Jumping out of my SKIN excited!

This past summer took me all over China. You may wonder why I chose such a destination, as certain parts of the country are known as "the furnace" for the intense heat and humidity that time of year. But it wasn't an oversight - I actually did intend to spend three months on one of the hottest places on the planet.

Over the years I've taken jet planes to one of my favorite places on earth, and I've been blessed to get to know some of the fantastic youth at the Nanchang SOS Orphanage.

I've had a dream since the beginning of 2010 to spend time showing some of the kids the ropes of photography. They seemed to really take to the hobby when I was with them, so a desire grew to really work with them on it.

This summer my first class consisted of the following wonderful girls:

Kate, Yang Li Ping, 22
Jade, Ling Hui, 16
Sarah, Zhan Xiao Fen, 14
Cherry, Zhou Qin, 14
Shelly, Yang Zhen Ping, 14
Claire, Zhan Xiao Qing, 10

Together, along with my good friend Rose and our Chinese friends Lucia, Echo, Joyce, and Vanka and Chinese photographer "Laoshi Zhang" - we created a bubbly entourage that traipsed all around Nanchang with cameras.

Each day the girls and I would talk about some technicalities of working with cameras, then we would review their photos from the previous day. It was the coolest things to see the girls gathered around my laptop, encouraging each other on their work.





Then, the kids would be out of their minds happy to grab a taxi or bus to a destination for the day. Even the rain couldn't stop us. And the girls excelled in their photography.

Upon leaving, I presented them with a CD of all their photos and an album of their favorite images.

They have given their permission that I share their work with you. I hope you are inspired as you see the world through Chinese Orphan's eyes...

A selection of their photography can be viewed and purchased here: My Zenfolio
All proceeds go towards funding next year's class.

Greeting cards will be available soon! Please pass the word about the girl's work - I'm so very proud of them!

~Kristen Chase

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.