Today we visited Maria's Big House of Hope (Steven Curtis Chapman ministry)....they have a very large facility, about 100 children...we were able to love on the children and visit with Ike the man that runs the home...pretty young guy....single...let his job as a financial manager to come and run Maria's big house...we then went and visited Swallows Nest...a couple has leased 5 small apartments to take care of special needs orphans...the apartments we visited was tiny...5 babies, all with SN's and 2 nannies...we asked the Nannies where they slept...they just sleep on the couch...we then went to visit Harmony Home....a home for HIV kids...this place again was an apartment filled with children...all HIV positive...this was the most interesting facility...there was a young Asian couple ...23 years old that take care of these kids...only 20 years and already 20 kids! quite a start to adult life! the kids were all very healthy looking and were happy...they did a little "show" for us...we were their during "medicine" time...it was amazing how these little kids on their own went and got their pill boxes, took their pills on their own and put away their drinking cups...we had a lady fly in from Xian that went with us...she also care for HIV kids and she hand her husband are adopting one of them...Lifeline is excited about working with these agencies and Chinese gov. to place HIV kids...the new medicine has helped these kids live seemingly healthy lives and eventually test negative so we have many people interested in these children because of the medicine...in China the hardest part is the stigma of HIVE....they have to keep it very secret and it is extremely hard to hire any help to help care for the kids...they risk being out casted themselves if others know they are around these children...many more stories to tell but we have to be ready to go at 6 a.m. so i will sign off...thanks for your prayers...please pray especially for the people that minister to these children...i was struck by their sacrifice and heart to help...it seems like it could be very lonely being away from your country, family and friends....Amy

Hey everyone,

Hope you're having a great visit. Update on the families back home:

Berry house paint project will start on Friday. Should be able to cover up everything.

Hart house - well James was in charge according to all the boys.

Czick house - what NCAA?

Love you guys,

Doug and the boys

today we went to New Day and Phillip Hayden...both great foster homes for children...there were many mixed feeling about this visit...the facilities are a blessing to these children...they are getting wonderful care and they are loved...it is amazing to me the sacrifice of those working at these places...giving up everything here to come and take care of these orphaned children...the couple that is the "mom and dad" at Phillip Hayden were such a gracious couple...probably in their 50's...they have been there for 2 years...they lost their only two sons in a boating accident...not sure exactly how they arrived at Phillip Hayden but was touched by their hearts to find a place to father and mother 80 children after tragically losing their two...although these children are in a wonderful places their is still an obvious void of "family"...some of the children we saw i wonder if they will ever be adopted...if not, then what?...just leaves a heart heavy...we will meet with CCAA tomorrow and talk with them about what we can do as an agency to help more children...all for now....amy

Travel Schedule

Monday Jan 17
Flights into Beijing

Tuesday Jan 18
Traders Hotel, Beijing

Wednesday, Jan 19
New Day
Phillip Hayden

Thursday, Jan 20
CCAA

Friday, Jan 21
Great Wall
Depart for Zheng Zhou
Stay in Zheng Zhou Kaifujianguo Hotel

Saturday, Jan 22
Luoyang, Marias Big House of Hope
Swallows Nest in Zhengzhou
Harmony Home in Zhengzhou

Sunday, Jan 23
Fly to Guangzhou
go to Zhongzhan Orphanage
Garden Hotel

Monday, Jan 24
Civil Affairs
American Consulate
go to Hong Kong
Hotel-Harbour Plaza Metropolis

Tuesday, Jan 25
Girls Leave Hong Kong

Wed, Jan 26
Boys leave Hong Kong