Earthquake in China---a Child's Response

Tonight, Mikayla saw the CNN coverage of the horrible earthquake that ravaged her native home, China. I had tried to protect her from the news and had not told her of it. I quickly turned the TV off but not until she saw the bodies being carried away on stretchers among a street lined with body bags.

The look on my little girl's face broke my heart. She was horrified. She burst into tears and was inconsolable for a very long time. She kept searching my face with her intensely dark eyes asking why God let it happen? I tried to explain to her that God sometimes allows bad things to happen for a reason. Perhaps now people everywhere will realize how much they need Him. She continued to weep in my arms. She kept telling me that was her home. When I explained to her that most of the people in China survived, she simply looked at me and said, "But Mama, some people DIED!"

Her dad and I told her later that we had made a donation to Half the Sky, in honor of the beautiful Chinese daughter that the people of China allowed us to adopt. It seemed to help her feelings. She immediately decided she wanted to help too. So.....we put her Build a Bear wardrobe on Ebay! The funds she earns will be sent to Half the Sky to help the victims of the earthquake. I doubt she will make more than $20 but it will provide her a pricless gift---peace of mind.

I have never been as proud of my daughter as I am today.

Needless to say, she prayed for them tonight and I'm sure she will continue to do so for a very long time. Please join our little one...and us in this prayer for these precious people who will always have a very special place in our hearts.

5/18/08

Mikayla's Ebay items sold within a few hours. She was so excited she could hardly sleep tonight. We're going to the post office to mail the items to the buyer and then we'll write the check for $15 to send to China for the earthquake victims. $15 to an eight year old feels like a fortune. She really feels like she's done something HUGE to help the victims who are in such dire need.

I have a feeling she will be tearing through her room tomorrow after school to see what else she sell on Ebay. Oh my goodness, we may have a serious problem on our hands! I love it!