Farewell To Fushun

An Emotionally Filled Last Day At The Orphanage

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An Amazing Day

A TRIP TO THE HOME OF THE QING DYNASTY

At 7 a.m. we left the hotel for McDonald's to pick up box lunches for our field trip with the children of Fushun. Try and get your local McDonald's to cook burgers and fries at 7 in the morning.

We boarded up 25 kids, several nannies, the social welfare institute director, the orphanage director and eight Americans and headed off by bus on a 1 1/2 hour ride to the home of the founder of the Qing Dynasty.

There was a small park at the Qing Dynasty home with a small lake, paddle boats and a water bridge for fun. An did they have fun! After eating our 5 hour old fries and burgers the kids had a great time playing with frisbees and beach balls.

We headed back to the orphanage about 4 p.m. with a lot of sleeping kids and Americans. What an "Amazing Day."

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Fushun 2008 Olympics

Today was a very busy day as we had our Olympic Games for the Children of Fushun and an afternoon of craft activities.

God is doing wonderful things here in Fushun and the orphanage. The seeds have been planted through mutual respect between us and the orphanage officials. Both love the children equally.

One of our sweet friends from last year,Kitty, came today from school. This 15-year-old took a two hour bus ride to see us.

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First Day at the Orphanage

Today was our first day back at the Fushun Orphanage and we had many pleasant surprises. There are many new children but none as a result of the earth quakes.

We played games outside and did crafts in the afternoon. The kids made several crafts around a nautical theme. To the right is a new baby at the orphanage. The director is making efforts to get the paperwork for adoption in progress on many kids.


The picture to the right is us with Betty. Her best friend is Cindy who was adopted in March. Betty was sad at first because we delivered a letter to her from Cindy, who is now in North Carolina.
After a while and some singing, Betty was happier.

The kids are great at jump rope. At one point, five were jumping at the same time. Pat didn't try.

One of the new faces at the Fushun orphanage is to the right.
They are in the planning stages for a new facility which will allow for the care to 200 children. The current facility can house 80 children.

We were treated to a great dinner by the orphanage staff.

Travel to Fushun Day 3

We were up at 4 a.m. for an early morning flight to Shenyang. Shenyang is a city of about 8 million with an unbelievable construction boom. New town center type communities and shopping malls. Even golf courses under construction.

Our guide, Maggie, was so excited to see us again she ran to the glass security area. She is outside the glass.


PAT DRAWS A CROWD at the airport showing off the grandchildren's pictures to Chinese travelers. They were very interested and happy to see that we are Avery's Grandparents. When they here nei nei, the word for Grandmother in Chinese, they get a big smile on their face.

Shenyang will host the soccer games for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The picture at the top right is the Marriott Hotel with window washers hanging from ropes.

When we arrived at the Friendship Hotel in Fushun Mrs Zhu and Mr Zhou, the Directors of the orphanage, were in the lobby to meet us. The hotel had been completely remodeled since our last visit. We will head for the orphanage at 8:30 a.m. and will post later.

DAY TWO IN BEIJING

Shepard's Field

We had a nice early breakfast and departed for Philip Hayden Foundations Shepard's Field. Philip Hayden, started in 1996 has provided medical care and completing more than 2600 operations to correct special needs of orphans. After three years of planning the first children were welcomed to Shephard's Field in 2006. Shephard's Field will be the largest facility of its kind in mainland China and will be home to 125 children with special needs.

We were able to spend several hours playing with the children, giving gifts and talking the director's assistant about the needs of the orphanage. They are in a building boom with homes for older girls with special needs to provide life skills training.

The group had a traditional Chinese lunch around a large lazy susan table. Much more than we could finish was provided. There are several beautiful paintings hanging in Shepards field at Phillip Hayden.

The afternoon was spent visiting the Forbidden City, the home of former Emperors of China. The Forbidden City and its 1000 rooms are being spruced up for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. There is evidence all over the City of Beijing of the coming Olympic Games.





Tomorrow we will travel via air to Shenyang and on to Fushun. We will post later.

Half Way To China

Six and a half hours and we are just passing south of the North Pole. Yes, when you go to China from the East coast you head north over Canada and the North Pole.

We had a great flight since were upgraded free to Business class. Great food and plenty of room for you legs.We arrived in Beijing about 2:30 Wednesday and got to the hotel about 6 p.m. Comfortable rooms but the Westin.

Tomorrow we are off to Shepards Field at Philip Hayden and then to Tianaman Square, the Forbidden City and other sights.

Dinner at the hotel and I cut my lip on a ceramic spoon. The hotel was so upset they want me to go to the hospital. They sent fruit to the room. Will post as soon as possible.

Leaving On Our China Trip Tomorrow

We are all packed, right at the total weight limits for luggage within China. We had a great Father's Day with our daughter and Bob's parents and said our farewells.

We will spend Monday night in Washington DC and depart Tuesday for Beijing. Flight time is about 13 hours. Hopefully we will not have difficulty posting while in China.

We will try to post daily, however please be patient as our days will be long and tiring.

Two Weeks To Fushun

Pat and I will be departing for Beijing on June 17. After two days in Beijing we will travel to Fushun and the orphanage. We are very excited about seeing the children again and wondering if there are new faces as a result of the earthquakes that destroyed many towns and cities last month.

Your contributions to us for the children of Fushun has reached more than $4500. This money along with other money raised by our group will be spent directly at the orphanage by our group. We intend to concentrate on the educational needs of the children as well as physical needs.

Pat and I have planned a field day for the children with an Olympic Games theme. We have a torch relay planned; opening ceremony; shot put; various relays. Each child will receive a "gold" medal.

We will post again in China.

God Bless and thanks again.