August 21, 2023
I know I am not alone in saying that the last few years have been anything but predictable. On March 9, 2020, Kristen and I left Hengyang, China for a two month visit to the US. We expected to watch Marissa walk across a stage with a college diploma and Kristen get her first look at several potential colleges. Of course, neither of those things happened, and two months turned into three and a half years of multiple moves through temporary housing before landing in long-term missionary housing last year. I was able to attend weekly Zoom meetings with our China team and send out the monthly sponsor reports on the children. Not a day went by that the young people that I worked with were not on my mind and in my heart. I spent much time reading and attending virtual classes and conferences to find new ways to meet their needs, always looking forward to when I could return and continue the work. All the while waiting and wondering when we could go home. We now know that answer...tonight we start the journey back, flying into Hong Kong and then taking the high speed train to Hengyang on Wednesday. At last. I will sleep in my own bed; Kristen will hug her stuff animals.
We don't really know what to expect except that things will be different. Shops that we frequented have moved, some have closed. Our apartment is the same, but our things have been moved around to accommodate another volunteer living there for several months. Some of our belongings have been donated or sold. The cupboards will be bare.
The one thing we did not expect was that just one month after China opened again in March, the central government would make the decision to close our program in Hengyang and return the care of the 160 children and young adults to the state welfare center. It has taken me four months to write those words here because... I.just.can't.
And now? What's next? I don't know. And if you know me even a little you probably know how hard those words are for me to say. I will be honest and say that right now I am just putting one foot in front of the other. Kristen and I are thrilled that we get to go home, even if it appears that it isn't really our home anymore. We will sort and pack and focus on making the most of each day visiting the people and places we have missed so much. I expect I will cry and maybe rant a bit at the unfairness of it all. And through it all I will hang on to hope. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God has a plan in this; that he is more than capable of bringing beauty from ashes. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will direct your paths. I Peter 3:5,6
The title of this website, Seek Ye First, has been a reminder through good times and hard times and especially as I set out on this crazy journey to bring life and hope to children and young people without families of their own that my job is to follow the Lord's leading and leave the rest to him. I appreciate your prayers and good thoughts as we travel and see where this next chapter leads.
Donna and Kristen
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
I know I am not alone in saying that the last few years have been anything but predictable. On March 9, 2020, Kristen and I left Hengyang, China for a two month visit to the US. We expected to watch Marissa walk across a stage with a college diploma and Kristen get her first look at several potential colleges. Of course, neither of those things happened, and two months turned into three and a half years of multiple moves through temporary housing before landing in long-term missionary housing last year. I was able to attend weekly Zoom meetings with our China team and send out the monthly sponsor reports on the children. Not a day went by that the young people that I worked with were not on my mind and in my heart. I spent much time reading and attending virtual classes and conferences to find new ways to meet their needs, always looking forward to when I could return and continue the work. All the while waiting and wondering when we could go home. We now know that answer...tonight we start the journey back, flying into Hong Kong and then taking the high speed train to Hengyang on Wednesday. At last. I will sleep in my own bed; Kristen will hug her stuff animals.
We don't really know what to expect except that things will be different. Shops that we frequented have moved, some have closed. Our apartment is the same, but our things have been moved around to accommodate another volunteer living there for several months. Some of our belongings have been donated or sold. The cupboards will be bare.
The one thing we did not expect was that just one month after China opened again in March, the central government would make the decision to close our program in Hengyang and return the care of the 160 children and young adults to the state welfare center. It has taken me four months to write those words here because... I.just.can't.
And now? What's next? I don't know. And if you know me even a little you probably know how hard those words are for me to say. I will be honest and say that right now I am just putting one foot in front of the other. Kristen and I are thrilled that we get to go home, even if it appears that it isn't really our home anymore. We will sort and pack and focus on making the most of each day visiting the people and places we have missed so much. I expect I will cry and maybe rant a bit at the unfairness of it all. And through it all I will hang on to hope. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God has a plan in this; that he is more than capable of bringing beauty from ashes. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will direct your paths. I Peter 3:5,6
The title of this website, Seek Ye First, has been a reminder through good times and hard times and especially as I set out on this crazy journey to bring life and hope to children and young people without families of their own that my job is to follow the Lord's leading and leave the rest to him. I appreciate your prayers and good thoughts as we travel and see where this next chapter leads.
Donna and Kristen
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33