Why We Call Our Blog the Miracle of More

The miracle is a beautiful image of Ephesians 3:20--more than I can ask or imagine. Every day is a miracle. Every moment is a miracle. Specifically for our family, the miracle of more is our family growing in ways I would never have imagined when we first committed to adoption 8 years ago. But, the greatest miracle is the change in ME!

If you have questions about adoption, our work in South Africa, or spina bifida, please email me at rbmattox@bellsouth.net

Monday, March 26, 2012

Prayers for Jordan on Shamian Island


Nearly every family who has adopted a child from China knows who Jordan on Shamian Island is. He is such a friendly shop keeper, and one of a dying breed as many shop owners on Shamian Island have closed.

Jordan's shop was open when we adopted Josie-Tatum in 2004. His location had changed, but we visited his shop again when we adopted Ellie in 2007. For each of the girls, we have the special painting he did of their American names in Chinese calligraphy. I wonder just how many families in America have one of those hanging in their homes. He does this for families free of charge.

We visited Shamian Island tonight (more on that later), and I was told Jordan's was closing soon. We made his shop our first stop, knowing I wanted to get him to paint the boys' new names in Chinese calligraphy. While there I said, "Jordan, I heard you are closing soon."

And, he quickly answered, almost abruptly, "In 5 days." But then he added many more details. If you are interested in knowing all of them, send me an email. What I am comfortable sharing publicly here, though, is this. He was just told he had to be out of the building he rents and was given less than a month's notice. If I understood him correctly, only a week.

He said a larger company is renting other floors in his building and they want his small space, too. He told those forcing him to leave, "But, I have a family. I have a son. What am I going to do?"

He and I talked tonight about our Best Friend and how He will take care of Jordan. I promised Him our family would be praying for him. And, just like Jesus, the man standing behind me waiting to pay for a purchase was also from Georgia and He was a Christian. We all joined in a conversation about how we would be praying for Jordan.

Then, Jordan came out of the store and asked to have his photo taken with us. We had a big group photo with him and a family I had just met in that moment. I got Jordan's email and told him I will email him the photo and will look forward to learning how God will bless him in spite of this storm.

Then, tonight, I thought of all of you. I knew many of you would want to join in support and prayer for Jordan. If the LORD so moves you, you could send him an email of love, support, and prayers. We plan to go back to Shamian Island on Wednesday. I would love for him to tell me how many families have supported him. and

To God be the glory!

Join us in doing great things for Him, since He has done such great things for us.

jordonlee86@yahoo.com

21 comments:

Jolene said...

Wow, that is so sad. I have looked forward to going to China and meeting Jordan. Now, I may not get that chance. My prayers are with him!

Amy said...

Will be praying! That is so sad!!

Good News: looks like you found your camera. Just a bit of proof that prayer works. If God cares about a camera, then He surely cares about the welfare of this family!!!

:)
blessings,
amy

Kevin and Michele said...

Please tell me what happened! Homecoordinator@yahoo.com
We went to Jordan's for both of our adoptions... and LOVE him... he shared his heart with us last trip in Nov and even shared how much he wanted to adopt, but they won't let him.
If you see him again, please tell him we are praying for him... we were there at his shop in November with our son, Levi, (cleft) adopted in August 09, and then our new daughter, Lydia, who is missing her left forearm. I gave him a picture of our family from 2009. He should remember us... Kevin and Michele
Oh how my heart breaks for him...
is he going somewhere else????

Anonymous said...

Is Jordan Jeniffer's brother?

Tara Anderson said...

Saw your link on RQ and came over here for more details. WOW! My heart breaks for Jordon. He was one of the people that I REALLY looked forward to seeing again on our upcoming trip this Summer. I was in his shop (several times!) in early December 2010 and was blessed richly by getting to know him...even a bit. Please let him know that we're praying for him!

Brandi said...

Praying for your family on this journey to bring your sweet boys home. We are a family from Savannah that emailed you months ago. I would love to get together sometime. We are going to bring a 7 year old son home late summer/early fall. I was looking forward to visiting Jordan's place. I was there last April. Praying for him.

♥ Kayla ♥ said...

Please let Jordan know that our family is praying for him. We met him on all 4 of our adoptions and have the name calligraphy for each one plus all 3 of our bio kids have one too.

Jennifer said...

I just emailed him. Thanks for sharing. I would encourage those that choose to email him to use words such as lifting him up to the Father, rather than praying for him. That would be best as his email maybe watched. Don't want to cause him more trouble.

Also, could you email me at jennifer-stone@sbcglobal.net with more info about what has happened!

Leslie said...

Thank you for letting us know. I just emailed him. So very sad. We just saw him last month. :( I attached a precious photo I took of him with our older son. He and our son had a nice Mandarin conversation. I can't believe the island is just going to be no more as far as adoptive families. I wonder how many of us have had photos taken with Jordon?

Can we post a link to your blog post from our blogs and/or FB? I'd love to share this on my blog

http://roomforatleastonemore.wordpress.com

Faith, Hope, and Love said...

We LOVE Jordan! This makes me so sad! :( Praying that God will open another door for this wonderful man and his family!!!

Love and blessings,
Robin

Goosegirl said...

Oh wow. I am so sorry. We bought a lot of things at his store and have one of his calligraphies of Ahnalin's name. I would love to hear more about it.
Sivjegoose@sbcglobal.net

TanyaLea said...

Thank you so much for sharing about Jordan on your blog. My friend Robin posted your link on FB and I immediately came over to read what this was all about. It breaks my heart to hear this, but I trust God has bigger things in store for him, and that MANY people from half-a-world away are already lifting his family up in prayer, trusting the One who can move mountains and make BIG things happen for him! Give him a hug for our family... we LOVE Jordan and my teenage daughter is upstairs praying for him right now!

God bless! <><
~Tanya

Mandie said...

So much is changing. We won't have any of the familiar faces anymore. Hard to believe after three adoptions. So very sad :(

Gina said...

Thank you so much for posting this! We loved Jordan and his shop. I have sent him an email and would love it if you would update me. tigiabracosh@yahoo.com

Amy Cantilina said...

I am so glad to hear of all the bonding takingplace iin your family! Your kiddos are adorable!

I am so sorry to hear about Jordan. We were just there in February and he told me how he had to downsize, but at that point there was no inkling of having to shut down. I would love to have his e-mail address if you are willing to share it. AmyLPC@hotmail.com

Thanks,Amy

Love for Lilly Yin said...

I would love to know more about Jordan and how we can help him. I would love to send him a gift of money, although I know that might be embarrassing for him. Let me know how I can help. We love that man!

Joy said...

Oh no! This precious man holds such a special place in our hearts. We visited him everyday for 2 weeks while we were there. Could you please email me more info?
Joy Pierce
ruby_z@juno.com

Jonni said...

Thanks you for Jordan's email. He is going to be so missed! He was our favorite person on SI. so sad about this and also sad about the medical relocating from SI. Thanks for the update. We traveled to China to adopt our daughters in 2007 and 2009 and had no idea these changes were taking place.

April said...

I left a comment last night, but it looks like something went wrong. We love Jordon and will be praying for him and his family. Can you send me an email with more details? Thank you. baymoose @ comcast dot net

Unknown said...

Wow! That is so sad. We just shopped at his store about 10 days ago. He prayed a blessing over our family outside of his store. I sent him a message letting him know that I'm praying for him.
Kate

meg said...

Yes, I would like an email on Jordan.....I am so sorry to hear this...thanks for sharing
megggodwin@gmail.com

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