Joanna Franzke, Co-leader
I found him right where I left him. On the third floor of that big blue house in the Madagascar room. He had the same nannies. He had the same bed. He had the same smell. He had the same laugh. However, he is oh so different. The little baby Theo that I left here in July couldn’t hold his own head up. He couldn’t hold his own bottle. He couldn’t stick his tongue out at me or blow me kisses. He couldn’t even attempt to talk to me. But today, he could do all of those things. Surely these are all things that someone might be excited for a one year old to be doing, but Theo has been 2 since January.
When we pulled up to MBHOH, I saw that big blue building towering into the sky. I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes because I knew what was in that building. The most precious angels in all of China live here. It was almost like I imagined it would be. Goodness knows I have thought about this moment every day since I left Luoyang this summer. Holding that sweet, sweet boy in my arms again. I went into the room and the nannies immediately knew who I was. Theo was not in there, he was getting his bath. They rushed to retrieve him from the bathing room…because they knew why I was there. I’m the girl that shared that special connection with him this past summer. His nanny handed him to me and the tears started flowing. There is not one moment that I doubted he knew who I was. How could he forget? I had held him and rocked him and loved him so many days that summer. There are pictures of he and I together hanging in his crib. Yes, I was crying because I was so thankful to see him. But I was also crying because of how healthy he seems. I cannot express enough gratitude to the doctors, nurses, nannies, chefs, and sponsors that make Maria’s Big House of Hope possible every day. These fragile, little, broken babies have hope! Theo is just one story; the voice of the other children in this house whose lives have been improved and to whom dignity has been given.
I can’t wait to wake up here tomorrow morning. There is no place on earth like this. I can’t wait for Theo to grab onto my fingers and pull himself up with a look on his face that can mean nothing but joy. If you are reading this and take any part in this incredible organization, through “thoughts,” prayer or donations, please know what a tremendous difference you are making. The babies thank you. I know because they told me. Through their laughter and smiles today, they thank you.
Brennan Sehrt, student
Today our group arrived at MBHOH and I had no idea 
what to expect. I don’t think any of us did. One of the first babies that I played with was Isaac. When I walked into the bright yellow room, I immediately saw his beautiful, smiling face. He looked so happy. I went over to him and a couple of the other babies that were around him. We played for a while, and then I was ready to go to the next room and see more little babies. As I was walking towards the door, Isaac kept following me and rolling around towards me. He slowly reached his hands up and wanted me to pick him up. When I saw his eyes looking into mine, I had a “moment”— a moment that was full of peace, love, and happiness. I think at that moment I really realized why I was here. I think we are here to show these babies and kids that we love them, and to show what love is. To me, giving is a type of love. As we give to the babies and help the nannies, we are all showing a kind of love to them.
