Love Story {House of Love in Guilin, China}

"I'm only one. 

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to

do the something that I can do."

~ Edward Everett Hale

"Let go of your ambitions, 

Come, let's change the world." 

 ~ Saint Frances Xavier

Can you fall in love with a person through a photo?

It was a year ago exactly that I was asked to be a photo editor for An Orphan's Wish.

Every month a pool of new photos come in from China that I choose from to post on the home page,and other areas of the web site.
 It took me a few months to put 50 children's names to faces, but

with time it was easy to see each child's individual personality shine through very clearly. In the last year

 I've grown to love these children...each and every one.

Last week I was blessed to travel to Guilin, Guangxi, China with An Orphan's Wish U.S. director, Lee Ann Mill. We spent the week getting to know
 the 52 children that reside at the House of Love.

 I saw that they really are one big family of brothers and sisters of all ages. 

They play, laugh, have fun, help one other, learn, sometimes argue (and forgive), and

they absolutely adore each other.

 I learned that each child's story of how they came to live
 at the House of Love was compelling

and one of survival, bravery and eventually healing of both their physical body and soul. 

They are loved deeply and are learning to love.

I think the surprising part (for me) was that I came to capture them with my camera and now they've captured my heart. 
They've given me a gift that is profound and life changing, 

and for that I'll be forever grateful.

I invite you to gaze at their faces and open your heart to your own love story 

with each of these amazingly beautiful children.

www.anorphanswish.org

Thank you to Brian, Kirsten, Gabi and Lily Trower for all that you do!

I'll continue to post from time to time about the House of Love.