An Unfinished Fairytale

When I stepped on a plane bound for China, I thought that a mission trip experience would be defined by the 10-days on the calendar, the six-days we spent at the orphanage and with the staff.  I knew there would be some loose ends to tie up once we got home, but i envisioned an end.

Does that sound harsh or uncaring?

I've heard about "life-changing" mission trips, but typically people re-enter "normal" life and their experience becomes a part of their life.  Rarely have I watched anyone become consumed by a little mission trip, and if they do…well…uhm…they just seem kinda weird and gradually they pull away from "normal" people, so they aren't quite so in-your-face with their passion.

Okay…just read that…harsh, uncaring, judgmental, icy cold hearted are a few censored words that come to mind to describe my attitude.  

So, I went on a little mission trip to China…

…and I never came home…

…a part of my heart remains in an orphanage on the other side of the world…

,,,other parts of my shattered heart have scattered into all the families who are bringing home "my" China sweethearts.

These children fill my thoughts and prayers every day.  I can't close the door and walk away from this experience.  I have become consumed.

The stories of all these children, and their families, and all the connections and intersections of lives from around world blows my mind!!!  Honestly!  I could never make up some of this stuff!

Today, one little Princess I fell in LOVE with has overwhelmed me, again!

I can tell the stories of other children, I can love them, but they never entered that sacred place in my mama's heart where they are loved as one of my own.  This darling girl…I truly love her as a daughter. I have begged my husband to consider adopting her.  I have shed more tears and prayed more prayers over this baby girl!

Seen By The Unseen One - My Story of JOY

The ACT Missions team that returned to the same orphanage had another team member fall in LOVE with this same Princess.  This young lady, however, was still a teenager so she was asking her parents to consider adding a little sister.  Her mama said yes, but her daddy sounded like a exact copy of my own husband's arguments against.

Another piece of this princess's story…

A family fell in love with her, they pursued her adoption, traveled to China, met this Princess, and then…

...fears, doubts, challenges, struggles…

...the enemy attacked with a full onslaught…

…and the family disrupted the adoption, the princess was returned to the orphanage, and the family returned home brokenhearted with empty arms.

In May, hearts were crushed, dreams were lost, and a fairytale ended…

…or so it seemed…

But God has been writing this story! 

And He's not done yet!

To save you a bit of the head spinning from the unbelievable, impossible, unimaginable plot twists and turns woven together in this fairytale, I will shorten this a bit…

*  I "met" the First Adoptive Mama through the internet.
*  I "found" the referral file of the princess with another agency.
*  I "met" another adoptive mama interested in adopting the princess.
*  I "introduced" First Mama to the New Mama.
*  I connected the New Mama to the November ACT team leader.

That's a whole lot of "I"…but the real star of the story is GOD!  

He is writing this story, all for His glory!  

I am so humbled that He has allowed me to sit on the sidelines while He orchestras and creates a 

masterpiece!

Today, First Adoptive Mama shared links to two blog posts...

#1 A New Perspective

#2 He Is Not Finished

Did you read these?  Is your mind blown?  Yes, you read that right!  First Mama is advocating to help New Mama's family bring the Princess home!!!

From Monday morning needing $3,300 by Wednesday, the family received $2,450 in donations by Monday evening so they needed just another $950 for this stage of the adoption!!!

What is God asking of you?  What is your part of the story He is writing?  Are you called to adopt?  Is He asking you to become a storyteller by joining a missions team?  Are you financially able to assist a family adopting or some one traveling as part of a missions team?  Are you a prayer warrior on the front lines for a family or a missions team?

Don't miss your opportunity to enter into this fairytale of God's passionate love for all!