GO NEAR

You Did It!!!!!

2008-02-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

Love Without Boundaries won the Facebook Challenge!!!! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful organization. Now, in addition to the funds donated by folks like you, Facebook has awarded LWB $50,000 to help the precious orphans of China. $50,000!!! But it is so much more than money. It's lives that will be forever changed.

From Amy Eldridge of Love Without Boundaries:

Has everyone come down to earth yet? What an AMAZING final day of the Facebook contest. Did anyone else hit the “refresh” button every 2 seconds today?

My family was heading to Texas today, but there was no way we could pull away until the final tally was in. Our hearts were pounding as it came down to the last minutes and when it ended…there were screams of happiness and tears of joy, and such unbelievable gratitude for everyone who helped.

Tonight while we were at a rest stop in Antlers, Oklahoma (isn‘t that a great town name?)….the ending of “It’s a Wonderful Life” just washed over me. You know the scene…when George thinks he is going to jail and the police are there, but then his front door opens and the entire town has come to his home to donate all their dollars in order to help a friend. That is exactly what we saw in the last 24 hours for ten orphaned babies in China….the “whole town” coming out to tell them how important they are to this world. We were absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness of our friends.

Today I heard of a college student whose niece was adopted from China, going door to door in her dorm and convincing over 200 people to help our cause. I learned of an ICU night nurse who recruited hospital staff, of men who called meetings at work and then convinced their co-workers to join Facebook. I heard of sororities and fraternities signing up friends, of grandparents emailing everyone they knew, of moms driving to Starbucks to convince the people sipping coffee there that they needed to give. I had message after message from friends who said they had taken the day off of work so that they could man the phones for the kids and find new donors. And in our adoption community, truly the entire town was there helping today. Adoption agencies, bloggers, yahoogroups, and even other charities working with orphans…all sending notes and letters asking their supporters to donate today, because we all share the same belief that orphaned children matter. It was so humbling to watch it unfold. The last 24 hours have shown that we are ONE COMMUNITY, tied together with love for the children.

And so from all of us at LWB, to all of our friends who helped make this possible….THANK YOU so sincerely. We all know who the real winners were today…..the beautiful children who will now have a second chance at life. What a story they will someday be told, of how “the whole town” came out to change their futures. For us, the Facebook contest has ended, but for Cong, Ying, Shan, Yun, Yu, Xiang, Ya, Zi, Hua, Ling and more…..their story of HOPE has just begun.

Amy

Disastrous Weather Affects Orphans, Too

2008-02-01T22:44:00.000-08:00

The following comes from Half the Sky, an organization providing nurture and education for hundreds of Chinese orphans. Please take a minute to read this latest need, caused by the unexpected winter weather and donate if you are able.

February 1st, 2008
Welfare institutions in south and central China are having the hardest time dealing with the weather disaster. This part of the country is simply not equipped to deal with extreme cold or heavy snow and ice. The most common critical problems are power outages, lack of safe drinking and cooking water, lack of fuel, diapers and public transportation. In many places where buses have stopped running, our Half the Sky nannies have been walking hours (in one case, 4 hours) along icy roads to get to the children. As conditions worsen, our nannies and teachers are remaining at the institutions day and night. They have given up the idea of going home to their own families for the holidays. They need quilts. They need warm clothing. They need coal, water, disposable diapers and food. Here are the reports I have thus far, while in-flight. I will send more soon. Where you don’t see a report, either all is well or I don’t yet have information. I will tell you when we’ve heard from everyone. We’ve also given all the directors an emergency number to call when/if the situation changes.

Hunan Province – Chenzhou has had no electricity or water for six days. They are relying on coal for heat and cooking. The supermarkets and banks are closed. Staff is using personal money for baby food, diapers, coal and water. Costs are rising due to shortages. They have a natural well which, thankfully, is not frozen. Even the older children are helping to fetch water. They have perhaps six days of food remaining. The local government is overwhelmed by the disaster and is unable to help much.

Shaoyang has seen heavy snow every day for 20 days. There is sufficient water and, for the moment, there is power, so the children are warm. However, 5 of 6 power poles have been downed by weather. Only one stands and the institution fears it will fall as well, leaving them without electricity. Much of the rest of the city is already dark. Children and caregivers continue to work and play together. High school students are cramming for exams and trying to ignore the cold. Everyone prays that the power pole will continue to stand. Yueyang also has no electricity. The one functioning power generator is being used in the children’s dormitory. They are relying on coal heat but the price has tripled in recent days. They are running out of food and have applied to the local Bureau of Civil Affairs for funds to buy more. Our HTS nannies have been walking for hours to get to work, often slipping on the ice, “even though they try to be cautious.”

Xiangtan has had snow for the past 10 days. The main water pipe is “broken again.” There is no water for cooking right now but they do have electricity, coal and blankets. They are still able to buy food but prices have gone way up. Not all of the HTS nannies can get to work every day. They are keeping the programs going as well as they can and make sure that at least five nurturing nannies are there with the babies every day, along with the institution’s caregivers. Jiangsu Province – Changzhou has seen some heavy snows but the director reports that the children are fine. The director says that he’s doing his best to ensure that the children do not suffer. Public transportation is crippled by the snow and HTS nannies and teachers are waiting for hours to catch a bus for home or even walking home in the snowy dark.

Nanjing reports no problems at all despite the heavy snows. I tried to fly into Nanjing yesterday but it was not possible. Anhui Province -

Chuzhou has both water and power. Only public transportation has failed. HTS nannies and teachers are walking to work. They are leaving home extra early to be there for the children. Guangxi Province –

Guilin has two broken HTS heater/air conditioners in the Infant Nurture rooms and they’ve asked us to replace. The rooms are very, very cold. They ask for more soft matting for the floors and also snow boots for our HTS nannies who’ve been slipping and falling in the ice and snow as they come to work. They are so ill-equipped to handle severe weather. Jiangxi Province –

Fuzhou lost power for a few days but now it is back to normal. The snow stopped a couple of days ago but now is falling again. The directors and HTS staff have gathered all the children into one big room to keep them warm. They’ve bought New Years clothes for the children and will have a party no matter how bad the weather. This year, however, the foster parents will stay home to keep the children safe. The institution has enough food and water. They want us to focus on those in more serious trouble and ask us please not to worry. Jiujiang says they’ve never faced such bitter weather. They desperately need disposable diapers. Washable diapers cannot be dried. They need warm clothes, shoes, gloves hats quilts and warm mats for the floors. They need medicine for infant coughs and colds.

Hubei Province – Wuhan suffers heavy snows but they still have power. Heaters are working but there is no water for bathing. The local community has offered to take children in for the Chinese New Year and the institution feels this may be the best decision to keep them safe.

Huangshi reports that the freeze is so severe that all heater/air conditioners have stopped functioning. They need quilts and warm clothes for the children. They need disposable diapers. Several HTS nannies have fallen on the ice on their way to work and they need medicine to treat cuts and bruises. Gathering these reports together makes me think about how careful we have always been at Half the Sky to maintain our focus on nurture and education programs. Ours is not a medical or relief organization. There are many wonderful groups who do that work. Probably the primary reason we’ve been able to accomplish so much and reach so many children is because we’ve maintained our focus on our core mission — providing nurturing care for children who’ve lost their families..

But a moment like this really cannot be ignored. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in the US taught us that no matter how wealthy a country might be, its vulnerable citizens (old, poor, ill, and orphaned children) are the ones who suffer most when disaster strikes. Even as China seems to be entering the first world, a disaster like this is quite simply crippling. We know that orphaned children will be among those who suffer the damage most. I say this because I think we should break one of Half the Sky’s rules and, if there are sufficient funds raised in the Little Mouse Emergency Fund, we should offer relief (water, food, diapers, quilts, clothing) to any orphanage where children need help. Let’s see how this goes. If people are as generous as I think they might be, we will work with the provincial Bureaus of Civil Affairs in every hard-hit community, and offer assistance to all welfare institutions where there is need.

Please lend a hand, however you can. You can donate to the Little Mouse Emergency Fund by calling us in the US at +1-510-525-3377 or in Asia at +852- 2520-5266 or by clicking on “Donate Now” or download a form to mail or fax. Donations are tax-deductible in US, Canada and Hong Kong. Please forward this message and tell your friends and family. I will be back with an update very, very soon.

Urgent Plea - Change a Life for $10!

2008-01-31T21:10:00.000-08:00

Love Without Boundaries has been participating in the Facebook challenge for the past 49 days and the competition ends tomorrow at noon. The organization with the most unique donors of a minimum $10 donation by noon will win $50,000 for their charity!

LWB does amazing work in providing surgeries, nutrition, foster care, and education for China's orphans. I spoke of two volunteers I met while at Hope Healing Home in China on my other blog, GO NEAR. I've copied Amy Eldridge's post from Facebook, taking the liberty in this instant since the deadline is fast approaching. As of right now, LWB is just 47 donors behind, standing in second place.

My message is a bit long today but I hope you will read it to the end. We have just 24 hours left in the Giving Challenge contest on Facebook. 24 hours to try and stay in the lead. And we can’t do it without you.

As I type this, I am staring at the photos of 12 babies who are hurting because they were born with heart disease. Their eyes truly haunt me, first because they are orphaned and as a mother it is hard to accept that any child has to be sick without a mom or dad to comfort them….but second because I know that without surgery, the pictures I have of these children might be their last. Do you know how small a baby’s heart is? And how fragile an orphan’s life is when that tiny heart has a defect? These pictures are of children who are blue, children who are tired, children who NEED OUR HELP.

I also have on my desk the photos of children whose hearts we have healed. They stare out at me with pink cheeks and smiles, and in many…with their new adoptive families. THIS is what it is all about. Saving lives, giving a second chance, and allowing a child to find their family and know complete love.

In the next 24 hours we have a chance to give the GIFT OF LIFE to 10 more children in need. The charity with the most unique $10 donors at 12 noon PST on February 1st will win $50,000. Heart surgery in China averages just $5000 per child, so with that prize….ten children can have a second chance at life.

I am not going to ask you today to find 10 more donors, or even 5 more donors to help us. I am asking you to find just ONE person in your life that hasn’t donated and to ask that person to please help you save a life. For just $10. If all of us do this, we could have over a thousand new donors in just one day.

How often do we spend $10 on things that last just a moment?

$10 for two fancy coffees, $10 for a movie and popcorn, $10 for a dinner out. How about for today, for the next 24 hours, we all find $10 for something that will last a LIFETIME. $10 to save a baby’s life and allow a priceless child (who is orphaned and totally innocent) to get a second chance at finding a family to love them.

Find just one friend in the next 24 hours, and encourage them to join our cause and donate. $10 for the life of a child. Of all the money you have spent this week….this might be the most important.

Thank you EVERYONE for keeping LWB in the running for the top prize. We love our supporters and give thanks everyday for the amazing generosity, compassion, and kindness you show to those who live as orphans each and every day. We truly are a family, bound together by the belief that every child born on this earth matters.

Here’s the link! http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/51591 Let’s do it for the kids.

Amy

$50,000 could fund the heart surgeries of ten children. Ten lives changed forever. And for only $10.

Please help if you can.

Affluence or Influence?

2008-01-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

I'm a procrastinator. I put off the things I don't want to do. I even put off the things I do want to do. So I end up wasting more time than I've any right to.

The point of my intro? I had let my home disintegrate into a serious post-tornadic state between post-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping, illness, China, Iowa, and New Years. So my last free weekends before starting back at my other job were to be dedicated to serious, diehard cleaning. While it did get 98% done, there were a lot of prolonged breaks between toilet scrubbing and ceiling fan dusting.

Unfortunately, I have the propensity to get sucked into many types of reality shows, even though the people may aggravate me greatly or even disgust me. Common sense would say to change the channel or just turn the TV off entirely, but sometimes I just become so udderly shocked that people could live in such a manner that I just can't turn away. I sometimes excuse it as a lesson in psychology or sociology.

One show in particular disgusted me by the commercials alone. However, as is often the case, it came on after another show I had watched and I got sucked in before I could change the channel.

Perhaps you've heart of the new Lifetime show "Top This Party"? If not, the show follows a few top-notch party planners to the monetarily elite. One segment featured a successful real estate mogul who throws an annual Halloween bash for colleagues and friends. Her lavish California home was decorated with $20,000 worth of decorations. And this before she even found the event planner. I believe she budgeted $100-$150K for the actual event.

Another segment featured a 30 year old woman who had taken nearly a year off from the film company she and her husband own after the birth of their first child. She wanted an outrageous party as a sort of I'm-coming-back-to-the-working-world celebration. Her budget, you might ask? $250,000.

When I was a kid, I remember watching "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" with Robin Leach. And I think back then I was fascinated and astounded by the opulent houses and beautiful clothes and things these rich people had. A farm girl from rural Iowa couldn't imagine what it would be like to live like that. How amazing!

A couple decades later, I'm still amazed, yes. But in a more sad and sickened way.

As I watched these people spend a quarter of a million dollars on one night's entertainment, you can imagine where my mind went. How many orphans could that feed? How many surgeries would that fund? The one party alone would cover Hope Healing Home's operational costs for five months.

I do not understand the lifestyle of the rich and famous...or not-so-famous. I don't understand how another woman and her personal assistant spent $500,000 on jewelry when children around the world go to bed hungry. How people are living it up in L.A. or New York or Brentwood, TN while a parent on the other side of the world abandons their baby on the doorstep of an orphanage because they cannot afford to get the medical care needed for their child's heart disease or spina bifida or cleft palate.

Perhaps I'm not much better in my own way. I spent $25-$30 splurging on Starbucks during my December travels. A few more dollars and I could have sponsored a child for a month.

And what about non-profits? Perhaps someday I will see the necessity for it, but I continue to scratch my head as I see the pages of pictures of black-tie affairs listed in the society columns for one charity or another. There's backslapping done for the amount of money raised, but how much money was invested in throwing the event? While you may think it's all donated, I've seen firsthand that it does not all come for free.

And then there is the Church. Do we not in some small way play "Top This Party"? Beautifully engineered buildings and impeccably decorated interiors are designed to draw people in, but what's left to send out? We have our five- or six-figure sound systems, but they will not carry the message to the street, the country, or the world.

Rick Warren in his book The Purpose-Driven Church addresses the "importance" of the highest quality sound system your church can afford and the proper seat types and spacing for the optimum church experience. What about the underground churches in places like China? Is the Word less effective huddled in a neighbor's home or the back of a store cloaked in secrecy? I daresay it's much more effective there. We Americans require too much entertainment and comfort.

We need a black-tie event in order to pull out our checkbooks...where the evening attire costs more than our charitable donation.

We need a Sunday morning multimedia event to keep our attention...one that's scheduled so as not to conflict with the football game or our kids' soccer practice. We require a church that doesn't make us feel guilty for giving more for season tickets to the game than what we put in the offering plate.

Perhaps I sound very harsh to you, but I say nothing I have not first preached to myself.

Once again, I heard numerous times before I went to China and after "Oh, I couldn't do that. That would be too hard." It was. And it is.

Because now more than ever, I look at the "wants" and the frivolities of this country we live in and can not simply view them as "wants" or "needs." I think "how many orphans could that help?"

Does anyone really need a Jaguar or could they settle for a Toyota and help a child with HIV?

Do we need the biggest houses our budgets will allow or can we settle for what meets our needs and help build an orphanage?

Does our place of worship need to qualify for "Better Homes and Sanctuaries" or can we keep it simple, worship God, and give away as much as we can?

I do want some nice things in life. I'd love a nice house I can turn into a comfortable home, a big family, and the means to care for us all. But I also want to leave the world a better place. I want to know I did all I could to help as many children as I could with what I had.

I don't want affluence, I want influence. The influence to change at least one little corner of the world and how it goes near to the least of these.

Which would you choose?

Does Someone Make a Heart-Sized BandAid?

2008-01-12T22:53:00.000-08:00

I spent quite a bit of time uploading photos of my trip to Snapfish today so I can order prints before my account expires. Then tonight I ran to my local Hobby Lobby before my coupon expired so I could buy a few Chinese New Year decorations. I already have my table decked with red table cloth and a Chinese candle holder I found at HL last year.

So I wandered back to my blog awhile ago and started re-reading some of my posts, which brought the tears flowing freely and the ache growing stronger.

I have wanted a little girl for so long. It feels as if I've waited forever. But looking at the boys' pictures, and trying to remember the feeling of them fighting over who got to sit in the middle of my lap or hold my hand down the hall, well...I knew I could love a boy. In fact, I love two boys already. And the ache for them grows wider and deeper as I think of them left behind.

I don't understand why they have to wait there while there are so many families waiting. I don't get to make the rules.

What I do have the power to make is a difference.

If only knew what the next step should be...

Safe, Sound, & Sad in America

2007-12-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

I am safely home and should long have been in bed. I don't sleep well on planes, so was basically up for about 26 hours with maybe an hour or just over of dozing total. I fell asleep on the couch a bit earlier, and am anxious to get into my soft bed.

It was wonderful to talk to my parents and nephew on the phone again and to have Alex meet me at the airport. But I just do not feel right. And I'm not talking about jetlag or upset stomach. I think I have truly developed what Chip Ingram describes in his book Holy Ambition as a "dislocated heart." I feel like I just don't know where I belong.

I still think of what the time is in China and what the children are doing. Right now, they are getting up from their naps as I prepare to go to bed. If I could just hold them one more time...and another.

I said goodbye to Jennie first with a little doll/blanket I'd bought for her. She wasn't too interested, but the others were. I managed to get a "good morning" smile from the crazy-haired beauty.

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Then lastly, it was off to the Bouncing Bunnies room for the most dreaded farewell. I was pleased to see the boys playing with the animal pillows I'd given them earlier in the week. I now gave Justin the karate bear Alex & I had made for him.

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The Three Amigos

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Sweet little Jayne

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Anna

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I couldn't really communicate that I was leaving for good, but I think the ayis had seen me with my suitcases and said I was going bubbye. I gave Justin a kiss and hug and tried to get a kiss from him as I told him wo ai ni one last time. I heard his ayi repeat and tell him something else. His response was a hand over his lips, a big smack, and a big ol' kiss blown to me. Ever the showman...

So I left in the dark of the morning with visions of several footie-pajama clad toddlers burned into my brain and heart. Try as I might, I could not hold back all of the tears on the ride to the airport or on the plane.

I'm back in the USA with all of my bags and souvenirs, but without a piece of my heart.

It is firmly entwined in a number of young lives outside a tiny village just northeast of Beijing, China...

...firmly embedded in a place called Hope.

Last Post from China

2007-12-15T04:36:00.000-08:00

I was very disappointed that I didn’t even see the boys today. By the time I got downstairs in the morning, they had gone to the park. I tried to find it from what I remembered Tina telling me the other day, but no luck. I came back in time to see Anna’s ayi and another ayi preparing to take their babies out, so I gestured to see if I could follow. I assumed they were going to the park too, but not so. They just walked around the village…for what seemed like an hour, but might have been slightly less. It was still an interesting walk, though most every part of my body was numbed from the cold by the time we got back. They had the babies bundled, but I noticed no mittens on two of them. I doubt most of us would take our babies for a stroll in the cold like they do here.

There were old men sitting on the front steps of what were either houses or markets. Others had tables set up along the street with raw meat lying right on them. Another had a large pan on the ground with fresh fish. I got many strange looks along the way, but felt better for being with two Chinese women.

Everything looks pretty drab and run down. There are some street corners just filled with garbage. It’s such a huge difference from back home. I had wanted to take pictures, but had been advised in the volunteer instructions that you shouldn’t take pictures of the village or villagers without their permission. Being a Communist country and all, I didn’t want to do the wrong thing when I had no way to communicate with them, so I opted to keep my camera in the bag.

I did get to spend a little bit of time with Jennie, so Timmy and Caitlin had to get in on the fun, too. How easy it would be to just stay and love on them more.

I was supposed to go to Beijing with Tina, but with the number of people going, I ended up riding with Robin and Katie. They still had many gifts to find for the wedding, so I ended up getting to go to three different markets. We started with a stop at Subway. While not a restaurant I would choose in the States, it was certainly a welcome change. And I FINALLY got a Coke! Boy was it good! Even better…after we went to Lidoo Market again, we went around the corner to Starbucks. I didn’t see my white chocolate mocha on the menu; and I don’t think my caramel machiatto tasted quite the same, but it was still a welcome treat.

After that came the “Dirt Market.” It apparently used to just be a dirt road where anyone could set up a booth with their wares, and grew into a very large market with covered stalls and small shops.

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Katie “bargaining”

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What better souvenir than a bug in glass? paperweight or keychain version?

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Parking space is a premium…

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I could have spent hours there, but we moved on to another market, which was more like a 5-story department store. A couple floors were mainly clothing, one for jewelry and souvenirs, one for silk items, etc. I was pressed for time in finding the last couple gifts I needed and really could have used a bit longer. This place had the pushiest people outside. One grabbed me by the arm trying to get me to buy Olympic hats. He and another lady followed us down the street to the car. I just could not deal with that regularly without telling someone off.

In the midst of Beijing traffic…

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Tina’s computer had died, so we stopped to get a new one on the way back, and also Domino’s pizza. Again, not a usual choice in the U.S., but I found it very good tonight.

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Sadly, when we got back, the boys were already asleep and the ayi was getting Jennie ready for bed. I did go into the Nemo room to say goodbye to Jamie and Cyndi. Katie was in there, so I got her to translate for me to tell the nannies and Jamie I was leaving, and to thank them for letting me play with the babies. They told me to come back again. I got a hug from Jamie, then quickly had to leave the room as the waterworks were beginning. The kids get up pretty early, so I certainly hope I can tell Justin, Benjamin, Jennie, and the others goodbye before I leave.

The driver is to get me at 6:15 a.m., so I’m off to finish packing and get to sleep. I look forward to seeing you all again back home, yet it’s killing me to leave. Though not a single ayi can converse with or understand me, though even the children don’t understand 90% of what I say, the hugs, the kisses, the smiles and the laughter have been communication enough.

And so I leave this country more enlightened…more aware of how much I have and more thankful for it…yet more painfully aware of what I am missing and not knowing when I’ll be back for it.

Zai jian, Zhongguo. [Goodbye, China]

I will be back.

And next time I will not be leaving alone.

A Bittersweet Day

2007-12-15T04:35:00.001-08:00

(Sorry, this is from the 14th; my blogger keeps defaulting to my other blog...)

Ni hao, ni men wo da pung yo. (Okay, I’m not sure if that’s exactly right, but it’s supposed to be “hello, all my friends.”) On one hand today seemed to be a long day; on the other, not long enough. I didn’t want to do to much scrapbooking as I wanted to spend my last full day with the kids since I’ll be going to Beijing again tomorrow with Tina for part of the day.

I spent my time between the Pooh Bear and Bouncing Bunnies wings. I still haven’t quite gotten the schedule down pat as I always seem to pop into one of the rooms just as they’re about to leave for snack time or something. I played with my favorite girl, Jennie, again. It’s so hard to take pictures when all the children are grabbing at your camera, hair, glasses, and anything they can. Neither “no” nor bu seemed to make a difference to them. I guess that’s typical toddlerhood for you. Jennie is as solid as an oak, and I’ve heard she is the lou ban (boss) of the Pooh room, yet you can’t help but love those chubby cheeks and darling pigtails. If they let me take her home with me, I wouldn’t think twice, heart problem or not. I didn’t have my camera with me on my first visit to the room today; of course that’s when she was off on her own, singing to herself and dancing around. I wish I would’ve caught that on video. Too, too cute. Of course Timmy and some of the others wanted part of the action. We played until they had to go to snacktime. I headed down the hall as the Bunny room was heading to snacks, so the boys ran to me and forced me (like I had to be persuaded!) to walk hand in hand with them down the hall to the dining room.

I spent some more time with Jennie later getting some video clips.

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I decided to not take the camera in when I went back to see the boys. It’s just too hard of a struggle. Rose - who handles the child sponsorships, preschool, and physical therapy – came in for awhile and Justin, Benjamin, and a little girl went back to the preschool area for awhile. Rose had a children’s praise & worship tape playing and we sang and danced with the kids. Oh how I long for them to understand what those words mean. I did, of course, wish I’d had my camera as they danced around. Justin made me pick him up several times, which does absolutely no good for my back with his weight, but I was happy to oblige. I hope I can dance and sing praises with my own little one very soon.

We went back to the playroom for awhile when a group of students from the Beijing Science & Technology school came for a visit. The boys, who are not known to be shy, were kind of hanging back away from the new visitors. Rose finally got them to show the students their school. Anna scooted herself on back and I followed after. Still Miss Independent and not into being held, I helped her onto the little trampoline at her insistence, then watched as she bounced herself (sitting down), giggled, and smiled at me. I don’t think anything will ever hold this girl back.

The amazing Anna Mei

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The day culminated with Tina taking me, Rose, and Robin’s daughter Katie out for “real” Chinese food. The only problem was finding some! Three restaurants they usually go to were closed. One we walked in and were promptly told he didn’t have time to cook today; he was too busy. Hmmm…that’s a way to run a business for a profit! We ended up at a place they handed gone before, which turned out to be a hot pot restaurant. A unique experience indeed, especially since no one there spoke English. Now I thought Tina & Rose spoke really well, but apparently not to all the locals. The woman basically took a look at Tina and got all nervous that she couldn’t understand her and didn’t even try to understand her Chinese. I was informed that most places were not like this; they usually try to understand them.

After an interesting time of trying to order and garnering the stares of other customers (two white women, one Philippino woman, and a Chinese/UK-adopted child does seem to draw some attention!) we made it through and had a good meal. I even had Sprite! Not my favorite, yet sooo good after nothing but water and instant coffee all week. Alex will be proud of me for actually trying the tea. Not as bad as other teas I’ve tried, but it basically had not taste to it at all. As for the hot pot restaurant, for those like me who weren’t familiar with hit…there is a burner on your table. We had a pot that was divided down the middle with water on both sides, one with many spices, one plain. We were brought the raw meat we ordered (I think it was pork; it looked like thinly sliced dried/chipped beef to me) as well as veggies (green, leafy things I didn’t recognize but tried anyway) and fresh noodles. You just wait for the pot to boil, throw in the ingredients you order, and voila! It was actually pretty good…though messy with the peanut sauce splattering over all of us as we tried to get ridiculously long noodles out of the pot with chopsticks. Tina was impressed with my ability to use them, however.

I found myself misting up at different times today as I thought about saying goodbye to the children either tomorrow night or Sunday morning. They’ll soon forget about me and go on with their routine. But me…I cannot do that. I cannot forget them. They are all precious, yet I know my heart will ache most for Justin, Benjamin, and Jennie. They have captured my heart with their endearing faces, enchanting giggles, and outstretched arms. I believe it was Jennie who gave me a kiss out of the blue this morning. It caught me off guard…and made my heart ache just a little.

Only one more day here at Hope. One more day to make memories and kiss faces and hug and squeeze the stuffin’ out of these little ones. How can I fit it all into one day? How can one more day be enough?

I know the ache is good; it means I am not heartless and that I won’t leave the children behind as I leave this place. But it doesn’t make it any easier.

One more day.

I’ll make it count.

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Scrappin’ & Shoppin’

2007-12-13T05:05:00.000-08:00

Sorry, no new pictures of kiddos for you today. As the title tells, my day was spent scrappin’ & shoppin’. I started the day by uploading all my pics to the office computer so they’ll have updated photos of the children. I just need to print those out tomorrow to add to their scrapbooks. I hope these pictures will make some parents very happy as they don’t often get time around here to take a lot of candid shots of the kids.

The rest of the morning and into the afternoon was spent working on the scrapbooks as well as giving Scrapbooking 101. I discovered the other day that the other young Chinese woman with the Love Without Boundaries representative is not from LWB, but with the orphanage in Huangzhou. She will be in charge of education. She was very interested in the scrapbooks they keep here for the children and wants to incorporate this in her orphanage. Scrapbooking is not a common thing in China, and Wen Ni from LWB explained that they do not have these kinds of papers and supplies we have in America. So I introduced both of them to my friend Jeanette’s website (Jeanette – Hope LOVED the scrap supplies & I’ve used many already!), Scrap in Style and they were sure to take down the website. I made a sample page for the young woman to take with her and she’s watched me work for a couple days to see how it is done, though I’ve explained that much of it is just a creative, artistic thing. There’s no one way to do it. The trick is getting the supplies. I hope to find a way to get some to her at the orphanage.

I suppose this might sound strange to some. When you hear of people going on a “missions” trip, you think of people building a church or an orphanage, providing medical help, aiding the poor. Here I am, in Beijing, scrapbooking. I thought it probably sounded a bit lame when I left to come here, but today, when I was showing this woman how to preserve the story of a child’s life, it just gave me such a great feeling. We didn’t speak the same language, but we wanted to do the same thing for these children – and hopefully their future parents. We want to give them a history, a book of memories, something of their very own that will go with them throughout life. I explained that while it’s a wonderful gift to the parents, it’s also important to a child as they grow. I gave the example of how many children in school will have some sort of assignment involving a family tree or pictures from when they were born or very little…and many adopted children have none. They lived in an orphanage and had nothing to show for their earliest years. So for them to have pictures of themselves as a baby, pictures with their best friends at the orphanage or their foster parents/siblings, is a deeply important thing. So it excites me to think that by her learning from me about this craft, she will take this back to her orphanage…and parents who adopt children there will now receive a bit of their child’s past.

I was going to spend my usual afternoon time with the boys, but had the opportunity to go into Beijing as a little girl had to be taken to the doctor. Please pray for her; I cannot give out her Chinese name and she has no sponsor, so therefore has no American name…but she is a heart child and for some reason is not eating or playing. She has been laying down a lot lately. Her lips and skin seem so blue. But the doctors could give no reason for why she is not eating. She is so thin and frail looking. Please pray they can do something for her.

After dropping the others off, I went with Robin to the Lidoo Market. He’s been charged with the important mission by his wife and soon-to-be-wed daughter to find favors for 80 guests (I mentioned that I prefer charity over the most-often looked over wedding favors, but apparently these little token gifts are very important in Scotland). So after exchanging some money and Robin’s quick lesson in money conversion, I set off wandering the market for some goodies. You definitely have to have resolve and be able to deal with the “hey lady, wanna’ buy a t-shirt,” “hey, lady tourist, want to buy bag?” They’ll try to lead you by the arm, urge you to come take a look; they’re definitely pushy. I think I did pretty good – “no thank you” and walk the other way. Somehow, I don’t think Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, or Tiffany & Co have anything to do with any of these wares on display.

When I finally did strike a deal with one vendor on a few items, I had to make a couple trips back to find Robin to make sure I understood the conversion correctly and got the right change. It’s hard to keep doing it in your head. Thankfully, Rob said I got a pretty good deal there, so that made me feel good. I tried to remember what I’d read from my “Culture Shock – China” book which suggest offering a third of what they quote you. It helps to walk around and here how other people come down. Since a lady at one of the first booths had offered about 30 kuai on a child’s Chinese dress, I knew the other vendor was crazy when she quote me about 180 kuai or so. I told her another lady offered 30 kuai (about $3.60 USD), to which she tried to show me that the quality of her clothing was far superior. (I’d highly bet they’re from the same manufacturer.) The art of walking away is very important; funny how they’ll come down from that first offer multiple times. I got my way there. A vendor in another stall was much harder to bargain with. She didn’t speak English like the others, so it was a bit trickier. They all pretty much stick calculators out to you with the amount. I probably did lowball her with my offer, but after many, many rounds of counteroffers and me walking away, we came to an agreement. For those of you who know my penchant for a bargain, you won’t be surprised that I rather enjoyed the bartering. Too bad I can’t do that in Target!

I’m supposed to get to go back on Saturday when Tina takes a group of babies for checkups. There aren’t a lot of booths in the market, but I do have more gifts to get; I think I got more for me today – oops! I also want to get around the corner to the one stop I didn’t make – Starbucks! Ooooh, how I could use one of those. A beautiful sign in any language!

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Any stories you may have heard about driving in China are absolutely true. My stomach had been upset last night, so I was praying all was well today. It was for the most part, but I thought the drive to the city might work it up again. It’s just completely crazy, even when a Brit is driving! Most of the way, there were basically two lanes with the dashed line down the middle like we have, but then there’s an extra lane to the side. It might be mostly for bicycles and motorcycles, but it’s also used to pass.

I don’t think there’s such a thing as a no passing zone in China. We passed cars even when cars were coming up ahead. If they get close, they just move over a bit, so you’re driving closely between two moving cars. It was like a constant weaving, in and out, back and forth over the three lanes. In the midst were bicycles with people carrying luggage or pulling carts behind with straw or sticks. The roads didn’t look that bad, so I’m not sure if it was road condition or poor shocks, but I was jostled and jolted and shaken along the way. Those handles in your car by the door – absolute necessity in China! Praise God our van had seat belts!

The city is crazy as you have the buses stopping mid-lane, small lanes. Dropping off Tina, the nanny, and little girl at the hospital was an experience. The driveway was like an alley with room for one car, yet you could come in both directions. There was no way to drive through the drop off, so you had to back out, except there were people coming from the other way. And talk about tiiiiiny parking spaces. I would so never survive here! I get nervous enough parking my minivan between two other vehicles back home. I’m not sure how these people get out of their cars once they’re parked.

We had the Home’s Chinese driver on the way home. I actually found it milder, but I think that was due to rush hour traffic, so there was no weaving in and out of lanes til we were well out of the city. He did have no trouble using the horn every minute or two though. I think he must have honked at every bicycle along the road! I think that while Americans are looking for the latest DVD player or GPS system in their vehicles, the Chinese must choose by the best horn.

I just missed dinner when I got back, but was so grateful to see that the groceries Robin picked up included peanut butter & jelly. I don’t think a PB&J sandwich has ever tasted so good!

I was sad that I’d missed seeing the kids all day, but on my way upstairs, I did pop in the Bouncing Bunnies room to see my lil guys decked out in their pjs, lookin’ all cute and ready for bed. I wish I’d had my camera to capture Justin as he copied me when I asked him if he was going to sleep. I pantomimed with my two hands together, my head resting on them. He was just too cute for words when he did the same and mimicked “s’eep.” They got a kick out of it when I added snoring to the action.

My Chinese is pretty pathetic; I’ve stuck with ni hao (hello), xie xie (thank you), and dzai zhen (goodbye/see you later) this week to lessen the embarrassment. But when I told Justin & Benjamin goodnight tonight, I added wo ai ni (I love you), to which Justin mimicked ai ni. My pronunciation probably wasn’t great, but I heard his nanny tell him again what I’d said. I know I haven’t even been here a full week, but I love those little guys so much…as rough, tricky, and disobedient as they may be. ;) On the one hand, I pray desperately that they may find homes soon. On the other, I dread the day for all of us. I hate to think of losing track of them; not knowing where or how they are. But more so, I dread the two of them being split up. They’re best buddies. Brothers. They sleep a room apart, but are together every day, day in and day out. What will it to do the other when one is adopted first?

Though it sounds backwards, I was homesick when I first got here early this week. And now, as I realize I have only two full days left, my heart has started to sink. While I long for my nice soft bed back home, I can’t imagine not waking to the sounds of a multitude of babies…to not walk down the stairs past the Bouncing Bunnies room…to not have the boys see me in the hall and rush to me to each take a hand and walk with me. How will I ever leave them?

The lump has already formed in my throat and the tears having already begun to flow at the very idea. My own friend Heather warned me that I wouldn’t want to come back home. I know many don’t get involved with orphans for that very reason - it’s too painful. Yes, it would have been much more comfortable to stay back home, to let these children remain pictures on a website…those “poor dears” who need medical care, sponsorship, a family. But I don’t believe God ever intended for this life to be comfortable. I don’t believe there’s a verse that says blessed are the comfortable. Jesus didn’t stay at home; he left behind his family to do His Father’s work. And so here I am, hurting, but knowing I’m doing the right thing.

I held a three month old baby in my arms this morning, born with a spinal defect that is abnormal from a typical spina bifida. So tiny and so beautiful…I wondered where her mother is now and how she must be feeling. How her arms must be aching for this most precious bundle of life. I believe she most likely gave her up because she knew she could not provide the medical care this child will need. I was blessed to be the representative for my boyfriend’s church who wishes to sponsor a surgery and left it in my hands to choose the recipient. It was a difficult decision with so many needs among this group. But I chose this new little life in hopes that they may help her early on, praying that there will be no complications so that she may have no paralysis or incontinence issues as she ages. If we could only help them all…

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But we can help some.

Let us start with one.

To Save Sometimes

2007-12-12T16:02:00.000-08:00

I was in the office talking to the American nurse, Tina, when she got a phone call about a baby that just died. It certainly puts things in perspective. After a day of being worn out by children climbing over me, fighting me for my camera, begging to be picked up and carried around like a potato sack, and such, this is what it comes down to. Many of these children look healthy. Why, Justin & Benjamin are the picture of health, other than a slight bluish tint to Justin’s lips and of course the large scar down his chest. They are two of the roughest, toughest boys you’ll meet who push, shove, tumble, and plow each other down…but they are still special needs boys. Benjamin still awaits having his exposed bladder repaired. It can all change in an instant.

This baby brought to mind Hope’s motto, “to comfort always, to relieve often, to save sometimes.” Their unofficial motto in the special care units is that no child should die alone. Yet while they are loved and cared for, it still breaks my heart to think of a child dying without a mother and father to grieve them. Who will prepare for the funeral? Who would attend? Who will bury this child and put a flower on its grave from time to time? My first niece passed away when she was a month old. It grieves me to this day that I was unable to go to her funeral. But I know there were many their who loved her and grieved her short life. My brother and sister-in-law saw an outpouring of love as they had to let their daughter go to be with the Lord. I remember her as I continue to work with the Ronald McDonald House, and now as strive to help orphans. Her short life meant much to many people. What of this little orphan baby? Who will remember this little life a year from now? Ten years?

I have been relieved that the pictures on various websites prepared me for the first hand viewing of some of these children’s special needs. A school group came through today for a tour and to hand out stuffed animals. I assume it was an ex-pat school as there were a mixture of Caucasian and Asian teens, but all spoke American English. I was in the Nemo Room at that time playing with my new pal, Jamie (who is soon to be adopted!) when they came in.

Jamie

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One teenaged boy looked at this precious little girl, then at me – “what’s wrong with her?” – in the nose-wrinkling, rude kind of way.

[photo removed]

I simply told him that she had a tumor that needed to be removed…and was so glad that God has been teaching me to look beyond the physical deformity. This little girl is His precious creation. Yes, it is a bit disturbing at first sight, but she is still a beautiful girl just the same. I pray she will not have to go through life with questions and comments such as that one. That she won’t have to feel self-conscious or ashamed for being different when she had no say in the matter. (As a note, she still needs funding for her surgery.)

There were so many new faces today, new friends to meet. And I continue to wonder how long they will have to wait for a family. How long must they be labeled “orphan”? And it leads me to think how lucky I am that my Father adopted me. God did not need me. He did not need to let this sinning, beggarly, needy orphan enter His household and disturb it. But He wanted me.

He wanted me.

He wanted me.

How deep the Father’s love for us…

I will leave you with some more pictures of the day. I haven’t really been in any as it’s hard to take pictures myself with me in them. But you don’t need to see me anyway. These guys are the reason I’m here. Please help me show the Father’s love to them. If you would like information on sponsoring any of these children, you can email me at goneartoorphans@gmail.com or visit Hope Healing Home.

Timmy

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Sting

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Me and "my boys"

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Do You Want Rice With That?

2007-12-11T03:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, only full day number two here in China, and I think I would be ecstatic if I never saw white rice again. Meals are, um…well, quite unique here. When I follow the blogs of adoptive parents, I usually read how true Chinese food in China is so much better than our Americanized version. Not quite so here. Yesterday’s introduction was cauliflower in some sort of sauce, cooked celery in another kind of sauce, and rice. Today, both meals were stewed tomatoes with cooked egg in sauce, potatoes, peppers, and I-ate-it-but-still-don’t-have-a-clue-what-it-was in sauce, and rice. Oh, there was also some cabbage-y dish that I did not try. Exotic indeed. I really don’t want to complain, but I’m ever so thankful I packed peanut butter crackers, Caribou bars, and assorted snacks! (And don’t forget the instant coffee, of course!)

One of the founders, Robin Hill, had us volunteers and staff over for dinner last night (saved from the cafeteria!). The Hills have a beautiful home next door. It was interesting as we discovered we had a bit of a United Nations at the table, as we had two each from the U.S., Philippines, China, and the UK. A woman from the UK and another from China discovered they were both working for the same organization. They were both representatives of Love Without Boundaries, a wonderful organization that helps orphans throughout China get surgeries, provides formula to numerous orphanages, and has education plans for orphans as well. The Chinese woman is being trained to run a new Heartbridge Unit in Hangzhou. The Heartbridge unit here is an 18-bed step-up/step-down unit for children who are preparing to have surgery, or children who have just had surgery and the wing is funded by LWB. The woman from the UK runs the foster program for LWB in a particular province and was here to check on a child. Sadly, this child remains in a hospital, sick in cycles; one year old and only weighing 12 lbs…and no one knows why.

I will add that I did learn I may openly name my location to be Hope Healing Home. Now the mystery is over for my non-local friends. I’m glad to know I may speak openly, as I hope that this blog might draw more people near to these children. I may not be able to upload many photos while I’m here, due to the speed of the uploading, but I hope you will visit Hope’s website to find out about the wonderful work they do here and the children they help. I will be certain to upload additional photos when I’m back home.

I started today out with a visit to my pal, Jennie. She was the first to reach out to me to pick her up yesterday. Me, a total stranger. For some reason, her picture had stood out to me on Hope’s website before I came, so it touched my heart that she was so willing to come to me. She has complex congenital heart disease, as Justin does. Oh, so sweet! And she just loves to clap!

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

I worked on an office project for part of the morning. Part of the supplies I brought included a new map of the U.S. so they could create a bulletin board showing where each adopted child has gone. I know my heart will break when I say goodbye to these children Saturday before they go to bed; I can’t imagine how the permanent staff are able to watch them go.

I continue to work on scrapbooks for the children, as well. There are a few more that will be adopted soon, so they want to get the books finished before they are returned to their orphanages prior to adoption (Chinese policy). I was excited to work on the scrapbooks of two children whose parents-to-be I’ve met online recently. I love scrapbooking any time, but it’s just amazing to think that a page I created will go with a child to a new family…a family who has had to miss those early moments and memories. There are pages for “Notes from Friends” in some of the books, and I can’t wait to fill in my own words in Justin and Benjamin’s books later in the week.

I spent a chunk of my afternoon in my favorite place – the “Bouncing Bunnies Room.” This is the playroom where Justin & Benjamin spend most of their day. Boy, are those boys rough! It makes me so nervous to have the hard, wood floors when they jump on my lap, bend backwards, and shove and kick each other backwards. They are also two of the biggest boys, so my back is getting quite the workout. The little comics were at it again with their antics with me as their new pung yo (friend).

from yesterday's preschool playtime

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Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart as children

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My camera is cause for much attention. I want to keep it with me, yet it’s a fight between those two boys as well as another feisty boy to get at it. I played back the pictures for the boys and they kissed the display when their photos came up! What characters!

snack time

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This is precious Anna. She has spina bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down, but she can sure get around. She’ll get herself across a room in no time flat. I think she’s going to have quite some upper arm muscles in a few years! She generally won’t come to me, but will grin and tilt her head when I do the same her way.

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It’s a very odd, complex feeling to be here and see the children. In a way, it’s hard to grasp that they are orphans. It seems much like having your children in daycare with caregivers assigned to various children. It seems odd to hear them call their ayis “mama,” and yet they have three “mamas” throughout the day. What does that term really mean to them? Will they understand the difference if they get a forever mama? They can’t understand the concept of a home with a mom and a dad. This is all they know, except for, perhaps, the orphanage from which they originated.

It might be tempting to think these children are fine right where they are, being well-cared for. Yet, this Home is not a forever home. I believe the oldest child in the outreach (foster care) program is perhaps four or five possibly. What happens when they become too old? But the sadder thought is – what about the children who don’t get to come here? Who remain in orphanages with lesser medical care? What about them?

It might be easier for me to tug at your heartstrings were I in, say, Rwanda right now…or Ethiopia where children are alone in the streets, both parents dead from HIV/AIDS or war. The children that you see on the World Vision or similar commercials, eating a cup of rice a day and wearing rags. Yet all of these children need the same thing. A family. Love. A future.

Places like Hope can’t exist without people like us. It takes a great deal of money to run an operation like this; upwards of about $50K USD a month, if I remember correctly. Then you add on top of that the surgeries that are needed by all of the children here. Hospital stays. Daily medication. I think you get the picture.

We have so much in America and in the other more developed countries of the world. So much to offer, so much to give. And me, complaining about two days of rice and strange-looking food.

If you could only hold one of these children in your arms, you would understand what I feel if you do not already. Just one smile, one wave, one peal of laughter would be all that it took to change your world forever.

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

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One tear on one little cheek, one look of pain would be all it took to move you into battle for each and every child.

These are just some of the faces for which we must GO NEAR.

Beijing at Last

2007-12-10T03:56:00.000-08:00

Ni hao! After about 20 hrs of flights, I'm glad to say I'm in Beijing at last! Well, north of it technically. I really didn't get to see the city as the airport's on the edge and the Home is about 30 minutes farther north. But I'll tell ya', the "country" driving scared me just the same. They do have stoplights, but lanes seem to veer and merge without rhyme or reason. I think passing happens on whichever side you care to, whether 2 lane or three. At 10 pm there were riders on mopeds on the highway - with no lights. Groups of people walking along the road, perhaps just getting off work.

I could probably spend a full hour just complaining about the trip, and believe me, I had it mapped out in my head just last night when, once again, sleep eluded me. Between the time change and the meds my doctor put me on to get rid of this sinus thing, I haven't gotten more than 2-4 hours of sleep a night. I feel all out of sync. But my grumbly, tired heart melted when I came down the stairs this morning to a cheerful wave and call of "hewwo, goo' mownin'" from one of the faces I've most been wanting to see - little 2 1/2 yr old Benjamin.

I had hoped to send a lengthier post tonight but I'm dead tired and this computer is slow. The cacophony of Chinese language and crying babies at 5 am doesn't help either.

But I'll leave you with a pic of my two favorite guys. I finally met Justin, the boy my boyfriend and I sponsor and receive updates on. He and Benjamin are best friends, and great little comedians. They were all over me! I think I wreaked havoc with their nannies. But we had a great time playing (climbing on Jill), disobeying (grabbing Jill's glasses, camera bag, camera, etc), and going to preschool. On to more babies tomorrow!

(Justin in back, Benjamin in front)

T Minus 8 Hours and Counting

2007-12-07T23:12:00.001-08:00

This is it - I'M GOING TO CHINA!!!! In less than 8 hours I'll be boarding the plane. Well, that one only takes me to the chillier-than-Beijing city of Minneapolis, but it's a start. I should be sleeping, but between the meds I'm on for the nasty cold/infection I got this week and the usual rush before traveling, I don't know that I'm going to get much sleep. Maybe it'll wear me out so I can sleep on the plane.

Thanks so much to all who've been praying for my health and safety for this trip. My bags are 99% packed with my stuff and supplies for the Home. Another prayer request is that it fits the weight and size requirements with everything squeezed in. My trip home for Christmas should be a packing breeze after this!

Thanks to Jeanette Herdman of Scrap in Style for some awesome scrappin' donations for the Home. I'll hopefully get to use some as I help work on some of the children's scrapbooks. My first view of her "warehouse" had me thinkin' I'd died and gone to scrapbooker's heaven! So be sure to check out her site if you haven't already and enjoy!

Well, off to get at least a feeeew zzzzzz's before I go. Hopefully I'll be posting next to say "Kon'nichiwa" from Tokyo!

The Final Countdown

2007-11-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

As it's past the midnight hour here, I have now just eight days left until I board the plane bound for Beijing. I can hardly believe it! I've got suitcases filling my already cramped living room (a seven-foot full Christmas tree isn't exactly the best option for an apartment dweller, but I love it!), Space Bags and Ziplocs spread out. It's amazing how small those Space Bags can get by simply rolling the air out. It's all about taking up as little space as possible in my suitcase so I can squeeze in more donations for the Home.

I would greatly appreciate your prayers for good health as I feel a cold creeping upon me despite vitamins and Zicam. I won't be allowed to interact with the babies if I'm sick, and I'll really be sick if I travel all the way to China and can't spend time with the babies.

Just eight more days!

Prayer for a Family in Need

2007-11-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

For those not already aware of this news story, the Sheldon family had just officially adopted their daughter, Hannah, in China and were in the last few days of their trip before returning to the U.S. when Mr. Sheldon went into a diabetic coma, then died. Please remember Mrs. Sheldon and Hannah in your prayers as they start a new life together, sadly without the husband and father that should be a part of it.

Below is an article from today's Lansing State Journal:

Red tape cut, Lansing mom to return home with daughter
Adoption complicated by husband's death in China

Mike Hughes
Lansing State Journal

A Lansing woman's bureaucratic tangle has been resolved.

Sandi Sheldon is expected home from China today with her new daughter, Hannah, and the cremated remains of her husband, Dennis.

U.S. officials held up Hannah's visa for several days after Dennis Sheldon died while in China. But pressure from the public and congressional leaders forced the government to expedite the process.

"Everyone has been on the phone to make this happen," said Darlene Hill, Sandi Sheldon's mother.

That included the adoption agency, Bethany Christian Services, and the offices of U.S. representatives Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, and Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids.

"We've dealt with a number of complicated issues involving immigration," said Sylvia Warner, Rogers' spokeswoman. "But never one this complicated - or this heart-rending."

Dennis Sheldon, 46, was head custodian at Pleasant View Elementary Magnet School in Lansing and was a natural for parenthood, said the school's principal, Madeline Shanahan.

"There were a number of children ... he went to extra trouble to bond with," she said. "He was absolutely thrilled when the adoption came through."

The school staff surprised him shortly before the couple left for China with a breakfast and an all-diapers baby shower. On Oct. 30, the Sheldons went to Guangzhou (formerly Canton), finalizing their adoption of Hannah, who is about 18 months old.

Dennis Sheldon died there. Hill said he died Nov. 12 apparently from heart failure, possibly aggravated by diabetes.

The complication that delayed Sandi Sheldon's return to the United States came from the U.S. Citizen Immigration Service, said John VanValkenburg of Bethany.

Hannah's papers were no longer accurate, he said, because they listed both Sandi and Dennis. "In a situation where circumstances change, that requires a change in everything else."

Friends and other adoptive parents flooded officials with phone calls. Rogers' office worked with the Immigration Service.

"We were able to persuade them to expedite the process," Warner said.

Late Thursday night, there was word that it soon would be worked out. Hill received news shortly after midnight that her daughter was coming home; Rogers received an official fax at about 4 a.m.

During that time, Hill said, false rumors developed. There were no complications from Chinese officials, and the cremation was not required.

"That was something that Dennis and Sandi always said they wanted," Hill said.

Dennis and Sandi Sheldon were married for 19 years, and Hannah is their first child, said Hill, who lives in Lansing with her husband, Herbert, and is now the grandmother of 13 children.

Sandi, 42, works part time at a Wal-Mart store, and Hill granted that money could be tight. Donations may be sent by check to Hope For Hannah, Fifth Third Bank, 6446 S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48911.

National Adoption Month

2007-11-12T21:35:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. No, not the approaching Christmas season when stores have already been blaring Christmas music and selling Christmas ornaments 40% off and offering new yard inflatables at great prices. Neither am I talking about the time for turkey, tryptophan, and the NFL. What I am talking about is National Adoption Month.

While the average family may have had no idea that this awareness month exists, to many of us it holds great emotion. To some, it will remind them of that day in which they were joined with their "forever family." For others, it is a time of longing for that day to come. And for some children, it is a reminder that they have yet to find a family to call their own.

From the office of the President of the United States:

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 31, 2007

National Adoption Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

During National Adoption Month, we recognize the adoptive and foster families who have shared their homes and hearts with children in need, and we encourage more Americans to consider adopting young people of all ages.

Families who adopt show the generous spirit of our Nation. Every child desires a permanent home, and when parents adopt a child to love as their own, lives are forever changed. For parents, the decision to adopt a child is among life's greatest and happiest turning points. On November 17, families across the country will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing their adoptions, and each one of these homes will be richer for the addition of new family members.

My Administration is committed to promoting adoption of children of all ages. We are working to bring together more children with loving, adoptive parents through the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids at adoptuskids.org and by providing States with financial assistance through the Adoption Incentives Program. The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program helps improve care and services to children and families and ensure more young people in America have a caring, secure, and permanent home. Together, these efforts are building a brighter future for our youth.

During National Adoption Month, we honor adoptive and foster parents as they raise children of conviction and character. By accepting the gift of these children, parents are helping shape lives and contributing to the strength of our great Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2007 as National Adoption Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The highlight is this Saturday, November 17th - National Adoption Day - when thousands of adoptions across the country will be finalized at the same time. 2006 was the first year all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia all celebrated National Adoption Day. More then 3,300 adoptions of children in fostercare were finalized. Yet sadly, over 114,000 children remain in the U.S. fostercare system.

I encourage you to learn more about adoption - and orphancare - this month. You can start with some of these great resources:

* view the video "A Family for Every Child" at the National Adoption Day website.

* listen to adoption-centric programs from FamilyLife, available by podcast by going to your iTunes store, typing in "FamilyLife" and choosing FamilyLife Today with Dennis Rainey. If you have Real Player or Windows Media Player, you can also listen at Oneplace.com.

* Shaohannah's Hope

* Cry of the Orphan

* Bring Me Hope

* Love Without Boundaries

And, of course, if you ever have any questions, just leave a comment or contact me at GO NEAR

When you tuck your children in bed tonight...or spend time with another precious child in your life...please lift a prayer for the millions of children who have no one to call their family. And please, please pray about how God would have you GO NEAR an orphan today.

The Journey of a Thousand Miles...

2007-11-04T00:44:00.000-07:00

...begins with a single step." It is an oft-heard phrase, though I read recently that a more correct translation of the Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu's words would be "the journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." Or yet another paraphrase, "even the longest journey must begin where you stand."

My journey begins anew right here, as the first step must be taken here, on native soil. I have felt it pressed upon my heart to begin an adoption/orphancare ministry for some time now, yet between the struggles of figuring out how and where to start, trying to get support, and just plain feeling defeated and overwhelmed at every turn, I know I must start somewhere or it will never happen. So I begin by taking the first of many steps that will hopefully grow into this ministry that will not only grow in my home church, but will hopefully spread and grow into a large network of ministries that will help children around the world.

It will not be limited to Chinese children or even international adoption. My vision is that this ministry will encompass adoption, fostercare, orphancare, and missions. I want to educate people on adoption and fostercare, offer support to those in the process or who have adopted and need the support of others that will understand the parenting issues that are unique to adoptive families. I want to encourage not only adoption, but to encourage others to reach out to the millions of orphans around the world, currently said to be at 145 million.

There are between 300,000-400,000 churches in the U.S., but only about 100,000 children are adopted in the U.S. each year. I believe it’s long past time for the church to wake up to its responsibility in the plight of the orphan. The ministry will be called GO NEAR, based on principles I’ve gleaned from a message by Dennis & Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife. The idea is that everyone can do something. Barbara Rainey states, “As Christians, we are not all commanded to adopt, but we are all commanded to visit the orphans in their distress.” We can GO NEAR financially – sponsoring a child, raising money for families who are adopting, sending supplies to orphanages; physically – missions trips, adopting, fostercare; and by prayer support – everyone should be a part of this.

We, the Church, call ourselves pro-life, yet we do not support the lives that need us most. God reminds us time and again in His Word that we are to care for the fatherless. He has adopted us as His children and we are to care for the fatherless so they may experience His adoption, as well. I recall an old Steve Camp song that states it simply yet profoundly – “don’t tell them Jesus loves them ‘til you’re ready to love them, too.” Our words are empty if we are not willing to be His hands and feet.

In the midst of my own adoption wait, I have felt led to take another step of faith. How can I call others to GO NEAR if I, myself, do not lead in action as well as words. And so I begin by taking that journey of a thousand miles - well, actually more like 7,000 miles or so - as I prepare to spend a week in December volunteering in Beijing, China.

Due to privacy policies, I will be unable to post the name of the organization on this blog. It is a home for critically ill and special needs children where children are given tender loving care and medical attention so they may have the best chance of life...and the hope of being joined with a forever family. I hope to be able to blog while I am there, depending on computer time availability, so please check back here December 8th through the 16th to follow along.

The journey begins in just 34 days...but it will last a lifetime.

Give time.

Give finances.

Give love.

GO NEAR

"I will not leave you as orphans,
I will come to you..."
John 14:18

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Song quote from "Don't Tell Them Jesus Loves Them," Rob Frazier & Steve Camp, © 1989 BIRDWING MUSIC/SPARROW SONG, admin by Music Services. Used by Permission.