Caring for ‘the least of these’
Tony Nolan, dedicated advocate of Holt International’s work, recently traveled to China with his wife, Tammy, to receive the newest member of their family, Joy. On this trip, the Nolan’s visited a Holt –supported foster family in Nanchang and Holt’s baby care unit, and learned of the great need that still exists for these children to continue to receive quality care.
by Tony Nolan
In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis talks about the law of human nature. When you see someone in great need, there’s something in you that no matter who you are instinctively wants to engage and help that person. When my family and I traveled to China to receive our daughter, Fei Fei “Joy” Nolan, and visited Holt’s foster care programs and baby care unit, I felt like we were in the zenith of one of those moments, viewing the loving care provided to the desperate and helpless children.
The children we saw in Holt’s foster care programs are completely dependent on their foster family. As I witnessed the love that Mrs. Lee, one of the devoted foster mothers, showed to her foster babies, I thought about how God has a great love for children in need that had him say: ‘Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress.”
I stood in the Lee family’s small, humble home and witnessed people caring for ‘the least of these’, giving two precious children a home, a family and a chance. To look into the eyes of Mrs. Lee and to see the love she had for these babies is a powerful testimony of the mission of Holt.
Without foster parents like the Lees, and without funds provided by the Holt Child Sponsorship program, these children don’t stand a chance. Giving is so important in the lives of children in Holt’s care, it allows foster parents and caretakers to take such good care of them…it truly is something to celebrate.
On our trip, my family, and I also visited Holt’s baby care unit at the Nanchang Orphanage. These abandoned and vulnerable babies are wrapped up and taken into Holt’s care, which fosters healthcare, nutrition and so much more. A lot of the babies have cleft lips and it takes the caregivers twice as long to feed them, but they always care for them with patience and love.
At one point, one of the caregivers picked up a tiny baby and brought him over to me. I put my finger up and the baby grabbed onto it tightly. I bent down and told him: “You have to let me go, because I need to go back home and tell people to help you and tell people to Sponsor.”
That little baby wouldn’t let go of my finger. He just wouldn’t get go. I can’t really put into words what I felt as that little baby
held onto me. It was as if he knew that we were going to help him…he knew he was in a moment of love.
The caregivers and foster families are providing tremendous care to children in Holt’s care, but they can’t do it on their own. We will do all that we can to help these children and to tell people to help.
We had an incredible time loving on the foster families and children in the homes and orphanage. We were moved to tears several times. I think we are still processing all that God allowed us to experience, and I know it will take months to sift through the emotion and impact of this journey. I am just overwhelmed with gratitude, with sadness, and with a fresh and deeper passion to help. We have tasted firsthand what “true and undefiled” religion looks and feels like in caring for the widows and orphans, and I don’t think any of us will ever be the same!
Sponsor a Child in Need Today!…click here to go to the photolisting
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