Blessed To Be A Blessing

Here’s an update from Kelli’s Team (Jimmy, Kristen, Conner and Rachel) with the Holloways! Feel free to leave notes of encouragement in the comments!

Greetings from China!  Yesterday, our group began the day with a devotional time from the Holloway family.  We got to hear the story of how their family was formed and how His hand has been evident in every step.  Every member of this precious family has made sacrifices to accomplish what they have been called to do, and they are an enormous blessing to our team.  They took us to the orphanage where one of their boys had lived so that we could take toys and gifts.  The children who lived there and the ladies who care for them were a blessing for us, however.  We were reminded of what is truly important: loving others as we have been called to do.  They seemed to understand this, as there was not a team member who left without being hugged and loved upon as well.  

That visit and our earlier devotion served as vivid and tangible reminders that we are to care for those without parents.  We can read the passage, but this was real.  After our visit, we went to the village home of a family friend.  There were two tables full of traditional Chinese foods, some of which were extremely unfamiliar.  The family was so generous and welcoming, even though we could only communicate with our smiles and the occasional nearby translator.  After lunch, we walked into town where the local people would stare, because they are not used to seeing westerners.  The day was long and our group slept well.  We woke up and celebrated Father’s Day by making a western breakfast for the two dads here, which was more of a blessing than we could have planned.  We look forward to everything the Father has planned for the rest of our trip and appreciate the prayers and support of our family and friends.