Today was one of the days that I was most looking forward to! We went to Shepherd's Field, which is an orphanage for special needs children. I have been praying for China's Orphans and they are very close to my heart. In the large cities of China such as Beijing each family is only allowed to have one child. Custom in China is that the boys take care of their families and everyone wants a boy. Girls are abandoned and heavily outweigh the boys on the healthy adoption list. Special needs is a different story. The ratio here for girls and boys is equal because if a family has a child who is not what is perceived as "perfect" many will abandon them and try again. Another reason is because the families cannot afford to keep their children and have to abandon them. China is still a very poor nation and it is heart wrenching to know that in order to stay afloat they have to abandon their unhealthy child.
A man by the name of Tim Baker is the one who began Shepherd's Field and is still to this day being led by the hand of God through every detail. Tim had a love for the orphans of China and wanted to help so he began working with orphanages here. He became a known figure in the small community where he lived. What we would consider the mayor was at a gathering where Tim was. After hearing Tim talk he very casually said if you need anything let me know. Tim said I would love to have one of your homes so I can bring children in with special needs. The mayor said call me and was done with it. Tim was on the phone the next morning and much to the surprise of the mayor who said in our terms, "You were serious about that!" Tim was given the structure and needed to turn it into a house. After all of the money was raised he began the renovation. Tim was warned many times by the mayors staff that as soon as he finished the mayor was going to take the house back. He just wanted Tim to fix it up to avoid the cost. The time came and the house was completed and filled with special needs orphans! The mayor called up not long after that and said he wanted to come see the home Tim created. His staff called as soon as he left and warned Tim that he was coming to take the home back and Tim told them it is what it is and trusted that God provided and had a plan. Tim rushed to the home but the mayor had beat him there. Tim came through the door and the mayor was in a suit laying on the floor covered with children laughing and jumping on him. The mayor had tears streaming down his face and told Tim he had no idea how great Tim's work was. Little did he know that it was God's work not Tim. That same man donated many homes throughout the years to Tim and from there it became Shepherd's Field Children's Village. Tim and his orphans received a piece of land from the government and recently moved to a new area and that is the Shepherd's Field we visited.
I was not sure what to expect when we pulled up but the amazing facility was not what I had imagined. We had gone shopping and were able to bring donations to the children. LOTS of formula (lactose free for the special babies), diapers, fruit, and yogurt. Tim has done an amazing job getting the word out and getting sponsors for children and the facility was beautiful. We were greeted by Clay who is an American that lives with his wife on site and help to run the organization.
A man by the name of Tim Baker is the one who began Shepherd's Field and is still to this day being led by the hand of God through every detail. Tim had a love for the orphans of China and wanted to help so he began working with orphanages here. He became a known figure in the small community where he lived. What we would consider the mayor was at a gathering where Tim was. After hearing Tim talk he very casually said if you need anything let me know. Tim said I would love to have one of your homes so I can bring children in with special needs. The mayor said call me and was done with it. Tim was on the phone the next morning and much to the surprise of the mayor who said in our terms, "You were serious about that!" Tim was given the structure and needed to turn it into a house. After all of the money was raised he began the renovation. Tim was warned many times by the mayors staff that as soon as he finished the mayor was going to take the house back. He just wanted Tim to fix it up to avoid the cost. The time came and the house was completed and filled with special needs orphans! The mayor called up not long after that and said he wanted to come see the home Tim created. His staff called as soon as he left and warned Tim that he was coming to take the home back and Tim told them it is what it is and trusted that God provided and had a plan. Tim rushed to the home but the mayor had beat him there. Tim came through the door and the mayor was in a suit laying on the floor covered with children laughing and jumping on him. The mayor had tears streaming down his face and told Tim he had no idea how great Tim's work was. Little did he know that it was God's work not Tim. That same man donated many homes throughout the years to Tim and from there it became Shepherd's Field Children's Village. Tim and his orphans received a piece of land from the government and recently moved to a new area and that is the Shepherd's Field we visited.
I was not sure what to expect when we pulled up but the amazing facility was not what I had imagined. We had gone shopping and were able to bring donations to the children. LOTS of formula (lactose free for the special babies), diapers, fruit, and yogurt. Tim has done an amazing job getting the word out and getting sponsors for children and the facility was beautiful. We were greeted by Clay who is an American that lives with his wife on site and help to run the organization.
Arriving at Shepherd's Field with our donations
One of the many walls of pictures
Clay took us out on the grounds and I asked him how God brought him here. His story was tragic and his path was shown by the grace of God! Clay and his wife Jewel had two boys 18 and 19. The boys went out with their uncle and cousin (high school age) to go Pacific Ocean fishing and they never came home! There was no goodbye just nothing...he teared up and so did I. He said it took him and Jewel a few years to regain their foundation that had been completely ripped out from underneath them. They came to China with a church group to volunteer and then again on their own. They felt God pulling them to China to be with the special needs children. He said they never knew that God would bless them again with so many children. AMAZING family who was dragged through the gutter of grief only to come out on the other side by lighting up the lives of those neglected and abandoned. Our first stop was of course to...SEE THE CHILDREN! I couldn't wait to get my hands on those babies. The older children were outside doing a VBS with a missionary youth group from the south (Alabama I think). They have 5 homes lined up. The first home is the clinic with intensive care chi
ldren waiting for surgeries or in very bad condition. There are a couple of chinese doctors and then an American husband and wife team who live in the town that are their main doctors. It was not healthy for the children to allow us in there so we went into the next home. Pictures capture the moments better than I could ever write.
ldren waiting for surgeries or in very bad condition. There are a couple of chinese doctors and then an American husband and wife team who live in the town that are their main doctors. It was not healthy for the children to allow us in there so we went into the next home. Pictures capture the moments better than I could ever write.The homes the children live in
(20 kids to a home and a nanny for every 2-3 children)
Jackson, Matthew and I playing on the couch
Sky playing with Conner
Laura tickeling Jackson
Jing playing with Clay
Jackson stole my heart with his joy for us
and smile
This area is like the family room of the home. They really try to keep a family type of atmosphere with the nannies (Ayi in chinese) and children. All of the children down here were doing very well and ready to be adopted. Jackson was born with his bowels on the outside of his body. He had his surgery and is happy and ready for a family. The other boys were all doing very well too. We played for a while and then headed upstairs to the children that have larger health issues. Upstairs is a small playroom area. I was instantly drawn to Catherine. I came to find out that Catherine was a strong healthy girl whose adoptive parents were in China to pick her up after waiting a long time to receive her. She got sick one day before they were due to get her. The mother came to get her the next morning and they ran tests. Come to find out Catherine had gotten meningitis and was gravely ill. There are many red tapes to cross when it comes to health issues in the babies. Catherine's mom was with her until she was told Catherine was too sick to be adopted. They gave her mom another child and she had to leave with out her daughter. Catherine is now in full time care here at Shepherd's and is mostly blind, has no muscle control, and has a very difficult time breathing. She stole my heart and I held her the whole time we were up there. Laura was drawn to Teddy. Teddy has cerebral palsy that has effected not only his body but brain as well. Sky took a liking Mya who also had CP, luckily for Mya it only effected her body. Sky, Laura, and I all found out that Mya, Teddy, and Catherine loved to be sung to. There was a joyful noise on the second floor of that home that day.
Laura, Sky and Matthew
My Sweet Catherin
Laura and her sweet Teddy
Sky playing with May
Dr. Moody came in to say "hello"
It was time for the kiddos to go down for a nap so we were treated to lunch at the orphanage. Chris and Jess sat down at our table. The girls are best friends from Maryland and came here with church groups and were forever changed. Chris (black and gray stripes) has been teaching English at Shepherd's for 7 months and has 3 more months to go and Jess is here to teach English for the summer. Sweet girls with amazing hearts....LOVED them!
Then we got to tour the grounds. If you have adopted from China or know someone who has you can purchase a tile in the child's name and the proceeds go to the orphanage. Kyle (Sky's brother) got one for his sisters and we found it on the wall, along with Shaohannah Chapman (Steven Curtis Chapman's daughters tile). They have a beautiful facility and these children are blessed to be under the wings of Jesus at Shepherd's field. We of course bought lots of things in their store where all proceeds go to Shepherd's before we left.
Sky with her tile
Sky's tile
Primary School Room
Visitors get to write on the wall to
leave their "mark"
Clay and Jewel with the girls (Jing, Sky and Sophie)
I will write another post about dinner on Day 3 but it is time for me to sign off for now. I will leave you with what sticks in my heart most with these beautiful creations of God's hand. They are forever engraved in my heart. xoxoxo
Though another may forget I will not forget you.
I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
Is 49
Clay and Jewel with the girls (Jing, Sky and Sophie)
I will write another post about dinner on Day 3 but it is time for me to sign off for now. I will leave you with what sticks in my heart most with these beautiful creations of God's hand. They are forever engraved in my heart. xoxoxo
Though another may forget I will not forget you.
I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
Is 49
1 comment:
What a wonderful day for you and especially for the kiddos! You look beautiful! I love seeing your glowing smile, and the joy you brought the kids with your visit. Love you my friend!
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