Lovely Faces, Sweet Smiles, and Beautiful Voices

On Thursday and Friday of our trip, the team went to a privately-run orphanage/foster home established for vision-impaired orphans. The founders of Bethel are Guillaume and Delphine Gauvain, natives of France, and they began the foster home about six years ago. What an amazing place!!!

There are about 35 children who live there ranging in age from a small infant to 20 years old. A couple of the children have had cataract surgery and are able to see; several children are blind and autistic; one of the children has CP and was a vegetable, only able to move his eyes yet two days before our visit, he took his first steps! Truly a God miracle!!! The rest of the children are visually impaired or completely blind. All of the children learn to read Braille in Chinese and English, speak Chinese, English, and French, sing songs in all three languages, and love to sing "adult" praise songs to the Lord. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched and listened to those precious children sing praise songs with big smiles on their faces. I truly can't express the emotion that filled my heart. These children have virtually nothing but the love of the workers in that home and, even more importantly, the love of Jesus in their hearts. No one but God could put those beautiful smiles on those precious faces!!

The Precious Boy with CP and Blindness

Some of the Children Singing for Us

Hanging Out with the Kids

The Children Eating with Their Mommas

There are round-the-clock "mommas" assigned to the children. In only a matter of months, all of the children and mommas will have moved into houses built on site. Children will range in age just as they do in a traditional family, and the children will be raised in these homes. Furniture has been donated by businesses such as IKEA. The playground equipment in the center of the houses has been donated as well. The foster home is completely run on donations from companies and individuals. In fact, if you would be interested in "sponsoring" a child, you can go to www.bethelchina.org for more information. (There are also many articles about this amazing orphanage on the internet as it was the first blind orphanage in China.)

The Houses for the "Families"

The Playground in the Center of the Homes

Bethel grows its own food, has its own goats, chickens, and bunnies, and is self-sustaining in these ways. The staff also teaches the children life skills such as cleaning their rooms, making their beds, being responsible for folding and putting away clothes, cooking, etc. All of the children are very well-mannered and will be trained in some area so that they will eventually be able to support themselves. Those who will never be self-sufficient will be able to remain at the home throughout their lives.

Farmland

The Children's Incredibly Neat Rooms

The Children Making Cookies

Rowland, Carson, and I fell in love with one of the little boys named Michael. He's William's age, LOVES to play the drums, and calls Rowland and Carson each "guitar man." He was able to distinguish them, though, and after carefully examining Rowland's hair, told Rowland that he had "old hair." You can imagine how much more in love with him I was at that point!! We had such a special time with Michael and are sponsoring him, praying for his forever family, and even asking God (although we feel we already know that the door is closed for us) if we are that family. Please join us in prayer for a special family for this amazing boy!

Michael and Our Family

Michael Playing the Drum with Carson

Michael with Rowland

And as we said good-bye, I knew that I would never forget some of those children. Their little faces and sweet voices will be forever imprinted in my heart and mind. Thank you, God, for giving them people on this Earth who will love them with Your hands and Your feet, and may You bring their forever families to each one of them SOON.

More from China

One of the main purposes of our trip was to lead worship at BICF, Beijing International Christian Fellowship, a church for those in China who have a foreign passport. It is a church of about 6,000 people, and there are services in Chinese, English, French, Portugese, and possibly others. The church is held in a state theater, and there are several services going on at the same time. We, of course, led the English services.

It was a great experience being with so many people from all over the world worshiping our Lord together. Unfortunately, we cannot get the video to upload so I can't share that, but when people truly CHOOSE to worship in a country like China, the Holy Spirit definitely shows up in a big way!

Our Practice Room on Saturdays

Rowland Learning to Play the "Two String"

My Handsome Son

Anita Getting Her Priorities Straight

Tomorrow....the tears will flow from my eyes as I relive our amazing experience at the orphanage!!

The Beginning of a Great Adventure (Or Jumping Hurdles)

Our Group Ready for God's Adventure

Since it's 2:37 in the a.m., and I can't sleep (ugh!), I thought I'd share a little about the beginning of our latest China adventure. Six of us went on the trip, Rowland, Carson (our 14 year old), my best friend Anita (China will NEVER be the same!), Shaun (our 18 year old drummer, and Galen (our keyboardist), and of course, me. We went to lead worship at a 6,000 member church in Beijing, Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF) and to spend some time at an orphanage for visually impaired children.

Carson, Possibly the World's Best Traveler, and His Proud Momma

Carson, Rowland, and I had been to China and knew a little of what to expect. The rest were in for a new adventure. We left for the airport at 5:00 a.m. and made our flight just fine. We had a short layover in San Francisco where Rowland and Carson's guitar, which had been gate-checked, were lost in baggage claim. Four of us literally ran for the international terminal as our plane was late while Carson and Rowland went on the great guitar chase. I literally begged and begged for the guy at the United desk to let us get on the plane as we weren't there early enough. Finally, he agreed, and we stalled as much as possible waiting for Carson and Rowland to show up at the desk. I sent Anita, Shaun, and Galen ahead and kept calling for updates on my guys. I thought that if I waited for them and tried my begging act again, the United man would take pity on us and let us all on the plane. Instead, he said that they were too late, and now I was too late, too. Initially, he told us that he couldn't get us on a plane until the following night, which meant we'd miss rehearsal for the Sunday gig. After more begging and Rowland's level-headed explanation, the guy put us on a flight that would leave SF a few hours later, go through Tokyo, and put us in Beijing six hours behind the rest of the group. We tried to switch everyone to the new flight, but there was no room. Rowland called Anita who was running to the gate and told her that they HAD to get on that plane. He gave her our itinerary, and I sent my best friend (the same one I'd promised to take care of) off to China without me. Honestly, I felt so guilty for wanting to be with my family and not being on the plane with Anita. In the end, though, we all made it to Beijing. Hurdle number one cleared!

The Plane We All Rode on Together!

Hurdle number two came when we arrived at the airport in Beijing, realizing that the first group didn't have information on where they'd be staying, a necessity to get into the country. Never to be outsmarted, though, Anita had a flight attendant give her an address to a random hotel in Beijing and even had him translate into Chinese that the driver who was to pick us up needed to come back at 8:10 that night to get the whole group. Hurdle number two partially cleared!

Satan likes to throw hurdles our way, and he was very clever, but God was still on our side. The driver never showed up, nor did the first group's luggage. Supposedly, it was in Beijing, then it was with China Air, then it was at the hotel where Shaun and Galen were staying, then it was lost in thin air. As Rowland found a van for us, hurdle number three was partially cleared!

Fortunately, the guys had brought some change of clothes in their carry-ons, and Anita and I wear the same size. You know when you have a friend, and you think she has cute clothes? Well, Anita and I are lucky in that respect! She looked so good in my clothes that I couldn't wait to wear them again!! Still jumping hurdle number four!

Since Rowland, Carson, Anita, and I were staying in an apartment, we had to register with the police. After searching and searching and searching and searching and searching, we finally happened upon the police station. Apparently, no one we asked either understood what our hand signs for gun and stamp on a paper meant OR they've never been arrested! After literally walking for half a day, we found the police station, turned in all of the documents that were required, including the man's lease whose apartment we were "renting," and they said that we didn't have everything we needed. Since none of us could figure out what was missing, we decided to remain in cognito the rest of the trip! Hurdle dumped but cleared nonetheless!

Galen and Shaun Hanging in Our Apartment

At that point, Galen, Shaun, and the almighty Anita headed back to the airport to run all over the place looking for luggage that was still "somewhere." Supposedly, it would be delivered by 10:00 that night. Right! Instead, Anita and I went shopping for our football player Shaun in a country where there is NO ONE his size and definitely NO clothing his size. We ended up finding some shorts, though, for $5 that he could wear to church the next morning. Exhausted, Anita shopped in my closet once again. (I can't wait for my payback!!) Still working on that hurdle!

Anita in My Clothes - Gorgeous, Huh?

With help from the States, the luggage was found at Air China - except it wasn't at Air China. We also discovered that it had indeed been delivered to the hotel - NOT! I had just about decided that I should've double-packed when, from our of nowhere, the bags appeared Sunday afternoon. We still don't know where they came from or how they got to the hotel, but we were definitely thanking God! Hurdles cleared!!!

Then, the REAL adventure began....

Home!

We arrived home from China this afternoon, and I've been a complete zombie. In fact, on the plane, I fell asleep on Rowland's shoulder and started singing "Happy Birthday" out loud. I was dreaming that I was having a birthday party for a much younger Carson, and we were at Burger King singing to him. Then, on the way home, I asked Joe, our neighbor who picked us up, what time Jeannie got home (from work in my mind). Duh! Jeannie doesn't work anymore and hasn't for a year!

Probably not the best time to blog, but I'm excited to share our adventures. I LOVE the Chinese people!!! They're so kind and helpful and lead such a simple life while seeming to be content. As I've made new "friends" through the week, I have prayed continually that they would hear God's Word and fall in love with Jesus.

Home is always SWEET, though, and my mom survived the eleven days with the three younger children. Their hugs and squeals filled my heart with joy, and I'm looking forward to spending time with my mom in the next few days.

Stay tuned for fun pictures and more details!!

Sadness

William with Valentino

Our precious cat with more personality than any other animal we've ever owned was eaten by coyotes two nights ago. William found his tail in the backyard. Please pray for William and Kitty. William cried all afternoon and cried himself to sleep. Jeannie, William's adopted aunt across the street, had crumb cake ready for him for breakfast this morning. He loves crumb cake, and it definitely lifted his spirits, but he's still very sad. In fact, we're all very sad. We loved our funny kitty, and he is very missed.

Valentino in His Favorite Sleeping Spot

Dr. Doolittle with Valentino and Sage

William with His Buddy

Happy 4th of July

We had a fabulous 4th of July hanging out at our adopted family's house, the Zaccagninos who live across the street. They always include us when their son and his family drive up from Colorado Springs. Jeannie never fails to have too much yummies around either! After water balloon fights (Jeannie is crazy!), horse shoes, croquet, "swimming" in the hot tub, watching Wipeout, and just hanging out, the men put on a fun fireworks display in the street between our houses.

Hanging Out in Our Neighbor's Driveway While the Men Do the Work

William Partially Clothed (As Usual!!)

Kitty Striking a Pose

Carson and Eli Getting into Some Mischief!

Joe, the Man of the Hour

Jeannie and Joe's son, Bobby, is in the Army and heads up a rifle brigade. He gets shipped out fairly often and has always come back unharmed. It was a special celebration for us this year as we were able to celebrate his safe return this past March and honor his service to our country. Aren't he and Melody the cutest couple? And gorgeous boys! Watch out, girls!!

Melody and Bobby

Robert and Jia (Maybe Another Handsome Couple Someday?)

Rowland was home sick, and we missed him, but we still had such a good time! Thanks, Joe and Jeannie for letting us be your family, too!!

Back to School - Really!

First Day of School Pictures

The three younger kids headed back to school today. We're in year-round schools so their five week break has ended. The good news is that they'll have school for nine weeks, then have three weeks off again in September. They were each excited - William to see his friends, Kitty to go to a new school, and Jia to get to sit in a real desk since she's in first grade now! They also each came home with big smiles and had fantastic days. My babies are in 5th, 4th, and 1st grades, and this is the first year since Carson was born when I haven't had any little people at home with me at least a few days a week. I'd like to say that I'm excited, but instead, I'm a little sad. I guess now I won't have too many excuses for not having time to get my house cleaned and the laundry done. Who knows? I might even start cooking dinner!! Nah! I don't want to get overly committed!!

Headed to the Bus Stop