He knows each one by name!

We are back from China, but still not "home". Home is where your heart is. For the third time in as many years, we have made it back safely, but not without disruption. That disruption is in our hearts and in our lives and for this control-freak, this disruption is welcome. I welcome the times that I am changed from the inside out. I welcome times that God breaks my heart so I can see a tiny glimpse of what He sees every day. I welcome this longing to not be the same when I return and to be able to know that He is not finished with me or with China.

I will post more about our trip later, but my emotions are still in another time zone. Today, I will only post these pictures. They, to me, represent China more than the Great Wall, more than the Ming Tombs, more than the Forbidden City. They are the reason I go to China.

You might see 77 little pictures, but I see Aubrey, Cristina, Gregg, Holly, Fred, Seth, Kathy, Josiah, Joy, Brent, Tristan, and others. They are not just pictures, they are real kids at Shepherd's Field Children's Village. SO real to me, in fact, that I know that,

• Robert, who we met in Fushun last year, now has use of his right arm instead of it being considered "clubbed" like his feet!
• Kennedy has a hard time holding up his head due to his hydrocephalus, but his mind is sharp and he loves to sing "Jesus Loves Me" over and over! He is also a big flirt!
• Jamison is a burn victim and lost his family during and because of the accident, but by the grace of God, his new adoptive father is a firefighter who loves him because of who he is, not what he looks like. He will soon be the big brother to three boys in the U.S.!
• Jacob-Jai has a clubbed foot, but doesn't let it slow him down. He runs, climbs, and plays like everyone else and is one of the sweetest kids I have ever met.
• Stacy, who is 19 and was also burned in an accident and abandoned afterwards, is so talented. She knits beautiful sweaters and baby outfits to sell at the store at PHF to help her be productive and learn money management skills. I am proud to own a sweater that she made and proud to know her!
• Rae Anne is considered special needs because she was a preemie, but is now 2 1/2 and perfect with a head full of hair, pouty lips, and a cute little mole below her right eye. She will always be in my heart!
• Grady walks with two crutches, but threw them down in the middle of singing "Jesus Loves Me" so he could do the motions to the line, "I am weak, but He is strong!" Amen, Grady! I pray that the family from America that has fallen in love with him will soon get to bring him home and see what an incredible kid he is!
• Wendy is in a wheelchair, but is fiercely independent. She is so beautiful and talented. She cross-stitches items for the store at PHF and can play the piano in an amazing way. She thinks that she cannot do anything and has low self-esteem, but has so much to offer the world. We saw a little break-through in her while we were there and God has now provided a great couple to help bring her out of her shell and realize her worth!
• Cody has never met a stranger and always have a smile on his face. He loves bubbles, balls, and being held. Is is easy to forget his Downs Syndrome when you see him being a mischievous boy who loves life!
• And Ling Ling, a 16 year old who has the mind of a child. She has a love for life and everything in it. She does not let the world bother her and has a joy in life that we should all strive to have!

These kids are not no-names half-way across the world. They are real and they have forever changed me. Before we left, we thought that this trip would be our last, but now we are not so sure. We see what PHF and these children are doing and we want to see how we can be a bigger part of it. Here is where it starts. We have sponsored two kids from here for the last two years, you can do the same. Believe me, this place is incredible and they need sponsors to help provide for these special kids who their society considers the least. Please visit their website and prayerful consider giving. Let these kids touch your heart and learn what they have to give. It could be the beginning of a disruption in your own life as well.