Susan’s Reflections on Team JAMES China Orphans Trip

Personally, I had always wanted to adopt children since I was a teenager, but had partially forgotten until Jose and Mary shared their adoption journey with us at church. It was simply an instance when I could feel God drew me in to be a part of this – a time when threads in your life, the circumstances (hardly ever, some would argue never, are coincidental), and God’s ordering said – This is what I have for you in this coming season of your life. Once the opportunities to visit with SFCV and New Day in China arose (thanks firstly to web-surfing-Master Mary), things happened quickly. When the team realized our initials spelled “JAMES,” we found it a delightful coincidence, but again, what an undeniable confirmation from God! Those are the moments in our lives when we should have absolute peace – exactly when we know we are walking in His will.

The Team JAMES trip was the sixth short term missions trip I’ve done since becoming a Christian, and probably the one that I did the least on as a “missions” trip, but perhaps felt like the one with the most personal relevance in many ways. I would tell anyone that it is totally more of a privilege and a blessing to go on one of these things than anything else, but also importantly, God has plans for each of us that He reveals in His good time. One of the benefits of seeing and touching the work that people are doing “in the field” is to have a personal connection with what of God’s work you can support, and to find out directly what needs they may have that you can potentially be a part of after the visit. And perhaps also importantly, it’s keeping the fire lit inside that one day God will call you (i.e., me) into the field full time directly like the many people we meet out there. It’s a radical difference from our every day, but out there on the visits, home is very far away, and the somewhat unimaginable is very real, and very compelling.

There are simply too many of the kids and too many little stories to tell to be able to do it here, but I would at least share that whatever preconceived notions I may have had (which wasn’t many really) were useless after meeting these children and experiencing the amazing work there. If you want to meet God face to face, go visit them. Words can’t explain how precious they are. I wouldn’t even suggest that it’s easy to adopt many of these kids and be able to provide a “normal” life for them here in the States, but many do indeed do it, and beyond that, places like Shepherd’s Field are creating a model for a lifelong community for kids that grow into adulthood without being adopted. As always on contemplating “missions” work, remember that God does not need us, but he invites us. And we should seek out opportunities to awaken ourselves to His lively kingdom – this is a great way to do it, just simply go and “love on” these kiddies. I hope my reflections will encourage you to look into it!

~ Susan