Church in Xian: June 29th

Today was a nice peaceful day and the preparation we needed to get Seth-Siyuan. We leave in 45 minutes!

We found a small branch where we could attend church this afternoon. They met on the 2^nd floor of the University guest house. There were 17 of us, since we upped their numbers by 4, it was a pretty small group. There was one man who does business here, his family is gone for the summer on home leave. There were 3 couples who are on an exchange program with B.Y.U. who are teaching at the universities here in Xian. There were five college aged students who are either studying or teaching English here in China. Then there was Amanda. Because of the small numbers at church we were enlisted. Derek was asked to bless the Sacrament, Alex was able to pass it. Nicole prayed. It was so small and intimate, and amazing that we could be in the middle of Xian China and still feel such a connection to people we didn’t know because we shared a common faith. It was good to recenter and focus myself.

I’ve known of Amanda for almost 2 years. She is called the Chinese Starfish lady even though she is white and from South Africa. She runs a foster home for children who have severe special needs, or who are dying and need more intensive care than the traditional orphanage can give them. She takes them out of the orphanage and cares for them until they can be adopted. She is an inspiring, loving and energetic lady committed to make a difference, one child at a time. Check her out at the following links.

http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com
www.chinesestarfish.org

Amanda spoke and talked about how in God’s eyes, each of us have value. She talked about how our son Siyuan in the eyes of his birth parents and his country he has no value because he is missing part of his arm. But to us, his soon to be new family he will become a beloved son, and a cherished member of our family. She likened this to how many people in this world are figuratively discarded or discounted, maybe because of the way they look, or because of their status, but to a Heavenly Father, each of us are his child, and beloved and of incredibly worth.

She then told us her story: In September 13, 2005 I was a 44 year old spinster living and teaching in China. By 10:30 that morning I had 10 kids. It all began when I was asked, ‘Amanda, what is your greatest dream?’ I answered I wanted to open an orphanage in China. I guess God was listening because before I knew it, my dream was handed to me. Now I heal their bodies, but more importantly they come to me and I have to heal their broken hearts. I want these children to know and to feel that they are not throw away children, that with me they have value. That because someone left them, and considered them of no worth, that is not what defines them.

Listening to her, thinking of the Savior and taking time to slow down. What a perfect Sunday. And now we’re going to leave. I can hardly wait!!!