I returned this week from leading a small team of donors on a trip to Maria’s Big House of Hope, and wanted to give an update on my time there. The team consisted of two amazing families (the Ashburns from Nashville and the Barnards from the Tulsa area) who love the children at MBHOH and have seen firsthand how this wonderful facility and staff cares for the children. We had a wonderful time enjoying the culture and people of this very unique country. We flew into Beijing two weekends ago, did some sightseeing and then went down to Luoyang and MBHOH.

It was fun getting to know the nurses and nannies, and it was especially great to play with the children. These kids are so full of life and are so well loved by the staff. I am proud of the work being done, and am excited about future growth opportunities to help more children in China who have special needs. I was reminded on this trip that it really is a miracle that we are receiving partnership opportunities with the Chinese people. Everything was amazing…except the lamb some of us had for lunch early in the trip!

One thing we did on our trip was to build a deck on the roof of MBHOH. There are five nurses who live at MBHOH, and they each have their own apartment on the floor that they oversee. Their place to “get away” in the evenings is up on the roof. As roofs go, it is nice and safe, but we wanted to really make it a special space for them. Earlier in the week, Mikey (our do-it-all guy on staff at MBHOH), James Barnard, and I went to the local lumber yard to find materials to build a rooftop deck. If you are picturing an indoor lumber yard like Home Depot or Lowes, think again! We went to an alleyway market area where everyone sold building materials of some sort. I love home remodeling, so this was a fun experience for me!

To my surprise, we actually found treated lumber to build the deck.  Then we went to the “tool store”…a 10′ x 10′ store just down the street, to purchase saw blades, tape measures (metric, of course) and a speed square. We found this last tool to be the most necessary, as nothing was actually square! When we got back to MBHOH,  the lumber would not fit on the elevators. Carrying it up 7 flights of stairs while battling the heat and extremely high HUMIDITY was a job in itself. Then, after working into the evening up on the roof, the bad lamb kicked in. Wow…welcome to China!

We stayed up all night on the last evening we were in Luoyang to finish the deck. The nurses are amazing young women who love the children at MBHOH, and I’m excited to give them a place that will make their time a little nicer as they relax, laugh, pray and enjoy cool nights on the roof…I just wish they had warned me about the lamb!!

Sunrise from the roof of MBHOH

I have always been an early riser, and perhaps that has played a part in developing my deep love of sunrises.  Just over two years ago, my husband and I moved back to Tennessee with our children.  We had moved here from a neighborhood on the far north side of Chicago called Rogers Park, and the school our children attended was located in the South Loop.  Our school commute required an early morning trek down Lakeshore Drive, and while the distance from our house to school was only 12 miles, the trip took around 45 minutes.  Although this extended time in the car allowed us to practice spelling words and memory verses while we were all held captive by the commute, there was also another upside…

During these early morning commutes, our conversations were often interrupted by a breathtaking sunrise over Lake Michigan.  I always found myself compelled to have the children stop what they were doing to take a moment to share in its beauty.  Like a well rehearsed dance, my children always knew what would come next:  my question to them about what verse the sunrise drew their minds toward.  Upon my question, the children would begin to recite the first two verses of Psalm 19 to me.  Hearing this small section of scripture seemed to be the only sufficient remedy to my heart as it worked to process the beauty and splendor of what was before us:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

When I visited Maria’s Big House of Hope in March, I had the opportunity to watch the sunrise from the rooftop.  Although its appearance was much different than the sunrises I had enjoyed over Lake Michigan, it communicated a deep and abiding beauty I hadn’t seen before.  This same sun that gloriously worked to claim the day in Chicago was now working to give light to the children at MBHOH now waking to a new day.  I was further reminded of the beauty held within the walls of the building below me…the precious children, each made in God’s image, and in so, declaring God’s glory through their very existence.  With these truths in mind, that sunrise still stands as one of the most beautiful I have ever witnessed.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Since the completion of MBHOH, I have dreamed of actually walking the halls and holding the little ones who are there to receive vital medical care. Like many of you, I read the Show Hope blog each week and marvel at the beautiful little faces of children who do not have a mom and dad. Here at the office, we’ve enjoyed getting to know the children by name and following their progress. We’ve also shed a few tears about the ones who’ve left the loving arms of the nannies and nurses at MBHOH and arrived at their final home in heaven…now perfectly healed.

Next month my “dream” will become a reality when I travel to China with a group of Show Hope sponsors to visit MBHOH. I can’t wait!! Then Jessica, Martina, Asher, Jim and many more will not just be a photo and a name, but I will have the privilege of holding them in my arms and loving them as my own children, the ones entrusted into my care…and to your care.

I’m convinced that when James 1:27 defines pure religion as “visiting orphans and widows in their distress,” God is asking me to come face to face with those in need and to be His hands and feet…to actually go and touch them, to meet their needs, to laugh, to nurture, to love — not only these at MBHOH, but the poor and forgotten ones my neighborhood and around the world.

I’m grateful for the faithful supporters who make this work possible and I’m excited to share with them a glimpse of what their generosity has provided for “the least of these”
as we travel to China in August.

I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me. – Matthew 25:36, 40

Martina arrived at Maria’s Big House of Hope all bundled up as an early Christmas gift on December 24, 2009. At just 5 months old, this little one was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia.

Now, Martina has overcome her pneumonia and she just celebrated her first birthday! During a recent team visit, a big birthday party was held for the children, like Martina, whose birthdays are in the summer.

You can often find Martina making her way around the Tinkerbell Room, where she lives and plays with Juliana, Jim, Lebron, Jessica and Judah. Martina spends her time exploring the room in her bouncy chair, playing with her friends, or cuddling with her nannies. She is a bright and observant little girl who is always taking in what is going on around her.

Martina has a habit of sticking two of her fingers into her mouth at all times. It has truly become an endearing trait. Her nurse Lily says, “Martina has grown so much since her admission to Maria’s House. We love having her here and watching her continue to thrive as a happy, healthy baby.”

Martina’s ayis (nannies) are constantly doting over her and showing her the love and affection that every child deserves to feel. She is another example of the tremendous efforts that are being made at MBHOH thanks to the doctors, nurses, nannies, staff and Show Hope sponsors.

When I first started working for Show Hope, one of my favorite job responsibilities was opening the mail. I know it sounds crazy, but I got to read everything from sweet, heartfelt “Thank You’s” to amazing adoption testimonies and great fundraising stories. I got to see it all! Although I don’t currently open the mail on a daily basis, I  still get to sort through the donations that come in. Every now and again, there will be a particular story or a picture that really stands out. That is exactly what happened yesterday.

I opened up an envelope to see a picture of Wesley, the sweetest little red-headed boy that, by the looks of the picture, was really excited to do his part for the orphan crisis! He’s so cute, right? Wesley also included a hand-drawn card and a donation “for the babies at Maria’s Big House of Hope.” I wish I knew more of Wesley’s story, but I think his obvious excitement is evidence that he really gets it! It’s further proof that no matter how young, we can all do our part to join the movement to care for orphans!

Eruptions of giggles come from a round faced little boy in a baby walker as he proudly pushes himself through the room, examining all that interests him and stopping to make sure his ayi is still watching. If not, he will once again squeal with laughter to draw her attention and then continue on with his exploration.

Cadence's Admission Photo

It is hard to imagine that this is the same Cadence that arrived to MBHOH in October. At just over 3 weeks old, he was in immediate need of specialized care for his spina bifida. Once that was received, and after several months of building his health, Cadence was sent for the surgical repair of his spinal area. As he recovered under the loving care of the MBHOH nannies and nurses, Cadence began to bloom into the happy little boy we love to snuggle with today. What an incredible change we have had the blessing to see in his 9 months here with us!

Through the help of Show Hope sponsors, Cadence not only received the surgery he needed, but now has the hope of health. Thank you for the impact you continue to have on his life! As he grows and discovers the world around him,  please join us in praying that Cadence will soon come into a forever family of his own.

For those of you who are Show Hope sponsors, you have been able to previously meet these beautiful MBHOH children, Carissa and Grace, through recent Show Hope Sponsorship Updates. As we often receive requests for updates on the precious children in our care, we thought we would start with some news on the progress of these sweet girls.

Carissa, has continued to blossom and flourish through the physical therapy she has been receiving since the first Geisinger Medical trip in March. She is also a student in one of the new kindergarten classes. While she experiences mobility limitations due to her cerebral palsy, she is a very involved member of the class. Carissa is a bright and cheerful student.  She is beginning to learn English words and really enjoys learning, singing, and playing the maracas.  This beautiful girl loves to be included and involved in all activities in the classroom and has enjoyed the teams who have visited MBHOH recently.

You may recognize Grace as one of the eleven beautiful children who received surgery during the Geisinger surgical trip in June. Grace had her cleft palate repaired, and is now recovering well. She attends one of MBHOH’s kindergarten classes with her best friend Ella, and is a friendly little girl who is a much-loved member of the MBHOH family. Through her kindergarten class, Grace has been learning sign language for small phrases like “please” and “thank you” since her early speech was impaired by her cleft palate. She is a quick learner who is enjoying the stimulation of doing puzzles, physical activities and crafts during class time. Perhaps most of all, she enjoys playing with Mikey, our MBHOH liaison!

Please pray for Carissa and Grace, and others like them, who continue to wait for forever families who can care for their particular challenges and needs. If you have yet to become a Show Hope sponsor, we want to invite you become a sponsor today and join us in caring for these hidden treasures!

It is with great excitement that we are able to share that Show Hope’s work in China is expanding!  Since the inception of this organization seven years ago, I don’t think any of us could have dreamed of all the ways in which God would invite us into caring for orphans. We knew that helping reduce the financial barrier to adoption would be the core focus of our ministry, but little did we know that we would someday also have the opportunity to be involved with ongoing orphan care, specifically in China.

Maria’s Big House of Hope officially opened last summer, July 2009, and since then we have seen nearly 120 children come to this facility and receive the much needed medical care, love and attention that each child deserves. Thanks to our many Show Hope sponsors, the finances have been provided to help pay the ongoing running costs of this facility.

As we have continually discovered while working in the fields of the fatherless, the need of orphaned and vulnerable children is always so great. The work being done in China, as well as that of the many organizations advocating on behalf of these children all around the world, is not only beneficial but life-saving as we work to show hope to each child. With the need being so great, you might very well question if Show Hope’s work in China will expand. Well…it is with great excitement that we announce just that!

Show Hope has been invited to partner with our friends in China to financially provide the on-going running costs of another special care unit for medically fragile orphans. This unit, located on the fourth floor of the new children’s welfare institute in Jiaozuo city of the Henan province, is only a 1½ hour drive northeast of Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang. This particular care facility exists specifically for severely disabled children and those in need of hospice care until they enter eternity. The children, nannies, and nurses officially moved into this unit a little over a month ago. Once this care unit is running at full capacity, there will be approximately 60 staff members, 2 nurses and 36 babies.

Once again, we find ourselves both humbled by God’s invitation into this wonderful ministry, and grateful for friends like you who support us in it. If you aren’t already a Show Hope sponsor, please consider partnering with us in our initiative to provide the best possible care for one of these precious treasures, and help us to expand our efforts to reach as many of these waiting children as possible.

As the Geisinger medical team now settles back into their lives at home (and each pushes through their ensuing jet lag), we thought it might be nice to have a quick glance back at the events of this past week at MBHOH. Eleven children received successful surgeries to correct their cleft lip or palate, and while each surgery was unique, all were a success thanks to the diligent care, long preparation, and expert skills of each person involved. Our deepest thanks go out to each member of the Geisinger team for their selfless service as well as to the staff at MBHOH who together bring such tender and loving care to these children each day.

The 11 children receiving surgeries were: Skyler, Oliver, Grace, Asher, Dylan, Lakeisha, Kristen, Ella, Brooks, Whitney, and Susie. As you can see from the surgery schedule on the whiteboard, it was an amazingly full and busy few days for not only the Geisinger team and these 11 children, but also the nannies and nurses who have worked to bring these children to this point in their care.

An additional noteworthy event that took place this week on the “Smile Floor” of MBHOH was the departure of David (featured in the photo above), who was called back to the orphanage to await the upcoming arrival of his forever family. Although his presence is already missed at MBHOH, we are endlessly thankful that we are able to celebrate this beautiful news. We look forward with hope to his arrival into the arms of his forever family.  Please pray for David in the upcoming days — that he would know his family even before they come for him and that his transition would be sweet and full of familiar comforts.

Of course, all these miracles couldn’t be possible without the ongoing prayers and support of all the Show Hope sponsors who have done so much to see this day come for these children.

On their behalf, we say “thank you!”

Oliver's pre-op photo with his nanny.

Oliver's post-op photo. He is healing beautifully!

Today marks the first anniversary of the opening of Maria’s Big House of Hope! To celebrate, we are bringing you more news from Mikey Shook about the surgeries that have been going on this week. We are sorry they have not been more regular, but electrical and internet outages in China prevented daily postings. At any rate, Show Hope is beyond thrilled that the support of our sponsors has helped to change lives and establish MBHOH as a wonderful healing home for these precious children with special needs in this first year of operation!

Monday began early with the 6:30am repair of Asher‘s cleft palate. It is so interesting because Dr. DeSantis, the plastic surgeon, was gracious enough to show us what he does as he goes through the surgery. Grace, who was featured in the last sponsorship update, was the second  surgery of the day, and her cleft palate repair went great!! After lunch, Dylan’s cleft palate repair was completed, thus ending the 12 hour day of surgeries succesfully!

Monday evening, Steven Curtis, Mary Beth, Shaoey, Stevey Joy, and Robin, Joyce and Katie Hill arrived at MBHOH. They didn’t skip a beat when they got here, and ran up to the the surgical ward to take a look at what was going on. As they had been traveling for about 24 hours straight, they quickly called it a night to prepare for the next morning of surgeries.

On Tuesday, SCC led the group in morning prayer. Brooks was the first child to have surgery that day, and also the first child whose surgery SCC and Mary Beth were able to witness! As you may have seen on MBC’s blog, they were able to get up close and watch the entire surgery as Dr. DeSantis explained the procedure. Rob and Joyce Hill, along with their daughter Katie and the Chapman girls, were able to scrub in to watch the next surgery. They all had a blast seeing the incredible transformations taking place first hand.

The last surgery to wrap up an amazing week was for Susie, whose cleft lip was repaired. The procedure was quick and smooth and the team finished by 4pm. Everyone took time to rest and shower before we went to a great western-style dinner. We were all exhausted, but happy because of the massive and amazing impact of the week’s happenings on the children at Maria’s Big House of Hope.

Several of the children who had surgery earlier in the week are already back on their feet (literally and figuratively) and smiling away this afternoon! It’s amazing to watch the resiliency of these children through their recovery. One day we see them in the recovery room just after surgery, and the next day they are smiling (though a bit sore) back to their regular selves. This truly has been an incredible week in the unfolding history of MBHOH. Thank you for your prayers!