing myself to go back. 

When I first started going to volunteer at the orphanage, I was a strangers to the babies.  Of all the volunteers I have met, I'm the only blonde and probably the whitest person they have ever seen.  Some of the babies warmed up to me right away, but it took a while for some of them to realize I'm not so scary.  Now I'll likely be starting over with most of them.  I'm planning to go several times this week in hopes that we can reestablish some trust before I go back to my every Saturday morning routine.

And then there's 6-year-old Cong Ran.

By the grace of God I "happened" to bump into this little guy while visiting another baby several months ago.  He and I hit it off immediately, and now we're good buddies.  I visit him whenever I'm at the orphanage.  We've been checking up on each other these past months since I've been banned (maybe a harsh word, but that's how it feels) from visiting him.  He's called me once and sent me a text.  I got to see him on Children's Day and sent him a little gift from the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an.  He's a really special little boy. 

My friends who work with the orphanage tell me that he asks about me every time they're there.  "Where's Auntie Mollie? When will she come back?"  Then a few weeks ago one of the ladies told me something he said that has been echoing in my mind every day since.

"Will Auntie Mollie want me?" 

Just rip out my heart.  Seriously.  If only it were that easy.  Of course I want you, little buddy!  Of course I want them all.  How do you explain the politics and policies of international adoption to a 6-year-old?  I don't know how she answered him...I don't think I could have handled hearing her reply, to be honest.  How will I respond if he asks me the same question?  I have no idea.

Lord, comfort his little heart...

I hope these next to days go by fast... I'll be knocking down the doors of that orphanage at 9am Monday morning.  I can't wait!

365 days

I have officially completed ONE YEAR in China!  365 days.  12 months.  一年.  

After a year, here's what I know: 
1. Jesus is faithful.
2. Learning Chinese is hard.
3. Tianjin is smelly but beautiful.
4. God truly is the God of the nations.
5. American Chinese food is a pitiful imitation of the real thing.
6. Counting time zones is much harder math than geometry ever was.
7. "The least of these" are the most precious of all.
8. Living overseas requires at least an hour more of sleep per night.  Afternoon naps are also helpful.
9. Just because kindergarteners are cute doesn't mean teaching them is easy.
10. Obedience is costly, but sacrifices we make for the sake of Christ are always worth it. Always.

After a year, here's what I still don't know:
1. Why are Chinese men always so sleepy?
2. Am I the only one who's uncomfortable when everyone in the elevator is staring at me?
3. When will they open a Chipotle in China?
4. Why would anyone eat stinky tofu?

Some scripture I've memorized this year:  Habakkuk 2:14
-For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the water covers the sea.
- renshi yehehua rongyao de zhishi , yao chongman biandi , haoxiang shui chongman yang hai yiban
-认识耶和华荣耀的知识，要充满遍地，好像水充满洋海一般

The highlight of my year:  Getting to love on this girl...

...and this guy...

 
I learned to use public transportation:

I conquered the scariest thing of all:  Kindergarten.  

 I fell in love with a new city, country, people, culture, and way of life. 

I've been able to visit amazing places and see incredible sights.

I've learned so much, and I am so thankful. 

John 1:16
And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (ESV)
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (NLT)
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (NIV)

"He's brought me this far, and already my joy is unspeakable." 

Guo Lei

 Meet Guo Lei. 

He is 13 years old and is one of the amazing children in Tianjin waiting for a family to adopt him. His birthday is coming up in a few short months, at which point he will age out of the system.   Guo Lei is a very intelligent boy.  He loves to have conversations with others and spend time with people.  He is very alert and has a contagious smile. 

He's been waiting three years for a family to choose him.  Three years ago he had surgery to correct a urinary problem.  He now has good bladder control but is having some bowel control issues.  The ICCO medical coordinator believes it could be corrected with an overseas (not in China) surgery.   

If you know anyone who is in the process of adoption and is looking for an older child, please share Guo Lei with them.  You can contact me for more information about this sweet boy. 

http://www.tjicco.org/content/our-current-featured-child

Theresa Does China: Mom's visit recap

After my visit in the States, my mom came back with me for two weeks.  We had a great time hanging out and experiencing China together!  Here are some of the highlights:  

-Ancient Culture Street - This was one of Mom's favorite things.  ACS is a great place to buy souvenirs  and it's fun because it just feels very China.  

-Street markets, traffic, and everyday quirky China - The "ordinary" things are the things I love most about China.  I'm glad my mom got to see the simplicity of China life, but also the difficulty of it.

-Tianjin Hai He River Cruise - The Hai He River is a beautiful place!  I could do the boat tour a million times and never get tired of how beautiful the city is from the river.  My mom and I got to hang out with a teacher friend of mine and enjoy a different perspective of Tianjin.  

-Chinese food is always an adventure in of itself. 

-Shepherd's Field Children's Village (www.chinaorphans.org) - The orphanage where I normally volunteer is currently closed to visitors, so we couldn't go there.  Instead, we took the train to nearby Langfang to visit the children at SFCV.  They are so sweet.  The big kids were at a VBS, but mom and I got to hang out with the babies and younger kids.  There was an older boy who we also got to play with.  What a character!!  I was glad my mom got to connect with some of the kids and see why I love my time at the orphanage so much! 

-Beijing and the Mutianyu Great Wall - We spent about a day and a half in Beijing.  We stayed in a pretty nice hostel (although I had to "lock" the door with a chair...).  We went to the Great Wall while we were there.  I am amazed every time I see the Wall!  

Shi Jia Da Yuan - We went to an old palace in Tianjin with my Chinese class.  It was a lot of fun!  The buildings are beautiful and we learned some fun facts about ancient China life.