I had to wait to write this post. Yesterday I was too angry to write it out, but I want to write it while it's still fresh in my mind.
There are no words to describe seeing so many orphans. I've seen pictures. I've heard stories. But when they reach out to you and tug on your skirt and lift up their arms you realize
You. Had. No. Idea.
Not a clue.
They were covered in scabies and dirt and layers of filthy clothing.
They were deformed and sick.
And I realized on that day that I had never seen anything so incredibly beautiful.
I sat in the midst of them and held them. I told them they were beautiful.
I told them they were handsome.
I told them Jesus loves them.
I don't know how as a Christian I could not be angry as I looked around and saw those that the world has shut away. We have shut away. We have gone about our business, our lives and pretended not to know their utter devastation. We have pretended that an orphan crisis is something exaggerated by passionate fanatics. We have avoided the topic in our churches. We have ignored them. We have failed to teach people about orphan care.
We did this. We did it ourselves by pretending and choosing to close our eyes.
We brought this on them. We didn't just forget, we ignored.
I am undone.
These are the ones we have ignored.
We have said the cost is too great and banished them to rundown orphanages
so that we can pretend that the world is good and kind.
But it's not kind to them is it?
We say we follow Christ.
And yet we have no part of "true religion" James 1:27
We told him that the cost of his redemption is too high.
We told these babies that the sacrifice it too great.
We told them we couldn't handle their needs.
We told him that he has too many fingers and we can't love him.
We left her behind.
I know this is a forward post, perhaps even harsh. If I sound angry it's because I am. I'm angry that we have decided that our lives are worth more than theirs. I assure you that I include myself in that "we."
I walked away to screams of "mama, baba!" I cried and cried on the van ride home because I had to leave them behind not knowing if they would ever have a mama and baba.
May God forgive us.
May He give us the strength and courage to follow Him, wherever He leads.
Excellent post Katie! I share your anger. I feel it everytime someone says, "Better you than me". I am glad that you said "Yes, Lord". Proud to call you a new friend.
ReplyDeleteI see happy kids, with people who love them, in clean conditions, with bright colors, and with things to play with and places to sleep. I see that even though I'm assuming you were trying to be as sensational as possible with these pictures.
ReplyDeleteMy kid was in an orphanage that looked a lot like this. I was amazed at how good the conditions were, because I wasn't sure what to expect, and I was so happy to see how much the ayis obviously loved him.
There are some orphanages with bad conditions in China, as there are everywhere. But posting sensationalistic pictures of kids who are not yours, who you have no rights to post pictures of, radically misrepresenting the conditions there, will end up making the orphanages not allow visitors, and has a definite chance of making these kids lives worse.
Is that what you want?
What a beautiful post! Not sensational at all! Just a mama's heart crying out her feelings and experiences. Our daughter's orphanage was pristine, clean, and loving nannys all around. Yet I felt many of the same feelings. I can't compare a clean, somewhat sterile (although with bright childish paintings on the walls) orphanage with the love of a family. I cried with gratitude for the women who loved our sweet girl. I held all the little ones I could get my hands on. It broke my heart as they stood in their cribs crying for us to pick them up. God's word TELLS us to care for the orphans...He doesn't ask us if we'd consider it, or pray for someone else to do it...he tells us to do it. He commands us to do it. Thank you for sharing your experience. And your little Simon is just precious!!! Reading about him makes my heart smile!
ReplyDeletebetsyl. I am in your amen corner. There are children in worse conditions in their own homes right here in the u.s. and in foster care homes. Charity starts at home. I resent being included in your numbers. I have adopted, foster parented and have two wonderful world vision kids. I have compassion, but I have no shame on me status.
ReplyDeleteI love/hate your post. It was expressed so well the huge need and the real truth. Your lives have been forever changed because of what you just saw. I hate it because it is so true. I have been there and seen it 5 times now and how easily I can go through my day and forget those in need. Thank you for the reminder. My heart aches with yours. Thank you for sharing. I am a mama to 10, 6 from China.
ReplyDeleteWhat a raw and beautiful post! I struggle with this all the time. Praising God for your One Less!!! Praying He would move in the hearts of Christians to bring home the Least of these and graft them into their families!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteIt is really concerning that people would chose to find the negative in this blog post. It is obvious that she is coming from a place of love and concern for these orphans. Yes, I agree that charity starts at home, and I have no doubt that she is a giving, caring, person towards causes here in the United States. Not everyone is called to do foster care or to adopt domestically. Nor is everyone called to adopt internationally. But really, the point is that we are to be His hands and feet and to care about orphans regardless of where they live...
ReplyDeleteA few workers cannot provide the needs of so mant kids, and the line of cribs and beds speaks volumes too. I would feel the same way. There is a desperate need for so many kids, and people need to know and open their eyes.
ReplyDeleteamen and amen sister! i found you through sonia-- tell her to go get my tea!:)
ReplyDeletewe've adopted from china 4 times- and my heart is broken for those left behind-- and if my sinful heart is broken-- i cannot even imagine how GOd's must be. simon is beautiful:) they all are-- i just wish people would SEE and like you said-- Christians not willing to put their money where their mouth is- and realize redemption IS costly-- it SHOULD be! the almost $100,000 we have spent in our 4 adoptions is by far THE BEST way we have used our money. bar none. and if God sees fit to stretch my sanity for one more- then yahoo!
now go get some water:)
ps-- don't apologize for being forward or harsh-- this world needs more of that-- frankly it needs some face slapping too and a good hard kick in the pants-- so you go girl!
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine how your heart will be torn when you get on the plane, but I am hoping that your visit and this incredible posting will bring help to these little ones. Jesus loves them and uses our modern communications to "stir hearts". That is my prayer.
ReplyDeleteLove you and cannot wait to see you. I feel God gave me a "Simon" moment in the play place at McDonald's yesterday. There was an almost perfect match playing around and being "normal"! I got so excited for you because in a few days this may be your little Jun Jun running around and making mom climb to the top to get him out! - Sorry that I cannot be there to welcome you home. I will be back from our trip on April 7. God bless you and keep you as you 'finish' up. Love Sharon K =)