Part 2: How one girl changed everything

 

 

We are excited to share the rest of Diane's story with you today. If you missed part 1 click here. 

They led me up a few flights of stairs to a stairway I'd never seen before. At this point, I realized they were not just taking me back to the classroom for another round of “Wheels on the Bus.”

We were going somewhere I had never been.

They opened the door at the top of the stairs and pulled me into a room with a group of older teens. I had not met any of them in person before. They had not been to the party. I did recognize most of them from various photos I've seen of the children over the years. These were children I had prayed for, worried about, and thought I would never know. They brought me right to a girl who was very familiar to me. I had seen her in pictures and had prayed for her.

She was so much older now. Oh, my heart.

She reached her hand right out to me and took me to the benches that lined the walls so we could sit. There were no nannies, just sweet children, all around, with the one I'd been brought to see right in front of me. My “stripey girls” made the sign that I should start singing now. It was the motion for the “Wheels on the Bus,” so I sang. The precious older girl looked at me, and her look so clearly said, “This is not why they brought you here!”

I stopped, mainly because I couldn't breathe. There are only a few times I've had this feeling before.

The day that Jesus grabbed me and pulled me out of disaster and into life.
The day I realized the depth of what He had done for me.
Praying with two of my children to give their lives to Jesus.
The day I fell down and told God that I would trust him and be Zhou's mom, even though the unknown was too much for me.

I told her about Jesus. She didn't need to hear it from me. I promise, she's already heard the story straight from Him, and she didn't need words to tell it to me, either. She can't speak English, I can't speak Chinese. But, it is a story that never gets old. You can tell it every day. The Holy Spirit speaks to the heart.

He made you, He loves you, He lived perfectly, and died as a sacrifice.
He takes the punishment we deserve so He can give us the reward that He deserves.
He's in Heaven praying for us. He's always with you.
He's coming back!

She soaked up the words, she radiated joy. It was holy ground. His presence was breathtaking. I sang about three songs… John 3:16, In Christ Alone, Amazing Grace. Sweet children pressing in from all sides. If only I had an arm for each of them.

Two nannies came in and shuffled around, not sure what to do. I kept singing for a while longer, hugged everyone a bunch, and finally tore myself away. 

I'm so grateful that sweet Diane and the other girls remembered those who were not at the party that day.

It is a hard place.

I have new confidence that Jesus is present there, always.

Ephesians 1:15-23

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you,remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body,the fullness of him who fills all in all.

If Diane's story is speaking to you please inquire at china@awaa.org

As a recent team member stated:

You don't want to miss out on being Diane's Mom and Dad. I promise.

Mission team members are available to speak with prospective adoptive families.

Special Thanks to Maria for sharing this amazing story with us.