More News From China

New picture of Moses - getting his eyes checked.

There are more pictures on the Picasa website and a new blog/journal from the orphanage.

Links are listed in the margin. Isn't he just precious?

There's No Place Like Home

We are safe and sound back in the States. I truly
love this country and probably appreciate it much more now - don't get me wrong, China was unbelievable...the people, the food, the culture, the architecture, the history, the scenery...I could go on and on - it was amazing. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, we came into contact with was very friendly and full of smiles - I honestly hope our own people are just as nice to those visiting from other countries. I went over very apprehensive, not knowing what to expect, but it was incredibly pleasant and welcoming.

I woke up this afternoon, yeah you read right - this afternoon, and my thoughts immediately went to my team. I have woken up with them the past several mornings and spent nearly every waking hour with them for the last 10 days. They were great and there for me more than they know - they definitely saw my vulnerable side more often than I would like to admit. I pray a great bond has developed between each one of us - we always have China. Thanks to them and many blessings - I believe each one of us brought something unique to this trip - I was probably there to remind them of their mortality and they were there to continually remind me of my immortality in Christ.

My next thoughts quickly went to the children and what time it was there - what are they doing now? At that time, they should've all been sleeping - but I thought about their schedules...I could hear their little voices and see them saying "Mamma", trying to get their nanny's attention. Of course, I was wondering about Moses and how he was doing and what he was doing. Wow - they were incredible kids and what an incredible place. Please pray for each one of these little ones and all of the staff - they need continued support and great families, full of love, for them to be a part of .

Thanks again to everyone for the prayers and encouraging emails and comments. You were there with us and we tried to make you part as much as we could. God bless you every one.

Yum-Yum!!

We had a great time today with the kids - several pictures on the team blog. We had a ring toss game for them and they loved it. We decorated visors and passed out smiley face necklaces but the highlight for them was lunch...McDonald's. We were talking amongst ourselves that we had never seen that many hamburgers disappear so fast. My little guy, Moses, is deaf (possibly) and would take a bite of his sandwich and then rub his tummy for "yum-yum". They have of course had McDonalds before but they don't get it very often at all so it is quite a treat.

Later in the afternoon, after we had gone to Wal-Mart - yep, I can't even get away from it here - Wendy had bought some cookies for the kiddos, so while her and Karen took those around, Misty and I spent some time in the clinic with Dr. Moody doing some cleaning. It was great talking with her - she has such a faithful heart and genuine concern for the children here. Just in case there is some confusion, both Mr. & Mrs. Moody are doctors...it was Mrs. Moody we worked with this afternoon. She is quite funny and has a different accent so it is really neat to talk with her.

Well, tomorrow is our last full day here - I am sure it will be quite bittersweet - our conversations have really been about 'what's next?' - not just for us but for you also - it is something to think about - I know it has me thinking - I mean what was all of this for? And what am I to do with what I have been given?

"To whom much is given, much is required" (Luke 12:48)

Hmmmmmmm.

Thank You...Thank You...Thank You

I have received several encouraging emails which have helped a lot knowing you are praying for us and for everyone and everything that is involved here - it really is an incredible task; overwhelming actually. I feel much better emotionally today so thank you very, very much.

Today was a touring day and there is a lot more info regarding that on our team blog. Also be sure to check out one of our other team members blogs, The Love of Family (a link is in the margin). She is updating and uploading pictures also.

We were gone all day so did not get to spend hardly any time with the children - I found myself missing them, especially Moses, but we have a great day planned with them tomorrow. Story time is going well, they already know some of our typical children songs, and a few know sign language and sign while they sing. We start our day with singing and story time then move on to crafts and games. In addition to that, tomorrow we are having a McDonald's party for lunch - they are going to love that.

Wendy mentioned on our team blog just how precious it is to see them excited to see us. It really is heart-tugging. They spot us and start pulling on their nannies and pointing to us. When we get closer, they run to us and just want to be loved on and played with. They are amazingly well behaved, sitting very calmly and listening intently during story time and minding their nannies, doing exactly as they are told immediately. We were talking about the simple things that catch their attention - they don't have nearly the high tech gadgets that entertain our children back home - they can occupy themselves with just about anything. One child in the group I team up with, was just tickled to pull grass, throw it in the air, and watch it fall to the ground - if it landed on me or one of the other children, she was even more enthralled. We played with bubbles one day and they had a blast chasing them and trying to pop them.

Well, again, thank you for the prayers - I made it on that silly air car up to the Great Wall - which I still can not believe I did; I almost didn't. I honestly kept my eyes closed the whole time - Ruth prayed over me, which was very much appreciated, and she video taped the incredible scenery for me since I couldn't see it (my eyes were seriously closed the whole time and I had no strength in my arms when we got off because I had clinched the bar so tightly all the way up). It was a breath taking view and just an incredible icon to view and take in.

That is all for now - keep the encouraging words and prayers coming.

Meet Moses

I have made several new little friends but one little guy, Moses (pictured), has really tugged at my heart and I think I have his also. He just lights up when I come around now and wants to sit on my lap the whole time - if he gets up for any period of time at all and another little one climbs up - he is very upset and trying to pull them off.

Today, we worked in the craft store - tracing and cutting out shapes. The orphanage has a craft store in which they make hand-made crafts to purchase as a fundraiser. (You can check out more on their website - a link is in the margin). We also helped clean the school - the older kids had gone on a field trip to the paralympic games. A couple of our ladies went on rounds with the doctor here and I think they are planning on going with him tomorrow to the hospital to check in on some little ones that are there from the orphanage.

Thanks to every one for the comments and emails - I am loving them and really look forward every evening to logging on and hearing from home.