The First Time I Met Mei

Here is my journal entry from the first time I met Mei this summer:

7/11/2009

This morning we went for a hike here in the city. After the hike we went and visited an orphanage. The children in this place were all special needs and ranged in age from 2 weeks and up. I held the 2 week old – he was crying in his crib and I picked him up. He stopped crying and just sat there staring at me. One child had to be 18-24 months and Catfish (Justin Peterson) said he probably had a hole in his heart that could be easily repaired in the states. He lay in his crib writhing in pain. At one point he lay there with his hand on his heart. I began to rub his chest with my hand, he stopped writhing in pain, and lay there looking into my eyes. One little boy had 3 toes on each foot and no fingers on his hands. He smiled at me while I tickled his tummy. One child had a very large head – larger than mine – and was no more than 18-24 months old. It was a heart breaking place to be. One little girl was downs and she was very funny playing with her towel. She was making the little boy next to her laugh. Another near 6 month old was very cute and she smiled a lot.

While we were there they were getting their baths. The workers came around with a flatbed dolly and would lay 4-5 children in it at a time, wheel them in the next room, and pick them off the dolly, put them in a large sink-like tub, and quickly wash them and change their clothes. This was a heart breaking place to visit. We played with and held as many of the kids as we could. Kevin, Trinity, Kelly, MK, and Gillian are all such servant hearted people who genuinely love others. At one point Kevin grabbed a mop and mopped the entire two rooms without being asked. These brothers and sisters here are truly special people.

I have been telling Shannon that if we were going to adopt we needed to adopt a special needs child. I find it quite funny that the orphanage we went to was a special needs orphanage. Maybe that was providential. If I could have I would have taken the little boy with no hands and 6 toes with me today – in a heart beat!

Lord, if it be your will, I am willing and I know Shannon would be too. Make a way! You can move mountains, part seas, and create everything out of nothing. This little thing would be nothing for you. Move mountains for me Lord! Move mountains! In the name of Jesus my Christ I pray. Amen!

Psalm 9:12 – My God does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. We heard so many cries from children today who are afflicted. It is encouraging to know that my God does not ignore their cries. Neither should I!