Just a quick update on Silas and his upcoming surgery. For a while we have been trying to get a hold of Stanford and the neurosurgeon who said he would do the surgery for Silas. We were growing a bit weary of not knowing what was going on or hearing back from them.

This Monday God sent us a little ray of sunshine. We were able to get in touch with the neurosurgeon and he assured us that he is still waiting to hear back from Stanford about funding the surgery for Silas. Then we were able to contact those who are making the decision. They said they will be working on an answer for us and will keep us updated daily. After a few months of phone tag and feeling “in the dark”, this news has really lifted our spirits! God is always at work and our faith is ever growing. Please join us in praying as they assured us a final decision about financing the surgery will come soon.

Dr Mindia also gave us some more details about the surgery that he is planning for Silas. It looks like the procedure he is planning on doing is only done in five medical facilities in the States and ten worldwide. We are working with a real expert! He thinks there is an outstanding chance of complete lesion resection and long term brain stem decompression, with reversal of neuralgic symptoms!

Thank you for continuing to pray with us. We will keep you updated on all He is doing!

A beautiful video made by Kristen Chase about the visit she and some of the other Xi’an staffers took to an orphanage this summer.

God’s Heart: Chinese Orphanage Visit

These 2nd and 3rd graders from a church in West Virginia raised enough money to send a Chinese orphan to camp this summer. We’re very proud of them for helping out at such a young age!  Because of them a child had the opportunity to come out of an orphanage and experience a week of fun and love in a Christian environment.  Thank you, little friends.  You inspire us!

Hello everyone; Lacey Scott here!  I wanted to quickly update you on the Bring Me Hope tour going on right now. My brother, Colin, and I have been on the road for two weeks, traveling from Oregon to New York, speaking at churches and hosting house parties.  There have been some wonderful reconnections with old “BMHers”, as well as new relationships formed with recent and prospective volunteers. Tour has reminded me again that people are our greatest asset and treasure! We’d love your prayers as we head into the final week of tour.  It’s a great honor and responsibility to be a voice for the children in China.  Thank you all for your support as we continue to spread the Bring Me Hope love!

Take a few minutes to watch Scout Bassett’s amazing story!   She started life as an orphan, abandoned outside of an orphanage in Nanjing.  There was no explanation for her missing lower right leg or the burns and scars on other areas of her body.  At age six, she was adopted by a loving family in the United States.  Since then she’s grown into a beautiful young lady and talented athlete.  Enjoy her story!

Challenged Athlete Profile – Scout Bassett

It’s been six weeks since the last Bring Me Hope camp ended in China.  As we all settle back into our normal routines, it can be easy to forget the little ones we’ve left behind.  That’s why it’s so inspiring to hear about volunteers who have decided to intentionally advocate for their children after camp.

Rob Malloy, a student from Ireland, was a volunteer at the Xi’an camp this year.  Since coming home in August, he has made it his goal to find a family for his buddy, Lei Xiao Feng (Jacob).  With the help of BMH staffer, Kristen Chase, he put together an article (featured here ), YouTube video, and an email asking if anyone would be willing to adopt Jacob.  The response has been incredible! We are confident Jacob will soon have a forever family.

Volunteers and BMH friends, would you take a moment to ask The Father what you can do to help the kids?  It may be writing them a letter, supporting their orphanage, finding an adoptive family, praying for them…  We trust He will show you the way if you ask.  Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for the children!  God does amazing work through His people!

Rob and Jacob

A HUGE thank you to all that made the 2011 Summer Camp possible.  Updates coming soon!

Brother and sister, Jessica (9) and Dylan (7) of Paoli, PA, donated handfuls of their sillybands to be taken over for the BMH campers in China this summer. They spent time drawing pictures and making cards for the kids after watching “Hannah’s Story”.

They had lots of questions about the children in China. They feel moved to help the orphans and let them know they’re being thought of in America.

It seems it’s never too early for kids to learn about helping others!

“It is not the physical pain that endangers orphans the most. It is the mental pain caused by stress from years and years of being neglected, pushed aside, disregarded, unloved, and made to feel undeserving, and in almost all cases, made to feel like a possession rather than an equal human being. Even more it is the lack of unconditional love, the right to be accepted, as a child and to be loved, as a child, no matter what you do is the most wounding.”
– Roger Dean Kiser

A saddening quotation, yet we are filled with hope that He will change and heal the lives of the Chinese orphans who come to camp, through volunteers who show His unconditional love. Love never fails!

Xiao Shan and his "brother", Josh Hood. Kunming 2010

Our little friend Lucy turned nine! She’s one of the Elim kids and a former BMH camper. Isn’t it great to see her face filled so with much joy?