Crazy Love

I am reading the book Crazy Love in a bible study right now, which inspires and challenges us each night in an intense way. (We all go home each night ready to change the world ;) So, this story particularly caught my eye--because it's a miracle. WOW! I just LOOOOOOVE IT!


This is taken from the Hollis' Blog

"Most of you know by now, our family decided three years ago to forgo giving presents to one another during the holidays. Instead, we reach out and raise money for orphan ministries.

We just finished going through the book, "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan with our kids and decided this year, we wanted to be CRAZY for Jesus! He is so crazy about us, we wanted to share His love with everyone throughout the year, but especially during November and December.

Lydia (They're 11 year old daughter) took "CRAZY" to a whole new level, however, when she approached me (while her dad was on a mission trip in Africa) and asked if she raised $20,000.00 before Thanksgiving, could we adopt a little orphan girl, Darya, who has Down Syndrome in Eastern Europe. (A friend of ours adopted a little boy from the same orphanage and reported that Darya gets no attention at all....no one speaks to her or holds her.)

THAT WAS 8 DAYS AGO! Being a sensible 41 year old, I told Lydia she would never be able to raise $20,000.00 in 8 days.....she is only eleven. She didn't hear me. Instead, she asked again, "But if I do raise the money, will you adopt her?" I responded yes, if she raised that much money in 8 days, we would know God is in it and would travel to adopt Darya!

Tonight, I would like to report that Miss Lydia has raised $26,550.00 and the donations are still coming in. It just so happens, we have good friends who have been planning to adopt a little one with Down Syndrome through Reece's Rainbow, but lack of funds has delayed them. Not anymore, everything above $20,000.00 goes to them.

So, friends, you have been a part of a double Thanksgiving Miracle. Not only will Darya have a home ....but through your gifts, another little angel will be given hope for a family tomorrow too! God is so great, isn't He?

Lydia will be on the local Fox Morning Show tomorrow at 6:45am. I will try my very best to post it to the blog, because I know so many want to see it."

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!" Phil. 4:4



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Hug your kids tight because they are not sitting in an orphanage where no one hugs or loves them. God had other plans for little Darya, and had a family in mind for her, all it took was a brave 11 year old who had the courage to listen to God and not be discouraged by "impossibilities," but to live out the same crazy love God has for us.

The additional money is going to another family who is adopting another baby from eastern Europe, but who hadn't been able to make the funds necessary. Two babies coming home!