Visiting sweet XiuLi

Our journey to XiuLi would turn out to be 7 hours in a van. The kids did sooooo well, better than the adults I think!

When we arrived, we found a celebration! It seemed fitting for being reunited with XiuLi.



XiuLi was waiting for us with her friend, also from the same town where her orphanage was. Her friend has been a huge support for her, and we were so glad they are together.



XiuLi told us that she and her friend stay together all of the time. They live and work together. They are both working in a restaurant now.

The first thing XiuLi said to me before I could even give her a hug was "I love you" in English. We told her how much we, and so many others, love her. How she is thought of, and prayed for every day. She smiled.



She liked seeing the kids, and I thought of how many kids she must have played with from her orphanage before running away...



She assured us she is doing ok.







We gave her some gifts prepared from friends, and asked her to come with us to our next destination. She thought about it, but in the end decided to stay where she was for work. The sparkle was never gone from her eyes, as I feared it might be.





We asked her if she needed anything. Her response was "pray for me". So, please keep sweet XiuLi in your prayers. This is her wish at 16 years old.



Our hope is that she will know some hope, some peace, and the love of so many who have come to know her story.