I can't tell you where it is exactly. I can't tell you who I worked with. I can't tell you names. All I can tell you is the city and what we did…How is that for intriguing?
Actually, the organization that we worked with in China was known to and even helped by the government even though it is a Christian organization. They do such a great job in Sanmenxia that the Chinese government doesn't even mind so much that they are Christians, though there is still restriction. Our month in China was pretty awesome and very exhausting. Our task was simple. Love children. completing the task was not always easy but it was simple. We worked at a welfare center that took in and cared for orphaned, abandoned, and disabled children. The majority of children there were either physically or mentally disabled. Some were premature children that were unwanted. Some were children under a year old that have been recovered from dumpsters. Some had Downs, some had CP, and some were just stricken with disease. One may hear this and get extremely agitated, angry, sad, and upset. That's ok, you probably should be. But as angry as what happened to these children make you, One minute with them and you fall in love. The anger is washed out with joy for their lives, The sadness you feel begins to turn into happiness in their presence.
We often think "What good is it that we can't even talk about Jesus to the people we are with? How am I actually sharing God's love?" Well that is exactly it. Words go so far. Eventually, we must show themby our love. And all that those children need is our love. I will never forget the biggest smiles I have ever seen on children as they are just held for no other reason than they are precious and are wanted. Everyday I played with toddlers anywhere from 2-5 years old and just enjoyed their company. I helped feed those who were immobile, teach those who couldn't yet walk on their own to walk, and play with those who are not able to get the attention that they need. You see, the organization that we were with has the funding to hire more people to care for these kids…they just don't have the people to hire. No one seems to want the job. I can see it on the faces of those who work there how much they love the kids but also how tired they are and how difficult it is for them to keep up with the amount of children they must look after. They were often so busy trying to care for the basic needs of these children that they had difficulty finding time to just play and hold and love them. That was our job. 5 days a week for 2 and a half weeks, we went to the center and were just there for them. Jesus' gospel was shared in the simplest of ways.
Even the puking, peeing, spitting, hitting, ripping off of my glasses, pulling of my hair, chairs flying, toys hitting me in the face, and other shinanigans will be missed. Not so much as to ask for it everyday, but I will miss the good times anyway. God bless those children. They certainly blessed me.
The Man With Unclean Lips,
Brandon Barnum
