I managed all by myself to somehow get to Beijing without any major issues! I slept for most of the journey and also started and finished Heidi Baker's 'Compelled by love' (you HAVE to read it, it's beyond amazing). Jenni met me at the airport and filled me in on all things 'Hope foster home' on the way back.
2) Captial Church Beijing
9am, the morning I arrived I went straight to church with Jenni and Jordan (two of the other volunteers). What a way to start my trip, where all things should start and end, worshipping Jesus and committing the next three months to the Father. I'd visited this church last year and it was great, but i had a renewed sense of peace about this church. The theme of the morning was 'Abide in me' - how apt! When we are in Christ, our likeness to God is strengthened. His heart and His will flows through our hearts too. I'm expectant and excited for the Sunday am's to come!
3) Cuddling kids from last year!
The highlight of my Sunday was seeing the toddlers that i met last year. Most have been adopted or moved to other units, but two little boys, David and Steven are still there. ( We use the chinese names when we speak to them). Both have had their heart surgeries and are healthy, chubby and happy. They are starting to say my name but its more 'Wo Wo' than Rosey but we'll roll with that!
4) A normal day at Hope :
The days are long and packed full of time with the kids.
7am : Wake up breakfast
8am : 1st pre school class - more advanced, can speak and understand conversational English most of the time. We sing our ABC's and numbers. Learn colours and paint/colour in.
8.45 am : Discovery class - going over the basics, singing, playtime. Also been working on motor skills and development. e.g this week learning how to drink from a normal cup.
10 am : similar to the latter but younger kids.
Here's some pictures of the pre school classes.
<<<< This week we learnt the letter Y for 'Yo Yo'
Here's some pictures of the pre school classes.
2 afternoons a week we have baby classes - a few of them have acute separation anxiety because they're not used to the preschool yet, so please pray for peace and patience!
5) SWIMMING.
- 3 afternoons a week we take the older kids swimming. Robin and Joyce (the owners of the home) have a great pool in their garden.
Here's some pictures!
Most of them are basically water babies!
They absolutely love it, and its SO nice being able to jump in a cold pool!
6) Spare time :
This week, i've been getting over pretty strong jetlag. I'm wide awake by 7am which most of you know is very unlike me... and i've been waking up 2 or 3 times in the night. Naps have been very useful! The kids take a nap at lunch time so i've done a bit of scrap booking. Each child gets a book that tells there story. It includes pictures of their nannies, friends, photos, significant moments in their little lives.
One lunchtime we also cycled to the five day market to buy fruit thats so so cheap!
So there you have it!
I've really loved my first week!
Much love,
Rosey x
Hi Rosey, great to hear your update! We have read your posts and and all about the work on the Hope Foster home website. What a work and what a need! We pray for your energy levels, enthusiasm levels, that you will know His nearness to you and can show His nearness to those you are in contact with. His love for the work and these small children is without doubt. We wish you every blessing and that you will see great things. Obviously there will be times of difficulty and emotional pressures in this kind of work and we assure you of our love and prayers. Nat, Helena, Isla, Esme & James X
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