Let the Packing Begin!!

We had our last team meeting at the Li home. Jake made some delicious Chinese food and we thoroughly enjoyed it as we went over some last details. We divided most of our donations. WOW! What a generous group of people.

Blankets of Blessings!

Meet our angel Vi Debord! After we returned home last year, Vi heard us share about the precious children of Chaoyang. She said the Lord laid it on her heart to help them in some way. She called me last spring and offered to make 20 quilts for the babies of Chaoyang. With the help of her daughter and sister, here are the fruits of their labor. We love you ladies and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

3 Weeks and Counting!

In less than 3 weeks team Chaoyang will be heading to China! As we make the final preparations we’re asking that you join us in prayer that this mission trip will be all that the Lord desires. Here are a few of our requests.

• Team Unity
• Health and safety for the entire team.
• A willingness to let God be in charge.
• May our daily lives be a witness to all we encounter.
• Acceptance of us by the people of Chaoyang as well as the Chinese government.
• This trip changes lives as well as is life changing.
• May all we say and do bring honor to our Heavenly Father.
• May the children know we, as well as their Father in heaven love them.
• May we radiate the Father’s love.
• The cribs arrive in time for us to help assemble and distribute them.
• A nice rain so we could actually see the colors of the city (as well as breathe!) ☺
• Let us be an encouragement to the children and staff of Hope and Philip Hayden Foster Homes. Let our visit be
productive, helpful, and meaningful to them.
• May the Lord guide or every step so that whatever happens, we know we’re in HIS will.

Thank you for joining us in prayer as we become’s God’s hands and feet. You are loved and appreciated and we covet your prayers.

Blessings,

Visiting Orphans
Team Chaoyang 2008

China's Pain

If you've seen the grief and loss in the hundreds of pictures coming out of Sichuan such as "China's Pain" and this article, you're likely wondering what you can do to help. It appears that forces have mobilized, and we feel confident in recommending all of the following organizations. As always, Love Without Boundaries receives the highest praise possible for their efficiency as it relates to the donor's money and overhead costs (3% overhead, almost unheard of in charities, but it's because of their dedicated volunteers):



HOW YOU CAN HELP

Love Without Boundaries
Chinese Children Adoption International
Visiting Orphans

Most of the above organizations are working with orphanages, especially due to the fact that there will be many new orphans from this tragedy. Several SWIs are near the epicenter, and you can see a map of them here at Red Thread Maps.
Mercy Corps is already working in Wenchuan, and you can read more info here: Mercy Corps

Here is a blog by Melanie Zhang who is the Associate Director of Children's Hope International-China. She has set up a team of volunteers and is in Chengdu. Children's Hope Team

Many of you know that my Amy and I are headed back to China this summer for a mission trip to the Chaoyang orphanage. The orphanage has requested the donation of 20 cribs. As you can see by the photo, they are dire need of new cribs. Many of the kids did not even have mattresses in their cribs, or if they did, they had no sheets. Mind you the humidity there is quite high, so they would sweat like crazy on the mattresses. We were able to purchase air conditioners last year, so hopefully that has helped. Our mission team is looking for 20 sponsors for the cribs, or 40 1/2 sponsors. The cost of a single crib is $150 (or $75 for 1/2), and is tax deductible. Our plan is to have them delivered while we are there, so that we can set the cribs up, then take photos of the kids in their new cribs. We would bring back a picture for each sponsor so that he/she could see his/her donation in use, as well as have a photo of a child to pray for daily. Would you please consider this worthy cause? Please email if you have questions, or if this is something you are interested in, and I will tell you what steps to take next. Thank you for your consideration!

Change for Chaoyang