Living Life Abundantly

Nearly two years ago, I found myself sitting NEXT to the swimming pool during a treacherously hot day in Nanchang. Two orphans and I watched people play in the water for hours. Sweat pouring down my face, I asked yet again if they were absolutely SURE they didn't want to take a dip.

They again replied no. I somewhat understood where they were coming from since I too had been a teenage girl embarrassed of being in a swimsuit in front of teenage boys. But still girls, I thought, the heat was awful.

So I devised a cunning plan.

I offered that the following day our trio stay back at the hotel do some "crafts" where it was nice and cool. How could they say no to that idea?! Yet they found a way...

"Kristen," one of the girls said to me, "We want to go to the pool because we have never ridden a public bus before. We don't mind getting hot, we just like to ride the bus to the pool and back to the hotel again."

At that I had nothing else to say. So the next day the only alteration was a walk to get ice cream. Mostly we sat by the pool. Just so the girls could ride the bus.

John 10:10 Jesus says, "I have come so that you may have LIFE and have it ABUNDANTLY."

When I think of why I'm going to China this summer, and why I'm starting up The Invision Project, I think of John 10:10.

Abundant life is ultimately found in Christ Jesus. Yet I'm convinced that abundant life is also found in experiences like riding the public bus, eating ice cream, running in sprinklers, and learning photography.

Thanks to each of you who has sent in equipment for the kids to use this summer. I can't wait to show you what they come up with. Thanks for giving them life abundant...

~Kristen.