Maria's Big House of Hope, Luoyang, Henan ChinaI want to go back to China. (I want to come back with a 5 year-old, but that isn't happening and wouldn't be in anyone's best interest.) I want to go back to the Henan Province, I saw very little of it other than then inside of my hotel room. I specifically want go to Luoyang, the city Grace is from. My one regret of our adoption trip was not visiting Grace's orphanage with Paul. At the time we were convinced (and advised by our guide) that it would be too difficult for Grace to make that 2.5 hour trip back to the orphanage and have to say good-bye again. This may have been best for her, and we can't do it over again. But,I so wish I could have gone.
Paul is planning something special for his 40th birthday. Neither of us wants to have a party. Paul wants to go to Detroit's Fantasy Baseball Camp. He told me he was planning a special trip for me for my birthday too. I don't turn 40 for over two years, but I immediately said, "I want to go back to China." Right now we can't adopt again (Paul says never) but I still have a heart for serving the orphan and a heart for China. The amazing thing is that of all the hundreds of cities in China, Maria's Big House of Hope is in Luoyang. Not only that, but China is building a new building right across the street from MBHOH, that will be the new home of Grace's social welfare institute.
I really want to take a short term mission trip to MBHOH in two years. There are several obstacles though.
1. It is really expensive.
2. Paul isn't sure he wants me travelling across the world without him.
3. We have 5 kids, and we homeschool. I am the one who cares for our kids day-in and day-out while Paul goes to work.
4. I'd really like to have someone travel with me. If any of my sisters (by blood or in-Christ) read this know I'm praying one of you will join me. :)
5. This is the smallest obstacle, but you have to be a Show-Hope sponsor. We aren't sponsoring them at this point, but we consider this to be a very worthy organization which we have benefited from.
The bottome line is I know all of the obstacles are surmountable if God wants me to serve in China, and if not it won't happen. I have two years to pray and plan, and would love the prayers of others.
Paul is planning something special for his 40th birthday. Neither of us wants to have a party. Paul wants to go to Detroit's Fantasy Baseball Camp. He told me he was planning a special trip for me for my birthday too. I don't turn 40 for over two years, but I immediately said, "I want to go back to China." Right now we can't adopt again (Paul says never) but I still have a heart for serving the orphan and a heart for China. The amazing thing is that of all the hundreds of cities in China, Maria's Big House of Hope is in Luoyang. Not only that, but China is building a new building right across the street from MBHOH, that will be the new home of Grace's social welfare institute.
I really want to take a short term mission trip to MBHOH in two years. There are several obstacles though.
1. It is really expensive.
2. Paul isn't sure he wants me travelling across the world without him.
3. We have 5 kids, and we homeschool. I am the one who cares for our kids day-in and day-out while Paul goes to work.
4. I'd really like to have someone travel with me. If any of my sisters (by blood or in-Christ) read this know I'm praying one of you will join me. :)
5. This is the smallest obstacle, but you have to be a Show-Hope sponsor. We aren't sponsoring them at this point, but we consider this to be a very worthy organization which we have benefited from.
The bottome line is I know all of the obstacles are surmountable if God wants me to serve in China, and if not it won't happen. I have two years to pray and plan, and would love the prayers of others.
I'll pray about being your travel mate :) Michael and I support Show Hope and are attending an event next month. We have always said we want to go and serve at MBHOH and would love to be with someone we knew! I watched your amazing video you did for Grace and the picture of us listening to the Chinese words and taking notes in the airport... brought back sweet memories. We are like you...ready to go back and praying for direction on where God will lead us. Grace is beautiful and looks like she is doing great. I told my Mom today that I want to freeze Lily becuase she is growing up too fast. Hope your school year is going well! Think of you often.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so perfect Amy, a reunion!
ReplyDeleteHannah
Me too! Me too! I sooo want to go! It is on my "bucket list" of sorts. I think the three of us would make great travel-mates! Praying for the three of us!
ReplyDelete