Some 25 years ago my brother, Shane, was a three month old baby making his way from an orphange in Korea to his new home and family in the U.S. I was a second grader who couldn't wait to be a big sister and teach my brother how to play baseball. I'll never forget the first time I saw my brother or the fact that I was basically the first person to hold him. (Sorry Mom!)
Because of the circumstances of how Shane came into our lives and became my brother, adoption has always been close to my heart. And obviously, as a pediatric nurse and a mom, taking care of kids is my passion. This May I am blessed to have the opportunity to build on both of those experiences. I will be traveling to China with a medical group. We will spend 9 days at an orphanage performing surgeries for children waiting to be adopted.
I am excited and nervous and thrilled and scared all at the same time. This will be the first time I have left the kids for more than a few days. And obviously, I have never been across the world from them. But, I know that I must trust my faith and my heart and I must go. Earl has also been offered the opportunity to go on the trip as his expertise are an asset in the OR. And though we have complete support of our family and know they will take great care of McKenna and Cooper we are nervous to both be so far away. We would appreciate your prayers as we continue to contemplate this decision.
Our group will be working at Maria's Big House of Hope, an orphanage a few hours outside of Beijing, that was founded by Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, MaryBeth. The orphanage is named for their daughter, Maria, who was adopted from China. Maria died tragically in an accident at the Chapman home 2 years ago. The Chapman's built the orphanage to provide medical care to kids waiting for their forever homes.
You will be hearing a lot more about my trip as the months draw closer. But for now, I have attached a short video with some highlights from the first trip that the medical team made in June. It is important to note that this summer was the first time surgeries were performed at Maria's - and just to brag a little - it was my friends who were there! Many of them are in the video.
Anyway, enjoy...more to come...
1 comment:
Amazing! I'm just in love with that little boy eating the Oreo cookie!
The song with the video is awesome too. Those kids are SOOO lucky to have you coming there to help them. And what a gift it is to teach McKenna and Cooper about your family making a sacrifice of 9 days together while you go and change the lives of the precious little ones in China.
You're in my prayers...
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