Meeting Superheroes

Cheesin' it

Today was the first full day in China and other than the heat; it wasn’t anything that I would’ve expected. I was well rested despite the jet lag, although some of my fellow teammates had a rather different experience in regards to the quality of their sleep. However, I don’t think the amount nor the quality of my rest would have prepared me for what awaited ahead. 

Joshin' around

The moment we left the doors of the building we were staying in, we were greeted by the children. It seemed that from that point onward until the afternoon, we were busy. The way the children greeted and reacted to us almost seemed as if we were old friends or perhaps long lost friends meeting after years of separation. Their smiles are contagious and a force to be reckoned with. When we were all in the playground it was indescribable. Although our team only has so many people, it was an amazing experience to spend time with the children and really just love them. 

Vroom vroom beep beep!

It was during this time in the playground that I was able to meet Lucas. Although I knew who he was since the previous Team James helped to raise money for a cochlear implant, I didn’t actually know him. That really changed in the span of 30 minutes. He dragged me away from one set of swings and one set of slides to another. The time that we spent together consisted mostly of me carrying him to his next adventure.

Who's your friend?
            She's cool!

 It’s surprising to see someone who would be considered weak, so strong and energetic. The children here are all strong in some way. I feel that although I’ve only known them for a few hours, they are by far some of the strongest people I have ever known. They have been through so much despite being so young and they are still able to smile and laugh and play and together they are able to forge a familial bond unlike any other because they have each other. It is amazing to see God’s love in such a place as this. It seems that no matter where in the world, God is ever present and continually provides no matter what.

Why did the children cross the playground?
...to get to the other slide!!!

~ Sol