Goodbye for Now

I have joined the long defeat

That falling set in motion

All my strength and energy

Are raindrops in the ocean

I pray for an idea

And a way I cannot see

It's too heavy to carry

And impossible to leave

I can't just fight when I think I'll win

That's the end of all belief

And nothing has provoked it more

Than a possible defeat

We walk a while we sit and rest

We lay it on the altar

I won't pretend to know what's next

But what I have I've offered

Excerpted lyrics from “The Long Defeat”
Tell Me What You Know by Sara Groves

At 10:40 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2008, little Virginia passed away. The medical staff at Beijing Children’s Hospital fought long and hard for her precious life, but in the end, her organs began shutting down and there was nothing more they could do. We are comforted by the fact that she is safe in the arms of her Father now, and no longer knows any pain or sorrow.

We are grieving Virginia’s lost life; the unique promise and future that died with her. And as a staff we are tired; the battle – spiritually, physically, and emotionally – is difficult and painful, and sometimes it feels as if we don’t have the strength to go on. Taking Virginia’s case so quickly after Liu Yi’s death was a difficult decision for our staff. We knew how serious her condition was, and we knew she had a small chance to live. However, the reason we exist is to help children like her, and so she joined our family and her burden became our burden.

Through this journey, we are learning that what makes our work a beacon of light in this dark world is that we are choosing to defiantly live in hope when the darkness of despair, futility, and unbelief swirl around. We may not win all battles – in fact, this journey might be a long defeat – but we will offer all we have. And when we lose a battle, we will stop, rest, and grieve. But then we will get back up and fight again. For we know that our King is good and He is strong, and His is the only Kingdom worth fighting for.

And someday, His Kingdom will fully and finally come.