One by One

Hello from the side of the world where blondes are rare and mystery meat is a thing!

Emma and I have been living here in China for just about three weeks now. Um, Wow.

Ironically I assumed that due to the nature of the trip that my walk with the Lord would instantly deepen. It was almost as if I believed that the minute that I stepped off of the plane into China that I would be a wiser person whose faith was stronger and whose understanding of the Lord vaster.

The reality was that I stepped off the plane and jumped right into life here in China. Unlike what we anticipated, Emma and I found ourselves with little free time. Our time was occupied with learning about our internship, various tasks around Maria’s, little outings, preparing for teams, or squeezing time in with children. And in the midst of it, I found that I wasn’t making time with the Father.

Nonetheless, He has taken advantage of every opportunity to teach me more about His character and heart… even in the most “mundane” of tasks…

After a twist of events, Maria’s had to move the playground to the roof of the building. Some wonderful construction minded men created a platform for the playground, a trampoline, and a rock wall. A few days ago Emma and I were set to drill holes along the boards. Rows and rows of drilling and screwing. It was slow going and tedious, but we loved it.

As I drilled each hole, I reflected on life in China. Teams that visit Maria’s participate in Global Training where they learn about orphan care in general. After attending numerous sessions on our own trips, Emma and I have begun teaching them.

During one of the sessions, I spoke about the reality that the number of orphans in the world can be daunting, overwhelming, and in fact discouraging. I once calculated it and I would have to impact at least 5,500 orphans’ lives each day for the next 70 years in order to reach each of the more than 153 million orphans in the world… a feat that is impossible.

As I spoke, I realized that my own heart had been sitting in a pool of discouragement for the past few years. About five years ago, within a series of deeply hurtful events, a handful of individuals convinced me that I had failed at leading a ministry that I had once held so dearly. I didn’t realize it at the time, but not only did their words hurt my heart, but they discouraged me from caring for orphans in general. I had worked so hard for the children through the ministry and yet according to these people I had “failed”… so what was the point?

And so our gracious God has gently been reminding me that there is a point. Ministry is never perfect. People are never perfect. There is always reconciliation to be had. God does not call me to save the world but rather to love in a way that mirrors God’s love for us.

And as I was drilling this made so much sense. As I looked up at the row of holes to be drilled I was seriously discouraged and overwhelmed. Before me sat hours of work. But when I focused on the hole that I was completing, I became encouraged as one more was finished.

The same is true of orphan care. God doesn’t ask me to look at all of the children to be loved and love them all at once. He has asked me to love the child that he has set before me, whether on a minute-by-minute basis or a day-to-day basis. 

Even more so, I realized that as people walked over our rows of screws and children played on the playground that few people, if anyone would stare at each screw and wonder as to who put it there. Our work would soon be forgotten, but without it, children wouldn’t be able to use the playground. (Or so I would like to think).

Orphan care is not always a glorious job. Just like any other ministry it is full of brokenness, pain, and tears. Very seldom are those who are caring for orphans get acknowledged for their work. But without their work, fewer children would know the love of a father and a mother or the love of our Heavenly Father.

I am so thankful that he is constantly present even though my heart often fails to acknowledge His presence. And I am so thankful for the ability to literally walk downstairs and to hold and intentionally love a child.

So, my walk hasn’t immediately deepened because I have arrived here in China. Rather, as I open my hardened heart, He steadily fills it… and I am simply thankful.

-Sarah

In the best interest of the children, we are not able to post any pictures of them to our blog or other media platform. This doesn’t mean that we haven’t taken pictures… we have already taken hundreds. So, when we return home… please ask to see them. I would love to share them! But, We are allowed to post other pictures, so we have challenged ourselves to a selfie a day. I thought that I would share them below! They will give you an idea of what life looks like here! J

Day 1- Leaving the Nashville Airport EARLY in the Morning!

Day 2- Flight from Beijing to Luoyang... we were so ready to get there!

Day 3- Our first outing into Luoyang! A place where we now can get to by ourselves!

Day 4- Taking a Taxi to dinner with one of our new best friends, Bradley! His family has truly adopted us and helped us acclimate to life in China! 

Day 5- Our first day of work! Sorting lots and lots of lightbulbs... that had been replaced for the entire building. Lots of bonding time!

Day 6- We visited another unit and went to lunch before heading back... and they had Dr. Pepper! Our favorite! We haven't had it since!  

Day 7- The first meal we made in China! Frozen jiaozi! (We just added water... baby steps!)

Day 10- Our first attempt at blogging... notice that it was more than a week ago... whoops! Soon we should have a blog post up on Show Hope's blog though!

Day 9- A small taste of home... not too bad! 

Day 10- We went to pick up the first team! In matching t-shirts. We are so so thankful for Vickie and the love that she pours out on us... she's our China Mom! 

Day 11- This may not have been in the job description... but we learned how to use power tools to help with the new deck for the playground! Surprisingly, we had fun!

Day 12- We took the team out to Old City to experience China! Bei Bei, our wonderful Chinese tutor went with us. She does not have an easy job but we are slowly learning and we are so thankful for her!

Day 13- We took the team out to Hot Pot... a fun restaurant that is kind of like Fondue!

Day 14- Our own version of summer swimming! It was pool day with the preschool! We may have loved it more than the kids did! 

Day 15- Our nightly ritual to keep the bugs away... its a full time job. 

Day 16- Our first outing to the mall and grocery store by ourselves! We survived! Going out in public is always interesting because EVERYONE stares... we literally turn heads. 

Day 17- Another Taxi Ride! This time with Caleb... our personal translator. We were headed to their house to watch some Lord of The Rings. Yay!

 Below are just some extra pictures for fun!

In the Detroit Airport... with great anticipation.

Snuggle time while watching some movies! 

Bei bei taught us how to make an authentic Chinese meal... when I return I can make it for whoever asks... no promises though! 

One of my favorite afternoons... we painted some nails of some of the precious girls here. Sweet bonding moments!

Surprisingly yummy pizza. 

This is what most of our dinners look like... grilled cheese and peanut butter. 

 Thanks for all of the prayers, love and support. Feel free to shoot me an email at any point! I would love to connect! My email is: sarah.rooker@sbcglobal.net

Love you all!