I am thrilled to announce that HOPE STATION has hired a new Associate Director: ERIN WANKERL! Erin will be moving to Chengdu this summer to join me on staff at Hope Station. We met in college, but didn't become anything more than acquaintances after I had graduated. At that point, Erin was taking Chinese from the same professor that I had (we love you, Lao Shi!) and we started having coffee every once in a while to "talk China." It was exciting to share with each other our passions and love for China. Erin even joked a few times that "maybe someday I'll move to China and help you at Hope Station!" Little did we know that would actually happen. In December, I started searching for someone to fill a new Associate Director position. This person would need to move to Chengdu, be willing to take each day as it comes, and really invest in this start up nonprofit. To be completely honest, I was very afraid and doubtful that the right person existed. Of course, the Good Shepherd knew better and reminded me of Erin and our past conversations about HS. I knew that Erin had recently moved to China to teach English for a year, so again I was doubtful that she'd be interested in committing to something different. But I decided to follow the hunch. According to Erin, once I asked her to consider the opportunity, she knew immediately she wanted to say yes. But she took some time to think about it, and our Great Father confirmed again and again that this was what He had for her next. It was such an exciting moment to hear her say "Yes!" to joining Hope Station staff. Erin will be moving to Chengdu in July or August, and living at Hope Station with me. She'll be my second in command, helping to take care of the kiddos, do administrative tasks, and lead the aunties. I am in awe of our Father's goodness in connecting us and putting this on her heart, and I can't wait to welcome her to Chengdu! Thank you for all who have supported us through this transition and been hopeful and excited with me along the way. Our Father is good, and it only gets better from here. For those of you who have never met wonderful Erin, I've included a mini interview for your reading pleasure. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Willmar, Minnesota and went to Northwestern College in Roseville, Minnesota. I have one older brother, Eric, who is 26. Eric has a learning disability but he has so much joy. It's because of him that I have a passion for individuals with special needs. What do you love about China? China has been on my heart since high school and throughout college. It wasn't until after it graduated that the Father made it clear China was where He wanted me. I love everything about China - the hospitality of the people, the never ending cultural lessons that occur, and the work Father continues to do here. What are you excited for most about joining Hope Station? What I am excited for most about Hope Station is the opportunity to make a difference in kids' lives - by providing a place where they can grow, where they will be loved, where they can find forever families, and so much more. The Father has great plans for Hope Station and I am beyond excited to be a part of those plans. Erin will be an incredible addition to our Hope Station family. We can’t wait to welcome her to Chengdu in July!
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I've been calling it "The Big Move." 48 hours ago, I packed up my entire life into 4 suitcases and a backpack, got on a plane, and traveled to the other side of the globe. This was the moment I had been waiting for the majority of my life. And I don't think I've fully realized that it actually happened.
For the past couple years as I've been traveling back and forth between the US and China, I had a name for each place. The US was the homeland and China was the heartland. All the way to Chengdu I found myself going over the phrase, "Home is where the heart is." But the question I couldn't get rid of was, what if my heart is in two places? Today, both my US home and my Chengdu home are homeland and heartland. I'll never have all the people and places I love at once, but I will always be home. I count myself double blessed. So now, the adventure begins! Walking down the streets of Chengdu is totally different knowing that I live here now. My heart and soul are so invested in this place, I can barely contain it. Yesterday I had to run a couple boring errands - no really, buying hangers is boring - but I just could not stop smiling as I walked through WalMart. It didn't matter that I couldn't read any of the labels or understand any of the announcements on the loudspeaker, or that I had to backtrack a million times in the store because I couldn't find what I was looking for. I LIVE in CHINA. Nothing can bring me down. And for today, that's that. I apologize I don't have anything better than buying hangers to talk about, and for the fact that I just gushed all over you about my "Big Move." But hopefully it helps you get a glimpse into my last 48 hours. Watch for my next post, it will definitely have more exciting contents than this! |
A note from Rebekah...If you've ever wondered what it would be like to start a nonprofit from the ground up, to open a home for ORPHANS with special needs in Asia, you've come to the right place. Archives
August 2019
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