CongCong is now in Heaven

Dear friends,
I wanted to let you know I received an email this weekend that CongCong is home now and healed of leukemia. He is now in the arms of his Father.

Thank you for hearing of a need and standing in the gap. You heard about an aged out orphan who was facing leukemia alone, with no mom to give him hugs or dad to pray for him and you became his support team/makeshift family.  
It has been beautiful to see the love God has designed over the past year and a half to be an extension of His Fatherly arms until now when He can take CongCong and give him a big hug, Himself.

People have gotten involved from Asia, Europe and all over the US lifting CongCong up in prayer. You have sent cards, family pictures, emails, and drawings. Some of you have even gone to visit him in Xi’an.

Also, a big thank you goes to Aaron, a brother who lives in China. He arranged a support group of university students he works with to encourage CC through the hard treatments of the past year and a half. In addition to being there for him, they pulled out all the stops and put together the Make A Wish type project last summer. Their intent was to make it some of the best days of CC’s life. The adventure was a success and had all of us watching, amazed at the opportunities God provided to put a huge smile on CC's face. CongCong loved cooking and God even brought along a European chef at one of the nicest hotels in Xi'an who got involved and donated cooking lessons, in the hotel kitchen.
Earlier in this week, before CongCong passed away, I received a photo of him and an email update of how he was doing.

In the picture he was lying in a bed, at that point he was still conscious and had an expression that spoke of his pain; yet all around him were the pictures and letters so many of you sent. They were propped up in the area near his bed and on a small table next to his bed. This love meant a lot to CongCong.

Thank you for seeing a need and being a family to CC. Thank you for praying for him and loving him.

CongCong's story shows us the unique need associated with aged out orphans. The tremendous need
for a family doesn’t stop just because an orphan is a certain age and must leave the orphanage. Kids don't suddenly grow out of being an orphan or out of needing a family.  
The heartbreaking reality is that there are many CongCongs out there in the world.
Youths who have aged out of the orphanage and suddenly face a world without the support of family and community. This situation is intensified when illness is involved.

How does one face leukemia on their own? Or, pay for living expenses when they are too sick to work?

That is what our CongCong was facing. So thank you again for your willingness to bring him before the Lord in prayer and uphold him with your expressions of love.