To Be a Special Messenger of Good News – To Be The Bridge

Today was a day like none other!! I became a bridge…..a human bridge…extending from love in America to a special little boy at the orphanage. I was on cloud nine to tell him an amazing message: a family is ready to welcome him into their hearts. What an incredibly special moment that was!!! As a child who was welcomed into the hearts of a Chinese family I can truly tell him what a life changing gift it is to be adopted. To have a family’s love. To be in loving relationships between a mother, father, and siblings. To be one more child chosen. To be an orphan no more. As a way of establishing/preparing a sense of belonging I was able to give this sweet boy a care package from his family. I really wonder what he was thinking of as his eyes looked at the photos. There were definite fireworks of happiness, however, there were other expressions his eyes portrayed. I am guessing that there were waves of surprise mixed with awe and curiousity…perhaps even a bit of confusion. It was completely evident that through all of his expressions he was genuinely joyful. I had the pleasure of sharing this moment with a few friends who were helping with translation, taking photos, and taking video. I really felt like I was a living part of this family’s paper pregnancy. As this boy’s ears listened to my Mandarin words I felt like this was as close as its going to get to starting the process of “effacement and dilation”. This was the beginning of preparation for this boy to get his heart and mind ready to transition into his family’s love for him. At this time it is going to take some stretching for his heart and his family’s hearts to get to the point that they meet each other for that ultimate “pushing” moment where they unite. I was SO honored to be a part of this family’s paper pregnancy. I thoroughly enjoyed being the bridge to connect people in one country to this child in a different country. The power of love is very real. I have seen it in action. I have felt it move my heart. I am so grateful.

My heart has been touched by adoptive families who have traveled to Tianjin to embrace these special children. One by one these children leave and are scattered around the world to their new homes. It is such a privilege to be the bridge in many of these adoptions. I feel that I understand these families that come to China since that was me and my family coming for my little China baby six years ago. It’s so interesting to see the other side of how orphans live in China and to see them depart that life as soon as love comes for them. It is my sincere hope that I can tell a special 13 year old the same kind of exciting news of a family coming for him. Every orphan, every child has a different plan. This boy only has less than a month until he is no longer available for adoption according to China’s policy. I just pray for my heart to be at peace if I need to tell him that he will remain here. Different children, different plans, different stories……same Sovereign Father. “….You are the helper of the fatherless. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted, You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed.” Psalm 10:14b and 17