Georgia preacher Barbara Brown Taylor has a book of sermons that is titled Home By Another Way. It is a favorite of mine because she is a masterful story teller and has an amazing way of bringing the biblical text to life. The sermon which the title of the book was based on beautifully tells the story of the wise men leaving their gifts with baby Jesus and then going home by another way.
This Thursday I will be leaving for China to travel with four families who will be bringing their children home by another way indeed. This "other way" does not involve 9 months of waiting and a nervous trip to the hospital but rather over 18 months of waiting and a nervous plane ride from West to East to hold their child in their arms for the first time. They have held the picture of her in their hands for months and it is now time for her to take her place in their family, as she has lived in their dreams and in their hearts for so long.
A dear person from our church asked how she could pray for me specifically for the next two weeks. I would say my response to her would be my same request to anyone who might follow this blog and it is twofold:
It is my prayer that culture shock and the fear of the unknown don't prohibit me from being fully present to each moment as I take in all the new sights, sounds and smells of a different culture. Often times culture shock keeps us from enjoying the rich beauty of a new experience because our senses are so overloaded with something that seems unfamiliar to us. It is certainly my prayer that I hold "home" in my heart while being totally alive to every moment.
My second prayer is for the precious children. The families have had many months to prepare their hearts and homes for the children they will be adopting. I imagine that they have spoken her name a dozen times, they have imagined her personality and they have stood in the rooms they have prepared for her and imagined her playing there...she will finally be home. Prayers are needed however because she will be leaving the only home she has ever known and all the sights and smells and sounds she has ever experienced will no longer surround her. She too will experience culture shock and fear the unknown. She will be going home by another way. Thanks for your prayers as you follow along.
Zimmer Kids
What Love!
Meeting for the first time
still a little shy
Reaching Out
They tried many toys but...
She really responded to drawing
Daddy's Tears
They were making a promise to the orphanage staff to take care of her
You Belong
Bus Ride home
Still unsure
Faith
First Smile
Smile
Going Shopping
Holding Hands
Faith and her siblings had so much fun shopping
Faith
She was so happy
Faith
Playing Ball
At the End of a Long Day
Peking Feast
Riley
Bread and Chopsticks
Kim and Riley
Waiting for the Rain to stop, what a long day!
Praying for luggage
One family got a call that their luggage was missing, Joe took some time out to pray with them, of course it all worked out
Sacred Way
Here we go
The families had fun going back down
Adkins Family
People like to stop and look at their son because of his blond hair
Adkins Family
Under Lock and Key
These were hung along parts of the wall
The Great Wall
The Great Wall
Kim and Riley
Almost to The Great Wall
Rick and Riley
View from the Tour Bus
Joe and Julie
Looking out of our hotel
2 comments:
I'm so excited that we can "keep up" with you during your trip. Thanks for the specifics on how to best pray for you and support you. I can't wait to hear all about everything!
Rach, I was awed by your touching entry. I admire your faith, your devotion to this worthy cause, your excitement, your sense of wonderment and awe of what is to come for these precious parents and girls. I will be praying for you, Andrew, the parents-to-be, and the precious children daily. Only you could have gotten me to "blog" - so you've opened up a new experience for me as well! I'll be checking in daily for updates and look forward to being able to participate in this exciting journey with you! I love you!
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