Jiangsu Provincial Children's Center Event

Let me start out by saying this, "The people of China are the most gracious and hard working people!" I feel so honored to be called "A friend of China".

When I arrived at our partner school the Jiangsu Provincial Children's Center two large electric signs read Welcome to Mrs. MaLeesa Meyers, President of Global Child Advocates. I was given a tour of the school and saw children playing intruments, dance lessons, martial arts, English classes, etc. The school was enormous and impressive! The confidence and determination on each child's face as they studied and practiced caught my attention.

I was given the opportunity to stand on the stage with all of the school directors. I gave a brief introduction about Global Child Advocates and informed everyone in attendance about our "My Special Baby" program. All of the kids in our program were invited to join me on stage. I gave each of the kids a honor certificate for their participation in our program.

Later in the day, I met with some of the smaller kids and their parents. I read them a story about adoption. It was hard to get through it without crying as I realized that I may be the first person to share this information with them.I felt responsible to convey this message to the kids and parents in such a way that they could understand and accept it. I then explained to them that sign language is a universal language and that we can communicate with each other without using words. We played the sign language game for a while and then musical chairs. Some of the kids sang songs and played instruments for me.

Later in the evening, I gave my presentation to the older students and their parents. Going into the presentation I had no fear, I was so excited to get to share my message with them.

My message to the children was that we are all human. Even though we have different facial features and cultural influences, inside we are all simply HUMAN. I then explained to them that there are two meanings for the word RACE. One meaning is to compete to win and the other meaning is our nationality. I explained that we as humans are all in a HUMAN RACE. My goal was to ask the kids questions to get them thinking about their purpose for being here. I explained that we are all racing against each other to get a good education, get a good job, make more money, etc. My questions to the kids were;

1. If we are all racing, do we really ever win or lose?
2. Can we discover our purpose if we do not slow down enough to ask what it is?
3. Do we really win if we hurt our fellow man sprinting to the finish line?

I explained that if we do not help each other that we are all going to CRASH. I shared my adoption story with them and explained how the Chinese birth parents' greatest sacrifice is our greatest joy. I thanked the Chinese people on behalf of all of the adoptive parents in America for giving us the opportunity to love their children. Linda and I both had a hard time continuing the presentation through our tears. What an amazing ooporutnity that we had to demonstrate God's love! I can not explain in words the deep feeling of gratitude and respect that I have for the Chinese people. I wish that you could understand.

If you are reading this, I encourage you to join me and learn more about the culture and customs of the Chinese. The Chinese admire America and the American Dream. They crave more information about how we think and feel. This country is crying out for information and because they are seeking it they are growing in knowledge and technology at an astounding rate! Why is it that we do not want to know about them? How will it serve us as Americans if we do not get to know and have acceptance, reality and communication with the people in China? China is a nation of dedication, respect, loyalty, adhearance to policy and a clean slate to be re-written. As the Chinese continue to evolve they will also evolve in their quest for more answers. It is my hope and prayer that we as Americans and a united nation can share our values and beliefs with our Chinese friends. It is not our job to preach to them, but rather to witness to them by our actions. We should support and love them like they have never before been loved. We should be humble and walk with quiet dignity. It is our responsibility as Christians (Christ followers) to pick up that cross and carry some of the burden. To cross cultural barriers and walk many miles (or fly many miles)to help others find their way home. If we do not do this, who will? China is saying, "TELL ME MORE!!! I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING!!!" Should we be afraid to tell them? What right do we have to keep the GOOD NEWS to ourselves? How will this benefit our children or our children's children in the future? Does anyone care? I care and God certainly cares.

Linda and I visited with Reverend Li Lan Cheng yesterday. He is the senior pastor at the Mo Chou Road church in Nanjing. Reverend Li understood our intentions and he has agreed to partner with GCA and our US church partners. Together, we are going to do amazing things! We are going to empower our kids in the US and China and inspire them to help those less fortunate! Praise GOD!! I can not think of a more worthy or necessary goal than this.

I want to thank you for taking your time to come to my blog and read about my mission. I am excited to share and I am grateful for your interest. Please tell others and invite them to join us in this mission!