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China Orphanage Trips
2010
The twelve team members of the Hope's Heart hosted orphanage mission trip returned from China in early June with a greater awareness of the plight of China's orphan population, and hearts broken and deepened with love for the babies and chidlren they served. The team members dedicate themselves entirely to bringing the love of Christ to the orphaned children of China. Critical to this time was the opportunity for lots of hugs, encouragement, games, treats, and ministering to the unique needs of the children. We desired to supply them with an awareness of their value and worth...and bring lots of smiles to their faces and joy to their hearts.
At the same time, the children and orphanages were provided with much needed practical supplies like clothing, books, developmental toys, baby walkers, baby floor mats, a washing machine, air conditioners, vitamin supplements and music.
We came home looking not only to how we were able to minister, but with a greater awareness of the mounting needs. The gravity of the astounding numbers of orphans weighs heavily on our hearts...the realization of their lack even greater.
Highlights for the children included:
~ A field trip to McDonalds
~ Children's Day celebrations at which time the kids were honored with cake, gifts, food, music and dance
~ A wealth of developmental toys
~ A library dedication including book selections and reading time, and
~ The introduction of music through new keyboard donations
Notible Quotes:
"If nothing else, I hope that on some level they [the children] know that someone cares that they are hurting"
"If you can come to China to help our children, I can do anything to help you."
"I was not prepared for the bonding that took place. It was so easy to love the children...and so difficult to leave."
"The Bible verse that tells us to care for widows and orphans in their distress has a much deeper meaning now, because I've seen the orphans in distress."
"God showed me how valuable every child's life is regardless of their mental and physical state."
2009
The 2009 Orphanage Mission Trip is temporarily postponed. China is denying access by foreigners into the orphanages. This ban was put into effect in mid May in order to protect the children from the H1N1 [swine] flu. The trip will be rescheduled as soon as the ban is lifted.
2007
Returning to China for the third time brought new excitement as 20 team members [15 first timers] served the orphans and their caregivers during the two week orphanage mission. Bringing hope and light to the orphans proved to enrich the lives of the team members as well as the children and staff. Days were filled with care giving, playing, art and craft times, mural wall painting, and shopping for new clothes and shoes for the children. The outreach ended with a fun-filled birthday celebration complete with cake, music, entertainment and gifts for the children and nannies.
The team treated children of all ages to a week of fun and games at a Children's Welfare Institute. Additionally, one day was spent at each of PHF's Shepherd's Village and New Day Foster Home. The kids were delightful, and a wonderful time was experienced by all. Hope's Heart Founders reconnected with friends at Hope Healing Home while the rest of the team enjoyed the sights of Beijing including the Summer Palace, Olympic Stadium, and lunch at a Chinese Tea House. The two-week trip came to a close with the team walking the Great Wall of China and Tienanmen Square and, of course, shopping for gifts and souvenirs.
Loving Interaction
Although 20 people physically went on the trip, many more accompanied the team with their prayers, encouragement, finances and donations. Donations to bless the children and nannies included adorable, hand-painted 'Little People' dolls for the kids; soft, home sewed 'silkies' to bring comfort to the babies and children; beautifully embroidered wash cloths for kids; cuddly teddy bears; and hand made bracelets and fragrant soaps for all the nannies. Many generous supporters gave of their income to help fund the trip as well as to purchase much needed supplies for the orphanage. The team was able to purchase new clothes and shoes for almost 100 children; medicines for the babies and children; a sterilization cabinet for the nursery; 2 washing machines; 5 room air conditioners; a camera to aid in adoption paperwork preparation; a DVD player and 2 tape players to fill the rooms with music; and an assortment of books and music. Each contribution serves to enrich the lives of the orphans by bringing light, hope and love.
Donated Silkies and Embroidered Washcloths Donated Bears and Little People Toys
 
Highlights of the mission included:
~ Interaction in four facilities with over 250 orphans and their caregivers, exhibiting to them their importance and the high value of their lives.
~ Donation to one of the orphanges of much needed items [see list in paragraph above]
~ New clothing and shoes for almost 100 children
~ Relationship building with one new orphanage, and re-connecting with three others.
~ Cherished quality times of bonding that hold sweet memoried for both the children and team members
~ Fifteen team members forever changed by their first experiences touching the lives of children growing up institutionalized...void of family and all we so often take for granted. Five team members connecting for a second and third time with the precious orphans of China they hold so dear to their hearts.
~ A fun-filled birthday celebration complete with festive decorations, cakes, fruit, beverages, singing, party hats, and gifts for each child and nanny.
Our mission to enrich the lives of China's orphans did not end with our good-byes and return home. Instead, we move forward with greater awareness of the tremendous needs within the orphanages. Serving first-hand in the orphanages brought light to the 15 new team members as they realized the urgent needs of the children and how compassionate, generous people can make a difference. We pray there will be an outpouring of response to help meet the medical, educational/developmental, basic life, and care giving needs of the orphans...each person reaching one more child with love and hope. Please take time to view the projects pages to see lives that have already been impacted. Then remember, for each child helped 100's of others sit and wait for an extension of love and care to be extended to them. Won't you be the one to touch them? See 'How You Can Help'. Thank you!
Here are some very special stories/testimonies/quotes from team members who would like to share with you the extreme value in reaching out to China's orphans ....
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The very first day we visited, I spoke to one of the older orphan girls who was wheelchair bound. She spoke a little broken English, so I asked her for her name. She told me, and I introduced myself. I then asked her if she had a hobby, and since she didn't quite understand what I was asking, I asked her more specifically if she played the piano. She looked at me almost surprised and exclaimed, "Who told you!?!" I said I had no idea, I just thought I'd ask. After that she excitedly sat me down and made me play for her on the piano in the house. I played a little and she listened quietly. Then I asked her to play for me. She wheeled her chair over to the piano and began to play beautifully. As the melodies rose and fell, and she flawlessly played, I noticed that she needed someone to push the sustain petal. I decided to be her feet as she played, and together we played several pieces of music. I was so touched because even though I couldn't speak much of her language and she couldn't speak much of mine, we found a common language. The beautiful thing about being with the orphans was that the power of Christ's love could still be communicated through a hug or a smile, or by simply being someone's feet while they play a piano piece. Language was a barrier in the natural, but God's love knows no bounds, and I believe He touched hearts through our touch and our smiles.
 
 
 
2005
Our second trip to China served to expand our awareness of the tremendous needs that accompany growing up in an orphanage. At the same time it affirmed our passion to reach out in love and provision to these precious children. The extent of the need is so far-reaching that without your partnership many children would sit in wait without someone to care. Thank you for your prayer and financial support.
 We were privileged to visit three orphanages on this trip. Two of them, Hope Foster Home and Langfang Children’s Village, work in conjunction with the social welfare institutes to respond in a loving and specific way to the orphans born with special needs. In a loving family environment, these children are given the medical care and attention (usually surgery) needed to help correct physical birth defects. The leadership, staff, and volunteers of both facilities give totally of themselves to the children.
The bulk of our time was spent in a government run Social Welfare Institute in northeast China. The director and nannies of this facility see to the daily care of children primarily with special needs (physical and/or mental). Our days spent with these beautiful children included trips to the park, drawing and finger painting, playing with balls, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and jump ropes. We also hosted a pool party and a birthday party in their honor.
We returned to the U.S. with a renewed vigor to advocate for and raise awareness of the conditions and needs of the Chinese orphans. If you have an interest in learning more, please contact us.   
2004
Seeing China for the first time is an awesome experience…the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Yet, the most incredible time was the eight days spent with the babies in a social welfare institute in south central China.
Heather, Ken, and Judy (Founders and Directors of Hope’s Heart) experienced first hand the day to day lives of the Chinese orphans….eating, sleeping, bathing, diaper changes, and playing. They worked along side the nannies (ayis) caring for the needs that accompany rooms full of babies/toddlers. Knowing a few of these children would be adopted brought comfort. Unfortunately, most will not be joined with a forever family. It was through this experience that Hope’s Heart Orphan Foundation was birthed. [See About Hope's Heart]    |
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