Bring Me Hope News

Exceedingly abundantly more… an update on Silas

2011-03-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

Monday March 21st has been an exciting day!

For the past couple weeks we have been waiting and praying for a call back from some different neurosurgeons we had contacted regarding Silas’ condition. This morning we received a call from Dr Mindea, a neurosurgeon from Stanford University. After chatting with him for a bit his words were, “I think it might be best if I could go to China and perform the surgery on him myself”. These words brought both shock and delight to our hearts! Not only is he willing to donate his time, but he is submitting a request to Stanford for all the supplies that are needed!

If we were to bring Silas here, spinal surgery would cost at least $80,000. Instead, this man is willing to travel all the way around the world, to a country he has never been to, to operate on a man he has never even met. If this is not the hand of God moving, than I do not know what is!

And while talking to Dr. Mindea he said that he was going to ask Stanford if he could borrow their medical equipment for the week he's in China. And also ask them to donate the metal they would use in surgery. JUST INCREDIBLE!!!

So, it looks like surgery will take place in about three months (enough time for all the arrangements to be made). Silas and his family will return home until that time, then they will meet Dr Mindea back in Beijing for surgery.

Keep us in your prayers as we talk with Dr Mindea to figure out the details. Supplies needed, transportation, recovery, physical therapy, other medical staff- these are just a few of the “question marks” we have in our heads. BUT… God does exceedingly abundantly more than we can ever ask or imagine, so we are not worried. We are just thankful! Please join us in thanking God for His provision today!

If you would like to join us in praying for Silas and hearing more details, we are organizing a short conference call.

March 24- 6pm (PST)

218-862-1300

Bridge #: 599558 (type this number when you connect)

We will keep you posted as we learn more!

Good times,

-Dani, Rose, and David

Sponsor Blossom and Ronny and change their lives FOREVER!!!

2011-03-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Meet Blossom and Ronny. They came to camp last summe from a very primitive orphanage.

Blossom is 13 years old and has Spina Bifida and a missing leg. Ronny is 8 years old and has uncorrected Club feet. Their buddies from camp last summer fell in love with them. Their sweet smiles and joyful personalities make them easy to love.

These children would really benefit by being moved to the Philip Hayden Foundation, a foreign run foster home, where they could get quality medical attention. For this to take place, each child needs 10 sponsors giving $35 a month (this will cover housing, food, personal care, medical attention, and education!).

Kim (one of their buddies from camp) is working really hard to find sponsors for these kids. Pray and see if this is something the Lord would have you take part in. Imagine how love, education, and medical attention will change these children's lives FOREVER!! Be a part in this life changing event!

Feel free to contact Kim at dkgray92@comporium.net

Bring Da Mei Home

2011-03-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

This is Da Mei, a nine-year-old girl from China available for adoption. As you can see she's full of joy, and it spreads to everyone around her. Da Mei is so hopeful for a family that she's already convinced she has one! We hope God impresses her situation on you. We ask you to watch her video below and pray. If Da Mei remains on your heart like she's remained in ours, don't hesitate to do the will of God!

"Then he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.'" -Luke 9:48 NIV

For more information please contact the Mahoney Family at meg@christfirst.net or themccanns@silentsubstitute.com

Lucy and her mom get a new home!!!

2011-03-12T21:42:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Here is an update from Julie Vidler about one of the ELIM kids and her mom that they have been working to help. A few of us got to meet and minister to this little family last summer and it was such a joy! They are so precious to us and to the Lord. Thank you Julie and Sam for all your hard work on behalf of these kids.

It was so exciting today to move Lucy and her mum to their new home!

When I arrived she was sitting on the 3-4 bags that contained all their worldly possessions (can you believe it?) and was literally jumping for joy!

Even though it is small (one bed room) , it is clean, has heating, a kitchen, water and electricity. A far cry from their old place where they often went for days without food or water and it was bitterly cold in the winter.

The most exciting thing for me is that they escape the “stigma” they suffered in their old community. Lucy can come and go as she pleases and play outside with the other children.

As we set up we had a crowd of curious on lookers who were queuing to play with the Chinese girl who has so many foreign friends!

When we left, Lucy and her mum were happily sitting on the lounge watching TV and eating the chocolate brownies made by our American friends!

To us “foreigners” it may only be a small step but what a great change in their lives to escape the apartment they have been locked in for the last 2 years or more.

Thanks so much for enabling us to do this by so willingly giving your money so we can pay for rent, food, electricity and water.

Love Julie on behalf of all at “Elim kids”

Update about all is doing for Silas and his family!!

2011-03-05T09:31:00.001-08:00

Wow, God is doing so much!! The exact details of all He is doing are quite unclear to us at this very moment, but it is undeniable that He is working in so many ways!
So we have recently received the contact information of one fo the world's top neurosurgeons! He works at UCLA medical center and has traveled overseas (specifically to China) to do surgeries! We got in touch with him and his associate. We are eagerly waiting to hear back from them! We do not know to what extent these men will be involved in Silas' life. But, whatever the capacity (whether they are just more professional consults of if they could be performing surgery on Silas in the near future) we are thankful for them. We are ever looking in to the option of potentially bringing him here to do surgery if the surgeon thinks that is a viable option. We will keep you updated as we hear more!
Thank you to all of you who have donated money towards his surgery and recovery. We are uncertain of the amount we will now need as the direction of the plan is up in the air. We do know that Silas will be getting surgery and funds are still needed! So pray and talk to people about the story of Silas and Hannah and all the Lord is doing and using for His glory!
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." EPH 3:20-21

"It's you who made me feel that I am still loved" inspiring quotes from little campers

2011-02-23T11:44:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are teetering on the idea of joining us for summer camp in China this year -here are some amazing quotes from our little campers. Their lives will be changed forever by the time you spend with them. They think you should come!

"I heard that you take a very long journey to come here in order to love me. I am greatly moved." -Bingying Sun

"You are like my mom to me. This is the most beautiful memory in my life." -Zengwang Feng

"It's you who made me feel that I am still loved." -Minglun Hua

"You let me know God. Let me know love. I know that God protects us." -Ping Wang

"I learn from you to smile even if my life is full of adversity." -Yan Li

"I have learned that I am very valuable and I should never look down upon myself because of our misfortunes we've encountered." - Wenjing Dang

"You are just like a kind father. There is full love in your heart." -Lujun Yu

"When I was feeling down, it was you who used your heart to encourage me. It was you who support me all the time." -Liang Liu

"I am always dreaming of making friends with foreigners. Now I have my dream come true!" -Mingnei Hua

"I am thankful for you giving me hope." -Shuangli Fu

"You give me courage to face difficulties like a family." -Ya Jhang

"I learned a lot from the lesson we had in this camp. No matter when and how hard a problem may be, you should never give up and be a strong man. I'll never give up and I will hold it on till it succeeds." -Wei Xu

"It is beyond my imagination that all the activities are done in family group at the camp. We felt the warmth and love of a family. Kids like us can't imagine we could ever come here and enjoy life like this." -Yanhong Zhang

"I spent a lot of happy and memorable time with you, which makes me feel family love and coziness inside. All of these things let me feel warmth wintin and having a family is so precious." -Dong Fu

"I learned how to deal with something. I will put the knowledge I learned how to use in our daily life." -Jianli Zhang

"The most important is that without your love, we will have no chance to be here and to enjoy life like this." -Nannan Chen

"To be honest, it is the first time for me to see your kind of behaviours. I am really shocked. Your good behaviours really impressed me." -Xiangshuai Yang

"In the camp, I feel as if I really saw hope. Among the kids, some are very naughty. But, our 'parents' love them and care for them all the same. This really touched me a lot." -Dang Ai Guo

"Different cultures, different ages, different colour skins, different languages....but we can get along with each other. I think this is only because of your love. Thank you for the memories you left to me. I will lock it in my deep heart." -Qian Zhang

"Mommy, come find me!" update letter from the Hedden family in China

2011-02-22T17:55:00.000-08:00

"Mommy, Come Find Me!"
Our family has so enjoyed getting to know the orphaned children at the Dexing (pronounced duh-shing) school in northern Kunming. A few months back we noticed one little girl hanging back in the shadows with her head hung low. We found out that she had been dropped off at the school by her mom back in August, and hasn't seen her since. She had a far-away look in her eyes and refused to make eye contact or interact with us. Her Chinese name is Mengrui, but as all the others loved it when we gave them English names, we named her Lucy. Amy later described her as, “ . . . the most forlorn child I have ever seen.” We have slowly been getting to know Lucy, but it hasn't been easy. The recent Chinese holiday gave the kids some time off from school, so we asked the headmaster if we could have them to our house overnight and were given permission to do so. When it was Lucy's turn, she wandered in, immediately gathered up the dollies, and quietly played for some time with them. She slowly began to relax and enjoy her time with us. Amy then took her up for a long warm bath after which she emerged looking like a little Chinese princess – clean, warm, hair braided, and smiling. Things seemed to be going really well . . . and then she had a meltdown!
Lucy got upset about something and began to shout. Soon she was crying, and this turned into screaming. I scooped her up and held her, but couldn't console her. I set her back down, and she slid like a waterfall onto the floor where she writhed and began yelling, “Mommy, come find me, mommy come find me!” My mind had been racing, grappling for parenting solutions, but when I heard her words, I realized that she was wailing from deep down inside of her; she was grieving. We were witnessing outward behavior that reflected wounds way beyond her ability to express. Amy held and rocked her with a new understanding of Lucy and her situation. We felt incredibly inadequate! The next day we took Lucy to the zoo where she talked, laughed and joked with us. When it was time to take her back to the school she said, “I don't want to go to school. I want to go back to your house with you.” Lucy is just one of many children here who need love, guidance, and hope! Please continue to pray for her!

Our Upcoming Trip to MN
We have been in Kunming now for more than two years, and are planning to return to Minnesota sometime this Spring in order to be at Jacob and Rachel's wedding in June. We are really looking forward to spending time with our friends and family in Big Lake, and eagerly anticipating some “down time” in and on the lake itself. During our time in the U.S. we will be taking Natalie to Chicago for surgery to further correct her cleft palate. We've heard that this surgery will be her most painful, and we aren't looking forward to it. In addition to this, if Andrew's adoption is completed by the time we get home, we hope to have him evaluated for surgery as well. As you may remember from our last newsletter, we were pursuing surgery for him in Hong Kong with a pediatric neurosurgeon; however, when we took him to his home province and applied for temporary travel approval for him, the local police denied our petition. So we are pushing for his adoption to be completed soon so we can bring him to the U.S.
We would love to visit with as many of you as we are able when we are home. We want to catch up with all of you and we have so many things to share with all of you concerning our life and work in China. If you would like to have us come to your home, small group, Bible study, school, church, or civic meeting to speak or just hang out, please email us at reddoorchina@gmail.com and let us know. We will make every effort to get there!

GLO project Week 1 "This is the best class ever!"

2011-02-16T16:41:00.000-08:00

Something glorious is taking place right now. At this moment, Chinese students are sitting around me studying the Word of God. They have a teacher who has a passion for the Father, host families who consider them as their own kids, and two Church bodies who are supporting them in any way they can. Paul is one of these students. Last summer at camp he had a lot of questions about Jesus, and wanted to know more. By the end of camp he walked into God's family. Now he is here growing and learning! Last week we had a teacher talk about prayer. Afterwards Paul said, "This is the best class ever. I used to be afraid to pray, but not anymore!" God is working in each of the student's lives…

…and in the lives of the host families too. When the students were matched with their host moms and dads, everyone was a little shy. Only three days later a deep friendship began. They may come from two opposite cultures, but the love of Jesus has united them into a spiritual family. With each day that passes, they build deeper and deeper friendships with their Chinese students...I mean family.

What do our young campers think about coming to summer camp??? We asked...

2011-02-11T19:38:00.000-08:00

Here is an interview from a former 13 year old camper who is now living in the States with her forever family! If you have ever wondered what the kids are thinking about as they come to camp for the first time, how they feel as they leave camp, and what it is like coming to the States after being adopted- please take time to read this sweet interview! We are seriously so blessed to be a part of these children’s lives.
Interview with a post-camper:

BMH: Can I ask you what your thoughts were when you were told you were coming to camp?

Camper: (Laughing) At first I was so nervous because I never went anywhere before. Plus that time I don’t really trust anyone in my life except myself. So it was hard.

But when the bus drove us to the camp and we saw y’all and you welcomed us, then I was little bit ok…but still nervous.

But when I got to know y’all then I said to myself that I am happy to come. It was the best time of my life, all of my 13 years while I was in China.

BMH: Thanks for being so honest. If I were you, I would be really scared going somewhere new and meeting new people too!

Camper: I am so thankful that I choose to go and met y’all. If I didn’t go, I don’t know what I would have missed. Y’all have changed my life in so many ways. I don’t even know how to put the words.

BMH: You have changed our lives too!

Sometimes people ask what the campers feel and are thinking when camp is over. It’s really hard for both the volunteers and the campers to go back to their homes. What were your thoughts when you left?

Camper: Well to be honest, I really didn’t want to go back. The night when we drew, wrote letters to each other, danced, played games, I said to myself that I wish the time would stop at this place with these people.

I knew that we would leave in the morning so I was so disappointed because I absolutely like what we did and everything in that week. And I wish we could stay like that forever. I really wish the time would go back or slower sometimes.

BMH: I know that feeling. We wish it didn’t have to end either. And we’re sad when you leave.

Some people have questioned if it’s worth running the camps just to ultimately send campers back to their orphanages, as if we were abandoning you again. What do you think?

Camper: I believe if you ask everyone who was at camp, their answer would be Yes. It’s still worth running the camps even though y’all have to send campers back.

Because like us who were abandoned from families, went to a big orphanage, and stayed there for many years, we don’t get the privilege like other kids who have parents with them and go on vacation every summer.

So we would die to go some place different and see different things and meet different people.

So I believe that even though we were sad to leave, we also go to see what the other side of the world looks like. And also know there are a lot of people who care and love us who don’t have parents.

I really wish everyone in America would get involved with this, no matter if they’re teenagers or adults, because some people don’t really see the differences between each country.

Bring Me Hope changes a lot of people’s lives. So I would love to see Bring Me Hope available forever and always…24/7 , 365 days a year!

BMH: What’s it like for you to live in America after living in China for so long?

Camper: (Laughing) I like America…I like seeing different sides of the world, having my own stuff so I don’t have to fight over what stuff I want and also getting to meet new people.

Also here I have a chance to go to college and have my own family and a future. And I can get involved with sports and make many new friends who care about me. In China I don’t really get this stuff, no matter what. And also I would not learn about or believe in God.

BMH: God sure knows what you need and has provided so much for you. But China will always be a huge part of you.

Camper: I think I am the luckiest person in the world. I have family, friends, you all, and God in my life. I am so happy.

BMH: If you were able to go back to China, what would you like to do?

Camper: If I got to go back to China, I would like to go where I was from and see the changes. Also I would like to take all the orphans out and take them somewhere different, like y’all did. Also, I would like to go shopping (laughing). I would like to spend all the time with the orphans and play with them…and also find my real parents.

BMH: Those are beautiful dreams. I hope they all come true. We love you!

“32 feet project” turns in to the “44 feet project” with your support! Update from the Hedden family

2011-01-26T22:14:00.000-08:00

32 Feet Project
The 32 feet project has been a huge success! Actually we received enough money to buy more shoes than we had planned; but we didn't want to change the name to the “44 Feet Project”. We are right now coordinating the logistics of purchasing and delivering the shoes, and will be giving shoes to 12 orphans from the De Xing School as well as to 10 other needy local children who came to Bring Me Hope Camp last summer. We also used some of the money to purchase warm socks and slippers for 7 of the children from the school who came to our house yesterday afternoon. It has been unseasonably cold, and it was wonderful to be able to get the kids out of the cold, into our house. We played with them, and fed them, and even watched a few episodes of Barney with them. They were so happy to be warm, and beamed when they put their slippers on. Thank You to everyone who made this possible by your generous giving! You have directly impacted the life of an orphan in China!

Surgery For Andrew?
Andrew, who originally came into our home when he was just 5 days old, has turned into a bundle of energy, noise, and joy. Although his medical condition, known as spina bifida, has slowed his physical development, he is fully mobile on his hands and knees. Just yesterday the telephone rang and before anyone was able to answer, Andrew bolted over, picked up the receiver, and said, “hewooo!” Now we have to race him to the phone when it rings. As for Andrew's adoption, our paperwork has been logged in at China Center of Adoption Affairs since July. Andrew's paperwork was only just sent from his orphanage to the local civil affairs office 2 weeks ago; so we are waiting and praying that it will be approved and forwarded to CCAA in Beijing soon. Our biggest challenge right now is that Andrew more than likely needs to undergo surgery for a tethered spinal cord. Just last month, he developed 2 kidney infections that the local pediatrician believes are directly related to his need for surgery. We were hoping that by now his adoption would be complete so that we could have it done in the U.S. We are currently trying to get him to Hong Kong where there is a pediatric neurologist waiting to see him. We are trying to get a travel permit for Andrew which will allow us two weeks in Hong Kong for his evaluation. Thanks to those of you who have already donated funds for this undertaking. We will keep you posted as things develop.

Update on Silas

2011-01-24T10:54:00.001-08:00

To all of our dear friends who have been a part of Hannah’s story by prayer and support. Sorry that an update about Silas’s surgery has been so long in coming to you. The family has been back at their village for about three months now. Silas has been recovering well. It is a slow process of healing but he has been recovering day by day. He is even able to get in his wheel chair and help in the garden which is much more than he has been able to do in the past. The children have been doing well in school. Their school master gave them both some new clothes for the winter and bought Hannah a new winter jacket. It is so neat to watch as the community and local fellowship come together to support this family. God is really taking care of them!

Right now we are planning on the family being back up in Beijing in mid February for physical therapy. We are working on all the details right now with the help of Angela, Hope, and Anna (such amazing sisters who work alongside of us to help this family). It looks like they will be there for about three months or per doctor’s desire as far as therapy goes.

We received these letters from Silas and his brother about a week ago expressing their thankfulness and love for all who have helped them through this hard time. We stood in awe of God’s sovereignty as we read this line in the letter “…We will ask Hannah to join you to help the poor and helpless when she grows up”. When Hannah chose her English name we had no idea that her family would be dedicating her to the Lord for His service, just as Hannah in the Bible dedicated her first born to the Lord. What a beautiful example of God’s hand silently working, even in the choosing of a name. Obviously we do not know what the Lord has in store for Hannah, but we do know that we are a permanent fixture in this families life and we will do all we can to lead each one of them closer to the Father.

We hope you enjoy reading these letters. Please keep the family in your prayers as they venture up to Beijing for physical therapy for about three months. We will keep you updated as we hear from the doctors and Angela. Thank you all again for your prayers and support. God is doing so much and we are so blessed to be a part of it each step of the way.

Letter from Silas:

To all the helpful people at Bring Me Hope camp

My name is Huaifu Ma (Silas). I have fell and hurt my neck nerve then cause me paralyze for more than 3 years till now. Lack of money to treat myself, I have had to stay in bed, and my kids can’t go to school since they had to take care of me. It was a huge blessing to know and meet you great people when we went through this huge difficulty without anyone to count on. Its your sponsor that my kids can go to school, and my family start to see the hope of life!!
This time you sponsored my trip to Beijing to see doctors. And Dr. Wu gave me the surgery successfully. You gave me the hope of standing up, walking and working again!!
I am so grateful to you all and can hardly express my gratitude to you. I have been waiting to write a thanks letter to you for a long time, but I haven’t recovered and can’t write myself. I just want to thank David, Rose and Dani, our amazing American friends; Angela, the nice, helpful teacher; Hope, Dennis, Tony and many other people who have been helping us diligently. Finally, thank all the people from Bring Me Hope!!

With the most respect and gratitude to you all

Silas
Dec. 1st, 2010

Letter from Silas' brother

To all the helpful people at Bring Me Hope camp

This camp is a great, glorious, holy organization which commits to help helpless people. I watch you help my younger brother Silas in such a unselfish way that my heart is touched deeply.
As a farmer with only 3 years’ education, I am full of gratitude to you all but do not know how to express it. You are great models for us. We will ask Hannah to join you to help the poor and helpless when she grows up.
Finally, let me say these from my bottom heart, salute to David, Rose and Dani, our amazing American friends; Angela, the nice, helpful teacher; Hope, Dennis, Tony and many other people who have been helping us diligently. Finally, thank all the people from Bring Me Hope!!

Huailiang Ma (Silas’s elder brother)
Dec. 1st, 2010

Check out this great blog

2011-01-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

We Are Grafted In is a wonderful blog that is set up to reach out and encourage adoptive families and those that are interested in adoption, as well as promote ministries that work in orphan care. This week they highlighted Bring Me Hope. We are so blessed by you guys, thank you so much!
If you have an adoptive blog and you would be interested in sharing about BMH, please contact Kristen at bmhkristen@gmail.com
Check out the blog below!
http://www.wearegraftedin.com/1702/bring-me-hope-giveaway/

Listen :)

2011-01-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

Let’s show them what love really means. Pray about coming to camp this summer with Bring Me Hope. There are children waiting for love… and you could be the one to change their life.

Help for Grace

2011-01-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

The Vidler family has been in Xi’an working as doctors and helping orphaned children that have HIV. They are now looking for a long term care giver to help with a little girl named Grace. Here is her story:
Grace is three years old. She has been with a foster care family since she was found at a railway station over a year ago. They recently found out she was HIV positive and though they love her so much they took her back to the orphanage. However the orphanage does not know much about HIV so they sent her to the hospital. She has since been sitting in an isolation room all alone. No one is allowed to enter, even though she is not at all sick. Her foster mother visits her each day and would take her back if she could, but the others in the family will not allow it.
Please join us in praying for a foster caretaker for Grace. No little one should sit in a hospital room all alone. If you or any one you know is interested in going to China to help the Vidlers with this amazing ministry, and fostering little Grace please e mail Sam and Julie at julesam5@gmail.com

Great write up of Hannah's story

2011-01-05T20:48:00.000-08:00

A wonderful blog wrote a review of Hannah's Story! Check it out at http://www.wearegraftedin.com/1735/hannahs-story-review/

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
We pray that your year has been filled with growth, your holiday season is filled with Him, and this next year is the most blessed one yet!
Merry Christmas to you all from Bring Me Hope and all the children of China who we love and represent!

These Three- perfect Christmas gift!

2010-12-16T11:38:00.001-08:00

To all of you who are looking for the perfect Christmas gift…look no further! Come and check out Bring Me Hope’s store located on our website. Today I would like to draw special attention to our latest book “These Three”. It is based on true stories of orphans, volunteers and translators who have come to camp. “No one is unimportant and no one will leave unchanged”. Check it out at http://www.bringmehope.org/store.html

Sweet letter from a former camper who has since been adopted!!

2010-12-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a letter written from a former camper. She came to camp in Jing Gan Shan, Jiangxi in 2006. She has since been adopted and lives here in the States. What a happy new beginning for this beautiful little girl. It is such a blessing that we were able to be a part of her amazing journey. Thank you Danielle for sharing your heart with us.

Bring Me Hope means a lot to me!
When I was in China, they brought us hope and took us out to play and see a different world. We spent one week at camp, and it was so fun! The first day we arrived there they put us kids into a group so we had a group game that we could play. They also gave me an English name, and my first English name given to me was Joy. They gave it to me because I love to smile and laugh a lot.
More days passed by and we went to so many places! We went swimming, bowling, ping pong, etc. It was so fun to be with them. We had a blast time together, and they changed my life.
When I was little my parents abandoned me in a street. Then I thought no one would love me and all I did is hate people. So when I spent a week with Bring Me Hope, I finally knew outside the world there are a lot of people who love us, and also God. Even though we are orphans, they are always there for us and loved us.
The day we went back home, I treasured all these memories. I love them all so much and want to say thank you for all the time you spent with us! We would never forget it! Always in my heart!
Danielle

Good ideas for Christmas gifts from Bring Me Hope

2010-12-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

Have anyone musical in your family?? Check out Sound Delivery- a CD produced by BMH that features real artists writing songs based on the stories of Chinese orphans. You will listen to it over and over again... it's really that good!!! And it makes a great stocking stuffer!
visit http://www.bringmehope.org/sounddelivery.html to preview and purchase the CD!

November Newsletter from the Hedden Family- also an opportunity to give shoes to needy children this Christmas!

2010-12-01T10:56:00.001-08:00

Xiao Hu and YaYa
We had another opportunity to have two of the orphans from the De Xing School spend a day with our family. As brother and sister, Xiao Hu (Little Tiger), and his sister YaYa entered our home with wide eyes, we were amazed at what
unfolded before us. After showing them around the house and giving YaYa a bath (Xiao Hu would have nothing to do with a bath), we let them sort of gravitate towards whatever they wanted to do. It's hard to know exactly what will hold their interest ahead of time. We have a tendency to think that they might not have a natural sense of “play” because they don't have toys and play in general isn't encouraged in their culture. But we were pleasantly surprised as we watched and played with them. Xiao Hu went immediately to the trucks, blocks, and cars to play with the boy stuff; while YaYa sought out Natalie's little dollies. Xiao Hu played rough, loud, and hard, while YaYa gently and lovingly dressed, “fed”, and coddled the babies,making sure each had a blanket and pillow, as though she was really their mommy. It's amazing how these two little ones with no real direction, guidance or nurturing, already have an innate sense of what their roles are. We were so pleased to see that in the midst of an obvious lack of parental affection, YaYa
especially has a God-given capacity to show love and affection to others. Her bright little eyes sparkled as she played with those babies, while her brother “conquered” our house with a vibrance that only God could have put inside of
him. Our hope is that as we model appropriate love, affection, and play, they will grow into loving, caring mommies and daddies themselves!

32 Feet
This Christmas we would like to provide the orphans at the school with new shoes. While spending time with them, we've noticed that every single one of them is wearing shoes that are old, broken, and worn down to the last string. Our plan is to take them to a nearby shoe store where we have already bargained a discounted price and buy them each a brand new pair. The cost is about $7.50 per pair, and there are about 16 kids to buy for. If you'd like to pitch in on the “32 Feet” project, you can send your gifts to the address below and mark your checks “32 Feet”.

To support our work financially, you can give with a check, Visa, Mastercard, or via Bill Pay. Please make checks payable to
Bring Me Hope and send them to:
Bring Me Hope
P.O. Box 164
Big Lake, MN 55309

Quote from former volunteer

2010-11-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

This is a quote from a former volunteer about the last day of camp.
"Saying goodbye to the girls that day was the hardest day of my life...and I've buried two husbands."
One week of camp can change lives. Not yours alone, but each child and translator that comes. Come be a part of the change that is going on each summer in China. When we give of ourselves it will never be in vain.

Help us help two great kids!

2010-11-23T22:04:00.000-08:00

Here is an update about two very special kids from camp who stole our hearts. Julie Vidler says there is a way we can reach out and help them! Please read below and share with anyone who may be interested. Thanks everyone.

Hi all,
Wei Wei and Kao Kao who we met (and loved! ) at the BMH summer camp may be able to go to Bethel!
I am still working on paving the way and hope and pr that they can go - what a blessing for them to be in such a great environment made especially for them!
Jeff Knipe has kindly offered to help towards their cost of living but we need to be able to pay for their transport there and some living costs !
IF they do go, is there anyone happy to donate/fund raise to help these precious kids? Please forward this on to anyone who may be interested.
Love Julie

2010-11-17T20:19:00.000-08:00

Here's an update from the Vidlers on Lucy in Xian, one of the Elim kids who came to camp. Thank you so much Vidler family for all you are doing in China. You bless us so much!

Hi to everyone who knows and loves little Lucy – I know you have been wondering what is happening lately.

She did go to school for one day last week but after that the local people complained so much that she is not allowed to go anymore.

So we decided to home school her and are paying a lady (sarah ) to teach her. Poor Lucy is 8 and has never been to school and is so keen to learn. Today (day 1) she learnt to write to 20 and about seasons !

We have been over to her house and spent a lot of time cleaning and making a special “school room” for her.

Thanks to some amazing fundraising from some school students in Western Australia we had enough $$ to buy a curtain and lots of pink decorations for her. She is so happy and proud of the room that she has even started making decorations herself.

It was nice to see her today and that she has a special place in the house that she can call her own.

I hope you enjoy the “before” and “after” photos and our renovation rescue team.

Love Julie and Sam.

Update from the Hedden family in China

2010-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

Here's an update from the Hedden family- friends and camp directors of BMH summer camps. Enjoy!

The Headmaster of the De Xing Primary School in north Kunming has recently given us special permission to bring some of the orphans to our home when they have time off. We feel especially grateful for this opportunity. Our goal is to visit the kids who have been to Bring Me Hope’s summer camp here in Kunming once a week as our target ministry group because these children are in a very unique predicament. These orphans were abandoned by their parents to the care of the school, and were “adopted” by the school’s headmaster. As his wards, they are no longer eligible to be adopted into a normal family structure; so ours is essentially the only traditional family that they are able to associate with. Every holiday, as all the other boarding students head home, they are cruelly reminded that they have no families of their own. Our hope is that we can help fill that void in their lives so that they will ultimately see that G was watching out for them.
So early one morning about two weeks ago, we went to the school to get two of the kids. After visiting with all of them for a little while, we collected Li Deng Qing (Jaimie) and Li Deng Feng (Ruby), and started the ride home. Their wide smiles soon gave way to happy giggles in the back seat of the van as Amy handed them some fruit and yogurt. At the house we showed them around, gave them a long hot bath, and dressed them in 2 beautiful dresses while Amy washed and dried their clothes. After that, we played with them, took them out to eat, fed pigeons at the park, chased fish in the pond, and chatted with them. They were so happy to be in a place where they could just relax and play with toys. Our expectations for them were that they would find our home a place where they felt content, safe, and loved .
Last week we had another opportunity to spend a day with 2 of the older girls from the school. Both 13 years old, Guan Xiu Mei (May), and Wu Yan Qiong (Lisa), were delighted to come along with us for the day. Our kids sat and colored with them for almost 2 whole hours. Then we went downtown to eat and window shop with them. They played tag, chased the fish, climbed on the park equipment, played Uno, and talked with us. We had a wonderful time with them, and I think they had a good time as well. They are such a blessing to us, and we look forward to spending time with more of the children from the school. Our time with these orphans is precious. The hardest part of the day is taking them back to the school, but we assure them each time with a hug and a kiss on the top of the head that we will be back, and that we love them! Thanks to each of you who make it possible for us to be part of these kids’ lives.

Learning From a Shepherd
In addition to my regular university language study, we have recently hired a special language teacher who comes to our house once a week and tutors me. But he isn’t an ordinary teacher. My tutor is a local “shepherd” who has 5 “flocks” of sheep in our local area and who supports his family by being a Chinese tutor. He teaches me the language of the “Shepherd’s Manual” so that together we can introduce others to “The Shepherd”. Our time together each week is exhilarating both because of the content of our study and because we spend 2 hours of uninterrupted conversation completely in Chinese.

Visiting our Kids from Camp!

2010-10-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Today I had the opportunity to go and visit the lovely kids from a local private orphanage who we met at camp.

My Aussie friend, Hollie and I packed our vegemite sandwiches and boarded the jeep for a China day of many varied experiences.

We were met with big smiles and cuddles from Lily – 4 year old Down’s syndrome girl who is also deaf. She seems really happy and as bubbly as ever.

The highlight of the day was seeing Wei Wei and presenting him with a “stimulation tent” and a piano. As you may remember he is the blind boy who at 5 years old still weighs less than the average 1 year old.(but still managed to steal the hearts of BMH volunteers and staff.

He laughed and smiled when we presented him with his piano and all the children loved the tent that Hollie made them.

We treated Wei Wei at camp for worms and his terrible diarrhea has stopped and he looks like he has gained some weight!

We also got to see the little cleft palate/lip baby who was found in July. He was abandoned at a few days old in this box but is now a happy, chubby baby boy who loves his “grandpa”.

On a sadder note we got to meet another newcomer...

He is a little boy between 2 and 3 who was left at the door at 11PM a few nights ago. His legs were tied together so he couldn’t follow his parents after they left him ! Because he has had spina bifida he is incontinent of urine which must have become too much for his parents.

Thanks for your continued interest in these children – hopefully they will return to camp next year.

Currently we continue to pray for them and their carers – an elderly couple who now look after over ten kids.

Love, Julie Vidler in Xi'an

Team from "A Mother's Love" helps with BMH Camp!

2010-10-12T11:00:00.001-07:00

"A Mother's Love’s” own Jeff Knipe brought a team from Florida to Bring Me Hope's Camp in Xi'an this summer!

(Jeff Knipe with FangFang (above), WenWen (below) and translator at camp in Xian!)

Here is an excerpt from their newsletter:

Bring Me Hope Camp

From July 12-16, the AML team volunteered at Bring Me Hope camp in Xi'an. Each volunteer was assigned one to two children from nearby orphanages in Ankang or Fuping along with a Chinese / English translator. In total, there were 20 orphans, 18 volunteers, and 15 translators who bonded quickly and had an incredible 5 days together.

We visited museums, played in fountains, made crafts, ate meals together, and even had a talent show! Words cannot express the impact this 5-day camp had on all of us and our translators. One of our immediate projects is to get medical help for Wen Wen here in the United States. She's a beautiful 20-yr-old girl from Ankang (Karly Knipe's orphanage) who has never walked and we are committed to helping her in any way we can!

Our Current Needs:

Surgery for Wen Wen - We are working hard to obtain a medical visa to bring Wen Wen to the U.S. for surgery. Wen Wen is 20 years old and has never been able to stand up or walk! Please pray for this difficult process. You can see a video of Wen Wen on our website.

Adoptive Families for Si Jie and Fang Fang- We are praying that we can find families for these two precious girls. Si Jie is an adorable five-year old with club feet and Fang Fang is a happy and smart 14-year old with Hepatitis B.

(Sie Jie waits for a family.)

For more information about A Mother's Love, please visit our website: www.amotherslovechina.com

Donations can be done through PayPal on our website or mail to:
A Mother's Love 224 Chestnut Ridge Street Winter Springs, Florida 32708

Bring Me Hope featured on Rising Voice!

2010-09-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

Bring Me Hope was included on the "Rising Voice" website!

Check it out HERE!

You can change two BMH campers lives...

2010-09-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

Bringing Hope to Lena

2010-09-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

Remember Lena? She was with us during 2007 Summer Camp in Beijing!

Check out this video of others who are continuing to help her!

Bringing Hope To Lina

Words from a Volunteer...

2010-09-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

"It is my birthday today and many ask me what have I gotten today, I can’t help replying I have had the most precious of gifts already two weeks with Daniel, Giles, Liily and Jin Rong and all the wonderful friends at BMH. That blessing keeps on giving!"
~ Beth Bailey, Australian Volunteer

BMH Volunteers Return to China to Visit Camp Buddies!

2010-09-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

My name is Susan. My daughter Alexis and I went to one of the BMH summer camps last year--what a great time that was! Perhaps because they were older and I am a Mom, I bonded especially with my two campers ZhangYan (16) and Qingqing (20), and it broke my heart to watch the vans drive away that last day. Lily, my translator, spent an extra day after the camp before we all parted ways...and we solidified a friendship that had been growing that week as God broke both our hearts for these orphans.

Both Lily and I had signed up for Becca Bolt's email after-camp course (for campers & translators) on Relationships; I think it's purpose is to encourage growth in friendships begun at the camp, but Lily and I didn't need a reason to email...by that time we were emailing each other a couple of times a week. ZhangYan and Qingqing were continually on my heart, and--although she is not yet a Christian--I could see that God had put the girls on Lily's heart, too. We talked a lot about them, and I told Lily that I felt I would be back in a year so that we could all be together again.

As the months went by, God provided money for my "China Fund" again and again. Although I was dismayed at how the cost to return to China more than doubled, still God brought the money necessary to make it happen for Alexis and me. Lily explained to me that she had told her family so much about the girls & her experience at Camp that her Father was interested in meeting these orphans and the Americans who seemed to care about them so much. I asked her to call the girls' orphanage and ask if it was possible for us to travel with them; Lily called and the Grandfather agreed!

The most important part of our time together was spent at Lily's home. I don't believe her family had ever met a Westerner...but they welcomed us into their lives and treated us as Honored Guests. By the end of the first day together, God had grafted us into this wonderful and caring family. My greatest desire was to see God bond ZhangYan and Qingqing's hearts to the hearts of Lily's family--and that is exactly what He did! Lily's Father announced that the girls must come and spend their future school vacations with the family from now on, and every one of the apx. 20 of us was crying on the day that we left Lily's home. My heart longs for the day when Alexis and I can return to China, but I know that, should this not happen, ZhangYan and Qingqing now have family who love them.

In an email that I just received from Lily's sister Violin (who, along with Lily and her best friend Nancy were translators at one of the BMH camps this summer), she wrote, "Your coming have changed my whole famlies a lot! We were curious ,joyful, my families have understood love deeper...Dad and mum often talk about you. There is no difference between Chinese and Americans to some degree! We love you all and hope for another wonderful together-meeting !" GOD is SO good!

When we returned to the Orphanage--through God's miraculous timing--both Tim and William (Alexis' two buddies from last year) were there to meet us! Alexis brought gifts for the boys, and we spent the day with them before reluctantly returning home. Lily and I have decided that next time, we need to bring TIM 'home', too.....is God awesome, or what??

Alexis, with her translator Yang,& buddies Tim and William, last year at camp.

We held a surprise Birthday Party for ZhangYan, Qingqing and Lily's Father the last night we were at their home, complete with party hats, gifts and birthday cake. I've never seen the girls smile so much!

Qingqing, ZhangYan and Lily's Father with the birthday cake.

At Grandfather's Orphanage (L-R) Qingqing's brother, Tim, William, Alexis, Qingqing, Susan & ZhangYan.

Hannah's Story Continues...

2010-08-16T04:29:00.000-07:00

“Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord o my soul.” Psalm 103:22

“ Then I think, ‘oh how complicated to love a person.’ I did not know this until now.” –Angela

So I have to say that as Angela and I made the four hour bus ride to Hannah’s village I was filled with many emotions. Would she still remember the anger she had towards us at times last summer? Would her joy in seeing us be crushed, as we had to leave two days later? Is she scared for her father? Is she wondering why he is still sick? So many thoughts and emotions rolled around in my mind. But I was so thankful to be going to see her and I was so thankful to have Angela by my side!

The orphanage where Hannah and her family had previously been living shut its doors about a month ago. Hannah’s family was now living at an old folks home a few miles away from where the orphanage was. As we pulled up in the taxi; there were many old folks laying in the shade at the entrance gate, as well as a few children playing amidst them. I saw Hannah right away and joy filled my heart. I rushed up and gave her a big hug. She hugged me back so I was happy. She looked so much older. She grew taller, her hair was long, her face had matured- she was more of a little woman now. Her brother was standing beside her and he too gave me a warm embrace! They (along with half the people in the old folks home) walked us through the gates and to Hannah’s family’s room. It is very primitive there; no running water, select times for electricity use, a well, and a garden that grew many vegetables. They have two adjoining rooms where there are three beds, a table, a rotating fan (which works where there is electricity), a television, and that about sums it up.

We greeted Hannah’s father and talked with him about his health. We were able to explain to him he process of sending his test results and such to different specialist. We also talked with him about their current living situation and finding him someone to care for him while the children are at school (since they go back in September). He allowed me to get the history of his illness and his family history, as well as do a little physical assessment. We were also able to take him back to the hospital and get a physical assessment done in Chinese (this was done because the specialist that is looking at his test results now really needs a clearer picture of the man he is trying to treat from afar). I am in the midst of getting all of this information off to the doctor, as we understand that it has been a year since we started this journey with him and would really love to give him some answers.
I asked Angela if we could take the children back to our hotel for a sleep over, shower, and some shopping. She thought it was a great idea and the father agreed to let them come with us. It was so fun to be with them, to have Hannah grab my hand, want to sit with me, and just to see her smile. While we were shopping for clothes she asked for my help to try on different things and she even wanted me to do her hair- it was like she had a mother for a couple days. It blessed my heart so much. She has really matured a lot. She is still a young girl in many ways, but she did not have any temper tantrums or arguments with us. She willingly allowed us to love her and loved us back. This was probably the greatest blessing.

We were able to get these kids showered (which they had not done in a few weeks. They were sooo dirty!), get some new clothes (the only pair of pants Hannah had were the little pink ones that we had bought for her last summer), stock up on soap and bathroom supplies, get some good food into their tummies, and love on them so much. Angela and I even went to the new school that Hannah and her brother will be attending the fall and talked with the head master. We wanted to tell him that if the kids need anything for school to let us know. Angela left her phone number with them and got theirs in return. I cannot tell you what a blessing it was to have Angela with me. I was just going to try and find a random translator to come, but the Father provided so much more than a translator in Angela. She cares so much for the kids too and is right there with us thinking up ideas and wanting the best for the children. She was sent straight from Above.

I know that some of Angela and my favorite times were the moments where we would just take some time and pray with the family. It was truly a blessing to get to encourage them in their faith. It is so exciting to see how the Father has placed different believers in their lives. I know this will help them as they journey on.

So Hannah’s story is still in progress. We are talking with doctors and trying to find someone to help out Hannah’s dad while the kids are at school. Though the old folks home is primitive, it is such a blessing to have them in a place where people surround them and they are getting as much help as the staff there can provide. We will be keeping up with Hannah’s schooling and any needs that her and her brother might have there.

Saying goodbye to them broke my heart. You never want to leave them when life seemed so much better when you were there with them. But this is where I get to grow more and more, knowing that He cares for them more than I ever could. And though we had to leave, He did not. He is there with them now. I am glad she knows that we love her and I am confident we will see her again soon.

~rose

Yantai Camp Update (4) - Dead fish for lunch?

2010-08-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

Our final week in Yantai we were blessed to have 38 kids! We had toddlers, teenagers, and for the first time at Yantai we had a nearly even spread of boys and girls, which made many of the ladies happy to finally be paired with girls! We also threw in a few surprises for the finale of camp, including our very own version of a rock show!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. On Monday we had kids from three orphanages arrive and we knew right away this was a rowdy group. We had kids of all shapes and sizes running around and none of them were worried about being shy. Right off the bat we had craft time and then due to a continuing difficulty with the pool we went straight to the waterpark. Unlike weeks past, these kids took to the water like…well, like fish to water, and without any hesitation they took control of the waterslide.

Tuesday was a day of crafts, games and the lasts scavenger hunt, which was finished in record time by Shiloh, Finwake and their volunteer, Willie, not to mention their two boys. After an afternoon of ice cream at KFC we were back to camp for an assembly and discovered that Mary, a girl from the Yantai orphanage, was a very accomplished singer who treated us to a Chinese pop song that finished to a standing ovation!

But that was not the end of the musical talent from this group. On Wednesday we had an impromptu music recital as one little girl brought out a violin and played through Aul Lang Syne, and then was joined by Mary on Piano, and after they were finished one of our rowdier boys, Daniel, took a turn at the mic to sing his little heart out.

We were also finally able to return to the pool and the kids loved it! Most every kid mentioned swimming in their letters to their volunteers and despite the water still having a somewhat green tinge to it, we were all thrilled to be back underwater and out of the hot hot heat! It was also a chance to continue teaching some of the translators to swim, and while none of them are interested in trying out for the Olympics yet, they will be able to get themselves across to the deep end and back again.

Thanks to the return of the sun and all the heat that came with it we were also able to get back to the beach. It was a great day of sun, small surf and rides on the jet skis. It was also great for the kids to catch some of the wildlife swimming through the Chinese beach. It was a highlight moment when one of the kids brought a flat fish up to the sitting area and tried to feed some algae to the little guy, all the while saying “Hungry fish eat” in Chinese. It was even better when the boy searched around for a plastic bag and dumped the fish and some salt water into the bag to bring him home. Luckily we were able to convince him that fish are better off in the ocean.

Thursday night assembly came up and the rock show was on. The Mahoney family returned to camp for the final week and while they once again forgot their instruments, they remembered to rock! They put on a show for the kids, singing and dancing to one of the songs from their album “Do Make Room” and then went on to sing some of the camps songs the kids had learned during the week. The finale of their show was a new song they wrote specifically for camp, “Shout for Joy”, which everyone has been singing since. Then as a prelude to the slumber party we took the kids out and put on our very own fireworks show complete with rockets, spark showers and even a few mortar shells blasting high into the sky!

Friday was goodbye day and we were given a short reprieve with the kids to just hang out, take pictures and talk when a misunderstanding brought one small van to carry eighteen kids and two volunteers. There were long hugs and tearful goodbyes that would continue even after the kids were gone. After the kids were gone, it was time for the translators, volunteers and staff members to go their separate ways. Some are returning home, others are heading to further travels and a few are remaining for the first ever Chinese run camps. It was four weeks of love, friendship, laughter, big smiles and a few sad moments sprinkled in, but from all of us at Yantai we want to thank everyone for their prayers and support, and especially our volunteers and translators for all their hard work!
　
Other stories from week 4:

Dennis is a former staff member who returned for the last week of camp to translate and he was paired with two boys. During the week his boys looked after two boys from another orphanage, both of whom were developmentally disabled. Despite these boys never meeting before camp and being from completely different orphanages, they formed their own brotherhood and looked out for each other the entire week. One day Dennis’s boys even made sure to keep some food on the table when Bekah and her boys were late to dinner.

During family time on afternoon Lindsay took her boys to the local market to buy some snacks. The boys had never seen an escalator before and took turns riding it up and down, thinking it was a ride instead of a convenient way to travel between floors! The boys, who began the week sitting quietly during assembly, ended the week by jumping up during the assemblies and dancing and singing loudly.

Matthew, a volunteer, speaks no Chinese and his boy spoke no English. Despite the differences in their language Matt’s boy was determined to communicate without a translator, and by the end of the week he had developed a complicated series of gestures and hand signals, his own version of charades, that allowed him and Matt to communicate!

Kaisha was paired with two very difficult girls this week, both whom suffered from severe attachment disorder. After a frustrating week where the girls avoided her, Kaisha did her best to remain close to them without trying to smother them. During an elevator ride Wednesday night one of the girls was having a snack and shared it with the other girl. The girl took the shared snack, looked up at Kaisha and offered to share the snack, and the three of them ate together.

During the week Amy and her little girl Molly were in their room having family time. Molly looked up at Amy and said in practiced English “You are my friend and I love you very much.”

Xian Camp Update (4) - Newly Abandoned Child comes to Camp!

2010-08-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

Just a few days after being abandoned, “Sean” found himself at Bring Me Hope’s camp in Xi’an. For an eight year old, Sean was extremely withdrawn and quiet. He didn’t smile, respond to our questions or keep eye-contact with anyone for long.

Though half-way through the week of camp Sean really started to come out of his shell. He began smiling at us, playing along with games, and went down the huge water slide at the pool. We even began having to chase after him because he was so excited to explore and experience things at camp!

At the end of the week we were amazed at the change in Sean’s heart, seeing that he began to trust us and enjoy his week at camp. We see God’s provision for His life that at just the time he was abandoned, he was ushered into his new orphanage family with other children during a fun camp where he was told how loved and special he is.

Our translators all deserve gold stars as well. In tears, one translator read the following letter to his orphan buddy:

“I’m glad I know you in the camp. Although you couldn’t tell me “I love you” like other kids, I know you love me deeply. Because while we’re walking together, you hold my hand tightly. That’s enough!

I hope you can have a heart of love forever. Firstly, you have to learn to love yourself. Next, you must know how to love others. The power of love is limitless.

Maybe it’s above your ability to understand what I’m saying, although I’m sure you will know all one day.”

THANK YOU for praying for us! We know we have a big support system of friends and loved ones back home. Your heart has been with us the whole time.

Love,
The Xian Team

Charlie: The Story So Far…

2010-08-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

Four years ago Charlie came to a Bring Me Hope camp for the first time and spent a week with a family group. During that week Charlie told his life story and it was one that shocked all who heard it.

When Charlie was around 3 years old, his mother had a love affair and left her family for another man and Charlie was left in the care of his father, who was very poor. Charlie’s father managed to remarry with a woman who treated Charlie alright and she also bore a new baby sister for Charlie. But there was no love in his life. When the stepmother also left, Charlie’s family was destitute.

One night after eating in a restaurant Charlie’s father was unable to afford the bill, so he left Charlie’s infant sister as payment. Charlie didn’t understand until later that night that his father was not playing a joke but had really left behind his sister behind.

Soon after his father was at another hotel with Charlie and once again could not afford to pay his debt and planned to use Charlie as payment. This time the manager of the hotel called the police and Charlie’s father was taken into police custody while Charlie was sent to his orphanage. He was eight years old.

In the years after his abandonment Charlie suffered many disheartening events in his life including being teased because he was put in Kindergarten despite being such an advanced age. He was also mistakenly identified as mentally handicapped due to his mistaken placement in such younger classes.

In 2006 Charlie came to Bring Me Hope after being spotted by one of our workers who was visiting his orphanage. Since then he has become a repeat visitor and this year we were lucky enough to have Charlie visit us here in Yantai for a week. He was placed in a family group with Logan, another boy from his school, Crystal his translator and Marina, a volunteer from Canada.

While Charlie is shy to start, he is also very obviously curious about what is going on around him and there is no concealing the brightness in his eyes. The very first day he was one of the last of the kids to join in on the water-park, but once he got on and began to enjoy himself he was also the last to leave. During our trip to the indoor water-park Charlie was swimming and playing with all the kids and even picked a few different volunteers and translators to take turns riding down the inner tube slide with him.

Tuesday night the family groups were asked to answer a few simple questions: What do you hope for, what do you want to be when you grow up, and what do you worry about. Charlie’s biggest worry is much the same as any child his age: his future and his education. While most kids wonder about how they will succeed once they reach adulthood, Charlie’s worries are more close to his heart due to the fact that he was placed so far back in school and as a result he has fallen so far behind in his studies.

His idea of what he wants to be in the future reinforce the fear of his eventual ascension to manhood: he has no clear idea of what he wants to be, only that he wants to be rich and successfully. He does know that he does NOT want to be a beggar or a cleaner.

Despite these harsh realities that face him, Charlie’s heart is never far from others and that is part of what makes him so astounding. Despite the life he has led and the evil he has witnessed and suffered, he is a boy full of love. When asked about what he hoped for, his answer was simple: For the Bring Me Hope camps to get better and better.” When Marina asked him why, he said “So more kids can come and enjoy the camps and experience love!”

One of Marina’s highlights for the week was the trip to KFC on Thursday. The boys had ice cream and then got to have some chicken sandwiches and while they were eating Marina went shopping for some snacks and goodies for the boys to share. As everyone was leaving the KFC Charlie took Marina’s hand, looked up at her and said “I am very happy.” On the bus ride back to camp the other orphan in his family group, Logan, lost one of his treats and without hesitation Charlie shared his treats with Logan.

Charlie’s story is ongoing, as are the stories of the other hundreds of kids that have come through our camps. Their lives are hard and their needs are great, but hope is out there for them, as it is for everyone. Here is just a sampling of Charlie’s goodbye letter to Marina, a glimpse into the heart of a very strong and joyful young man.

“I know there is a long distance between Canada and China. I am very happy we are in a family.”

“It’s hard for me to say goodbye, I hope time can be frozen.”

“You are like my mother that love and care me. This is the most beautiful memory that I have ever had. What’s more, thank you sharing your story. I was inspired a lot. I believe on day I will be a Christian.”

Kunming Camp Update (3) - Keep Lifting Us Up!

2010-07-27T21:20:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends and Family,

On a personal level, we have not had the best of weeks. So many lows – Luke’s camera and much of his equipment was stolen, and as you already know, Bryn’s file will not be released to us. Finally, Amy’s mom was moved to a nursing home on Friday. We feel as though we are under severe spiritual attack!

We have been amazed though that despite all this, by God’s grace, Camp has gone on very successfully. Translators’ lives have been changed in eternal ways, our volunteers are so kind and loving, and the children have been showered with a love they so desperately long for and eat up! One little guy wrote to his volunteer,

“When I get big, I will come and find you!”

One little girl who was at our camp last year as well, saw Tim walk in, jumped up from her place at the table, grabbed his hand and said,

“You come and sit by me!”

We are so blessed to witness and be a part of this whole wonderful process!

Thank you all!
Amy and Tim for all the Heddens

Xi'an Camp Update (3) - Like Family Dinner-time...

2010-07-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

What happens when you have a group of willing volunteers, helpful translators, agreeable orphans and a big God? We found that it leaves you with a pretty seamless week of camp!

The children loved making pottery, running through the city fountains, and going to the pool with giant water slides, but sometimes our more meaningful camp moments happened when we were simply hanging out together.

The more intimate times of making bracelets for one another, reading bedtime stories together, and watching people perform in the camp talent show are precious moments. Like spending time with family around the dinner table, we didn't need anything fancy to enjoy one another.

One family group especially enjoyed a two-hour conversation about their life-stories. After the kids heard their volunteer’s story, one little boy asked, “Can you tell me more about Jesus?”

The Lord is opening hearts around here, young and old. We praise Him for all He is doing here in Xi’an.

Love, us.

Yantai Camp Update (3) - Lots of RAIN!

2010-07-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

In Yantai the word for week 3 was FLEXIBILITY! It seemed like a comedy of errors, as not only did we lose access to the swimming pool for the entire week, it also rained with some lightning and thunder thrown in for good measure, enough to throw out any plans we had for outdoor activities and disrupt the schedule of assemblies and meetings. Despite these obstacles to our plans, the staff, volunteers, translators and kids came together to have a blast of a week where we even managed to throw in a few surprises!

The kids arrived Monday afternoon and as we ushered them into the pool we were greeted with a shocking sight: the pool had gone from crystal blue to algae green! Not to be dissuaded from enjoying their time with us, the kids jumped into craft time while some of the staff rushed to set up the water-park.

he kids were hesitant to be the first to try the water-park, but after seeing some of the volunteers and translators give the waterslide a try, the kids jumped in line and all too soon it was pandemonium with jumps, somersaults and more than a few water-soaked king-of-the-hills.

Tuesday came in with a roar that would make any lion proud. Rain, lightning, thunder and the staff at the hotel telling us we would have to turn of the electric equipment before anything nearby struck us with lightning. While we had to shorten our assembly, we were able to lengthen family time and give an extra night for the kids to contemplate some questions about what they wanted to be in the future and what they thought it meant to be a man or a woman.

The storm didn’t disrupt all of our plans. In fact for the scavenger hunt it made things more interesting, as we extended the hunt between the two largest buildings of the resort, two buildings that are about 100 yards apart. In the rain that can be quite a run! The kids and their family groups disrupted a few massages and oxygen treatments as they searched for eight staff members hidden throughout the buildings, and after nearly an hour and a half of searching a winner was crowned!

Also as a result of the storm we got to try a new event. By midweek the skies were still dark and stormy so instead of risking a trip to the beach we found an indoor Waterpark. It had two huge tube-slides, one smaller tube and a huge rafting slide, plus a gigantic pool complete with hidden tunnel, a large fountain to run through and a smaller kiddie area for the younger campers to enjoy.

While the tube slides were somewhat troublesome to get through, especially for some of the larger staff members who kept getting stuck halfway down, the large raft slide became a hit both for those daring enough to ride down it and for the spectators who got to watch.

Many of our volunteers this week were Canadian citizens and they were very proud of where they come from! Thursday night they treated the kids to a song they had practiced both in English and in Chinese, and then gave a lesson on the differences between Canada and the rest of the world. The finale of this lesson was introducing the kids to hockey! The demonstration was well received, but the American volunteers got to stand up and challenge the Canadians to a quick match, and the Americans came out ahead, 1-0! But more exciting than any competition was seeing the kids in the hallways the next morning practicing hockey with their very own authentic Canadian hockey sticks!
So while the best plans may be changed or disrupted, we learned this week that love really does conquer all, and you don’t need sunshine or a swimming pool to be a family!

Other stories from Camp:

On Tuesday night we had to announce that television time needed to be limited because we were developing a severe couch potato problem with all the rain and so much time spent indoors. One translator explained that time with the TV. off could be spent in family groups talking, playing or sharing, one of Bekah’s boys reached for her hand and told her in Chinese “This makes so much sense! With the TV off I can spend more time with you!”

Teresa was having a rough week with one of her boys, Xia Dao, who liked to run around and cause trouble, always with a small grin on his face. On Wednesday during assembly they were singing together and for the first time he reached over on his own and took her hand. When she looked down at him, he looked back up and smiled at her.

During our weekly trip to the local KFC Lydia was having ice cream with her boys, both of whom were taller than her by over a foot. Lydia asked the boys if they had a highlight from the week so far and her biggest boy Tim answered immediately: “Right now, because we are all eating like a family.” and her other boy, John, agreed.

The first day of camp we had water-park for the kids and at first Patti’s two boys, both around the age of ten, were hesitant to climb on board. Patti showed them by getting on the slide herself and after watching her have fun, the two boys jumped in line with her. After a few minutes together on the slide she had bonded with the boys and they would be inseparable the remainder of the week.

This week the scavenger hunt was extended to include two entire buildings and eight separate items, and to add even more difficulty it was pouring rain the entire time. Becca and her family group jumped at the opportunity and found all the items first and won together. Not only did they enjoy winning together, they were also able to enjoy their favorite ice creams at KFC as a family.

During the slumber party on Thursday night the boys were doing card tricks, having arm-wrestling contests and eating all kinds of junk food. In the midst of all this noise and revelry I heard a couple of the biggest boys in the group wandering around the room singing softly: “Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day!”

One of the character lessons we have been teaching this year is the story of Joseph, a young man who is abandoned by his family in a faraway land and there comes to great power and responsibility. At camp we had our very own Joseph this week, a young man named Steve. At the age of six Steve was told to wait on a train while his parents took his sister to the restroom. Hours later and miles away Steven was still on the train, but his family never returned for him and he ended up in an orphanage. Now Steve is 17 and has been trained as a design artist. One of the camp sponsors, Terry, a manufacturer who also produces our t-shirts, visited camp and one of our Canadian volunteers, Michael, introduced Terry to Steve. After hearing his story and hearing from Michael what a good man Steve is striving to become, Terry offered Steve a job in one of his factories!

Xi'an Camp Update (2) - Adoptive Family Volunteers!

2010-07-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

Like a refreshing summer rain storm, week two of camp has come and gone in Xi'an.

We were yet again blessed with a group of volunteers from all over the world. The Knipe family of Florida were especially excited to spend the week with children from their adopted daughter's orphanage!

A six year old boy named Wei Wei grabbed all of our hearts. He was blind and very small, but reminded us that no child is insignificant.

We're grateful for another fantastic week! Thank you for lifting us up!

With love,
The Xi'an team

Kunming Camp Update (2) - "The happiest time of my life..."

2010-07-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We can say "Hurray!" for week 2 - not that it's over (hah!), but very successful and fun! We had another amazing group of 16 beautiful children. Everyone connected well with their kids and played hard. Our goodbye party, complete with a beautiful cake for eating (not throwing, a typical Chinese tradition) was filled with many heart-felt words of love, affection, and disappointment at having to leave. Here a a couple of quotes from the kids to their foreign volunteers:

"When you said, 'I love you' to me, although I didn't have enough courage to speak out, I did say it in my heart."

"Hello, beautiful like flowers, my sister. This week is the happiest time in my life."

"Every day you take me to eat ice cream. That's a happy memory in my life. Every day in the camp, I was so happy."

The kids definitely say it the very best!

Blessings,
The Hedden family

Yantai Camp Update (2) - Lots of Teenagers!

2010-07-19T20:04:00.000-07:00

This week the Yantai camp went from a preschool to a high school! While we still had a couple of younger kids, the majority were teenagers! We were also once again blessed with an abundance of boys, which made things more complicated for our female volunteers and translators. But they stepped up and loved their boys like the sons, nephews, or in some cases bigger brothers they might have been.

We had one minor visit to the hospital, but thankfully it turned out to be a precautionary step rather than a necessary one. A young boy who had a small lump on his cheek that was at first feared to be mumps turned out to have a single cavity! He was able to return the same day with a smile and a clean bill of health for the week.

Since we had so many larger boys pool time was a much more active endeavor than the previous week, and the small ball games and swimming lessons were overtaken by water fights, splash wars and a game of keep-away that eventually devolved into a full contact game of “tackle the guy with the ball!” Speaking of water-based events, we were able to get our waterpark up and running and it was a big hit. A giant waterslide led to flips, slips, jumps, push wars, water hose battles ad a few accidental trips downward. The kids had good times pushing their buddies down the slides, and the buddies had fun chasing their kids back up to ride again.

Unfortunately the trip to the amusement park was cancelled for logistical reasons, but it was replaced with a new game for the camp, a scavenger hunt through the dorms that turned out to be really popular with the kids and the adults.

Staff members on different floors were holding candy and glowsticks, and three rice crispy treats for three lucky and quick scavenger hunters. Despite having so many big kids at the camp, it turned out to be the youngest team that was fastest as Carm, Spring, Casey and their two buddies Ya Ya, who is eight and Bai Bai who is six gathered up all six items and returned to win the prize: sodas for their next two meals.

A big event for the camp this week was the beach. We tried out a different one and found not only a better spot for swimming, but also a place to take rides on jet skis and power boats! Most of the kids had never been to the ocean and now we didn’t just get them into the sea, we took them speed along on top of it! A big highlight for everyone was a powerboat tour along the coast of Yantai that included views of cliffsides, cliff top temples and lots of dips and turns along the way.

There were the usual moments of tears and close calls, but also lots of joys and excitement as the kids just got to be kids. We learned a lot from hearing the stories of the children, and were astounded by the strength and optimism they showed even in the face of such hardships as they have all faced. We learned through life charts that some of the children had lost parents, others had been abandoned, but all came to us with open hearts and left with smiling faces.

Camp Stories:

Bai Bai was the youngest camper this week at about 5 years old, and despite being the smallest and youngest by leaps and bounds, she was also the most sassy. Her favorite word was “boo,” which means No. All week Carm and her translator have been telling Bai Bai “Wo Ai Ni” with little response. On the last night of camp Carm went in to say goodnight and gave Bai Bai a hug and said “Wo AI Ni.” Bai Bai looked up nonchalantly and replied simply “I know!” and smiled.

This week at camp there was a conference so our breakfasts were delivered to our rooms by staff members. The breakfasts consisted of meat buns, sweet pies and eggs that needed to be boiled in teapots. Suzanne did not know the eggs were raw when she went to have breakfast in her boys room. Lu Kai, the older boy, tried to warn her by saying “Sheng Da” which means “raw.” Suzanne thought he said eggs and cracked them open since she thought they were already hardboiled. She and her boys got a big shock and a good laugh when raw yolk splashed out of the eggs she had smashed together.

After craft time on Tuesday Bethany was walking with her buddy Donna and also with her younger sister, Riley. Donna was holding both of their hands and looked at them happily and said “You are my best friends.”

Patti is on her first trip to China and has never spoken Chinese, and her buddy Boi doesn’t speak any English. Patti was teaching Bo to play “go fish” and in the middle of the game he stopped her and taught her Chinese sign language for 1-10. Patti than taught him English sign Language for K, Q, and J ( King, Queen and Jack) and using sign language they were able to communicate and play together.

This week volunteer Vicky was assigned two boys of sixteen as her buddies and a translator who was so small the two boys considered her a little sister, even though she was six years older than they were! On the last day of camp as the boys were loading into the bus to go home Vicky signed “Wo AI Ni” to them, and was shocked and elated when both of the boys, who had been somewhat distant during the week, signed it back to her.

Xian Camp Update -Orphan and Volunteer bring cheer all over Xian

2010-07-11T21:28:00.001-07:00

We were blessed to have 24 orphans and 12 volunteers take part in our first week of camp.

Our volunteers and staff teams are made up of people from Australia, Ireland, England, America, and China. We've had continuing jokes about not being able to understand each other, especially the Americans with the Aussie lingo. ;) But in all seriously (which is a rare thing of us,) we have loved our joined unity over our common goal of helping the children.

We had two groups of precious orphans with us this past week, most of which were energetic boys. They had a blast visiting Ocean World, running through the Xian fountain show, and swimming, of course.

One 15-year-old boy named Loren made an impression on us all; he has CP, though that sure doesn't inhibit his joy. He was constantly laughing at his silly 70-year-old English volunteer who sported goofy hats every morning.

Alan and Loren were quite a sight walking around the city of Xian together; with huge smiles on their faces, they would greet every (and I mean every) passerby with a big wave and a loud "NI HAO!" which means HELLO! They continued greeting people until they broke into a smile and give a little wave. The pair brought so much happiness to literally hundreds of city folk in Xian this week, but also to the rest of our camp and also to each other.

Memories and laughter characterize our week, and we are really grateful to the Lord for His provision and care to us.

With love,
The Xi'an Team

Kunming Camp Update - Water-park thrill!

2010-07-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We are off to an amazing start! It was an awesome, fun-filled, life-changing, blessing beyond words time. The children are always quiet when they first arrive, but in a matter of hours are laughing, playing, and enjoying being loved. When it was time to go, every single child, translator, and volunteer, was crying. We always go away each week blessed by what we (our WHOLE FAMILY) have experienced and witnessed, and wishing we had a huge house with lots of rooms.

Eight-year-old Annie was the one who captured us the most this week. She sobbed when she told her volunteer about her mom dying. And she later asked her volunteer if she could kiss her on the cheek. Another highlight was when 3 of the little boys walked into the water park. First their eyes bugged out, they threw their arms into the air, and then they screamed in excitement! What a thrill to witness this.

Next week we will double our numbers and our blessings. We have an amazing group all around - all so willing to love and be loved. We wish you all were here!

Love from China!

The Heddens

Yantai Camp Update - Pre-schoolers and Hospital runs

2010-07-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Our first week of camp is nearly over and yet the adventures are just beginning! Our children arrived and we were surprised to find that they were almost all toddlers or pre-school age. We were expecting a few kids around five and ranging up to twelve, but the oldest we got was about nine and we had more than a couple under four years old! The kids were mostly excited to jump into the activities of camp, and even the most reluctant children were excited when it came to pool time.

On the second day we had two boys who needed medical attention for pre-existing conditions.

Fu Ai Jhong, who is about 5 years old and called Eli by his American, Lydia, was suffering from eye inflammation that at first everyone thought was pinkeye. Teresa took him to the hospital to be treated and they found the eye was inflamed because Eli’s eyelid is inverted and his eyelashes grow upward into his eye, causing scratches that will eventually blind the boy. He will need surgery to correct the eylids, but in the meantime the doctors taped the eyelid down so that the eyelashes would no longer bother his eye. Eli was undaunted by his time in the hospital. He was so excited with the makeshift eye patch that the doctors have him that he dragged Lydia around by the hand so he could show everyone the tape holding down his eyelid.

Teresa also had to take Jing Chun to the hospital due to a severe cough. The doctors diagnosed him with a form of pneumonia and he would need daily I.V. treatments. During the treatments Jing Chun, who is also missing his right hand, bonded strongly with Teresa and took his treatments like a chamo, needles and all. During the group photo on Wednesday Teresa was showing him how to wave at the camera and Jing stopped her from waving and began to push some of her fingers out and others in. He showed her the sign for “I love you” in Chinese and began to tap each of her fingers and saying Wo Ai Ni, over and over. Wo AI Ni is Chinese for I love you.

Other stories from the first week of camp:

On a shopping trip to the local town Elizabeth bought her boys brand new shoes. An An was so excited by his shoes that he didn’t want to wear them, he held them out and showed them to people passing by while yelling “Xin de xie, xin de xie”…New shoes!

During most of the week Fu Xinhai has been closed off from his family group, partially because he is both deaf and mute. During dinner last night he surprised his translator, Michael, by sharing food not only with Michael but also another little boy at their table. After dinner was over Michael began to walk away, leaving some uneaten food on his plate. Fu collected the food from Michael’s plate into a bowl and followed Michael to make sure he finished his dinner.

Fu Au Chau is an autistic little boy who is very sensitive and was said to have a very difficult time connecting with anyone at his orphanage. At the beginning of the week his American volunteer Kim was having a hard time getting Chau to look at her or even acknowledge her presence even if she was right in front of him. Now at the end of the week Chau has come way out of his shell. He is affectionate and loving, always hugging and kissing Kim, calling her Momma and even telling her “Wo Ai Ni:”

During her first night with her baby Huan Huan Emma was woken up in the middle of the night because Huan Huan had fallen off the bed. The baby was getting close to crying when she saw that Emma had woken up. When Emma reached down to pick the baby up, the sadness left her face and Huan Huan smiled and reached up for Emma.

Lydia has had a very rough week with two little boys who were very energetic but nto very interested in connecting with her, they preferred just randomly picking buddies and randomly switching at any time. Last night, the last night before the kids return home, Lydia was putting her boys to sleep after spending some time coloring and watching them show off their artwork and she signed I love you to Eli, her deaf/mute boy and was amazed and excited when he smiled up at her and signed back I love you.

We had many firsts for the kids and also for BringMeHope. We took the kids swimming, which is always a highlight for them and for us and this year we even had an inflatable raft that they took rowing all throughout the swimming pool. We took them to a local amusement park and got to ride bumper cars, spinning dolphins and even a flying elephant ride. We even had a beach day full of sand and surf and all the crabs, clams and tiny little fish the kids could find. It is really amazing how much life there is in the beaches here!

Camp Kick-off!

2010-07-05T19:52:00.001-07:00

Xi'an, Yantai, and Kunming teams have kicked off camp for the summer! There have already been many joys and memories, so please keep lifting us up! Check out our facebook for pictures!

Kunming Staff Summit Game

2010-07-01T23:43:00.001-07:00

We sure have had a lot of meetings but even more fun! :)

Night Walk 2010 Recap

2010-07-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Click on the link below to check out some of the amazing stories from our 2010 Night Walk. We had over 1,000 participants, which sponsored over 200 kids to come to camp this summer!!!

Thank you to all who joined us in body and spirit.

Click here for the Night Walk Recap

Off to a great start in Kunming!

2010-07-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

BMH’s 2010 staff just finished a wonderful week in Kunming, China. We were able to connect, plan, and really bond as a group before heading to our three separate camp locations for the summer. Now we are all awaiting the arrival of our first campers come Monday! Keep us in your prayers! We cannot wait to see what God has in store for this summer.

Daisy Girl Scouts Raise Money for Orphans in China

2010-06-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

You don’t have to be a grown up with a job to raise money for the little orphans! Check out these girls in Daisy Girl Scout Troop 944 who raised $21.30 to bring kids to camp in China this summer!

They also colored pictures to brighten the children’s lives.

Thanks girls! You’re an inspiration!

Oregon Family's Foster Care Story

2010-05-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

Lacey Scott's family has volunteered with Bring Me Hope's Summer Camps in China. Yet their extention of love touches little ones in their home community as well...

"My family started doing community foster care three years ago after realizing the potential our family had for doing good.

As my dad said, “so many families have so much to give, they only need opportunities to do so.”

We saw our opportunity in foster care, and once the decision was made it took less than four months to get our first foster child. He was a three month old baby boy named Aiden.

We instantly fell in love with his deep blue eyes and adorable belly laugh. As we bought new clothes for him and hauled him around to all our social events, he became a part of our family; he was our newest little brother.

And yet he didn't belong to us, and we were continually reminded of this as we met his mom and grandma at their twice weekly visits with him.

One of the hardest challenges we found in doing foster care was this paradox: You love the kids like they are your own, knowing full well they will someday leave. But should that knowledge keep you from loving them while you have the opportunity? We decided that it didn't, even after Aiden left seven months later.

Together my family grieved and cried over his departure and then found we still had more than enough love to offer another child. Since we became a foster family we have opened our home to seven different children, discovering that loving these kids is a difficult task but one that brings many rewards.

Now my family is embarking on another adventure together: adoption. Two of our little boys have no home to return to, so we are blessed to become their forever family.

Foster care has revealed many things about the nature of our family. My mum often says, "it's brought out the best and the worst in each of us.” We've gotten overwhelmed at times and struggled to see how the sacrifices are worth it. But we've stuck together and gotten though.

Looking back, I am grateful for the work God has given us. And when my soon-to-be-adopted brother's come running out of the house screaming "Lay-lay!!" when I come home, or when they fall asleep on my lap at night, I wonder whether they aren't the ones blessing us."

* Bring Me Hope applauds and encourages families like the Scotts, who find practical ways to care for hurting children in their own communities. If you’d like more information on foster care, please write to: info@bringmehope.org *

Elim Kids - A home for HIV kids in China

2010-05-27T06:35:00.000-07:00

It has been a big week for Chloe and Peter – a week of new beginnings...

A new house !
They moved into their new house a week ago and have settled in well. They are in the next building to us so we can visit every day and play with them in the playground.

We have been busy decorating with rainbow colours and butterflies and filling the house with toys and books.

A new “Auntie”.
We are so excited about the new lady who has taken on the job of caring for the kids. She is 28 years old and really loves G and the kids. They also love her and are enjoying playing with her. And we are also employing another lady during the days to help with shopping, cooking and cleaning and “toddler entertainment”. I came home one day this week to much screaming and laughter as they all pranced around the house singing “J loves me “ at the top of their voices.

A new name.
We are going to call our venture “Elim Kids”. The name was given to us by a Chinese co worker and represents the “sweet waters”of life in a family compared to the “bitter waters”of life in an institution. (see Exodus 15 :27).

A new vehicle.
The kids are delighted with their new mode of transport – one of the few double prams in China. Maggie has been suffering a bit of “pram envy “ but is happy to have a ride every now and then. This means we and other can take them out to the park to play and for walks. (when it finally warms up ).

New friends.
Peter and Chloe will soon need to employ a secretary as there are so many people to take them for a walk , play with them and even have them for a sleep over. This has been great as gives their carer a much needed rest from being a single mother to 2 toddlers.

This week they were happy to play with hair clips and face paint with some English volunteers who came to help.

New rules.
Peter and Chloe (and Maggie ) are gradually learning what it is like to live in a family. Lots of love, food and cuddles, toys and books but you also have to share ! Some days it is a hard lesson to learn but it is good to see that these days they actually have things that they can share!

A new website.
Soon they will have their own web site so you can keep up to date . It will be www.elimkids.com

Thanks again for amazing support with finances, prayers, sewing, fundraising and more. We really appreciate it and have enjoyed seeing first hand how “He sets the lonely in families".

I am also excited to say that a good Aussie friend of ours is looking at setting up a similar house for those with special medical needs. We hope to transport them to a new house a block away and be able to support her and these very sick kids in a similar way.

Love, Julie and Sam Vidler

Michigan Siblings Shoveled Snow to Raise Camp Sponsorships!

2010-05-24T16:00:00.001-07:00

It is a long standing practice in my family to shovel snowy sidewalks for the shut-ins and elderly of our neighborhood. So it was no surprise when this past winter, my three youngest siblings were out any chance they got helping those who could not do it themselves.

Unlike many of the other kids around our area, the help given by my brother and sisters is given freely, as they do it for the Lord and not for pay. However, there are many kind and generous neighbors who appreciate the attitude displayed by the kids and the work done, and pay them nicely.

In the past, the kids have used a portion of this money for projects such as supplying a cow or a few chickens for a poor family in India, or have financed a well-dig in some far off country. This year, Katren (14), Caeley (12) and Samuel (10) set one of their biggest goals yet.

The three of them came to me with an envelope and big smiles one night and said, “We are going to send an orphan to camp to meet you!” They excitedly explained while showing me they had saved the money to sponsor a child for a full week of Bring Me Hope Camp. Further heart-warming, they did not even want the sponsorship to be in their name!

Last year, my brother Sammy had come to me with tear filled eyes and said that he felt sure I needed to go be a big sister to some little kids over in China. This year he helped make that possible. I am one proud big sister, let me tell you!

Carmella Hepworth

The Invision Project: Orphans & Cameras

2010-05-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

Bring Me Hope staff member Kristen Chase is tying together two passions of hers this summer: Orphans and Photography.

Alongside of Chinese friends, Kristen will be teaching a group of orphaned youth photography in what she's calling "The Invision Project."

"Many of the kids love taking pictures during camp, and I wanted to give them an opportunity to have a hands-on experience with it," Kristen said.

"They have been through some really hard things, and I hope this will be a time of self-expression and healing for them. Plus I love seeing what they come out with when they're given the attention and chance to succeed at something they're interested in," she adds.

Providing each of her students with a digital camera, the children will learn the basics of photography and then go out "on the field" to practice.

"We have some fun outings planned. I'm going to take them to parks, up to the mountains, and maybe even a zoo...if we can find a zoo in Nanchang," Kristen said.

The Invision Project is looking for people to donate gently used digital cameras, SD cards, and rechargeable AA batteries.

If you have any of those items to donate or want to get in touch with Kristen, you can send an email to: kristen@bringmehope.org

You can follow the story here: The Invision Project

Rural China "Children Left Behind" Documentary (by UNICEF)

2010-05-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Charlie Returns to Camp!

2010-05-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

In the summer of 2006, we met a boy who touched our hearts. His name was Charlie.

Charlie shared with us his very vivid memory of being sold by his father. After the police were involved with his situation, Charlie was moved to an orphanage. But he longed for family life.

Anna (Yoder) Chang, who was living in China at the time, was able to have Charlie placed in a wonderful foster home that was run by foreigners. They recently sent us this update:

“Charlie is doing well! He is in a public school which is one of the best in our area and is just 15 minutes by his bicycle. He has grown a lot! And he is learning English, but like most of the Chinese kids they don't want to speak it out. He gets embarrassed when he says it wrong, but we tell him its fine and the more you speak it the better you will communicate. Now when he wants to say something, he will spell it and we will speak it then he will repeat it! It’s so funny.

Charlie is doing well in school. He has a lot of awards for high scores in his subjects. He loves to cook spicy food, and is very good cooking fried rice. We tease him that we should send him to Baoding cooking school, one of the best cooking schools and well known in China.

We feel he has a relationship with HIM. He is joy to us, very obedient, smiles a lot, and is very grateful for everything we buy, give or do for him.

To sum it up if we can adopt him we will. He is our son in a lot of ways.

When you meet him you will see what a change HE done for Charlie and in his life; we give HIM all the glory.

-Mike & Elisa”

We are very excited to see Charlie at camp this summer, and we are grateful for the progress in his and for Mike and Elisa for taking such good care of him. Praise the Lord!

Night Walk Tomorrow!!

2010-05-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

Care for Dying Children

2010-05-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

We in the west all know about 'tough love '- making hard decisions for the ultimate good of your child.

For example sending them to school without their homework (or in their pajamas) or letting them learn to clean their room!

Some parents in China really have to make harder decisions for their children and I have heard about two lately.

The first is a little girl with spina bifida - only discovered at birth and she was abandoned soon after. She was left with a note that said 'we are poor village farmers and can't afford the operation. Please look after our baby girl ".

This family had to decide to live without their daughter forever - knowing that her only hope of an operation was if she was an orphan.

The second was a heart breaking story of a 6 month old girl with severe liver failure. She has obviously been in a loving family who had realized that she was dying and abandoned her in the hope that someone would be able to help.

Sadly this little girl died a week later - away from her parents and the love that she knew.

I can only imagine how hard it was for her parents to leave her knowing that they would never see her again.

She was taken in and cared for by an English couple who are looking after dying infants - they also hope to support families so that they no longer need to abandon very unwell/dying children.

“China Kidz” serves by establishing and running children’s hospices. If you would like to help them in anyway though donations or volunteering, I know it would be much appreciated. They are doing a wonderful job in caring for these children.

China Kidz Website: www.chinakidz.org

REV 21;4 - " He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death,neither sorrow,nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain...."

Julie Vidler

Canada Tour Snapshots

2010-04-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

Katie and Kristen from the Bring Me Hope Team have been hitting the road this Spring to spread the word about the orphan situation in China.

"We've seen God work in amazing ways during our speaking tours," Kristen Chase says.

"People are open to hearing the truth about what these children go through and by God's grace they are responding!

We are seeing people wanting to volunteer at China, sponsor orphans for a week at camp, and also be challenged by the way they live in their own communities! It's amazing to witness God at work!"

Nutrition for Malnourished Orphans

2010-04-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

"I went to the XinXiang Orphanage with eight other Bring Me Hope Club Members. We decided to help the orphans with their lives and their studies. This orphanage is a special one because the children's parents are in prison as a result of family violence. We stayed with the children for only one week, and we all became best friends. There are about twenty five children in this orphanage, and six of them are girls. The average age of these children is twelve. They are very polite and adorable, living together like a big family.

During that week, we shared every meal together with the children. However, I found a problem: there were no fresh vegetables for the children to eat during breakfast or supper. The children eat the same food every day. For breakfast, there is only porridge and mantou (Chinese rolls). For lunch there are some noodles with only a little bit of cabbage. For dinner they have porridge and mantou again. Every day the meals are the same.

When I had dinner with them, I often felt sorry for them. Their bodies are in an important stage of growing up, and they need to get enough nutrition to strengthen their body every day.

After I left the orphanage, an idea occurred to me: We should do something to change the situation. I estimated that it would take about 2,000 RMB every month to provide them with vegetables (or sometimes milk) at every meal. It is really on my heart to help these children to grow up healthy. Personally, I will donate 300 RMB every month, but that was not enough. So I sent out an email to all of my foreign teachers asking for their help.

Many of the teachers replied and donated money for the children to have vegetables at every meal! I just did a little, all work was done by our Father."

Below are some pictures of the children at the XinXiang Orphanage eating vegetables, thanks to a Chinese University student wanting to make a difference!

Night Walk Flyer Download

2010-04-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

Right Click Save, Print, & POST the Night Walk Flyer!!! We need your help!

Register for the Night Walk here: www.bringmehope.org

"Hannah's Story" wins Best Documentary!

2010-04-12T11:53:00.001-07:00

Hannah's Story won "Best Documentary" at the Fallbrook Film Festival yesterday! Thanks for all of your support!

Bolts visit University Clubs in China!

2010-04-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

Brother/Sister team David and Rebecca Bolt have been busy visiting Bring Me Hope University Clubs in China this Spring! They are reconnecting with college students who have a heart for orphans as well as encouraging them of greater ways to be involved in the kids lives. Please keep them in your prayers!

Sisters Help Orphan with Cerebral Palsy

2010-04-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

We have arrived back from China safe, sound, and blessed. We did not have internet in China so I am afraid that this may be a long update but so many amazing things happened while we were there and I want to share them with you!

The chapter that God has really placed on my heart for China since 2007 is Isaiah 55. For this trip the last two verses really stood out to me: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.”

So wow we had nine days of craziness, joy, and love. We arrived at Eagles Wings orphanage and were greeted by about fifteen children that could not wait to see us. We played all day long with Si Yan and her friends (many of them were also at camp this summer and it was so fun to reunite with these children. I even got to see Bei Bei- this was the little boy that had an infected foot this summer, I was able to take him to the hospital and watch the Lord really do a healing work. Now he is walking around on his foot fine. It is all healed up and his foot is still functioning!). Okay back to the story, so we played all evening and put them to bed.

The next morning Si Yan, Sarah, and I headed off to the speed train to start our adventure. We did not take a translator with us so it made life really interesting. It actually worked out really well and caused us to bond even more with Si Yan. So we took the train to Xi’an where Sarah got pick pocketed as we left the train station! Thank Jesus that her passport and all the money that had been donated for Si Yan was in a different place in her purse. We then met up with the Vidlers, some very good friends of mine who are doctors there in Xi’an. It was such an encouragement to catch up with them and visit with old friends!

They introduced us to Rowen (a cerebral palsy physiotherapist from Australia). He did a physical assessment on Si Yan. I sat there watching her go through various tests of strength like a very brave little girl, making eye contact with her as much a possible as assuring her she was doing such a good job- and thought to myself “we can’t just leave her here. Why does she have to be so brave for herself? How many doctors has she visited and nothing has changed? We can’t just bring here to this doctor and leave her in the same state. How hopeless that must feel for her-with no one to comfort her”. My heart just broke and I started to cry. She needs a family, medical help would be nice, but even more wonderful would be arms to hold her and love her forever.

After the appointment Rowan was very optimistic. He said that with the way her condition had progressed he could see her perhaps even learning to walk with the proper therapy. Sarah and I were thrilled and got as much information as we could on what needed to be done.

The next day we did a wild game of hid and seek with various prosthetic boot and medical appliance stores. I think we spent about three hours within the span of three blocks trying to find different stores and getting crazy directions in Chinese, so fun. We found some doctors that could make individualized prosthetic foot braces but discovered that Si Yan would need to come back in two weeks to get them fitted and adjusted if necessary. That would not be a possibility as Xi’an is far away from her orphanage and there would be no one to take her back. Sarah thought quickly on her toes though and asked if they knew of anywhere in Zheng Zhou, as that was close to her orphanage and we would be there the next day. They found a place and we were able to get an appointment for the two days from that day. We were very excited!

That afternoon we took Si Yan to see the Terra Cotta Warriors (the 8th wonder of the world apparently). It was really neat and Si Yan really enjoyed it. She referred to the many statues as her “peng you’s” (friends in Chinese). She is pretty much the cutest thing ever and so very smart. She could understand most of what Sarah and I said to her in English!

We said goodbye to my friends and headed back to Zheng Zhou. The next day we met with the prosthetic specialists. God gave us so much favor with them! They absolutely LOVED us! They took molds of her feet and brought up sample boots that had cute pink flowers on them. We were all so excited about it. They were so sweet, they shut down the place and about 5 doctors, some designers, and the head of the whole place took us out to a really fancy lunch. They thanked us for what we were doing for China. I exchanged e mail addresses with the head doctor’s daughter so it will be nice to stay connected with them and maybe build a relationship.

After that we took the bus back to the orphanage. All the children were so happy to see us back. Si Yan showed off her new things and shared some toys that we had gathered along the way. Sarah’s translator from camp this last summer came to visit us and the kids.

That night there was a major dust storm (the biggest one they had had in four years)! Not going to lie, it was scary. It though the building was going to come down on top of us! I kept reciting 2 Timothy 1:7 (the verse my mom taught me to say when I was scared during the night when I was little) and we made it through the nigh. But despite the wind, the next morning (in true Sarah fashion) we bundled ourselves and Si Yan up and went to shop at an outdoor market! It was so much fun and very windy, but a memorable experience for sure!

While we were out we bought treats for all the kids and brought them back to the orphanage. They were very excited and we played the rest of the night.

The next day was goodbye day. We made sure and gave detailed instructions to the manager of the orphanage about Si Yan’s new boots and walker. We taught her all that we had learned about her condition and some practical ways to help her little by little each day. It was really hard because we had bonded with Si Yan so much and really become a well functioning, loving, little unit in the week we had her with us. Leaving her at the orphanage was really hard. Like I said, it is so wonderful that she may be able to walk! God is a god of miracles and hope and joy- and we are so thankful to Him that she may walk! What a life altering event! But how wonderful if we did not have to leave her. That if at each doctor’s appointment she had someone blowing her kisses and encouraging her, and then someone to put on her socks and take her home. This is what we pray for her.

So it was such a blessed and successful trip. We accomplished more in a week than what otherwise may have been done in a month. We had so many moments where God sent us Chinese angles (to help us get on the train, to help us carry everything, to help us find our way, or order a meal). We saw the marring judgment of evil as people looked at Si Yan in disgust, but we also were enraptured by compassion and grace which was not merited.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. We could feel them and saw them in action. We are claiming that Si Yan will walk soon!! We got to love on her and spoil the heck out of her for a week and it blessed us probably more that it blessed her. Pray for a family for her and also that her muscles and bones will be strengthened to walk!

Love you all so much, blessings and grace to you from our Lord and Savior!

~Rose Barnes

Jubilee Dickinson's Adoption Story

2010-03-22T12:12:00.001-07:00

Our family has been involved with Bring Me Hope since they first started opening camps up to those outside the Bolt family. Our first camp was in the mountains of Nanchang in 2006, and since then we have in part or whole attended camps each summer.

I (Jeff) cared for orphans, but had no desire to actually adopt. In 2007 my compassion for orphans became a passion for one orphan. In April of 2007 my wife, Lisa, and I began our adoption paper work. On October 17th of 2007 after completing all our paper work, we were “logged in” with CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) and began the second phase of our adoption: “the wait”.

This is where most grow weary and discouraged, as the adrenalin and emotion dies down. The months turn to years and all the while you keep that calling alive which compelled you to this decision in the beginning.

We had asked for a special needs baby with a heart condition and figured we would get our match soon. By the summer of 2008 we were next in line for a match, but because we had requested a baby girl we were being passed up by the many other families behind us who were open to other special needs or older children. We doubted our original desire for a baby girl and wondered if we should we be more open, but the Lord continually gave us a peace to wait.

Finally in September of 2009, I received a phone call from my wife while I was at work, “Jeff, you will not believe who just called...We have a match and her picture will be on your computer in a few minutes!”

Two and a half years and the moment was finally here. With tears of joy and emotions we met our Jubilee for the first time, via two pictures sent by e-mail.

There was a catch however; she had a heart condition known as Tetrology of the Fallot. This is a congenital heart defect that has a series of four problems within the heart. TOF is surgically correctable, but serious in nature. The biggest issue was a large hole in her septum that separates her right and left ventricle. Because of the hole, her body processes mixed blood, with and without oxygen, making her more blue in color.

We did all the research we could, including meeting with our biological daughter’s Pediatric Cardiologist so we could fully understand what we were facing. We felt satisfied that, even with limited medical information from China, we were willing to take the risk and accept our match. On November 20th 2009, my wife and I boarded a plane for China destined for Zhengzhou, which is in the Henan province, ironically where the last two years of BMH camp have been at SIAS University.

When we first saw Jubilee, or at least who we thought was her, we were so excited because she was so pink and healthy looking, but in a moment we realized this was not our daughter. Jubilee came out next, and she was tiny, fragile and blue like a Smurf. Her appearance made both Lisa and I gasp. In fact, the lady running the registry was equally alarmed and kept checking Jubilee to see how she was.

The day went from bad to worse and by the afternoon of the same day we were in the local hospital with Jubilee, who was blue and panting for air. Later in the evening the founders of our adoption agency drove to the hospital and sat with us late into the night. The hospital was primitive and the help Jubilee received was limited yet gave her the ability to come home the next afternoon.

Prior to our leaving the hospital I had spoken with our Cardiologist back in the US and he recommended getting updated tests done while we were in the hospital. This proved to be a life saving decision that gave him the information he needed to tell us that her condition had worsened and he felt we ran a 50/50 chance of getting her home on the airplane alive to the US. We had not been able to file the official documentation yet accepting Jubilee as our daughter and were now faced with a decision as to what to do.

Two days after arriving in China we received a phone call at 5:30 in the morning that my Dad had unexpectantly passed away, just two days after we were losing our daughter we had waited nearly 3 years for. We felt at the bottom and raw with emotion, but God had a different plan.

The founders of our adoption agency were still in China and the four of us met to discuss what to do. Lisa and I told them that we did not feel comfortable playing with a 50% chance of survival, 12 hours on a plane over the Pacific Ocean. So in an act of desperation we hatched a plan to take advantage of a 90 day window that China gives all approved adoptive parents to come to China to pick up their child.

Prior to this decision our friends, Ana and Bill Moody, who are physicians at Philip Hayden Foundation in Beijing, had offered to take Jubilee on our behalf and get her a life saving surgery that would allow her to fly home with us. The problem was that Jubilee was not our child yet. We would have to refuse her adoption and leave her with the orphanage. So we prayed that God would influence the orphanage director to let her go to Beijing under the care of PHF. We gambled that IF, the orphanage would let Jubilee go to Beijing, Bill and Ana could get her surgery in time, Jubilee could recover within the 90 day window, and the local registration official would not send our refusal letter we had had to write to CCAA, we might be able to fly back to China in time to get her and stay with in our 90 day window of travel approval.

November 26th, 2009, on Thanksgiving day, we flew home. We left China a week earlier than planned feeling dejected, exhausted and emotionally spent and without our daughter. We hung onto the hope of a “long shot” plan to come back and get her.

Saying good bye to her was agonizing as the orphanage director took her from our arms, not knowing what would happen to her and wondering if we would ever see her again. We missed our connecting flight in Hong Kong, requiring an eight hour layover for the next plane. Lisa was so spent she could hardly walk through the airport and finally lay down on some empty chairs and went to sleep. In an effort to kill some time I pulled out my lap top and checked our e-mail. In it was the best thanksgiving gift ever. An e-mail from our friend Bill Moody saying that the orphanage had agreed to send Jubilee to PHF, she would be on a train with an orphanage worker with in five days. The first of several hurdles was underway, what a miracle!

The doctors in Beijing examined Jubilee, they discovered she not only had TOF but also a second very serious heart defect. This condition would have guaranteed her death on the plane ride home had we chanced it. Over the next 6 weeks Jubilee received her surgery which gave her a new lease on life. She recovered in record time, allowing us to fly back to China on January 22nd .

We flew directly to Beijing and were reunited with our daughter. We flew with Jubilee back to Zhengzhou to finish the adoption that had abruptly ended two months prior. The registration administrator had held onto our refusal letter, hoping to hand it back to us when we returned to China.

We flew home on February 4th , our 90 day window with China ended February 5th. We serve a big God, and He delights to show us just how big He is.

Jubilee is now thriving at home and gaining weight. This summer she will face her big surgery that will ultimately fix, not only her TOF, but also give her a pulmonary artery and valve. We went to China to save an orphan and came home with our daughter, never to be called “orphan” again!

Hannah's Story up for Best Feature Documentary!

2010-03-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

We're excited to announce that "Hannah's Story" is nominated for Best Feature Documentary for the Fallbrook Film Festival!

Check it out: http://fallbrookfilmfestival.com/2010_Awards.html

Bring Me Hope Volunteers Adopt!

2010-03-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

In July 2006, the month before my husband and I got married, we went to China with Bring Me Hope as volunteers. The time we spent with our kids made it very clear that adoption was an absolute for us. We actually tried to adopt one of the little girls in our group, but China regulations did not allow that to be possible for us at the time.

While we were in China we had the opportunity to visit the orphanage where the children who came to camp lived. This experience in visiting the grounds and all of the other children just reinforced for us that we would absolutely want to include adoption as a way to grow our family.

Fast forward to March 5, 2010…

As most of you know, John and I have returned home from Ethiopia with our sweet baby Sam. We got home last Friday and today is the first day I feel a bit adjusted. Ethiopia was an absolutely amazing trip. I am however incredibly happy to be home.

Sam is really doing great. John and I smile the second he walks in the room. It has been an amazing journey because he was not very fond of us the first few days we interacted with him :-) He also came off as being a very high strung, aggressive little boy that would not smile. We were really preparing to have our hands full when we returned home with a tough transition. However, he completely changed almost as soon as we took custody in ET.

It is very clear to him that we are mommy and daddy and he absolutely LOVES us!! He is very laid back, laughs a lot, loves to tease us, very playful, and very affectionate. He loves to give kisses (especially to his older brother Kieran). They do fight over toys but working it out...tonight, Kieran counted to three and then put him in time out :-) Kieran is struggling a bit with the transition but if Sam is sleeping, he wants me to go wake him up. So I guess that's encouraging. Anyhow, we just absolutely love him to death!

The Thurman Family

"The only thing I should do is to love her with my whole heart.”

2010-03-09T07:49:00.001-08:00

A BMH Camp Translator tells her Story...

I feel very honoured to be here to tell our family’s story in BMH’s summer camp in August of 2009.

My story has three parts. It happened between SiYan, Sarah, and me. Sarah is my foreign volunteer who is very kind-hearted and comes from California SiYan is a very smart orphan assigned to our group from an orphanage in JiaoZuo, China.

SiYan is a perfect girl with two problems; one of which is she cannot walk, and the other is she needs to go to bathroom often like once every ten minutes. So I had to carry her to the bathroom even when I really want to eat my meal or feel tired. When we got to the bathroom, she said to me, “I’m sorry, sister. I must make you tired. You must hate me.” I felt ashamed and answered with tears in eyes, “Not at all. SiYan, you are so pretty and sweet. I want to carry you forever.” When I stayed in bed that night, I said to myself, “I can’t show my boredom to her any more. She stands much more torture than me. The only thing I should do is to love her with my whole heart.”

Then, there was Sarah who loved SiYan so much that she would hug and kiss her every time she saw her. SiYan also love Sarah. She always asked me what Sarah was talking about and wanted to understand her. The last activity of our week together is to write letters. SiYan and Sarah need to write letters for each other, and I would translate these letters. SiYan wrote, “I want Sarah to be my mum.” which shocked everybody.

I really appreciate that I can know Sarah and become friends with her. She is very patient and thoughtful. I can’t forget the most common sentence she would said to SiYan, “That’s ok,” and she would always help me carry SiYan. Sarah and I are very similar, both with a sister and a brother, parents that are teachers, and born in the year of snake, the Chinese Year of the Snake. Maybe there is some connection between us, I thought.

That is my amazing experience which should be cherished forever. Now I’m the BMH club president in TaiYuan, and I feel very thankful to have Sarah, Becca and David in my life. Everything I do for BMH is going well and my life is plentiful and meaningful. I even get to meet Sarah and SiYang again in several days because Sarah is going to see SiYan, and I will go too. WAHOO!! I'm also thankful for everyone who comes to the camps. I love you all!

~Banana

Our Most Recent Update!

2010-03-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

Please click on pictures for larger image. :)

Hannah's Story Short - -> WATCH IT HERE!!!

Ethan is HOME!

2010-03-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

Bring Me Hope rejoices with Bill & Debbie Byrne on the adoption of their son Ethan! Check out their family's adoption story: http://www.ourmiraclesandblessings.blogspot.com/

Ranch Update - The Finale!

2010-02-25T13:52:00.000-08:00

Singer/Songwriter Selina Bond makes Top 10 National Song Writer's Contest with her song "Orphan."

2010-02-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Selina Boland was moved to write her song "Orphan" after reading Bring Me Hope's "Love Delivery" by Tom Pfingsten.

Boland has used proceeds from "Orphan" to raise funds for kids to come to camp this summer. Thank you Selina, and congratulations on your success!

Check out her music here: http://www.myspace.com/selinaboland

Xia Lan & Xia Li vs. Ice Cream.

2010-02-18T21:05:00.001-08:00

Two campers in Xin Zheng last year!

"God is with me..." A Chinese translator tells of her trip to an orphanage

2010-02-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

I have been home for 2 days from THE AMAZING JOURNEY. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragements!! Well, here is what happened there and what our Father did!!

We stayed at the orphanage one night and one morning and met more than 10 kids who study at the nearby orphanage. This is totally out of my expectation because I thought there would be around 5 of them. However, there were 11 kids!! We went to pick them up at the end of school the same afternoon we arrived there to give them a surprise, and they were so happy to see us.

We talked, sang songs, (they sang a church song for us!!!), ate and went to school together! They are happy, healthy, love school and have many companions. I was amazed by how well they were. Praise the Father for HIS faithful love and care!!

We also met two girls from the orphanage who study at high school. Praise the Father that HE helped us find them without waiting too long or having too many troubles. We brought them money and gifts, and especially love and encouragements they needed most.

We left the orphanage after one day's visit, then went to my friend's home which is two hours away from the orphanage. We stayed for more than one day, had fun with his nieces, goofed in the village, relaxed and enjoyed FATHER'S amazing preparation since my friend's mother is also a sister in Christ!! They were extremely helpful and nice. We had so much fun together

A three day journey is not long, however the Lord did show us his mercy, love, power and faith. The children from the orphanage are all doing well!! I have a more clear understanding on the verse which says work is for helping others in a better way. I spent one month's salary for the kids and my students also bought many stuff for the kids after hearing about my journey. God is with me, I do not do things alone. I wish I might have more chances to do this in the future.

Thank you all for your prayers and love for Chinese kids…

"The Lord has provided a job cleaning a school for two hours a day!" says Chinese Foster Parent

2010-02-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity on Christmas Eve to visit 'Mr.Fang' and his family. They live about an hour away from us in the mountains.

Mr.Fang and his wife foster two teenagers with severe cerebral palsy, a younger child who has been abused, and they have two children of their own. A very big family for China!

He is a lovely Christian man who loves the children and treats them all as his own. They have no front door, electricity, or heat, and all the kids sleep in one bed. (It was minus 7 degrees on the day I visited!)

Mr.Fang told me how the Lord has provided for his family through his job of cleaning an International school (which our boys attend) for two hours a day. The school DOES in fact have a front door, heat and electricity – not to mention computers a library and a canteen!

The two foster boys are completely dependent for all cares including feeding and dressing and toileting. They have outdoor toilets (remember, it is minus 7 degrees!) and he sits them on it after meals – it is the best he can do without plumbing!

After I got home and defrosted with a hot shower and multiple cups of hot water, I reflected on the fact that Mr.Fang is one of the true “heroes” of China. And I was reminded again that indeed it is “more blessed to give than receive."

I am trying to organize a team to visit the family regularly and help with the kids. I have spoken to the school who are organizing a fundraiser to help the family, as we really want to help them and show how much we recognize his selfless devotion to the care of orphans.

Keep Mr.Fang and his (very tired) wife in your thoughts and prayers.

Julie Vidler

"I feel like I've just had twins!" - The Vidlers take in two more HIV positive foster children.

2010-02-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

Things have happened so quickly here!!

At this moment, Julie is in another province, 800km to the southeast of us, where 2 weeks ago an orphanage there discovered that 2 of their children have HIV, and via a British nurse working with them, a request for the care of these children went out across the country.

After some discussion, we gladly agreed to this, and spoke with the orphanage directors, who were just as keen for us to take care of these children.

So......probably later tonight, we will have 5 children under our roof!!! Thomas, James, Maggie and a 2 and a 3 year-old child. 1 boy. 1 girl. Julie and I are so excited to begin something that we have had on our hearts for so long (almost 18 months now!!)

We have already spoken with the HIV Professor here who is very willing to sign the prescription that allows them to have life-long anti-HIV medications supplied free.

Now we plan to care for them in our family until we can rent another apartment, and find a "mama" to live with and care for them.

From there, we will provide all medical care, social integration and education - with the hope that they will be adopted in the future, with the best possible chance to live a long and disease-controlled life.

We would so love to set up a model and standard for care of these children, that the community and other care facilities can then see that this is not a disease to panic over, but to still love and nurture these children. In doing this, perhaps those children when diagnosed in the future can actually remain with their biological families - ultimately a far better place with the proper medical care.

We are so grateful for the incredible response to our previous email for your assistance with this - not only was it rapid but extraordinarily generous.

What wonderful people we have - to be able to call 'friends', from around the world.

UPDATE:

Today I feel like I have just had twins! (Although people who really have had twins may disagree!) I left home yesterday morning with a bag full of nappies and toys and returned at 2 am with 2 children!

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers for us and the kids . We had a great day and all went smoothly from multiple meetings with orphanage officials to flying with 2 kids!

They are cute, happy little things and have been happy and laughing with us all day. It looks like they haven't been out of their "isolation" room since they were diagnosed in September so they are very interested in the outside world.

Zhang Jian Shi (" Peter ") is the boy - James wanted to call him R2 D2 but we thought Peter was better. He is about 3 and was found last year on the street. He looks pretty healthy and is a real "boy" - loves throwing balls in the house and anything that makes noise.

Zhang Qiu Ni - ("Chloe ") - looks a bit younger. She seems to have a lot of energy and was up until 3 am this morning watching play school with Sam! We hope she has a better night tonight.

The kids are fitting in well. Maggie is in her element having someone to boss around and has been busy teaching them her tricks on how to avoid the day time sleep! James and Thomas have also been great with them.

We continue to look for an apartment and a good carer for them who sees it as her passion rather than just a job.

Please pray that we will find the right person and place. Also for the kids who are mostly happy but sometimes get distressed for no reason - they have had so many changes in 6 months.

Attached are some photos - me trying to get them through the airport - and Maggie and them at rest time.

It is your heart, and your generosity that makes this thing possible. Without it, we simply could not give this love to these children.

Gratefully yours,
Sam and Julie.

Maggie, Peter, and Chloe.

"These Three" Novel - Now Available!!

2009-12-19T10:20:00.000-08:00

Click here to download the first chaper or to purchase the book!

"SOUND DELIVERY" - Hear & Pre-order now!

2009-12-19T10:00:00.001-08:00

Click here to preview or order SOUND DELIVERY!

"Hannah's Story" Documentary Trailer

2009-12-17T16:37:00.000-08:00

Click here to read more or order the documentary today!

Spring became a Christian!!

2009-12-04T07:32:00.001-08:00

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!

"I want to go to China and help all those orphans too..."

2009-11-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

"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.

The Ranch Update 6

2009-11-17T07:23:00.001-08:00

The Ranch Update 5

2009-11-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

The Ranch Update 4

2009-11-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

The Ranch Update 3

2009-09-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

The Ranch Update 2

2009-09-24T19:13:00.001-07:00

The Ranch Intro

2009-09-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

The translator came up to me and said, "Guess what? I'm your brother in Christ!"

2009-09-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

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!

Summer Camp Update 6 of 6

2009-08-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

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

Summer Camp Update 5 of 6

2009-08-20T16:27:00.001-07:00

“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

Summer Camp Update 4 of 6

2009-08-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

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
-----------
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

Summer Camp Update 3 of 6

2009-07-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

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

Summer Camp Update 2 of 6

2009-07-19T09:36:00.001-07:00

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!
---------
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

Summer Camp Update 1 of 6

2009-07-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

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!

Prayer for Staff in China - TEN minutes for top TEN requests.

2009-06-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Changes in the Air...

2009-06-21T17:48:00.001-07:00

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

Night Walk '09!

2009-05-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

Location: China
PC: Dennis Chen
Location: LA, CA
PC: Becca Berthelet

Location: Maine
PC: Donna Chellis
Location: Wichita, KS
PC: Stephen Dyer

Location: Kansas

PC: Tami Lakey

Location: MI
PC: Carmella Hepworth

Location: New Jersey

PC: Mark Padden, Kate Padden

Location: Fallbrook, CA
PC: Becca Bolt
Location: Lake Isabella, CA
PC: Kyle Arcurio

Location: Murietta, CA

PC: Amanda Varnell

Maggie's Adoption Update!

2009-05-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

Update on the Mordick Family's Adoption for Maggie. Read their story here!

"We are so excited to confirm that all is on schedule. We leave for Beijing on 5/22. Mike is heading home after completing the adoption, so he will take over daddy duties once he gets home. Maggie and I will head to Beijing on 6/3 after our swearing in ceremony in Guangzhou. We're planning on touring the Summer Palace together. I thought the GW may be too much for her little legs or we won't have enough time before we catch our flight home later that afternoon. Fortunately, I have so much already accomplished, and I have just a few things to purchase before we head out. Please keep us and Maggie in prayer. This is too exciting for words!"

Kids are Not Numbers

2009-05-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

Kids are not numbers. Statistics choose to represent them that way, but every child is an individual life. An undying soul.

Li Weng Xi is one such child. He came to camp this past summer in China, where we learned that he had Osteogenesis Imperfecta (or Brittle Bone Disease.) Because of a low production of collagen in his body, Li Weng Xi’s bones were very frail. Each step he took was chosen with caution, to protect his fragile body.

When asked how many times he has broken his bones, he told us that he had forgotten. The number was too great.

Camp ended, and Li Weng Xi returned to his orphanage. But he was no longer a number to us; he was a child we knew that needed help. So this past January, Hope, an experienced care-giver of children with special needs and a friend of Bring Me Hope, drove about twelve hours to check on him.

“He showed his legs to me, and they were really curved” Hope reported to us. “We told the orphanage that it seemed Li Weng Xi needed surgery based on our experience with children who have Brittle Bone Disease.”

So that same day, Hope took Li Weng Xi with her to a Foster Home in China who provides special care to children with Brittle Bone Disease. He has been living there since then.

“He is happy to be there,” Hope told us of Li Weng Xi’s experience in the Foster Home. “He likes the food there, and thinks his friends are nice. He’s really excited to have piano class, and he really likes to sing.”

In March, Li Weng Xi had surgery on both of his legs where he proved to be very brave. “I will be taller than before,” he said of his surgery.

Li Weng Xi will be getting his casts off of his legs any day now. Surgery and follow-up physical therapy will help his once bent legs to be straight, finally. He will be strong. And he will know that he is so much more than just a number.

Epilogue:

Because of our care for Li Weng Xi, his orphanage has given us permission to send two other orphans, Obadiah and Peter John, to live in Foster Care!

2009 Camp Promo Song

2009-05-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Facebook Event: Download this song for free by 5/11/09.

Enjoy!

Night Walk Poster

2009-04-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

Download, print, and handout the Night Walk 09 poster.
(to download click on the image. In the new window right click on the image choose the option to "save image".)