“My wife, Jen, and I came to Maria’s Big House of Hope as part of our desire to work with orphans. Being Show Hope sponsors, we were able to apply for the September 2011 short-term trip and come to China as a couple. Upon arriving here, I really didn’t know what God expected from me. I have to be honest and admit, at first, I came to Maria’s because my wife insisted that I come. But now that I’m here, God has changed my heart.

“In 2009, Jen and I found out we were having fertility issues.  We were told by the doctors that it wouldn’t be impossible for us to have children, but it also wouldn’t be very easy. But after getting our hopes up, they were quickly dashed. Having previously decided that we didn’t want to have invitro-fertilization, we turned everything over to God and began to focus on adoption. I thought I had dealt with those emotions, but things resurfaced while I was here.

“After interacting with a few of the children here at Maria’s, I found myself drawn to one little boy in particular; Cadence. As I was walking past one of the rooms, he shot me a big smile, pointed and ran towards the door, so I stopped to spend time with him. Shortly after leaving the room, I began to work on one of our devotional ‘assignments’ to choose a child that stood out to us, find out more about them, and write their story as we imagined it.

“Upon trying to do this, I found myself slipping into a dark place, thinking about the fertility struggles my wife and I have had.  After sobbing for several hours, I finally found the strength to go back down and see Cadence, the little man who caught my attention earlier. As I walked into the room, I was asked to take pictures of him receiving a package from his adoptive family. At that moment, my despair for my own situation turned to hope…hope for the children here, for the glory and beauty that God can still bring into their lives, and for the possibility of a brighter future. Going from such a low point earlier in the day to one of the happiest moments I’ve had the privilege of being a part of was a true gift from God.

“Since that first day at MBHOH, I find myself happily playing with children here and praying that they would find the same peace in a forever family that so many children have found through this amazing organization.”

-Ray Hatch

You can be a part of caring for children like Cadence by becoming a sponsor >

“Today is our last day at Maria’s Big House of Hope. Our team’s time here has been filled with laughter, tears and hope as we have experienced our Father in a new way. The Lord does not need any one of us to care for the orphan, but He’s offered us the invitation to be His hands and feet. God has revealed Himself as Protector, Comforter and Healer.

“As we finish various work projects and give last hugs to these precious children, we begin to process all we have seen, heard and felt. Now that we know these children, we have a responsibility to them, to become advocates on their behalf in our homes, churches and communities. My prayer is for God to grant each member of this sponsor team His heart, wisdom and perfect peace as we pursue the call to care for the orphan at home.”

-Megan Flaker

---

“I spent part of yesterday morning in the preschool classroom here at MBHOH. We spent time laughing, painting pictures and making messes. Making messes with kids has got to be one of the best ways to have fun with them! There is something about hearing and seeing these children laugh that makes the cleaning up afterwards a joy.

“You know the saying that laughter is therapeutic? It’s more than that with these kids at Maria’s Big House of Hope. When I laugh with them I get a glimpse of God’s delight for these children. I’ve been singing the song ‘Jesus Loves Me’ to them and instead of saying ‘me’ I’ve changed that word to ‘you.’ Through time at MBHOH, God has given me a powerful glimpse of His love not only for these children but also for me.”

-Crista Hobbet

---

“I am on this trip to honor my dad who was a huge supporter of Show Hope. In fact, he wanted to visit MBHOH but unfortunatley passed away before he was able to come. I am continuing in his desire to care for the orphans of the world by taking this trip with Show Hope.

“God has been teaching me so much in the past few days! One thing that God has taught me is that although everyone has a role in caring for the orphans of the world (James 1:27), not everyone is called to care for them in the same way. Some are called to directly care for orphans first-hand like the head nurse Mariah Bywater. Some are called to be a forever family to a child. Some, like those of us on this Show Hope sponsor trip, are called to assist financially with orphan care or to go on short-term trips to spend time with the kids. Others are called to advocate for those who do not have a voice to speak for themselves. Whatever the means, God has invited us all to join Him in caring for orphans. This is a way to know and experience Him.”

-Rachel Singer

“The April Show Hope sponsor team met up in Newark on Friday and flew together as a team to Beijing.  As we got to know each other on the 13 hour plane ride and through our team building exercise of climbing the Great Wall, it has been evident that God uniquely placed each team member on this trip.  Our team consists of fifteen Show Hope sponsors from 12 different states and various walks of life who share a common heart for caring for orphans.

“We arrived at Maria’s Big House of Hope late on Sunday night after it was dark, and woke up this morning ready to explore. Most of us were up around 6am thanks to jet lag, but that meant we had a head start on meeting kids before breakfast! The hard part was deciding which room to visit first, with so many sweet little ones all pulling at your heart. What a joy to make a child smile and let them know they are loved.

“Since it was still Easter in the United States, we decided to celebrate here with the kids. We had an Easter egg hunt, colored eggs, enjoyed a beautiful cake, played pin the tail on the bunny, and even had face painting. Jessica was a good sport to sit still for this precious Maria flower design. Day One at MBHOH has been a joy and we are all so thankful to be here together. I truly wish every Show Hope sponsor could come a see this place with their own eyes. Thank you for your generous support that is making a huge impact!”

-Katie and McKensey, Show Hope team leaders

My name is Bridget, and I traveled with the Show Hope Sponsor trip to China.

A few months ago I was reading a series of fiction books, and I was struck by a verse that I’ve heard too many times to count, Jeremiah 29:11. It was used several times in the series, so that’s why it was on my heart daily…right? Pure coincidence that while reading the series the verse was brought up in a sermon, right? The third time I heard the verse, in a movie, I knew God was speaking to me.

My first time going into a room to play with the babies here at MBHOH, my heart broke for this one little boy, Asher. The rest of the day I was unable to get him out of my mind. I couldn’t shake the sorrow my heart was feeling for him. Who wakes him on his birthday singing happy birthday? Who will take him to his first day of school? Who will cheer for him at school functions?

The next morning,  I still couldn’t stop thinking of Asher. I heard that verse yet again, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Just a few hours later I learned that this little one, who was so heavy on my heart, will soon be going home to his forever family. One day, I walked into his room and saw that his shirt said “Daddy loves me.” Oh little buddy, you have no idea just how much!!! Again I thought, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” For the rest of the trip, I was comforted with the knowledge that everyone at MBHOH, nannies and even myself, is held in the palm of our Heavenly Father’s hand. He has a plan, and I am so grateful to be part of it!

Hi, my name is Felicity. My husband, Tim, and I became Show Hope sponsors about 6 months ago. When the opportunity came to travel to Maria’s Big House of Hope on the first sponsor trip, I knew God was calling me to go. Through the generous support of family and friends, God made it possible for myself and my dear friend Merryn to come on this trip.

As I sit on the roof of MBHOH, I find it hard to put into words all the thoughts and emotions that are flying through my head. Each time I come away from spending time in the babies’ rooms, my cheeks ache from smiling. At the same time, I have a heartache for these precious children. Why have they been abandoned? Where have they come from? Where will they go next? Who will love them when they leave MBHOH?

Over the past 4 days, I have spent time with a little boy named Judah (pictured above). Judah cannot walk so he rolls on the floor to get where he wants to go. He made his way to the window and I picked him up so he could look out. He then motioned toward a sticker on the wall that says, “God made you special.” I read it aloud, turned to him and continued to repeat “God made you special, God made you special.”

It struck me again that God has a special place in His heart for these children. We may not know why they were abandoned, we may not know where they come from, we may not know where they go next, and we may not know who will love them when they leave Maria’s, but the comforting reality is that God knows. The loving arms of Jesus will carry these children wherever they may go.

Being at MBHOH has made me long for Heaven even more. In Heaven all the tears will be wiped from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. God will make all things new. What a beautiful hope we have.

My name is Bill, and my wife, Kelli, and I are visiting MBHOH this summer with the Show Hope sponsor team.

If you had asked me 6 months ago what I was passionate about, the word “orphans” would probably not have entered my mind much less come out of my mouth. So what changed? It’s pretty simple, really. I finally stopped skipping over James 1:27 and started reading it for what it truly says.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27

What is James 1:27 really saying? The widow and orphan are the perfect example of the helpless state we were in before God stepped in on our behalf. We were unable to, in our own power, change our situation of separation from God. Christ changed that, and through the cross he was able to welcome us into His family as “adopted sons and daughters.” In that same way, Christ wants to use us to be Christ to those without the means to change their situation, namely widows and orphans. Christ calls us to enter into their helpless plight and give them the home and family that He gave us as his adopted sons and daughters. That’s the call and the mandate of our Heavenly Father.

---

 
My name is Amanda, and I am on the Show Hope Sponsor trip to China. I have been thinking a lot about our responsibility to the orphans of our world. No matter what country they are in, they are God’s children. As we read about God’s answer to the orphan crisis in our team devotional, God has given us an invitation in James 1:27. In it God is saying, ‘This is my heart for my people. If you want to know me, experience me, and experience the life I desire for you, here is a blueprint for your life.” How do we then respond to this invitation?

As we play with the wonderful children at Maria’s Big House of Hope, I have found a little one that touches my heart, Jay-ar. I found myself looking at him with bittersweet feelings. God has allowed me to see this child through His eyes. I see that He has a plan and purpose for Jay-ar, but as I look at the situation he is in as an orphan my heart hurts. I pray that God will bring forth the body of Christ to help fund the operations of Show Hope. Please pray for the Lord to show you what you can do to accept the invitation He has extended to us to know and experience Him.

My name is Merryn and I am one of two Australians visiting MBHOH this summer with the Show Hope Sponsor team.

I have had a mother’s heart since I was a little girl playing with dolls. When I became a mum 5 years ago I learned that being a mum is not always an easy journey. It is a path that, while incredibly wonderful, is also marked with struggle and tough decisions at times. Over the years I began to hear “the mother’s cry.” That is partly what motivated me to come to China…to show love to children whose own mothers were unable to. However, over the past few months another cry has been ringing in my ears…the orphan’s cry.

“I am little and small. Not even one year old. I am weight bearing and I am learning to stand. I am special, though my body is not perfect. I am slow to warm up to new people but I am curious, social and interactive. I have a sweet, subtle smile. I am an orphan. I do not know where I have come from but I know where I am. I am safe and loved and cared for. My physical, social and emotional needs are being met and I am happy. If I were not here, where would I be? Perhaps left in a room to die because a doctor said nothing could be done. My fears and hopes and dreams are so closely linked with the possibilities that lay before me. I fear rejection and a life of never really feeling as though I belong. I hope for a future that is life. I hope to be accepted, loved and valued for what I bring to this world and not seen simply as a medical need or burden. I hope for a family. I hope…”

I met this little man at New Hope the other day, and I wrote this as I imagined life from his perspective. How easy it is to sit in our living rooms at home and allow these orphans to remain nameless and faceless, and for their experience to be left unconsidered? But they are not nameless or faceless to the One who created them. We simply need to hear their cry and respond. Will you join me?