As Many as the Stars

by Robert Glover

'There are a few rare occasions in life, when events seem to conspire in a profound and extraordinary way. In those moments God pulls back the curtain on his plans and you get to see a glimpse of what he has in store in you. In the end you are clearer on your life's purpose and destiny. This was one of those moments.'AS MANY AS THE STARS tells the story of how one man moved with his wife and six young children from the UK to China to follow God's call. Robert Glover was a social worker in the East of England who went on to radically transform Chinese government's policy on care welfare. In conversations with the Chinese government Robert fought to show that family-based fostering and adoption was a better alternative to the system of state-sponsored orphanages. In 1998, Robert pioneered the first small pilot project in Shanghai. In the same year Care for Children was founded as a charity as the first joint venture social welfare project between the British and Chinese governments. The goal was to provide skills and knowledge to local staff that could eventually impact many thousands of orphans in China. Robert had a big vision but continued to trust God in his plans. Now Robert's charity Care for Children has reached their goal of getting ONE MILLION children fostered or adopted, which is 85% of the children in the state-run institutions and they have since expanded into Thailand and Vietnam.Told with humour & simplicity AS MANY AS THE STARS gives a deeper understanding of the importance of families in God's plan; God's deep concern for the plight of the orphan and the poor; how to live with greater compassion, generosity and courage to share the love of Christ with a needy world.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2020

Reviews

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A (more) modern missionary story about Robert and Elizabeth Glover who moved with their six to China to care for orphans. This is an interesting and encouraging story both from the perspective of an adoptive mom and also as one who needs every bit of encouragement she can get to follow God wholeheartedly, even when the answers are not all evident (as yet).

Heartily recommend!

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can still clearly remember an evening in Hong Kong in 2001. I was out for dinner with friends and met a young Australian physiotherapist who was working in an orphanage in China (not HK). I only met her that one evening, but her passion and enthusiasm were so electric that they made a lasting impression on me. She was battling an apparently overwhelming problem: the One Child Policy had led to a really large number of children abandoned to state care, either because parents could not afford the taxes or (heartbreakingly) the children were born disabled. The quality of care in state-run institutions was also enormously variable, sometimes appallingly so. I supported her organisation and got their newsletters for a few years but then drifted out of touch.

Yet when I came across this book I immediately wanted to see if it would answer two things: how did the Communist PRC come to allow a partnership with an openly Christian organisations to run orphanages? And where did that whole story go, in terms of the way in which China cared for this generation of extremely vulnerable children?

The good news of the book is that there has been a happy ending - a country-wide step change in care through the introduction of family based foster care and adoption based on western models but adapted to modern Chinese culture. Although there were many well-intentioned westerners trying to help run better institutions, the really big story is how China learned how to get over a million children out of institutions entirely. Glover tells the story of how this came about, and his pivotal role in developing both the initial pilot programme and then the nationwide rollout.

The form of the book is typical of Christian missionary biographies. Glover is open about his faith and sees his work in fostering as God's work in which he was merely called to do a part. He is self-deprecating about himself and gives God the glory overall, but unlike many books in this genre he is very positive about the State officials he worked with. It's clear that this work was accomplished in partnership with the Chinese state and UK DFID aid money, rather than in spite of it, and he wants credit and honour from his memoir to reflect well on them too. Yet it's also clear how often it was Christians within China who played critical roles in making things happen, and the central importance of the Christian understanding of God as a father who adopts us as his children in his drive to see all children in a family that loves them. Inspiring and highly recommended.

[Shannon H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and challenging. I found myself thinking, “many of us could not have this kind of impact on so many children, but we certainly could each care for one or two.” Realizing this story is about the obedience of one man and his family, that led many thousands into doing just that - caring for one or two. Together, that added up. May we see such compassion and generosity here in my town!

[Seth Hein · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this was the right book at the right time. I appreciate Robert’s honesty and openness. And his faith and care for children and the poor was challenging and inspiring. Excellent excellent read!

[Ming Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, well worth the read, very moving and inspiring book.

If God wants to use us he will.

Pray who felt called to go to other nations

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18 NIV

[Anna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book was wonderful. Challenging, life-affirming and moving. The author is someone I have come across over the years (and indeed two of my relatives are fairly significant figures in this story) but I had not realised the enormity of the impact that the Glovers have made on the children of China.

Well worth a read. A timely reminder that one individual can make a difference to so many others.

[Gemma Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank God for you and your family, Robert

I'm so grateful to God for using you as his vessel to drastically change the lives of so many children for the better. Thank you for being the right man, the right family, for your faith and the leaps you have taken in faith, and for sharing your powerful, faith-affirming testimony with us.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome and inspiring book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully inspiring book!

[Ryan Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspirational life and book

Amazing story of hope, change, and the favor of God upon a man who decided to risk it all to obey the word God had over his life.

[Robin Hersma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of following God and living generously

[Anne Haack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I welled up with tears many times during this powerful and well written book.

[Liz Weaver]

Did not finish