Beauty From Ashes

A little over two years ago my best friend was killed in a car accident.  She loved Jesus and that love poured out to those those around her.  My dear friend Andra started the ministry Leigh's Blankies to honor Leigh Ann.  Andra wanted to share the comfort and security of a blankie with children while sharing God's love.  She wanted to honor Leigh Ann's life and keep her memory alive.  

I miss having her on this journey but it felt like we were taking a piece of her with us as we journeyed to Ellie.  We filled our suitcase with blankies. We prayed that God would provide hands and hearts for these blankies.

When Ellie was handed to us she was wrapped in a white bath towel that hand holes in it.  I knew that when we went to the orphanage I wanted to leave eight blankies for the babies left in Ellie's orphanage.  Eight babies that have all been matched with families and are waiting to be in their arms of their dad and mom.  I asked the orphanage director if she would wrap each of these babies in a Leigh's Blankie when they were placed in their dad and mom's arms. 

As we were driving back to Nanchang with broken hearts after our orphanage visit we had ten blankies  left in the trunk of our car.  We were about 30 miles from Nanchang when our driver drove down a narrow dirt road toward a little village. 

This is the first glance that I got of the village.  Within minutes of getting out of the car we heard a baby crying and my heart skipped a beat.  Our arms were full of blankies ready to be handed out. 

We approached the mom with the crying baby and offered her a blankie. She was very hesitant and didn't want to take it.  Often when they are offered something they know the person expects something in return.  

Our guide Mary assured her we didn't want anything, it was a gift. 

We then walked to a group of women and offered this mom and blankie for her son.  

When they realized that we were giving these as gifts with no strings attached an old women began taking us through the village. 

She began taking us to the homes of moms with babies. 

We began placing blankies in the hands of moms.

This is what a typical home looks like, so hard for us to fathom.  A room with just a table, shoes and a jug of hot water 

There were sweet little ones roaming the village with their moms no where in sight.

Mary kept asking this little girl where her mama was? 

Then she came walking down the street and accepted the blankie with open arms. 

Look at that face, beauty from ashes! 

The amount of trash everywhere in the village was unbelievable. 

The moms continued to accept them with open arms. 

We saw women out washing ...

and vegetables hanging. 

There were children walking to school and I am pretty sure they had never seen an 

American before. 

We had walked through the whole village and handed out blankies to all the moms we could find. 

Their smiles were priceless and a huge gift at the end of our heartbreaking day. 

As we went back to the car we had one blankie left.  There was a mom walking down the dirt road toward us so we walked up to her and offered her the blankie.  She didn't even look at us and kept walking.  Mary said she probably thought we wanted to something in return.  

As we got in the car and began driving away we saw this mom in the field with her two children.  

The car stopped and I walked out and handed her the last blankie. What a gift! 

Beauty from Ashes

Tears like waves come pounding against the shore of my heart-

Strong and fierce, they threaten to sweep me under.  

Yet, as the currents wash over me, stillness calms my soul, 

And I hear Your gentle voice calling through the crashing thunder. 

Day after day, stormy seas batter with their endless fury - 

So sudden, so final, the unrelenting, all-consuming grasp of death.

About to drown, I catch a glimpse of sunlight through the clouds, 

And Your hand reaches me as, once again, I catch my breath.

As days turn to weeks, then to months, and finally years-

Ceaselessly the waves keep coursing steady to the shore. 

Still, wet and salty, though now dancing with shimmering light, 

Reflecting beauty, carrying comfort from memories of before.

I welcome them now, for they are precious, they are sweet-

They bring hope built on love and joy borne and sorrow, 

Reminding me who awaits in a future not so very far away, 

When the stain of tears will forever cease in our eternal tomorrow. 

I'm learning to embrace all You give, even when it's taken away - 

Discovering grace in sovereign love, when You plan deals me pain.

For beauty does come from ashes, and morning dawns form the night, 

And in the end life's fullness yet unknown shall unite us once again.

Mary Fairchild

"And provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."

Isaiah 61:3

 Speaking of beauty from ashes ... I can't wait to share with you how Ellie is progressing.  We have been overwhelmed with the people covering us and our sweet girl in prayer.  Your prayers are being felt and heard. We know God is giving us and little Ellie strength daily.

Seriously have you seen a cuter little angel! 

It is time for bed in Nanchang, China but don't worry ... next post is all about our little princess and the progress she is making!