Bet you didn't see this one comin'!

After we said our goodbyes to JiNuo, Yangcai, and Jite on March 14th (seems like so much longer ago), the three host families drove from Dulles to Fredericksburg to grab some breakfast at Cracker Barrel, debrief, and just process together.  I remember saying, "We should totally consider hosting this summer."

Crickets. 

The crickets were followed by Chris telling me there is no way he would be ready, that I was crazy, and then Heather and Ali agreed with him.  Crazy.  I hadn't even stripped the sheets off JiNuo's bed yet, for cryin' out loud!  OK, point taken...moving on...pass the biscuits...

 

A few weeks ago, a scene from Schindler's list came to mind, and it KEPT coming to mind.  I finally checked to see if it was on YouTube, and it was.  Now, let me preface this by saying...I SAW THAT MOVIE 17 YEARS AGO.  Why on earth did this even enter my brain??  (I know it was 17 years ago, because I watched it with friends in my apartment on Floyd Avenue.  Haven't lived there for 17 years.)

Here's the scene.

Yes, I know this is apples and oranges, but I kept thinking of "the car" as our money.  Money that belongs to God in the first place.  The "pin?"  That's 4 weeks of my life.  Four measly weeks.
I started seeing our money and our time, more than ever, as something to give and use for things of eternal value.  Holding on to them with a death grip wasn't going to cut it.

Money and time, like the car and the pin in that movie clip...GIVING OF THOSE THINGS AGAIN COULD RESULT IN ANOTHER ORPHAN FINDING A FAMILY.  How could we not host again?  God was bigtime stirring in my heart, and the thought of us not hosting this summer became unfathomable to me. 

In the last couple of weeks, as the deadline for summer hosting programs was drawing closer, my inbox was absolutely inundated with emails from organizations begging, pleading for host families to come forward.  Honestly, I hadn't even heard of some of those hosting programs (I guess I'm "in the system?!"  Don't know)
I would browse the email, cut and paste the link, and put it on Facebook, where I then joined in the "begging and pleading for host families." 

A few days ago, I got an email from Living Hope International (had NEVER heard of them).  They were offering half off hosting fees, in a desperate attempt to place more children in host homes.  $3000 down to $1500.   I thought, "That's nothing!  That could be raised in like an 40 minutes!  And it's DULLES airport!  Bonus!  And only 4 weeks, instead of the usual summertime 6-8 weeks!  I've got to spread the word!"  As I was posting to Facebook yet again, the internal dialogue went something like this:

That Still Small Voice:  Sooooo...I love your enthusiasm and that you're trying so hard to recruit host families, but...why can't YOU do it?

Me:  oh, well, uhhhhhhh...we just hosted.  Remember?  in February and March?

That Still Small Voice:  And?

Me:  wellllll, I don't want to fundraise again.

TSSV:  you don't need to.  Remember that bonus check Chris got a couple of months ago?  Plus, there's that pesky "car and pin" thing.

Me:  True.  BUT...it's summer. We've never done summer before.  We have swim team and stuff.

TSSV:  oh good grief.

Me:   Well, CHRIS doesn't want to.  He told me in front of witness that he was NOT interested!

TSSV:  Why don't you go upstairs and ask him?

Me:  Fine!  I will!  Then you'll see!

(goes upstairs to where Chris is watching TV...)  "These people are looking for host families for the end of June.  Yes, JUNE.  It's half off the usual cost, and it's Dulles airport, for sure.  Thoughts?"

Chris:  I'm open to that.

Me:  stunned silence.

TSSV:  game, set, match.


Without further ado...meet "Ricky!"  ETA June 25th.  He will be 12 in June, and according to his bio, he loves puzzles, is thoughtful, studious and organized.  My kind of kid!  (Ok, maybe not the "studious" part)

 

 

 

Here he is being interviewed by the hosting team.  I had it translated, and he's basically saying "I want to learn English (and he busts out a "1234 Mother Father") and come to America.  I like apples and bananas and meat; especially chicken."

 

Interview

Chicken.  Nuggets.   Chickfila.  That's our kid.

 

 

 

*side notes: 

 

1. I am not in any way comparing myself to Oscar Schindler.  I hope you get where I was going with the movie clip.

 

2. Psalm 68:6 says that GOD sets the lonely in families.  Not Chris and Tracy.  The fact that he lets us be a part of this boggles my mind.  You should see how gross our master bathroom is.  Our kids don't listen half the time.  I don't cook dinner more than I do.  Our dog wears the cone of shame. We are SO NOT together. 

 

3. If you want to join us on this wild ride, let's chat!