History Maker Returns

Meizi has grown into a beautiful young woman.

In November 1997, just after Christian Action started serving in Qinghai, a beautiful baby girl was found on a road in Xining City.  Her name was Zhao Wenzhen.  She was taken to the Xining Children's Home where she received surgery for a hip problem and all the love and care she needed to grow into a happy, intelligent, strong-willed toddler.  Then in 2001, when she was four years old she made history by becoming the first child to be adopted from the Xining Children's Home.  Her new parents Jeff and Crystal Kershaw came all the way from Cleveland, Ohio to pick up Zhao Wenzhen who now went by the name Meizi.  In her new family Meizi also had a brother Spensor, and a sister Bailey to grow up with.

The whole family, Chinese and American!!

Fueled by the love and care of the Kershaw family Meizi has grown into a free spirited, vibrant character who loves to write stories and songs.  She is a skilled pianist, a bright mathematician and loves sports.  Wherever she goes her colorful personality always shines through.  The whole Kershaw family has been blessed with Meizi in their family! 

This year, Meizi, now a beautiful young woman of 16, and her whole family traveled back to the Xining Children's Home for a visit.  Meizi was reunited with those who were a part of her young years; those who cared for her, along with some other children who were there when she was a toddler.  One boy called BinBin who had received many surgeries through the years took a turn on the dance floor with Meizi. 

BinBin was about two years old when Meizi left Xining Children's Home, he's fourteen now and taller than she is!

Meizi is truly a blessed story--Christian Action was there at her time of need and was able to provide her with love and care.  There are still hundreds more disabled and abandoned children who need that kind of love and care and with your support they will get it.  Please consider sponsoring a child to help children just like Meizi.

WAIT THERE’S MORE!

Upon arriving back home Meizi wrote the following about her visit to the Xining Children’s Home.  

"I never would have guessed how much of an impact it would have left on me. I thought that it would be a cool experience, but China was much more than a fun vacation. It was life-changing excursion. Beijing was the first place our family visited. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the famous cites such as the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven. I specifically appreciated learning more about my culture and history. On the fourth day of our journey in China, we flew to my home province, Xining.

From the moment the airplane landed, I had this feeling that something was right. This sentiment continued throughout my stay as I began to fall in love with the culture and lifestyle. It was so different from America, yet so familiar. The odd thing was, that I began to remember smells and emotions that I had before my adoption. Especially at the orphanage. That was probably my favorite place our family went to. I was just so amazed at what God had done with the place and through the people working with it. Also, my heart went out to the kids there, and every minute that I helped serve, flew by so quickly. I never wanted to stop seeing the joy on their faces. I didn’t want to say goodbye. And I don’t have to... completely.

By the end of the trip, I made up my mind that this would not be the last time I came to China. I decided that if it’s God’s plan, I would like to come back to my country and orphanage again. Visiting China this spring break is a choice I will never regret. I had great memories, and look forward to making more in the future."

Too young to understand

Qun (Chin) is too young to understand what is happening to her.  She was only a few days old when the person she should have trusted most in the world left her (with a broken arm) to be picked up by strangers and handed to the police.  We are so grateful that the police know that Christian Action is always willing to love and care for any child who needs a home.

The staff in the neonatal room at Xining Children's Home spent the next three months giving Qun all that every baby needs:  nourishment to build her up, and a safe, loving environment.

Qun certainly needed to be strong enough for what she would be facing next, because none of the  Xining doctors were experienced enough to treat Qun’s condition it was decided to bring her to Hong Kong as soon as possible for care.

Dr. Liu, a long time friend, volunteer and supporter of Christian Action, diagnosed Qun as having the most severe case of Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) he had ever seen. Her little hands and feet are severely constricted at the joints, and Dr. Liu is seeking advice from various consultants from all over the world.  This will mean a long and complicated therapy and surgery.  Even though it will be costly, CA still adheres to what God has instructed us, to treat each child as if he or she were our own. Typically, AMC is not a progressive disorder and offers some hope for a productive life.

Qun will not give up easily because she has no hesitation in letting us know that she doesn’t like it when strange doctors at Prince of Wales Hospital examine her to try and determine the best course of treatment for her!  Although everyone is doing their best to comfort this precious little girl, she cries a lot!  It’s difficult to witness her distress.

CA has arranged for Qun to live with a loving foster family while she is in Hong Kong for treatment.  Sponsoring a child helps Christian Action nurture and care for hundreds of abandoned children like Qun and makes sure that they have the opportunity to lead the full   life that every child deserves.

Meet Ming

Your support will help him and hundreds more children in Northwest China!

Ming joined the Christian Action family when he was only six days old and everyone who has had the privilege of looking after him has been smitten by him.

Ming was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.  When he was only two months old this tiny infant was transferred to Beijing where he stayed for eight months while he underwent extensive treatment.  He returned to Xining in March 2012 and we immediately placed him in foster care, knowing that he would continue to be loved.  He has a very easy going nature, which makes it easy for his foster mother to have him in her home.  She says that he is a real blessing to her.

Thanks to you, our supportive donors, Ming is getting the medical treatment he so desperately needs.  Unfortunately, what he is receiving is not going to be enough.  He is going to need ongoing physical therapy.  Then, because he won’t be admitted to the mainstream school system on account of his paraplegia, he’ll be attending our school for special needs children at Xining Children's Rehabilitation Center.

Currently Ming is in Hong Kong receiving specialized medical care not available to him in the mainland.  He is being lovingly fostered by Connie and Ben, a couple Mrs. Siew Mei Cheung met because Connie was visiting a relative who was sharing Ming's room at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong!  Since meeting and hearing Ming's story, Connie and Ben have committed to fostering Ming throughout his stay in Hong Kong.

Would you consider partnering financially with Christian Action Asia? This will insure that we can continue to train and equip Ming’s therapists and teachers in China so they can not only continue to give Ming the best care, but also his 'brothers and sisters' at Xining Children’s Home.  We also would appreciate your prayers for Ming’s progress over the next few months as he undergoes his treatment process.