Time at Maria's Big House of Hope

Last week our family was blessed to spend time at Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang. Though we were going miss New Hope, we were all excited to see our dear friends, the Martins and Renichs. After arriving at on Wednesday at 10, we unpacked and spent time catching up. From then on, the days were filled with laughter and playing as we enjoyed the family environment. While there, we played games, battled in ping pong, enjoyed lots of piano, and had many hours of fellowship over meals. We were also reminded that God places people in unique situations for very specific reasons. As God’s vessels, we were there to encourage the staff as they do God’s work and remind them that their work changes lives.

After knowing our friend Katie for eight years through Show Hope, it was a "check off the bucket list" for us to be in China together! Great to spend time with this dear friend and mentor to us girls. She lovingly works with the children and staff at the care centers sharing ways for better attachment for children.

One opportunity I had to help those at Maria's was given to me by Nate Renich, one of their hardworking staff. He asked me to paint a mural on a wall in their fellowship room. This wall had their projection screen and he wanted to spice it up with some trees. I gladly accepted his request and began brainstorming ideas. Soon, I was busy sketching out the trees on the wall, imagination flying. After getting Nate's ok, I began to paint the trees with the wonderful help of my mom. At first we struggled to find the correct color to match the other trees (there are not arts and crafts stores on every corner to buy supplies needed), but after a few minutes of googling and mixing, we finally created a mixture. A few hours later, after finishing the leaves and erasing pencil lines, we stood staring at the two trees we had just painted. They were positioned to look like they were holding up the projector screen and fit the forest mood of the room. Nate and the staff loved them and I was thankful for the opportunity.

The babies there are precious. It is always a joy to spend time with the children. We got to be part of a swim day. The looks on the children's faces is priceless as they enjoy the water and some outside time.

There are four nurses at Maria's and watching them care for the children is seeing angels at work. They are so gentle and thorough with the children. Mom got to spend several hours with them. What a blessing to know their hearts better. The ayis who care for the children are filled with kindness and love. The children are so blessed to have this care while we pray they will have adoptive families soon.

We had a great time at Maria’s and are so glad we got to see our Family through Christ there! It's never easy to say "see you again" and head to the airport!

-ZENA

More June Fun!

Village Life

Our family always enjoys village life out in China. New Hope is located about 35 minutes from the Beijing Airport and about an hour from downtown Beijing. Daily life includes walks, bicycle rides or runs in the village....for most of us! Charles and Zena run often so they see a lot of the area!

We walk to the village to get fresh produce from farmers or the small markets. There is a five-day market that we enjoy that comes to town every five days. It is similar setting to a flea market in our area. There are hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of items - food, clothing, household items, leather goods, animals etc!

If we don't walk, we take the Hope Harley II which is a three-wheel electric cart. It is fun to drive!

It's a Party!

The children here at New Hope enjoy individual birthday celebrations if they are in preschool - children who are two and older. It is sweet for them to celebrate with their 2-3 classmates.

At the end of the month, there is a big party for all children and staff to honor those children with a birthday that month. About 50 people gather in the cafeteria to celebrate these precious ones! We have been able to enjoy this end of month party each trip and it is always such a fun time with the children.

They are beautiful creations of God and so worthy of being honored on their birthday and every day!

Water Fun in a Parched Land!

We enjoyed several swim days in June. It is very hot here this summer but rain has been a blessing several days lately. While the rain is a great relief to the heat and dampens the hard soil, it keeps us from having water time with the children. Their laughter and splashes are delightful!

New Hope - Hope for All Who Enter!

Hello everyone! We are in China! Three weeks already with dear friends who serve here and precious orphans with medical conditions. These past several days here have been busy but amazing! Sorry we are just putting up our first post.



Two weeks ago, I celebrated my birthday, friends from Luoyang coming to visit, and not one, but two parties celebrating people (Mikey who has served in China for 10 years and Hilliary departing China after working for a few years).

Our friend Lindsey Grace (running with a child in the photo) was with us for two weeks and it was so much fun for her to come and experience a little of what our life is here in China. She was a huge blessing to everyone and the children loved every minute with her.

New Hope is so special to us and so many. My parents met Dr. Joyce and Rob Hill in 2001 when they came to Nashville to bring two orphans for surgery. Mom and dad had no idea at that time that God was opening a door for them to walk through that would be life-changing for all of us.

Every trip opens my eyes even more to how blessed I am to have a loving caring family but also how much all these little kids are blessing me in ways they do not even know. I have never realized how much joy a smile, laugh, or a couple steps could bring me.



Our days consist of two preschool classes in the morning a couple of hours, lunch break and the children nap, the four preschool classes in the afternoon. Children two and older attend preschool classes that are 30 to 45 minutes in length. We girls and Mom teach preschool which includes circle time (talking about date, weather, alphabet, numbers and letter of the week), the children enjoy a snack that is often related to a topic for the week, and the last few minutes of the class are craft or play time. We have studied plants, flowers, weather and water. One of the most fun days was letting the children play in a rectangle bin of water filled with sponges, small toys, bottles etc. The children loved this hands-on activity that also got them wet on a hot day!

The ayis (nannies) are amazing with the children here!

The days are full! We will try to post more often. Keep us in your prayers as we serve these precious little ones and encourage those who work here.

ZARA

Photos by Zenaz photoz

Birthday Fun

Zara turned 15 a few days ago! What a special celebration for her to be in China. We made signs for the doors and had several celebration meals for her with different friends coming and going! The preschool children enjoyed celebrating her birthday in class!

Thanks to so many who sent her wishes and for the special gift that arrived from the McKeeby family!

The 15 year old riding in the village!