Update on Team Chaoyang

As many of your now our team of 19 people were planning our third trip with Visiting Orphans to the Chaoyang, China in the Liaoning province. Mark was leading the team to Chaoyang this year and I was so excited for him to finally meet "our kids." However, it seems the Lord had other plans. Due to the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) the province we were to visit has had 10 confirmed cases of the swine flu, supposedly brought back by students visiting the west, and the provincial government recommended closing the orphanage to outsiders. We were told that the orphanage director petitioned for permission on our behalf, but was turned down. This really came as a blow to me, as I always get my way and was quite sure the government would change their mind and let us in. Not so.

Fortunately another orphanage has opened up their doors to us. The Jiangxi province has not had any documented cases, plus it is a much poorer region, and so their restrictions are fewer. Mark and the team will be working in the HengFeng SWI (Social Welfare Institute). The team has never been to this part of China (well, half of them has never been to ANY part of China), so those that have traveled before are looking forward to seeing a new area. However they are not looking forward to the heat and humidity of the south at this time of the year. We are very thankful that doors opened up at such a short notice, as the situation could have been much worse. We are very disappointed that we won't be able to see the "Faces of Chaoyang," but know that God has great plans for us.

Please keep the team's travel in your prayers. There are many chances for complications to arise. The team will have their temperatures taken while still on the tarmac in Beijing. We have also had to change our trip itinerary to allow for extra "quarantine" days in Beijing, just in case. Usually we site see at the end, but it made sense to add it to the beginning as a precaution. Also, check back here daily, as Toni Crebbin will be sending me blog updates of the journey. She's been told however, that when the hotel in HengFeng has the air conditioning on, the Internet doesn't work. Gotta love China!

An Update...... THE TEAM OF 19 PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND SOUND IN THE HOTEL IN BEIJING. PRAISING GOD FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS!