It’s not supposed to be this way

Our time in China was awesome; we finalized a partnership with a great ministry. My dream of a World Orphans project is China will come true.

It wasn’t an easy time for me though, I must admit. As I mentioned in my previous post, this is an emotional issue for me, and some of the information I learned on this trip didn’t help.

While none of these figures are verified (that’s no easy task in China) they do come from sources I trust.

There are an estimated 20 million orphans in China (even though the government only admits to 500,000). Assume for a moment that all 20 million of those children are single orphans (which is certainly not the case), meaning that they have lost only one parent and that the other is living. Assume further that all 20 million of those children still live with their surviving parent. That means, best case scenario, 20 million children have only suffered the trauma of losing a parent.

The reality is that many many of these children have lost both parents. They’ve not only dealt with the trauma of losing both parents, but face the uncertainty of where they will live, who will care for them, where their next meal will come from. Many will be forced to fend for themselves, live on the streets, beg for food, or steal to survive.

And then there are the abandoned ones, babies too young to even eat without help. These are the girls, the disabled, the unwanted. It is estimated that up to 90% of babies abandoned don’t live to see their 1st birthday. Many die before they are found, left in a box in extreme heat or cold. Others die in the "care" of the state. The disabled children are especially vulnerable. As my friend told me, your daughter is one of the 10% that made it.

Abandonment of girls is still very real. Some women, after they discover they are pregnant go to live with relatives in another city, so the pregnancy remains a secret. If the baby is a boy, great, mom and child return home and everyone is happy. If it’s a girl though, she is cast aside, abandoned. Premeditated abandonment.

Nine months of planning:

Where will I abandon her? A market? Outside a Post Office?

What will I put her in? A box? A Basket?

Should I leave a note?

Will someone find her before she dies?

Think I’m exaggerating, ultrasounds are illegal for fear of abortion if the sex is determined. Abandonment of girls is still very real indeed.

Yes the children of China are close to my heart. It’s not supposed to be this way. Children aren’t supposed the face these obstacles, their supposed to be loved and cared for. Moms and Dads aren’t supposed to abandon their babies. Governments are supposed to do more. People are supposed to care.

Did I mention how glad I am we’ve found a partner in China? It will be an honor to walk with them, to raise funds for them, to serve with them, to make a difference with them. They do care.

Comments

[Derek]

Praying for you all brother. Thanks for this post.