Shock and Awe

The morning was spent pacing the floors, watching the clock slowly meander by... minute...by minute...by minute. For two years, Michele and I prayed for this day. This was the day the little treasure God had since long ago prepared for us would be embraced by her parents.

 

Every 15 minutes I kept asking the same question, "Is it time to leave yet?".

 

The time DID come. We met our guide at the entrance of our hotel where we were whisked away by van 20 minutes away to the government agency where our little one awaited her Mama and Baba. There was, for a time in the van, this akward silence where both Michele and I were in our own little worlds attempting to process what is about to happen. Turn by turn the anticipation grew. Suddenly, the van stopped and our guide smiled and sayed, "We're here!"

 

We walked 2 blocks to a building where our meeting was to take place. As we entered into the foyer, Michele and I noticed a number of little children and caretakers in the lobby. These were the little boys and girls that today their lives would changed-they would be placed with their Mamas and Babas. As we glanced through the crowd of caretakers and children, we saw her. The little girl known as Madison Jade "MJ" was in the arms of her caretaker entering the elevator. Though Michele and I were some distance away, we knew it was her. As beautiful as her pictures were, they could not compare to the sight we beheld.

 

As quickly as we saw her, she disappeared in the mass of other orphans heading in the elevators to meet their forever families. Michele and I looked at each other and few words could describe what we felt. I personally wanted to beat down the elevator and snatch my daughter and leave but I figured The People's Republic of China would not look kindly on such behavior.

 

After a minute or so, we entered to elevators where we rode several floors up to "The Gathering Room". This Gathering Room was a large open area where a number of families had gathered for the same purpose we had. One by one, a representative would find a family and say, "your child is ready" and there in the midst of complete strangers, lives were being changed forever. 

 

Michele and I waited. And, after two years, we had become pretty good at that. And then, with another large grin, our representative came to us and said, "Come! Come! Your daughter is ready!" A flood of emotions overwhelmed me. I tried to prepare the camera for the once in a lifetime money shot but, between wiping my tears and keeping my wailing at bay, it would prove to be an impossible task. I placed the camera in my pocket and then I heard it...the sound...the sound of sqeaky shoes. Our MJ came walking out to meet us with pink squeaky shoes!

 

There was no great fanfair. She didn't come running to us smiling and saying, "Mama and Baba!". It was a simple little orphan girl, who at two weeks old was abandoned and today was being reclaimed. She went to Michele. She hopped in Mom's arms where she wore the look of "shock and awe".

 

I know she doesn't understand today. It may take a number of years for her to truly grasp the depth of today. But I believe the day she comes to love Jesus, it may become a little clearer for her.

 

Christ's love compels us.

 

After bath, MJ falls asleep in mommy's arms while Baba reads her first story.