This is kind of long and confusing....but here goes nothing. We arrived in Beijing with what we thought was nothing unusual. The health officials boarded our plane and took ALL of the passengers temperatures. We knew this would be the case with the whole Swine flue thing (oink oink! LOL) At any rate, we got the all clear and then proceeded to the baggage area where all passengers were stopped first so that the health form that you filled out checked out! Again, no big deal! I took Stevey and Shaoey through with me and got the go ahead, so on we headed to the border crossing desk. As I was walking....It seemed out of know where.... an official in a space type medical looking suit pointed at sweet little Stevey Joy and said..."PASSPORT!"...which translated...means show me her passport! The three of us were then escorted to a make shift medical lab right there in the airport where we were told to wait while her temperature was taken. Several passengers were in there, so the only thing I could figure was that it was a random testing so to speak. I could see back over my shoulder Steven coming as quickly as he could as he was concerned as to where they were taking us. We waited a while and then was given the all clear to leave. NO BIG DEAL I guess, except that it scared little Stevey Joy to death! We then gathered all 47 checked peaces of luggage and about as many carry on's and headed out to Hope Foster Home to rest for a couple of nights before heading down to Louyang for the Opening of Maria's Big House Of Hope! On Tuesday morning when we got up to head to the Great Wall, all of our passports were requested.....weird we thought. By the time we returned to Hope, we were told that our entire group had been quarantined for 7 days and had to stay on Hope property until the time period ran out. As you can imagine my disappointed.....That meant we would have to miss the Grand Opening of MBHOH. I sent a text/message quickly asking everyone to pray. It becomes a long story from here but suffice it to say...we were stuck. Joyce and Robin Hill were going to go ahead and fly down and represent us, and apologize for out absence, but you can only imagine my disappointment! I fell down on the bed and just started boo hooing! I so wanted all of my close friends and family with me to stand at the opening of Maria's Big House of Hope! I literally walked them to the car, said my goodbyes and came up to my room to cry/pray again, when all of a sudden...the phone rang and it was Robin saying that the government called saying that out of the blue we all (our entire group) got the all clear to travel anywhere we wanted in China! God is good...stressful at timing sometimes....but none the less, He Holds Us and Our Plans!!!! Thanks for the prayers....please don't stop...you never know what may or may not happen...and the changes that can happen in an instant! Next blog.....after the Grand Opening!!!!!
Hugs,
Mary Beth
Hugs,
Mary Beth
Mary Beth,
Wow! I couldn't imagine! I am so glad that He is our refuge, our very help in time of trouble!
Prayers for continued blessings,
Michele
Posted by: Michele Kelly | July 05, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Praise the Lord Jesus. Just a reminder who's plan this is. Thank you good and faithful family. We are so sorry we aren't there. One day.
Russ and Michele H in MI
Posted by: Russ Hiatt | July 04, 2009 at 07:37 AM
I am just amazed at how God's hand i working in all this. Rom 8:28.
Praying for you and your family during your time in China..and praying for safe return home.
Posted by: Michele (Ottawa, ON, Canada) | July 03, 2009 at 11:52 AM
So glad they lifted quarantine.God is indeed looking after yall,Maria's House.Praise God!!!!!
Love,
Stephanie G
Charlotte,NC
Posted by: stephiegdalyrist | July 03, 2009 at 11:10 AM
So glad you were able to make it to the opening of MBHOH! God knew you needed to be there and got things moving - wonder if the officials new just what was happening and who was in charge it it all. More evidence for us to SEE God at work.
So glad that you got to the ceremonies! Poor little Stevey - she must have been so scared. I know I would be. Praying for the rest of your journey.
Posted by: Dana | July 02, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Wow, that's amazing! I'm so glad that you guys didn't miss out on the opening of MBHOH. That would have been too much...but thank God everything worked out okay in the end. Poor Stevey Joy, hope she's feeling better after the ordeal. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Prayers and love to all of you!
Jenny (from NY)
Posted by: Jenny | July 02, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Thank you so much for taking the time to update us and for giving us an opportunity to be part of what God is doing in China through our prayers.
Praying that the rest of your trip goes smoothly and that God will be glorified now and in many years to come through Maria's Big House.
Blessings to you all!
Posted by: Nadia | July 02, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Oh Thank Goodness!! So glad it all worked out. I can't wait to hear about the opening and all the amazing things God has done already through MBHOH. Praying for you and your group here in VA!
Posted by: Carla Lewter | July 02, 2009 at 06:52 AM
I'm a little slow in reading this, but it reminded me of a quote sent to my inbox yesterday via Grace Gems:
"There is many a thing which the world calls 'disappointment', but there is no such a word in the 'dictionary of faith'. What to others are disappointments, are divine appointments to believers."
(John Newton)
Praising God with you on this divine appointment! :)
Posted by: Jennifer R. | July 02, 2009 at 06:42 AM
WOW! What an amazing testimony to God's perfect timing! Enjoy your time in China and being with your family and friends.
Posted by: Jeanette Murphy | July 01, 2009 at 11:50 PM
You're just about in my time zone - welcome! There's always set backs when doing stuff like this - I've spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe and it has taught me to grit my teeth, smile, wait for the great thing to happen, and remember 'this is going to make an AWESOME story someday!' Has gotten me through a number of 'adventures'. All the best for China and look forward to the great reports!
Posted by: KR | July 01, 2009 at 10:56 PM
I always say God is very sneaky, and this just confirms it. But that is truly amazing. What an awesome God!
Posted by: Samantha | July 01, 2009 at 09:55 PM
God's plan is HIS own and even though we question alot of things one day we will get to ask all the whys, but then at that time we will be at HIS feet and SEE that all those things don't even matter anymore!
I'm so happy that God worked things out so that you would be able to be there to SEE MBHOH open... HE knew was your hearts desire!
In my prayers!!
Posted by: Tonya | July 01, 2009 at 09:41 PM
Wow! Amazing seeing God at work as he continues to pave the way for you guys! Keeping you in my prayers!
Posted by: KK | July 01, 2009 at 08:46 PM
WOW!!!! GO GOD!!!
Posted by: Pouillyfamily | July 01, 2009 at 08:27 PM
What a story. I love it when our backs are to the wall and there is nothing more we can do...then God takes over. We can only give God the praises because it's nothing we have done. CH Spurgeon said, "Your faith will never be weak when you are weak, but when you are strong your faith cannot be strong. To the apostle Paul, Jesus said, "My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9)."
Praying for you while you are there to open up MBHOH that will serve so many precious children.
Posted by: Kellie | July 01, 2009 at 07:18 PM
"You are being loved, you are being loved, right now.".... to quote a song I know!
:-) Wow, what an amazing God we serve.
I'm pretty sure I would have burst into tears if you all missed the grand opening. Yikes.
Oh and poor SJ. That must have been very intimidating. Glad all ended well with you by her side the entire time.
Posted by: Cathy | July 01, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Posted by: fan | July 01, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Sometimes He comes in the clouds!
Posted by: Keallie Wozny | July 01, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Yee Ha!!! Ah, the power of prayer! To Him be the Glory! Great news, Mary Beth. I can't wait to read your post from Luoyang - with you in spirit!
Peace,
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa | July 01, 2009 at 04:23 PM
You said to pray and we prayed, God answered. We asked and he heard. What a encouragement to us who prayed to see never give up and keep praying. God is good!
Posted by: JulieinCa | July 01, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Bless your hearts!!!! I will continue to pray for you all and I know God is going to bless you and Maria's Big House beyond measure!!!
Posted by: Lisa | July 01, 2009 at 04:13 PM
praise the Lord! i really admire all that you do for orphans and above all to glorify God. i pray that all you encounter will see Who it is that inspires you and motivates you and that many will come to know Him because of your obedience.
Posted by: christine tang | July 01, 2009 at 04:10 PM
MaryBeth,
God will not abandon the Chapman family!! Know that the evil one hates what you are doing there - just laugh, he's a chained dog!!! We're offering up lots of prayers, fasting and work for all your intentions for this glorious trip. Thank you for your generosity in including us stateside. God Bless.
Posted by: erin@materdeitours.com | July 01, 2009 at 03:36 PM
moved to tears; can SEE Him in all of this. so thankful He hears the cries of our hearts on behalf of all of you.
WILL PRAY ON; so thankful His mercies are new every morning........GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS.
For I know the plans I have for YOU....declares the Lord....plans to PROSPER you and not to harm you...plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE!
Can't wait to hear about the opening.
With you in our hearts,
Christine Gordon and Family in MA
Posted by: Christine Gordon | July 01, 2009 at 03:08 PM