wow, a night of great fellowship with the kids – awesome games and amazingggggg fireworks! we’re all walking zombies right now; however, even with the lack of sleep we are counting every single one of our blessings and appreciation each moment we have spent here in Yu-lin.

i’m sure more blogs to come, but we are about to eat breakfast with the kids and heading out of Yu-lin. can’t wait for my next trip back!

looking up with great anticipation,
brother dan

3.5 years is the plan for [at least] me to be in this country…but I can’t wait!!! the big man upstairs is calling me here and i feel like THIS is home for me. alberta and i both can’t see ourselves going back to the states; however, we know “gods timing” is important…and i need to be patient.

here is a picture of the youngest orphan, along with her big brothers and sisters in the background:

looking up with GREAT anticipation,
brother dan

Today we drove 2.5hr to the city of Nanning where we visited another organization’s headquarters. This organization works with local orphanages to place infants into foster homes to help them with their social development prior to adoption. It was a wonderful time of sharing and encouragement with like-minded brothers and sisters. We met an 11 yr old little boy who is blind, has Attachment Disorder, and various behavioral disorders. He has been kicked out of numerous foster homes, bounced around orphanages, expelled from a school for the blind, and suffered more abuse and neglect than any human being…no, than even any creature…should ever have to endure. My heart broke when I heard his story and saw his smile. If all my life’s work can help even just one precious child, it will have been worth it.

The long car ride showed us many small dilapidated villages nestled in the lush mountainside. In the distance was a beautiful backdrop of stark mountains laced with mist. As my eyes and heart took it all in, I found myself asking Father, “Is this village where we should start? How about this one? This one? OH! How about that one?” I am so eager to advance our vision of building an orphanage and medical clinic in rural China! Patience has never been my forte. I am learning how to wait upon Him. I am learning to enjoy the journey.

The book, The Shack, has been a tool for us in various ways. All the members of the team recently read it. Dan was asked to tell the orphans a story last night. At a lost for appropriate stories, he suddenly thought of the one in The Shack about the Princess who sacrificed herself for the people she loved. He was able to share with the children about sacrificial love, atonement, and even a bit about the afterlife when they asked. How wonderful is that??

THANK YOU for lifting us up to Father. Amazing things are happening…can’t wait to share with you all more when we can!

Much love to everyone,
Catherine