One day, while in China, a group of friends and I went to a local store (which was similar to a Wal-Mart). While we were there, we purchased several items for the children at a special needs orphanage, which Global Partners in Life supports. When we checked out and were walking through the shopping area, I am sure the indigenous people wondered what in the world these adult foreigners were doing with all of the bikes, cars, and tricycles for children.
Arriving at the orphanage, it would be a huge understatement to say the children were excited about their gifts. At first, we took the children to a playground outside their home. At first, they didn’t do very well about sharing time on the bikes, but it didn’t take long for them to understand the sharing approach to everyone getting to have some time on the bikes. I was proud of them for that.
We literally ran the wheels off the bikes that day! The training wheels seemed to be the most damaged from the day of turning too sharply, so they had to be straightened out. The rubber part of the training wheels was coming off also, and the back fender on another bike was way out of alignment as well.
My happiest moment came when a girl that has difficulty walking had her turn on the bike. As she rode past everyone she had a huge smile on her face. I had to wonder if that was the most freely and effortlessly she had ever moved. This was a good day for everyone!
