I am walking through a personal desert right now. At times the dream of reaching out to orphans, all the way on the other side of the world, seems so far away from my everyday life. Many people before me have warned of a desert time. Even during this time I know that God is molding me, teaching me, training me. I just need to keep walking, one foot in front of the other, with my hand in His. When I meet others who are passionate about helping orphans I feel like a new breath of fresh, life-giving air has been breathed into me. I thank God for these fellow workers along the way. Thank you all for being a blessing.

Catherine

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong, be courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

I need to begin to not only understand, but truly believe, that I am not alone! Not only do I need to rely on my brothers and sisters [in Christ], but I also need to rely on the most important being of all, because He is with me wherever I go.

Looking up with great anticipation,
Daniel Lui

“Truly I say to you, Unless You turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.”

Kids have this childlike simplicity that many people lose as they get older. Pure, honest, beautiful children…thank you Jesus for your children.

Al

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Being here, I realize how I have taken for granted the simplest of things. Clean shower and bathroom, not filled with spiders and cockroaches. Sleeping in a nice, comfortable bed without hearing flying roaches by my ear the entire night. Not having to pee in a hole. Being able to drink water straight from the tap! Being able to go to church and worshiping with lots of people. Air conditioning. Knowing I have friends and family that love me and care about me.

Looking up with great anticipation,
Dan

- Feeding off Alberta’s last post. I dislike golf. I really really dislike golf, especially with self-centered, money hungry, UN-genuine business types from Asia. However, I find myself at this ritzy, 5-star country club resort every time I visit HK where my dad is a member. His life is golf, so I drag my feet most of the time all the way there, to spend quality time with him. There was no difference this time around, as I dreaded going there for a night and playing two rounds of golf, meeting jerks at the driving range, eating sit-down meals with people I don’t respect, etc…but I was SO pleasantly surprised! God is awesome. During my first morning there, I played golf with a 26 year old kid, who’s sister is married to the man that owns the entire country club and resort…another one of those Asian billionaires with not much concern for others. This kid had to be a jerk, right? I was so wrong. Alberta and I definitely made a new friend. This was part of an email I just received from him. I’m smiling inside that God allowed me and gave me the privilege to be a small and tiny light in his life (note: we played some tennis after golf):

Very Nice to get to know you and your sister ALberta, you two are such great people, and doing such great and meaningful stuff at your age to help those poor kids, Meanwhile, i feel bit embarrassed since all i m thinking is to earn money to feed my self. Well, i read your website and it seems that i had another lesson of life again, which is good..lol. By the way, it was great to play tennis with you people, i enjoyed alot, but it would hav been much better if we had more time to play together, i guess i am addicted already by just a short practise with you people. Any way, i m sure we ll meet on the court again, hopefully by the time you ll see a different tennis player, haha..

- We are leaving for Yu-Lin, China later this morning. Not looking forward to the 8 hour drive. My body feels exhausted after arriving in HK 3.5 days ago, traveling to China a day later, playing golf and tennis, going back to HK that next day, and leaving again for China less than 24 hrs after; however, my spirit is excited and full of energy! I pray God continues to surprise me on this trip in glorious ways. I can’t wait to see the kids and staff of the orphanage. Thank you to EVERYONE who has partnered with us, because without you none of this could happen so smoothly.

Always looking up with great anticipation,
Dan

This verse has been on my heart:

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

-Al

Just arrived in HK.

Looking up with great anticipation,
Dan

PS. Thank you to all those that donated to GivingBackLife (financially, physically, and spiritually) right up to when we left yesterday. You guys mean the world to us! Your outpouring of love and support touches us dearly!

Looking up,
Dan