A Precious Life Remembered
Enmeshing our lives with those of needy orphan children halfway across the world causes us to both "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). So, while we celebrate joyfully with precious ones like MengYan when they are adopted, we also mourn with our friend Mary Holland today in the loss of her special little friend in Ch1na, Florence. We had the privilege to meet this sweet, fragile little baby on our trip and were so heartbroken to hear that she had passed away today, yet are hopeful and trusting that she is now in the arms of Jesus, free from the suffering and struggles which marked her days here on earth. The time Florence had on earth was a miracle in itself, as she suffered from extreme failure to thrive syndrome and fought for her life everyday. She was around eight months old when we met her, but had the appearance of a severely malnourished little preemie. Yet with all these difficulties, she clearly demonstrated to us how each life that God creates is supremely valuable, no matter how long He ordains it to last. The precious gift of life was evident to us every time we held her tiny little body in our arms, watched her suck on her delicate fingers, or stroked the fuzzy little soft spot on her head. She was truly "fearfully and wonderfully" made, just like every human that God breathes life into. Florence moved so many people to tears and impacted the lives of many PHF staff members and visitors. She leaves a huge hole at Zachry House and in the hearts of many, so please pray that those she left behind would turn to the God of All Comfort in this time for their salvation and comfort. May Florence's legacy continue to lead people to value every precious gift of life as our Father does and inspire many to be the Hands and Feet of Christ to little ones like her no matter how He numbers their earthly days.
We love and miss you, precious Florence.
Enmeshing our lives with those of needy orphan children halfway across the world causes us to both "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). So, while we celebrate joyfully with precious ones like MengYan when they are adopted, we also mourn with our friend Mary Holland today in the loss of her special little friend in Ch1na, Florence. We had the privilege to meet this sweet, fragile little baby on our trip and were so heartbroken to hear that she had passed away today, yet are hopeful and trusting that she is now in the arms of Jesus, free from the suffering and struggles which marked her days here on earth. The time Florence had on earth was a miracle in itself, as she suffered from extreme failure to thrive syndrome and fought for her life everyday. She was around eight months old when we met her, but had the appearance of a severely malnourished little preemie. Yet with all these difficulties, she clearly demonstrated to us how each life that God creates is supremely valuable, no matter how long He ordains it to last. The precious gift of life was evident to us every time we held her tiny little body in our arms, watched her suck on her delicate fingers, or stroked the fuzzy little soft spot on her head. She was truly "fearfully and wonderfully" made, just like every human that God breathes life into. Florence moved so many people to tears and impacted the lives of many PHF staff members and visitors. She leaves a huge hole at Zachry House and in the hearts of many, so please pray that those she left behind would turn to the God of All Comfort in this time for their salvation and comfort. May Florence's legacy continue to lead people to value every precious gift of life as our Father does and inspire many to be the Hands and Feet of Christ to little ones like her no matter how He numbers their earthly days.
We love and miss you, precious Florence. 
1 comment:
What a tremendous impact beautiful baby girl Florence had on my baby girl Mary Holland this summer! We mourn with the staff and volunteers at SFCV and pray for healing hearts. We rejoice that Florence is whole again and 'safe in the arms of Jesus'! With our love from Memphis,
Julie Ann and Cannon Doan
(Parents of Mary Holland Doan
summer volunteer 2009)
Post a Comment