Off Again To China: Visiting Orphanages
And Ministering To Orphaned Children…
We will be off to China once again on June 15th to visit our adopted orphanage in FuShun and Shepherd’s Field, the American orphanage near Beijing that provides needed surgeries to orphan children.
FuShun China Social Welfare Institute…
We will spend the major part of our stay in FuShun City located about 250 miles from China’s border with North Korea. The orphanage portion of the institute houses about 60 children. Some babies, school age kids and some who are handicapped. While at the orphanage, we assist the nannies with the babies and provide crafts and outside play time for the older children. In past years we usually have a field day away from the orphanage and plan an annual birthday party for all the kids complete with creamy cake and presents.
Adopted This Year…
Several children were adopted in 2008 and 2009 from FuShun this year, some to families in the United States and others to families in Europe. The older children have little hope of ever being adopted.
Meet Zheng Hao’en (Picture at the top of this post)
We first met Zheng Hao’en as a six-month-old boy in FuShun. The orphanage director asked if we knew how to help him as he appeared to have clubbed feet and hands. We immediately thought of Shepherd’s Field and Tim Baker, the director. We contacted Tim and he said “we would be honored to help this baby.” After six months of emails and paperwork, Zheng Hao’en arrived at Shepherd’s Field on December 16. After examination by Dr. Bill Moody, a fulltime pediatrician there, it was determined that the baby has a very severe condition called arthrogryposis. The disease affects all his joints. His elbows and hips are locked and his hands are flexed. He may be able to stand at some point with braces and a walker. Zheng Hao’en has been given the Christian name of Robert and is happy and loved at SF.
In the past ten years, Shepherd’s Field has provided the financial support for 3000 surgeries to orphaned children. View their website at www.chinaorphans.org You can co-sponsor a child at Shepherd’s Field for just $35 a month.
Older Kids Learning English
Maggie, our English speaking guide while in FuShun goes to the orphanage once or twice a month to teach the older children English. Although they do learn some English in school, Maggie's approach is very close to a one on one teaching experience. We can not wait to see how well they have done. We have been learning some basic Chinese and hope that we will be able to better communicate with the children.
How Can You Help These Children?
100% of the money we raise each year is spent by us at the orphanages. In the past we have provided: air conditioners; washers & dryers; painting of the orphanage; corrective shoes; hospital beds for brain damaged children; high chairs; walkers; strollers; countless sets of clothing and shoes; staff uniforms; computers; sewing machines; bicycles; scooters; games and countless additional items that the kids enjoy.
You can make a tax deductible donation to Visiting Orphans and return it to us in the enclosed envelope. Provide your email address and we will send photos from China. We pray that you will have it in your heart to help these children and no donation is ever considered too small. Please follow our travels while in China. www.touchedbyachild.blogspot.com.
God Bless and thank you for your prayers and support.
Bob and Pat Hawley
