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4:37 PM
7:32 AM
It was truly a miracle. 
Since her schooling is completed, we have been working with Spring to help her find a job. However, she did not like the idea of starting a job, and was making up many excuses from finding work.
She couldn't make the decision for herself, so we ended up choosing for her. Yet on the first day, she was angry and refused to work. She sat around all day, though we noticed she was reading a Bible we gave her.
The next night we had a Bible study and she told us her story: the day before she had been feeling like she had two voices in her head telling her different things and she was very confused. She didn't know why but she had turned to the word. Spring said that for the first time what she was reading wasn't just words. It was real. It really meant something to her and she knew it was the truth. She said at that time she believed in God and she prayed to Him!
We asked her if she believed that Jesus was His son and that He came to forgive her sins and she said "yes". Then we asked her if she asked him for forgiveness and with a big smile she said "yes!" Since that day, she has felt so happy.
Spring told us that she never found peace through Buddhism. She told us after she gave us a hard time about choosing a job and not being cooperative, she expected us to act cold towards her. When we didn't, she was surprised. We all talked to her and smiled at her, and she could see the love.
It's only because of Jesus that we were able to love when someone is giving you difficulty. It's amazing because God has been so faithful to be our strength in every single circumstance we've faced here on the Ranch. Praise His Name!
7:36 PM
"This is my goal: When I grow up I want to go to China and help all those orphans too like you and all those sisters and brothers. Because Bring Me Hope inspired me a lot. I think God well have plans for me to do these things and I just need to wait until that time is come." ~Danielle, age 16. She was a BMH camper in 2006 and now has a family in the USA.
7:20 PM
First time volunteer Doug Stephens talks about his experience at camp in Kunming, China…
Oh my gosh, I’ve traveled a lot, I’ve been to some amazing places. Being at camp in Kunming was the best because it meant something.
It was cool to bond with my translator, develop that relationship and see how that progressed. One of the camp translators heard a few guys and I talking about God and so he went and talked to Tim Hedden, our camp director, and accepted the Lord. When we came back from the city that afternoon, the translator came up to me and said, “Guess what? I’m you’re brother in Christ!” That was awesome.
The other volunteers there were amazing, really stellar people. It was rad to be around a group of Christians who I could talk to and who challenged me.
Saying goodbye to the kids was really hard. And it was one thing after another, but it was great. There’s no other way that it could have been any better. It was perfect.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I want to adopt a Chinese orphan in the future. I want to go back so bad. I still think about China everyday even though I’ve been home for a while now. I look at my pictures, email the translators, and try to maintain friendships I made with people there.
What did God teach you about Himself?
In China I met Christians who love God so much that they would put themselves at risk for their faith. The believers there have a thirst for God that inspires me.
One night in China I was talking to my friend Chris about how I was feeling ashamed for not stepping up and sharing my faith more when I could be. But I realized that God isn’t looking at me with anger but with love and readiness for me to grow.
What would of you have missed if you didn’t go to China?
I would have missed out on getting to see how blessed I am. My family and I have so much and yet the kids in China have that same joy when they don’t have much.
The friendships I made, with Josh and Chris especially. I would have missed out on being challenged and encouraged by them.
And I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to know the kids and work with them. I was able to meet my buddy’s caregiver and she told me how she could tell how much I loved this little boy and cared about him. It was really an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love.
What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering at camp next year?
Aw, man. I would say “GO!” It was the best experience.
The kids are so awesome. Regardless if you have 'Happy' or 'Juan', (an easy-going or a high energy kid) it’s impacting their life. I got lucky because I had awesome kids, but it’s not how easy we have it during the week, it’s what can I do so that they know they’re special. The first time they take your hand you think, ‘this is rad!’ It ends up being a blessing to you to.
Doug with his orphan buddy and translator at camp.
New friends in Kunming.
The infamous cake fight lives on!
7:55 PM
I'm a new dad! At least for the next 3 months. I never thought that being a parent could be soooo hard!!! After this week, I respect parents everywhere more than I ever have. Especially if you have a teenager who doesn't like to get up in the morning, is stubborn, wants his own way, tells lies, eats food he's not supposed to, and thinks he can live on his own. E-mail nicole@bringmehope.org if you would like to follow the Ranch video updates.
REVIVAL of hearts- A little more about the miracle summer of 2009
Not only did God keep our camp open this summer, but He opened MANY hearts. We saw a mini-revival take place when quite a number of people made decisions to follow God with their lives. In the last 5 years of camp, we have never seen anything like it. We have also never seen such difficulty in keeping the camp open. I'm so glad that we fight on the winning team! Thank you again for all your prayers!
----
When my tears drop- A letter from an orphan
At night when I lay awake. I will think of you and my tears will drop. Whatever great difficulties, I will never give up. Trust myself and God... I love you very much and you are important in my heart. My English is not very good. I want to make you help me. Would you like to be my English teacher? I will be your Chinese student and Chinese sister. I miss you--that's all
Best wishes to you! I love you! Fiona
4:27 PM
“Camps in China for orphans are CANCELED! Please try to get a refund from your airline.”
I came very close to sending that out to all of our volunteers. Here’s the story how God saved the 2009 summer camp…
Volunteer Update 1, May 23, 2009
I wanted to take a moment to update you on some changes happening in China. Just recently a few orphanages in Xi'an have told us that they are not allowing their kids to attend summer camp because of potential exposure to the Swine Flu.
Volunteer Update 2, May 28, 2009
We were really disappointed to hear that the civil affair administration has told ALL orphanages that the children are not allowed to attend outside activities. We ask you and your friends and your church to pray for the orphans in China. That God would do a miracle on behalf of these kids.
The other bit of news that I wanted to tell you about has to do with some of the plane flights going into China. Our camp director in Kunming said that someone was on a flight with another passenger that had a fever and everyone on the plane was quarantined for 7 days. Sooo.... that is a risk that I want you to be aware of before coming.
Other News- May/June, 2009
- One of our camp locations shut down because of Swine Flu.
- Another summer camp similar to ours canceled because of Swine Flu.
- Swine Flu declared worldwide pandemic
- 2 times I planned on buying an “immediate departure” plane ticket to find another country that might let us run summer camps.
-----------------
The first half of the story looked very bleak. No orphans, volunteers spending half their trip quarantined in a hospital, and no group facilities available to host a summer camp.
We asked our volunteers to pray for a miracle. We just couldn't imagine closing camp. Then, just a few weeks before camp was to start, we got news that several orphanages decided that they would send kids to camp. Because other orphanages were not allowed to send orphans to camps, I kind of figured that these orphanages must have missed the memo from the government. Or maybe the mandate got lost somewhere. We felt excited, but we also felt that at any instant the mandate could arrive and camp would be over. We ran camp on a day to day basis in anticipation that a mandate could arrive at any time and camp would be over. But the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into over a month of summer camps.
We also found out shortly before camp started that the “shut down” camp location had decided to host our camp. We had to check temperatures daily for the first 7 days, but other than that, we were free to run camp as normal.
One of our volunteers did get quarantined the first week of camp. We made about 10 phone calls and found him in a small hospital in Beijing. The hospital was running tests on him. After a few hours they found out that he didn't have a fever and put him on the next plane to his camp location. He didn't miss even one day.
I hope this encourages you to PRAY and TRUST God with your life. Over 200 orphans came this summer that weren’t supposed to come. And the things that looked so bleak and dismal became a beautiful summer that changed all of us.
“The requirement for a great miracle is impossibility.” Faith Like Potatoes
Good Times,
-David
p.s. Here are a few of the kids that came to camp...
See all lives changed: http://bringmehope.org/lives_changed.asp
6:55 AM
Hey Everyone,
We just started our last week of camp here in Xin Zheng. This week is going to be CRAZY!!!!!As soon as the kids got off the bus craziness started happening. Without warning, one of the girls had to go to the bathroom really bad and went on the grass. Many of them are incontinent and have diapers. I looked over and my sister was changing a diaper for an older girl who had gone poop.
When we got to lunch the bathroom lady started talking really fast and motioning for me to come in and see the bathroom. I told her I didn't understand what she was saying but she insisted that I come in. Once inside she told me through hand motions that one of the kids used the trash can to pee in and that it had gotten all over the floor and people would be slipping.
And all that happened within one hour. Right now everyone is at the pool. Later we will have a team meeting and I'm sure there will be many more stories.
But, these kids have CAPTURED the hearts of everyone here. I'll let you know how it goes next week!
-----------
Make sure to see the newest kids that came to camp. Their pictures and letters are really amazing! CLICK HERE
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From Kunming Camp:
Goodbye day is always the hardest point of camp. Especially after loving the kids for a week and seeing them thrive in the love that a parent should be providing. One of the volunteers was explaining to his little boy that he was going home to America. The little boy named David replied:
"I can't find my home... I can't find my mom and dad..."
David (Dada Li) at camp:
-David Bolt
12:17 PM
Hi Everyone,
I hope your week went well. We had another full week with so much to tell you. Here's a few hightlights:
253 Lives Changed (and counting): http://bringmehope.org/lives_changed.asp
BMH's new database that has a letter and picture from each orphan as they come to camp.
Here's a few pictures and letters from the children last week:
------------
I think, if I can use the sea water as the ink. use the big tree as my pen. I still can not write all the love between you and me. It's beyond words... I'll treasure this memory forever:
"Jim, I love you! ... I very love you! ... very very love you"
Although I can't speak English, but I think you can understand these words, these simple words, but, which have deep meanings!
------------
You're my angel that God give to me. I believe love in the world never fails now. I get warmth and strength from your love. I'll keep this experience in my deep heart forever. Your angel hands give me one hope that be with me forever."
------------
Your strength convinces me that love never fails and the greatness of love. Love can exist everywhere, love can make us become a family. The first person I want to see is you when I am admitted into a university. Aunt Susan, please allow me call you "Mother" here,
Best wishes for you!!!
------------
Desperate Love- (From Sam Vidler, director of Xi'an Camp)
When Simpson arrived at Xi'an's BMH camp 2009, he was obviously an intelligent, quiet boy. His disabilities are only in the formation of his hands, but his mind is sharp - very sharp. In fact his translator often commented that he is smarter than she is.
He still has a grandmother, but she is unable to care for him, and he has been in an orphanage for years. In this climate, he experiences bullying and theft, and knowing no other way, would repeat this to more vulnerable children.
Within 2 days of camp, he expressed his desire to leap out of a window on the last camp day, to become injured and not have to return to the orphanage but a hospital instead.
So, it was set to be a challenging week.
He went through the usual emotions that many teenage boys experience in this situation, where they are bathed in love and compassion. There was initial distrust, then a softening and opening up, then as the week was drawing to a close, an anger and defiance, as the prospect of losing this experience grows more real and immediate.
With the wonderful work of Alicia (volunteer) and Jane (translator), he truly got to experience Chr*st's love, and we know, from this, he will be touched forever.
And he did not try the window. Although sad to leave, a new light shone in a previously dark existence.
But, what about after camp?
Boys like this can either be destined for a life of anger and desperation, and maybe even crime, or a life in which valid role models exist, and his painful past can be recycled for good, and (prayerfully) for G*d.
It is boys like this that can be transformed - be given a real chance, that will effect the next 40-50 years of their life.
It takes commitment, patience and perseverance. But it is achievable.
He needs a program of consistent mentoring. This is another step in the BMH philosophy - The Ranch commencing in 2009. Let us know if you would like to be involved, receive updates, or help support the project!
The Ranch Video (intro):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f78k13USvYg&feature=channel_page
9:36 AM
Hi Everyone! Wow, so much to say! We had an incredible first week with the orphans. I'm attaching photos and stories in hopes of bringing you to camp as you read this email.
Biggest Slumber party ever!
Bedtime stories, snacks, and late night talking. Hmmm... I wonder what topic the girls talked about? But I do know that the boys got in some good wrestling! Lots of fun!
Reunited for a week!----
Last year we had about 350 orphans come to camp. So much pain, sorrow and tragedy in little hearts. One of those kids was a young boy named Billy. We wrote about him in our 09 magazine. (Read the full story here) During camp last year Billy asked his American buddy why no one had adopted him. It broke the volunteer to answer him, Billy followed up the question by telling his volunteer that Jesus had adopted him and not to worry. When He got back to the orphanage Billy ran away in hopes of finding us. After he spent a night and a day walking the streets and country-side of China, he arrived at camp. But camp was finished. And the desire he had to be reunited with his friends was met with disappointment. Eventually a student found him and called the orphanage to come pick him up.
After waiting 1 year, Billy came to camp again this week!!! Here is an update from Sam Vidler, director of the camp that Billy attended:
"Billy's week was a rollercoaster - as many ups and downs, twists and turns, and always going at full speed. He arrived knowing what camp was about, and jumped straight into it. However, there are many aspects of Billy's life that are tumultuous, and we had the challenge and the privilege to work through some of these. He left camp knowing that he is truly loved, and the darkness he has experienced in parts of his young life, can have a new light shed upon them."
-----------
I Hate my Parents!
I think everyone can understand when an orphan says, "I hate my parents!" One girl told her translator about why she has no feet. When her mom abandoned her, she left her in the snow. By the time someone found her, she had frostbite so badly that the doctor had to amputate both her feet. Because of her mom she has to spend the rest of her life in a wheel chair.
So it breaks my heart to hear them say, "I hate my parents." But how can you tell them that hate and bitterness will poison their life? That they need to forgive and try to move on? I hope in some small way that we encouraged them this week. Also, I felt like this was a challenge for all of us that do have parents. If you bitter at your parents: FORGIVE & APPRECIATE THEM! Most likely they didn't leave you out in the snow. And there are many orphans that would rather have the parents you have than the employees that take care of them.
Fan Fan ---
This was Fan Fan's second time coming to camp. Because of difficulties, she had to go back to the orphanage in 2008. This year, the staff in Xian perservered through some incredible challanges. And this year she stayed for the who week at camp. Here's an update from Sam Vidler.
Fan Fan - this is a girl who has developmental delay and difficulties with relationships, and the concentrated schedule of camp brought some of these out. But through G's amazing power, and pr*yer, her week turned around, so that by the end, although her participation in large group activities had to be reduced, she had the time of her life. She literally transformed overnight (Tuesday night to be precise) from a girl who was wailing, sullen, trying to bite others, to hugging the staff and smiling all day. Incredible to see!
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Photos from Kunming Camp:
---------
From my blog:
David gets athletes foot? ------
This week my feet started itching really bad. The first thought that came to my mind was Athletes foot! And oh no, I can't tell anyone. I'll be labeled. My friends and family will constantly be making sure that I don't spread the disease. They won't want to wear my sandals. They'll make me clean the shower with bleach... etc. Then I started thinking about the orphans. They are labeled. And for them it means a lot more than athletes foot. Their label can determine their future: Where they work. Where they live. What schooling they get. What love they experience. All because of a stupid label. 
Mustache???? -----
No Sharpies----
Cupping! -----
I walked into our office the other day and it smelled like smoke. A bunch of the staff were sitting around with the following items.
- A Lighter
- Glass cups
- Paper
As soon as they saw me they started shouting at me to sit down and experience Chinese medicine. At first I was confused. Then they explained... Light a piece of paper, stick it in the cup, and then quickly jam the cup with the fire in it against a part of your body. The fire burns up the oxygen and sucks your skin and muscle into the cup.
I looked over and saw one of the Chinese staff members with a huge burn on his back. They told me that they had learned from their mistakes. It wouldn't happen again. I was looking for a reason to leave the office but one of the girls was sitting there with half her leg sucked into the cup and smiling. Of course I couldn't leave.
They lit the fire and shoved it into the cup. Just as they stuck the cup on my leg my little brother told me not to flinch or it would let more oxygen in and burn more. Well, I didn't flinch. But... the rim of the cup was burning hot. My skin cinched and I started yelling at the staff member. Which just mixed with everyone's laughing. Afterward I felt really lucky compared to my friend. Only slight burns and blisters on my leg and arm. Here's my friend's burn-
Group photos ---
More Photos: ---
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonboltphotography/
facebook.com/bringmehope
Closing:
As I shared in the last update, Bring Me Hope came REALLY close to closing this summer. So many crazy phone calls, emails, and news reports along the way. But here we are in China, and more kids arrive tomorrow. It seems that every year the same thing is true, "Camp is disaster after disaster that ends in something beautiful!" This last week we covered the kids in love. Hugs, kisses, I love you's, and for the boys, wrestling :>) When they got on the bus to go home, they KNEW without a doubt that they were loved.
They had a need to be loved and they soaked it up. It made me think about how God is sooooo willing to love us too, but often we don't think we need His love. I pray that this week you need His love and know it!
Good Times,
-David
7:38 AM
Hi Everyone! Just wanted to share a few highlights (or unexpected moments) from China.
First of all, I am just AMAZED how God has opened the doors for orphans to come to summer camp. About 1 month ago we got word that all orphanages were not allowing kids to leave the orphanage in fear that they might get Swine flu from a foreigner.
The developing news looked so dismal that I was getting ready to fly to another country to see if we could set up camp somewhere else. But as I thought about leaving China, it was almost too hard to bear the thought. And so we prayed and asked others to pray and God did a miracle. I don't even know what happened. But in the last couple weeks some of the orphanages started to be willing to send their kids to camp. Currently all camps are full!!!
But we are not out of the woods yet. Yesterday an orphanage canceled on coming to camp. A few weeks ago a friend told me about another organization that canceled their work with kids. And here at my camp locations we have to take our temperature everyday. So please keep praying!
Second... Kind of an EMBARRASSING story. but those always make the best. Last weekend all of the camp staff flew in to my camp location to connect before camp begins. We heard about a local park that had go-carts, bumper cars, and zip lines. Well, as you can imagine, things aren't as safe in China. But this park seemed rather harmless. First was bumper cars. A little faster than usual and maybe a few sore necks but all went fine. Next we went over the zip line. This seemed a little more sketchy but the zip line went out over a lake and also had a safety net under the wire.
I waited my turn as most of the team went across the lake. I decided that when it was my turn I would make an effort to push off faster than normal. The Chinese man hooked my harness to the zip line and I pushed off. As I started across the lake I had another idea. bounce... so I started bouncing.
Everything was going well until I looked up to get ready for my landing. I saw the Chinese man waving at me quite urgently to pick up my legs. It was then that I realized that if I didn't pick up my legs, they wouldn't clear the dock. So I lifted them high into the air... But ... the bouncing and my weight timed just wrong and instead of clearing the landing I landed on the landing in sitting posture.
Well apparently, I didn't hear the back side of my shorts rip off. Maybe I was just too stunned because everyone was watching and I didn't want to look like I was hurt. So I just calmly waited for the guy to unhook me from the harness. As I was walking down the stairs I realized that all the girls were gone.. And the guys were laughing. and that is always a sure sign that something is wrong. I went to feel my injury and realized that there was nothing back there. Just air. And on top of that, there were people everywhere!!! And I couldn't really go anywhere. Eventually I figured out how to use my shirt for covering and decided that I'd be a little more careful on the zip line next time.
So, that started our summer off with the first of many more stories to come in the next month. that's what I love about China, you never know what might happen next.
Good Times,
-David
Here's a note from a buddy I had last year. Looking forward to seeing the kids in less than a week:
Wanghai's Goodbye letter:
David (Big beard :>)
You played with me, laughed with me. I think it’s the happiest time I have ever had this year. It is in the BMH camp where I played with you happily! :>) I hope you could send your photos to my email. Best Wishes! Keep fit!
2:13 PM
I asked the summer camp staff what we all can be praying for them for. Below are the things on their hearts. Let them know you're praying by sending an email to: info@bringmehope.org
I'd encourage you to take TEN minutes and lift up their top TEN requests.
Top TEN Prayer Requsts:
1. Safe travel to China and that no one would be quarantined when arriving to the country. (Some officials are withholding permission to enter the country if potential Swine Flu carriers are also traveling on the same plane.)
2. Logistics of getting everything to China. (Guitars, Games, Crafts, etc.) It’s a lot of stuff!
3. For health of those involved in helping with the Summer Camps.
4. Love between all the staff members.
5. Peace in the midst of fear and unknowns.
6. God’s strength for those helping to lead camp.
7. For good documentary footage that will later challenge people to reach out to needy children.
8. For the staff to keep their eyes on Jesus.
9. That God would keep the doors open for lots of orphans to come to camp this summer.
10. Strength, Peace and Joy from the Lord so people may see and know that He is God.
5:48 PM
Control; It’s an idea and pursuit that the American culture holds dear. But when even a step is taken onto the mission field (even if it is on our own soil), that illusion dissipates and we are left with the truth that nothing is certain.
Bring Me Hope runs summer camps for orphans in China. But what happens when the Chinese Civil Affair Administration has told ALL the orphanages in the country that the children are not allowed to attend outside activities because of the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus)? And what do we do when a camp location looks like it might fall through?
“I don't feel like this means that we should just give up,” David Bolt wrote to all the summer volunteers. “There are still lots of children that can benefit from summer camp,” he encouraged them.
Alternative plans include having camp for children in foster homes, on the streets, and whose parents are in jail. But the Bring Me Hope team doesn’t have to look too far back to remember how God brought just the right children into their path last year.
“We had been asking God all year to send us to the neediest orphans in China, and he took us right to them when our Beijing camp site unexpectedly was shut down,” Kristen Chase remembers.
“Everything seemed to be in complete chaos when the team relocated to another city, but in retrospect, we see that God was sending us to orphans who were in more desperate and dire situations than where we had planned to be,” she said.
So while some camp details remain uncertain, the Bring Me Hope team presses forward in faith.
“We are in a situation right now where we have to either give up or trust God that things will come together last minute, and that He will do a miracle,” David Bolt said. “And one week before we leave for China, things are falling into place,” he added.
Encouraging news came recently from Tim Hedden, the camp director in Kunming, explaining the opportunity to care for children found in bad home and family situations and who are on the verge of becoming orphans. Also, we just got news that a wonderful camp location that was in question came through!
“I'm really excited about this summer,” David encouraged the volunteers going to China. “Even though there are a lot of hard things happening, I REALLY trust that God is going to work it all together for good, and it will be much better than I could have ever planned,” he said.
Please be praying for everyone involved with Bring Me Hope this summer. We are after whatever God has for us, so please pray for willing hearts and His guidance! Thank you so much!
For more information: info@bringmehope.org
12:25 PM
Location: China
PC: Dennis Chen
Location: LA, CA
PC: Becca Berthelet
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Location: Maine
PC: Donna Chellis
Location: Wichita, KS
PC: Stephen Dyer
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Location: Kansas
PC: Tami Lakey
Location: MI
PC: Carmella Hepworth
Location: New Jersey
PC: Mark Padden, Kate Padden
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Location: Fallbrook, CA
PC: Becca Bolt
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