China!

“You are demonstrating that you are the Messiah’s letter… written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” -2 Corinthians 3:3 (ISV)

About two weeks ago I arrived home from being in China for ten days with a medical team from Geisinger Medical Center. I had been assisting my friend Dr. Erica McElroy for the previous several months in preparing for our team to go to Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang China, which is home to 140 medical needs orphans.

To see the seemingly unending list of supplies that we had to gather for the months prior to the trip being put to use at Maria’s was a huge blessing for me, seeing all the work paying off in such a big way. We had spent long hours making lists of the supplies necessary for surgery and post-op care, contacting our donors who generously gave us what was needed, and finally after some overwhelming moments when it seemed like it was impossible that we would really have all we needed, we found ourselves in the basement with a floor covered in about twenty-five suitcases and enough supplies to fill every last inch of space, all necessary items in hand. About thirty hours later, after a three hour drive to Newark, a thirteen hour flight to Beijing, and hour and half drive to Luoyang, and a short drive to Maria’s, we made it- all of us and all forty-four pieces of luggage, ready to unpack and complete the mission.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Amir Kershenovich and plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph DeSantis along with the team of 21 medical staff successfully completed a total of 15 surgeries for children with hydrocephalous , myelomeningoceles (MMCs), and cleft lips and palates. The first of our four days of surgery was Mother’s Day, and that had a really special meaning for all of us who were there because we were aware that there are many mothers who at that moment had no idea that on this day they were receiving one of the most amazing gifts a mom could ask for- healing for her child. It was one of the most fulfilling sights to see each baby as they came out of surgery, knowing they were on their way to healing and becoming a part of a family.

One of the best aspects of the trip for me was getting to experience life in the OR and the recovery room. I gleaned so much just being there, listening to the discussions between the surgeons, doctors, and nurses. The nurses, excited that I want to be a nurse myself, readily took me under their wings and allowed me to help them with post-op care for the babies, and explained to me the basics of everything and how it all works. Tara, one nurse educators at Geisinger even wanted to show me how put in an IV and wanted me to practice on her. I was nervous because I didn’t want to butcher her, but she insisted so I took up the opportunity and twice I got the needle in the vein, although it didn’t stay in as I was advancing the needle. I was so thankful for Tara and that she was so kind to teach me, although now I’m really anxious for more practice and to perfect this skill!

This experience was a big confirmation for me in deciding that I want be a nurse, and a time that I will always look back on with great memories. If I could describe this awesome team from Geisinger plus the staff at Maria’s in two words, it would be talented and funny! Amidst the seriousness of caring for these little ones in critical condition, this team had a way of keeping the humor coming and many of us unable to stop laughing! Above all, though, every person on this team was devoted to caring for these children with the best of their ability, the compassion in them clearly coming forth as they willingly came to be the healing hands and feet of Jesus to these precious children of His. What an honor it is to be a part of the redeeming work that He is doing all over His creation!

Below are pictures of Jillian and Gabriel, two of the 15 babies who received surgery!

Jillian, pre-op cleft lip

Post-op lip repair!

Gabriel received surgery for his hydrocephalus

Team Picture:

Top, l-r: Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joe DeSantis, Neurosurgeon Resident Doug, Show Hope Director Scott

2nd row, l-r: Me (Assistant to Erica, nurse in training, ect.), ER Doctor and trip coordinator, Dr. Erica McElroy, Pharmacist Paul, nurse Amanda, nurse Tara, Laura Botsford

3rd row, l-r: nurse Kerry, OR nurse Judy, Resident Ashley, Resident Diana, ER doc Sarah, Scrub Tech Deb, OR nurse Deb

Bottom, l-r: nurse Melissa, Pediatric hospitalist Dr. Fannon, PA Jennifer, Show Hope team coordinator David, Neurosurgeon Dr. Amir Kershenovich, PA Ashley

And our anesthesiologists, Dr. Ren Wu and Dr. Dale Jamison, departed prior to this photo shoot!

Spring Birthdays

I have been writing about each of my family members on their birthdays this year, however this spring has been a little crazy for me and I'm totally behind the ball on this!

Abby Joy turned 15 on April 1st! HARD to believe. I remember when she was born and I was the proudest four-and-half year old big sister there ever was. Abby has lived up to her name, bringing nothing but joy to our whole family, being miss photographer and videographer and making us laugh with her witty comments and fun spirit.

My sister-in-law Jennifer celebrated her birthday on April 5th. She became my sister a year and half ago when she married my oldest brother. I'm so blessed by her and so thankful that she is a part of our family. She is an awesome friend and stellar mamma to my baby twin nieces Aurora and Brielle.

My first born niece turned SIX on April 20th! Hallie is one bright girl (takes after her mama) and a bundle of a fun- a great rough and tumble sis to her two brothers and a sweet caretaker for her baby sis Olivia.

David Wilkerson, May 19, 1931- April 27, 2011

World Challenge Inc.

these days....

-Today is the one week mark until our Show Hope medical team leaves for China. We've been preparing this trip for so long now and it's exciting that it's almost here! I'm looking forward to seeing how God is going to work in and through this team as they show Hope and are a part of giving life-changing surgeries to these orphans.

-While my family spent Easter in Sanibel, Florida, I was home in PA for work as our trip is one week away, so I went to my friends' house in Virginia for the holiday. It was a great weekend as I met their precious new daughters, Jaden and Eden! The weekend was filled with holding these precious girls and playing with their sissy Story, talking to there older sister Zhana who is currently in the Army in Germany, practicing Spanish with their wonderful nanny Nilda, playing pool, watching ridiculous Youtube videos, taking walks and skipping rocks, riding dirt bikes and quads, having water fights and a bon fire, going to church, and going to the movie theater to watch Soul Surfer (which about half way through the screen went black as the fire alarms blared! Thankfully it was a false alarm, but proof that something out of the ordinary always happens when our families are together!) I am always so encouraged by their family and their love for the Lord, and blessed by their kindness and generosity.

Sunny Easter Sunday! Joni and Eden, me and Jaden

Nilda, me, Stephen, Corey, Ty, Joni, Story, and George

Jaden, Eden, and Story

-As I was pulling in the driveway from work yesterday, I was surprised to see my brother Jon outside! I thought he had to go straight back to school from his Easter break in Sanibel, but he's here for the weekend! It was great to have him keep me company on my evening run and totally keep my pace up! Wish we could go together all the time- I'd be getting to the pace I want a lot faster! :)

-The past two nights we've had the biggest thunder and lighting storms that I've ever experienced- seriously epic. However, my poor dog Ace hates the thunder and I woke up early this morning to a crack of thunder and him jumping onto my bed (which I've never seen him do before) right on my head. Shaking, he curled up under my arm until we both fell asleep again. I totally had this epiphany after this little episode- how many times do I act like Ace did but towards God when something terrifying is going on. I get so scared because I can't see the situation from His perspective. While God has everything under control, I'm terrified of what the "thunder" might do to me. How often do I sell God short for who He really is- the Creator of all of this. Why do I so often lack trust in Him?

-The torrential rains that we've had here in Bear Creek are keeping on my mind the many people who are suffering from the record breaking tornados we've had in this country. I'm praying for all of you who have been affected, that God will bring you comfort in Him during this time of suffering.

-Today my family came home from Sanibel after eight weeks, and so the quiet house all to myself ends and craziness begins :) It was great to have dinner (salmon made by our sweet next door neighbor) with all my younger siblings and nieces and nephews for the first time in a while- I've come to enjoy each time that I'm with my younger siblings like I never have before because these times are becoming fewer and fewer as I know that soon I will be living far away and won't be around to see them grow up so quickly and beautifully as they are. To watch them growing to honor God and become who He is creating them to be is one of the greatest blessings that I have, and one that I took for granted for far too long. They are each a blessing to me in such unique ways and it's my prayer that I can always be a godly example for them to look to, just as my older siblings are to me each in a different way.

After dinner we talked with my brother-in-law Dan about his last trip to Haiti with his new job with Convoy Of Hope- about how much we love our dear friends Ray and Joan Conn who run the Restavek Freedom Foundation and other work the God is doing there.

Meanwhile the kids enjoyed the outdoor weather...

The boys played by the pond

and the girls (and Tristan:) played "olden days" while taking care of the sheep, chickens, and cats (and preparing for our pony to come home) that they missed so much while in Florida!

And now, for some humor to lighten your day, I'm going to leave you with something to watch that I personally think is one of the funniest videos ever made. Click HERE to watch!

A Time to Rejoice!

Today my dear friends George and Joni brought their two new daughters, Jaden and Eden, home from the hospital! They were born two weeks ago at 3 lbs 10 oz and 4 lbs 10 oz and had to spend their first two weeks in the NICU, but that's it! This in itself is amazing because the nurses said that they never send twins home together because they develop differently, and especially the fact that one was THREE weeks behind the other in growth. They are totally healthy, and the reason I'm writing this is because their lives are really a miracle! In fact, so is their mom's! About halfway through her pregnancy she started having complications, and the doctor told them there is no chance that both babies will live. As Joni says, "I am so aware of what the doctors said, 'you have a zero chance of making it with these babies.' God can do plenty with zeros." Praise the Lord for this miracle! I don't always know why God allows us to go through dark valleys in life, through circumstances that are totally beyond our control, but one thing I know is that so many times it seems that He just wants to show us that He alone is the One who is in control of our lives, and He desires that we put our trust solely in Him- that if the doctors give us a zero or a one hundred, in the end the result is up to the Father. Joni herself went through severe physical complications after giving birth to the twins, and according to our human standards almost didn't make it. But here again God was clearly showing us that His hand was with her all along and He IS a God who desires to show us His power by coming through in miraculous ways.

I know that sometimes God answers our hearts cry in ways that give heavenly joy and sometimes He allows us to through pain that our humans minds simply cannot understand or see purpose in, and I know that He calls us to respond with joy in every circumstance (James 1:2-4, 1 Thess. 5:16-18).

You give and take away, You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name.

We are forever grateful that this time He responded with YES and chose to let Joni, Jaden and Eden continue to live with us!

The girls are welcomed into their family by their big brothers and sisters, Zhana, Tyler, Stephen, Corey, and Story.

Jaden

Eden

Jaden Eden

Our Week

While my parents were in Haiti this past week with my three younger sisters Abby, Mariah ,and Katie, and one of my older sisters, Emily, I spent the week at our house in Sanibel with my little brother Nathan and foster brother Jeremiah, along with our dear friends Scott and Kerry Hasenbalg and their three sweet kids, Cole (our boys age), Maya, and baby Leah. In order for my parents to be able to go to Haiti, they had to have someone who is legally allowed to stay with Jeremiah since he is their foster son and I as a sister am not yet over twenty-one years old. Since Scott and Kerry have completed their adoption paper work and are allowed to do respite care for foster children, they were willing to come down and stay with us for the week.

Before my parents left, I had some apprehensions about caring for Jeremiah for a long period of time without either of them around, plus schooling him. Well, was I in for a blessed surprise! Every morning we went to the quiet room at the library, and not one time did he have a bad attitude or complain about his work, as I had anticipated. Some of what he does is challenge for him, and knowing that sometimes he acts out when others teach him and having never taught him before myself, I didn't exactly know what to expect. Not only did he do all of his work well without giving me a hard time, but I really enjoyed it! There were two big lessons I learned this week with this- that it's critical for me to keep my calm and patience no matter how long it's taking to teach a concept that he can't seem to grasp. This is important when teaching all children, but especially Jeremiah and children who have come through difficult circumstances and how important positive reinforcement is for their fragile emotions. And not only did our schooling go well at the library, but Kerry did school with Cole and Nathan (about the two easiest kids to teach ever!) and Maya with her kindergarten. Every afternoon the three boys and Maya played together like the four best behaved children in the world. I must say that much of this is due to the fact that Cole's 9-year-old mind is much more like a very wise adult and he was the mediator many times, keeping Lego, swimming in the pool and other activities running smoothly. Kerry and I repeatedly said throughout the week that we couldn't have this any easier. Fully aware of my preconceived notions about the possibility of how the week could have unfolded, I continually gave my worries to God, knowing that He alone is the One who can give us peace. It ended up to be one of the most enjoyable weeks ever for me, and I think this was God's way of letting me know that He desires to bless us a we are obedient to Him. He clearly showed me this week that He will take care of me as I give my worry to Him. Jer only had one real issue on the last day, and Kerry was able to calmly talk it through with him. I know that with every difficulty we go through with him, he is learning how to love and be loved. I'm thankful that even in the frustrating times God's plan is at work and He will work all things together for good for those who love Him.

As we had a great week in Sanibel, Mom, Dad, and the girls had a very great week in Haiti, working with many organizations including Restavek Freedom, Love A Child, Convoy of Hope, and Mission of Hope Haiti. My dad is also part of getting prison ministry started and is working with a friend from El Salvador who runs a very successful prison ministry there along with their organization called El Vinculo De Amor (The Love Link).

As the kids played at the pool or beach each afternoon or were at Sea School or Logos (kids program at church) I got to spend time with Kerry shopping and having fun, but most importantly being encouraged in the Lord by her and Scott. Every time I am with them I get such godly counsel, and because Kerry understands me better than anyone I know and is so wise in the Lord, she is never ceases to constantly bring my focus back to honoring God in every area of my life. One of the big lessons I learned this week was how important it is not to strive. I shouldn't try to live by my own time and make things happen by my own power. I'm only setting myself up for failure and disappointment. When I submit to God and His timing, then I will accept everything He calls me to do with obedience and in turn He will bless me as He sees fit. Life will go according to His plan, causing me to have peace in my heart, knowing that whatever comes my way is from Him and must be necessary for what He is preparing me for. Even as we were talking about this, my mind went back to several occasions where things came together that could've only been God- things that my striving for would have only disappointed me and taken me away from enjoying the moment of life that I was in, which is another lesson I learned. Thinking too much about the past or the future, or wishing to be in other places or with other people only robs you of enjoying the moment of life you are in. Enjoy the moment, because soon life will be over and you don't want to look back and have missed the joy of fully living life at each moment. I will always be grateful that no matter where I am in life, I can always count on Scott and Kerry to give me counsel that will point me back to honoring God.

To wrap this up, I'd like to share some pictures from our fun week!

five cuties- my week in a nutshell :)

helping his little friend through the deep water

discoveries in the tide pools

daily swiming :)

helping his short buddy make a shot

daily bike rides!

I Can't Ignore It

A year and a half ago when I was at conference in Arizona, I watched this rockumentary that they were showing one night called "Call + Response." It opened my eyes to the horrible reality of modern day slavery like I had never seen before. I knew about it, but watching this reality was devastating and angering, causing me to hardly cease thinking about it and wonder what part I might play in raising awareness and bringing this tragedy to an end.

Four months after that, I went to the Passion Conference in Atlanta with my sister Emily and some friends. One of the main focuses of Passion is bringing justice to our broken world, which they call Do Something Now. All the students at the conference have an opportunity to learn about and support organizations doing Kingdom work around the world, showing the love of God by bringing justice and hope in His name. One of the many great organizations represented there was called Not For Sale. This particular cause caught my eye like none of the others. The reality of freeing young girls who have been violently forced into sex slavery was so beautiful to me, a picture of how Christ loves us and rescues us in our complete helplessness to do anything to change ourselves.

In the weeks and months and now year that has past, this cause has never ceased to be heavy on my heart. I always prayed and prayed but there was a helpless feeling in me that wouldn't go away. I've realized that the enemy wants to use this evil to depress me and make me angry, but God wants to use this evil to bring Life and Hope in Him.

I just recently finished a book called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, and it has brought this horrid reality back to life again, but in a beautiful way, just like organizations such as Not For Sale are doing. This novel is based off of the book of Hosea in the Bible, and this story is a beautiful analogy of the Father's unconditional love through a girl being brought out of prostitution and learning how to love and be loved. With this beautiful story always on my mind, I came across this blog and read this all too real account of someone who learned (only a very small fraction) of what it's like to be enslaved like this, which was an event put on by Not For Sale in effort to make this potentially "sad story" into a reality and make us see that this is REAL and happening RIGHT NOW. Sex trafficking is the third largest crime worldwide, and there are more slaves today than in any point in our history.

I wanted to share this because it's all too easy for me to hear a sad story and then think that feeling bad is all I can do. That not thinking about it will make it go away. That thinking because I can't change everything means I shouldn't change anything. That thinking it's ok to feel badly then lift my spirits by doing something that I enjoy.

The bottom line is, it's not ok. It's not ok for our hearts to not be broken for the things that break the Father's heart. This issue for me is the ultimate "Do to others as you would like them to do to you" (Luke 6:31). If I was in this position, would I not want someone to speak up for me, to bring me hope and freedom in this vicious cycle of death? This may seem like a foreign issue to some, but the reality is that one of the largest sex trafficking locations is right here in the US in the city of Denver, Colorado. How can I worry about if I'm having a good hair day or if my house is clean or what football team will win the Superbowl (which, by the way, the Superbowl is a major attraction for sex trafficking- read here). How?! How can I go about my easy life and completely ignore God's command in Proverbs 31 to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."

"Maybe sex slavery still exists and will continue to exist because we're too comfortable and the thought of little girls being forced to have sex all day and night it too much for our delicate senses..."

So, I encourage you, don't turn away from this because it's easier and less painful to do so. I encourage you to pray for the perpetrators of this crime. Pray that their hearts will be changed and that they will seek justice. Pray for the victims, that they will be freed and turn to their loving Father who alone can turn their ashes into beauty. Support organizations working to end slavery such as The Restavek Freedom Foundation and Not For Sale.

"Wake up child, it's your time to shine, you were born for such a time as this."