Not just another summer. This past July, my husband and I returned to China to be part of of the Bring Me Hope Camp in Xian for Chinese orphans. This was our 2nd BMH camp in Xian. And, knowing what we were getting into, we were both very excited to spend 5 days with children who would no doubt change us as we served them.

I was blessed to actually go to the orphanage to collect the orphans and bring them to our campsite. And, the first child I saw was a little boy I remembered from the year before, a little boy who had been buddied with my friend. His little face just beamed when he saw me. Twelve months later, he clearly knew me. And, as happy as I was to see him, I was hoping I would not. I was hoping he wouldn’t still be there.

This year, he was my buddy. My little man “Daniel” has a smile that just seemed to go from ear to ear, and a personality to melt hearts.

At the young age of 8, he was able to entertain the entire camp with his incredible dance moves, putting the rest of us to shame (get a first-hand glimpse of the action here or here or here). When he wasn’t singing and dancing, we were playing badminton, blowing bubbles, and chasing each other around the campsite.

With an easygoing nature and an infectious laugh, I couldn’t get enough of how he would grab hold of my hand and try to drag me to where he wanted to play.

I hope I don’t see him again.

Because when I go back to Xi’an, I don’t want him to be there. I want him to be home with a family. He needs to be grabbing hold of the hands of his forever mum and dad and maybe dancing around with brothers and sisters.

Three years of waiting for a family to say yes is too long. His best friend will be joining his family soon. Daniel needs to too.

These words were written Carol Blanch (and edited by me for the purpose of advocating). Carol is a school teacher in Anna Bay, NSW, Australia. She and her husband Stephen volunteered with Bring Me Hope in China for the second time this past July. They have two grown, married daughters and are part of a vibrant church community. China and orphans have captured their hearts.