Now that I’ve reached a certain age, it seems like policemen look ever younger and time flies by at great speed. I can hardly believe it’s ten years since ICC opened Oasis House in Changsha. Yet the calendar confirms that it’s true. Things have changed so much since the first group of disabled children came into our care – now we have community group homes in four locations around Changsha city, as well as our project in Heng Yang. We run a foster care programme, a training and education department, and a sheltered workshop.
If you read this blog regularly you’ll know we like to mark significant steps in our journey, so throughout 2007 we’ll be celebrating our Tenth Anniversary. We began in January with parties in all our homes, where everyone performed songs, skits and dances. One of our Chinese managers has been with ICC since the early days. She gave a heartfelt speech during the celebrations:
‘We are a family, whether we are carers, therapists, nurses, children or volunteers, and we remember each other. We remember all who have been a part of this family over the years; all the workers, all the volunteers and we remember all the children we have loved - not just the ones who are here but also the ones who are in foster families.”
These past ten years, we have seen many people play a part in this work and our manager has seen most of them come and go. I can imagine the journey she has seen the children and young adults make as she’s watched their lives change before her eyes. From a place of desperate need she has seen them become happy, joyful people with hope for the future.
It’s encouraging to look back and see how far we’ve travelled and exciting to contemplate what is yet to be. God has blessed, guided and provided for all our needs, not least the many people who have partnered with us. Thanks for reading the blog, for your support, and for your companionship on our ten year journey.
Let’s celebrate!
If you read this blog regularly you’ll know we like to mark significant steps in our journey, so throughout 2007 we’ll be celebrating our Tenth Anniversary. We began in January with parties in all our homes, where everyone performed songs, skits and dances. One of our Chinese managers has been with ICC since the early days. She gave a heartfelt speech during the celebrations:
‘We are a family, whether we are carers, therapists, nurses, children or volunteers, and we remember each other. We remember all who have been a part of this family over the years; all the workers, all the volunteers and we remember all the children we have loved - not just the ones who are here but also the ones who are in foster families.”
These past ten years, we have seen many people play a part in this work and our manager has seen most of them come and go. I can imagine the journey she has seen the children and young adults make as she’s watched their lives change before her eyes. From a place of desperate need she has seen them become happy, joyful people with hope for the future.
It’s encouraging to look back and see how far we’ve travelled and exciting to contemplate what is yet to be. God has blessed, guided and provided for all our needs, not least the many people who have partnered with us. Thanks for reading the blog, for your support, and for your companionship on our ten year journey.
Let’s celebrate!
1 comment:
I found an article about your organization in my church bulletin (in the United States). What a great thing you are doing there. My heart goes out to you and I have put you on my prayer list.
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