The young adult team shares more of what they have seen and learned at Maria’s Big House of Hope in the past week.
By Rachel Winters
We spent part of today at Maria’s Big House of Hope, and spent the rest of the day visiting the Jiaozuo SWI, where Show Hope has just begun operating a special care unit, like a mini-MBHOH, on one of the orphanage’s floors. Spending time at MBHOH has been both surreal and sobering, as I’ve sensed injustice in a whole new way. As we’re faced with so many emotions and questions, it is easy to wonder why these precious little ones have been forgotten by the world’s terms, but the Lord is reminding me that they are not forgotten; instead they are valued and loved with the same love He pours out on us. Each of these children has been formed by the Creator of the universe. They have been given a purpose: to glorify Him. They each have good works prepared for them and good plans in store for them.
At the intersection of injustice and God’s glory, the body of Christ stands united – fighting injustice and waiting for his His kingdom to come. Halfway across the world from home, I’ve witnessed this here with my own eyes in every smile, every laugh, and every kiss. When the church chooses to face what the world calls ugly, undesirable, and messy, we will see Christ.
We too were orphans – adopted into a family whose love we couldn’t earn (Ephesians 1:4-5). Do we rejoice because of who our Dad is? I have been thinking about the parallels between orphaned children and my own life…with a heart full of thanks for the One we can call Father, let’s storm the heavens, praying for the ones the world knows as abandoned.
By Shelbi Turner
There are many different reasons why the children at Maria’s Big House of Hope are here, but in the end, they all have one thing in common. Despite their physical suffering, you can see the joy of the Lord in their eyes! Their whole face lights up when you play with them.
At times it is hard to comprehend why these children have been left without parents. It is not an easy question to wrestle with because there are no clean cut answers. However, the Lord has shown me time and time again this week that He loves these babies. He has provided a place for them to be cared for and loved at MBHOH. He has also provided for this team to love these kids while we are here.
I have noticed that often the children with the most difficult medical conditions are the ones with the most joy. They laugh without holding back, love you before they even know you, and make you feel special. God has revealed Himself mightily as a loving Father to me this week. When I look into the eyes of these sweet children, I know that the world would be a completely different place if we embraced and lived out God’s calling for us to joyfully care for the orphan.
