I’m going to tell you a little story… I’m going to throw back to a few months ago, when we spent the month in China…
Donna, our contact, had asked us to do 2 on 2’s with the kids. It was a great opportunity to take the kids in the orphanage, into town for the day, get them out of the house, and spend sometime with them. I was so excited to have the opportunity to love on these kids. Being in the situation that they live in, they didn’t get a lot of attention individually. Donna and the staff at Eagles Wings do an INCREDIBLE job with the kids at the orphanage, but it is always good anytime we get to spend the extra time with them when possible.
Eagles Wings, incase you haven’t read any blogs from my month in China, is a orphanage that consist of a series of different homes where the kids live. The children each have special needs, some ranging from mild, and others so severe that they cannot do anything on their own. God broke my heart during my month in China… and this little guy had a huge part in the work the Lord did in me that month.
So, the day came for Matt & myself to do our 2 on 2’s with a couple of the children, so we made our way to the school to pick up our little friends. Two of my favorite kids in all of Eagles Wings! One little boy lived in the same house as Matt & I, and was a very bright kid! His disability was that he could not use his legs. I was excited to take him into town for the day, buy him a burger at McDonalds and get him some ice cream 🙂 All kids like ice cream! Haha… The other kid that was tagging along with us on this adventure is a little boy by the name of Zi-Ping. A precious 4 year old with downs syndrome who was found at an intersection when he was 4 months old… In China people don’t exactly care for children with special needs, and so all the stories you hear of orphanages in China being filled with little girls, while it is true, the majority of orphanages in China are packed full of children with special needs. Lucky for Zi-Ping & our other little friend, they are being loved on in Eagles Wings!
Ok, back to my story… After picking our friends up, we set off to the bus station! Heading into town for these little guys is a great adventure, as you can imagine! Well… about half way to the bus station, Zi-Ping decides he doesn’t want to walk anymore… Since his friend is being carried, he wants the same treatment, haha… Next thing I know, I feel the little hand holding mine, stop, and refuse to move another step forward. I try to sweet talk him to keep going, and he will not have it! Before I know it, he has slung himself down onto the pavement in the middle of the road! He has made up his mind… HE IS NOT WALKING! Eventually after kicking, screaming, and crying, Matt decides that he will take over Zi-Ping for a bit, and I can have the other little boy… Fair enough… So, here we go to the bus station, carrying both kids.
Fast forward…
All is going well! We finally make it to town and after strolling the streets of Jiaozua for a bit, we head to the McDonalds! It was a great time! We got the kids burgers and chicken nuggets, some orange juice, and finished it off with an ice cream cone! All is fine and dandy… for now…
The kids enjoy the play area for a bit, and eventually Sara, Jess, and Peter show up with their kids too! Now we’re having a “big ol’ time” at the Micky D’s! Haha…
After playing for a bit, we decided it’s time to head back home. The trip isn’t a long one, and we make our way to the bus station. The bus is crowded, and we must have been the “lucky ones” that day, cause we boarded a bus that headed straight for a traffic jam! Fun stuff… Now we’re stuck. Finally after 30 minutes or so, traffic gives and we are back on the road.
About halfway to the house, I am once again taking care of Zi-Ping. He isn’t getting too crazy… yet… But before too long, he is making it known, he is ready to be off the bus! Finally we arrive at our stop, unload all of the kids from the bus, and begin walking the half mile or so back to the house… Or so we thought… Once again, Zi-Ping doesn’t like this whole idea of walking… Haha, next thing I know he is fussing and it’s back onto the ground until his friend, Dusty, gives in and picks him to carry him… again… next thing I know, my right side gets REALLY REALLY REALLY WARM… When I realized what was going on, my shirt was soaked… Zi-Ping wasn’t walking alright… Nope, he was fussing because he needed to pee… and by George, HE DID! All over my side!
Needless to say… I ended up carrying him back to the house… Him and I both soakin' wet… Then to finish off the excitment for the day… As we are heading back to the house, one of the workers for Eagles Wings, rides by on her scooter and sees the commotion. She ask if we would like for her to give "Zi" a ride back on the scooter… We said sure, and he climbs aboard… As they are driving off, "Zi", gets the urge to jump off the moving scooter, and the next thing I know… he's airbourne! Haha… Talk about stressing somebody out! Haha… He was alright though, and once again, we continued home…
I know that’s a long story, but I tell it for a really important reason! We are trying to get the word out about “Zi.” Jenn Watson, one of my fellow teammates, called her sister soon after we left China, to tell her about a little boy named Zi-Ping, that she should adopt… That was a couple months back… As of today, March 14th, Jenn’s sister and brother-in-law, Katie & Josh Edwards, are in the process of bringing “Zi” home from China to give him a real home, a Mommy & Daddy who love him, and a big Brother & Sister. Basically now the only thing that keeps “Zi” from getting home is $35,000… They have already raised $10,000 in about 2 months, and I believe that it is Gods plan for this little boy to have a permanent, loving home.
(Jenn & her nephew… Zi)
So, if you would like to donate, please go to www.fromatozi.wordpress.com and you can help be a part of the journey to bring this little guy, whom so many of us have fallen in love with, home!
Thanks for reading and making a difference for The Kingdom!
Love y’all!
