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!
ZARA
Photos by Zenaz photoz
