Arrival at Maria's Big House of Hope

Arrival at Maria's Big House of Hope was an exciting culmination to 

a long journey for the thirteen women who had traveled twenty plus hours

to reach this destination.  When our bus turned onto the dirt path to 

Maria's, I couldn't help but think the bus driver had made a wrong turn,

but he seemed confident in his choice, so the rest of us just sat and waited 

to see where he was taking us.  All of the sudden, in front of us

rose this beautiful building covered in blue sky and clouds...

We were finally at Maria's!!!  All the pictures and stories I had seen and

read didn't do it justice!  I could feel the tears well up in my eyes....

To the left of the orphanage is a prison to the right is a mental

institute and in front of it is a building which is suppose to house the

new state orphanage.  Yes, it was very evident, we were in God's territory!

Once inside the revolving doors, we all felt the presence of a sacred place.

On the right wall was a picture of Maria Sue Chapman, daughter of 

Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, namesake of the orphanage.

There is an official plaque from the chinese government and the

piece of Maria's artwork which is a flower with only one of

the six petals colored.  If you read Mary Beth Chapman's book, "Choosing

to See", you know that to the Chapman's that signifies Maria is the only one

of their six children who is complete, now that she is in the presence of our Lord.  

Above the flower artwork is the word "see" in Maria's handwriting.  The family had been 

praying  for God to allow them to "see" why things were the way they were.  There on the 

back of  the artwork in her own little 5 yr old handwriting, was the word "see".  It was like an

answer from God himself.  Here on the walls of the orphanage hangs that precious artwork.  

As a  mother, seeing that priceless artwork hanging, reminded me of the generous 

hearts of the Chapman's.  Allowing the artwork of their precious Maria to 

hang halfway around the world for others to be reminded to "see"!

As priceless as any Picasso, Maria's artwork graces the entrance hall

of Maria's Big House of Hope.  It is a sacred place indeed!

We were met by Mariah Bywater, one of the nurses, who is from

Beaufort , South Carolina and Linda, who works at the orphanage

Linda is instrumental in overseeing the staff and the daily operations 

of the orphanage.  Mariah takes care of the very sick babies.  It was

beautiful to see how they worked together to care for the children.

On the far left wall, is another example of how children's art can be

as important as a fine painting.  Here hangs squares decorated by

Maria's classmates in her honor.  The teacher allowed each child to 

chose if he or she wanted to paint a flower, the word see or a ladybug.

The squares were then hung together to create this collage.

It was just beautiful!  (wish my photography was better!)

Directly in front of us was a quilt that was lovingly made

for the foyer by another Tennessee lady.  (again sorry the photograph isn't better!).  

This really is a beautiful quilt!

All through the orphanage, the walls are painted in bright, child like

themes.  Here is the preschool class in the two pictures below.  

This is the Nemo room....

There are many other rooms as with painting as well.  I think my favorite room was

the Peter Rabbit Room but they were really all very cute!  

But the real reason were were there was for the babies.....

We each got our daily dose of baby love....

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you.  I always

pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.  God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  and this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.  Philippians 1 : 3-11