Something I’ve come to expect
in every country we go to
is that I will inevitably get stared at…alot.
I guess it has something to do with
traveling alongside 35 loud, tall, hairy white people.
It happens so often that its actually pretty normal to me now.
I don’t even think twice when traffic stops
or people run into each other
as we walk down the road.
Usually when these things happen,
I just smile and say hello
and it makes their whole day.
But China was different.
I was stared at and pointed at and whispered about
more in China than this whole year combined.
And instead of smiling or laughing it off
their staring made me angry inside.
I quickly realized this time
they weren’t just staring at me
…they were staring at them.
China is a country constantly striving for perfection in every way.
Business, government, sports, education, and appearance-
the Chinese people only want the best.
This means if you happen to have a child born with
extra fingers, or a cleft pallet,
or their legs don’t work, or they can’t talk,
then you’re expected just to get rid of them.
Like your weekend trash or a broken television.
No questions asked.
They send the child away and don’t want them to be seen again.
If it sounds like I’m being drastic, I promise I’m not.
In China there are no such thing as ramps for wheelchairs
or elevators in buildings,
or wide aisles in grocery stores.
If you are handicapped or disabled in any way
you’re pretty much out of luck.
So these kids stay inside and never get out.
Can you imagine?
Never feeling the sun on your face
or the breeze through your hair?
Never going out to eat
or playing at the park
or walking through the market?
The special needs kids we worked with this month
are some of the most amazing kids I’ve met all year.
Their smiles make my heart melt.
When they sing songs I think of Heaven.
When they run, or scoot, or wheel up to me
and hug me tight I never want to let go.
The love of God flows through these kids
and onto every person they meet.
They are MORE than deserving of the very same thing…
So this month we gave them just that.
We lifted the kids into wheelchairs and took them on walks.
We loaded 20 of them onto a city bus
and carried them up the steps to McDonalds.
We brought them to the market
and let them try some street food and weird candies.
And most of the time we were stared at the whole time.
Some people would shake their head,
disturbed that we would bring these kids out on the street
where people can see them.
Others would point and laugh.
At the market, crowds would swarm around us,
motorcycles would stop in the middle of the road,
and the band even stopped performing one day
so everyone could turn around and look at us with the kids.
All of the sudden, we were the new “show”.
Some days it took all the love of God in me
to keep me from getting into a fight.
How can a whole country think and feel this way about these kids?
But every once in a while God would cross our path with an angel.
The bus driver that let us ride back from town for free.
The strangers that helped lift wheelchairs up the stairs.
The couple in the market that gave us a thumbs up.
The lady in the park who walked with us and asked how to help.
The shop owner who gave all the girls some free headbands.
It was these random acts of kindness that gave me hope for these kids.
A smile, a wave, or a lift up the stairs,
was enough to make up for all the staring and finger pointing…
I’m SO thankful for those bright spots this month.
For the people who were bold enough
to break free from the generational lie
that says these kids dont matter,
and to choose love instead.
…how can you be that bright spot for someone today?
——————————————————————————————-
On a completely different note- people keep telling me I'm supposed to come home soon or something…I guess it must be true! Craziness. I really cant believe it. I'm SO excited to share with everyone what I feel God calling me to for the next season of my life…maybe next blog 🙂
BUT if you're looking for a way to be the biggest blessing to me over the next few weeks here's two ways you can do that-
1. Prayer. Pray for strength to finish ministry strong here in the Philippines these last few weeks. I absolutely love our ministry and the people here! And pray for me and the rest of my squad as we transition "home" the first week of December.
2. If you love me alot you can help me get back on my feet when I land at home. Apparently, eating and driving and living in America costs a little bit of money and showing up at the airport with a few random foreign currencies and a big grungy backpack wont get me very far…if you feel led to help a sista out know that it will mean the world to me and you can click HERE to make it happen.
I have no words to adequately say THANK YOU for praying, reading, emailing, and encouraging me through my journey. I am absolutely humbled to be used by God in this way. Thank you for making it all possible!
I love you all…so much.
By His Grace,
Leah
