After knowing our friend Katie for eight years through Show Hope, it was a "check off the bucket list" for us to be in China together! Great to spend time with this dear friend and mentor to us girls. She lovingly works with the children and staff at the care centers sharing ways for better attachment for children.
One opportunity I had to help those at Maria's was given to me by Nate Renich, one of their hardworking staff. He asked me to paint a mural on a wall in their fellowship room. This wall had their projection screen and he wanted to spice it up with some trees. I gladly accepted his request and began brainstorming ideas. Soon, I was busy sketching out the trees on the wall, imagination flying. After getting Nate's ok, I began to paint the trees with the wonderful help of my mom. At first we struggled to find the correct color to match the other trees (there are not arts and crafts stores on every corner to buy supplies needed), but after a few minutes of googling and mixing, we finally created a mixture. A few hours later, after finishing the leaves and erasing pencil lines, we stood staring at the two trees we had just painted. They were positioned to look like they were holding up the projector screen and fit the forest mood of the room. Nate and the staff loved them and I was thankful for the opportunity.
We had a great time at Maria’s and are so glad we got to see our Family through Christ there! It's never easy to say "see you again" and head to the airport!
