“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4

God is good! We can never say that too many times! How comforting to know that despite any troubles we face, as individuals and as a country, we can turn to God, trust in Him and know He is our eternal Rock!

I have recently returned from a trip to China in October. Although it was my third time to go over there, it was my first trip as Executive Director. It was an amazing trip. Everything went remarkably well. One concern was if I would be accepted as the new director, as change can sometimes be difficult. Praise God that there were no difficulties and I am pleased to report that everyone from the staff to the children and families and even the government officials were very accepting and loving and gracious toward me. The true importance of this is that everyone’s confidence in Threshold’s continuity remains. God is good! Amen and amen.

Liu, Hai Yan (our director in China) and I had a lot of work to accomplish in the 2 ½ weeks that I was there. We were able to get everything done on our list, plus some. Our hearts were at ease when it was time for me to come back to the states. We were able to visit and check on many families and children who are already in the program. We delivered goodie bags to them filled with shampoo, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste and new towels. We had a meeting with over 200 sponsored children at Hope House where we gave out new books to every sponsored child and orphan. The boys received basketballs and the girls received glittery hair accessories. It was such a fun day. We spent more than a few hours talking with our children, laughing, taking pictures and playing with the basketballs. Hope House Hall was filled with such joy and the beautiful noise of our kids playing together and visiting with each other. The older children love to practice their English on Americans and it is such a blessing to be able to have some form of conversation with them. I tried to practice my Chinese on them as well, however, their giggles let me know I still have some more practicing to do! I am working on that.

We visited nine new children to put on the waiting list for our program. There was hope in their eyes and on their faces when we would tell them that when we got back to the U.S. we would find them a sponsor so that they could continue in school, as well as receive clothing, food and other necessities. One mother covered her face and broke into tears as I talked with her daughter. Her husband had passed away and she struggles to take care of her daughter now. The tears were a release for her, to know that the burden may be lifted and that someone would share in her load and give her daughter hope for a bright future. God wants every child to be cared for in His world. We will continue to seek those who are in need.

I was able to visit Tian Lingling, our little girl who had heart surgery earlier this year. Her vibrancy was apparent and she was so excited to show me how healthy she is now that she did jumping jacks to prove it to me! God is good! It was the first time I had been to her home and as we drove up the steep, curvy narrow dirt road, I was in awe remembering that her mother would carry Lingling on her back up and down this road to the schoolhouse below. In our taxi bus it was a 15 minute drive from the school to their farm, high up in the mountains outside of Linjiang. That is how important education is to them. It is so precious because it is not free. They do not take it for granted and they will do everything they can to provide that for their children. It is a reminder for all of us, whether free or not, we need to not take anything for granted. God’s love and His grace and mercy are free. As Christians let us all continue to spread that, everywhere we go.

Sponsorship of needy children and Hope House remain our central and most critical focus, however we do have various other programs which are listed under our Gifts of Hope. We go where God leads us and if He shows us needs such as a child in need of surgery or another needing a home, we follow under His guidance. God leads us, however, without the funding we would not be able to make it happen. We are so grateful to every sponsor and to each of our donors who make it possible to do this work.

In His Service,

Erinn

Click on the photos below for a larger view.

		Erinn visited with sponsored children and brought bags filled with daily grooming necessities.
	Finishing up an interview with a child who was referred to our staff to be included in our Outreach Sponsorship Program
		Erinn visited with Tian, Ling Ling and her family. In early 2007 Ling Ling underwent open heart surgery to repair a defect she had since birth. She can now expect to live a long healthy life. Click here to read her story.